Old things Quote by Patrick O'Brian
““He had a Geronimo Amati at home, just as Aubrey had a treasured Guarnieri, but they travelled with rough old things that could put up with extremes of temperature and humidity. The rough old things always started the evening horribly flat, but in time the players tuned them to their own satisfaction, and exchanging a nod they dashed away into a duet which they knew very well indeed, having played it together these ten years and more, but in which they always found something fresh, some half-forgotten turn of phrase or of particular felicity. They also added new pieces of their own, small improvisations or repetitions, each player in turn. They might have pleased Corelli’s ghost, as showing what power his music still possessed for a later generation: they certainly did not please Preserved Killick, the Captain’s steward. ‘Yowl, yowl, yowl,’ he said to his mate on hearing the familiar sounds. ‘They are at it again. I have a mind to put ratsbane in their toasted cheese.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian, 1969
Musicians adapt old instruments, finding fresh expression through shared experience and improvisation, honoring tradition while creating new moments.
In simple terms: Old tools can inspire new music when players collaborate creatively.
Key Takeaway
Embrace tradition, improvise, and discover fresh possibilities.
Themes
music
collaboration
tradition
creativity
Mood
reflective
inspired
nostalgic
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- concerts
- rehearsals
- jam sessions
- musical collaborations
Key Concepts
improvisation
shared memory
artistic renewal
Questions to Reflect On
- How does familiarity foster innovation?
- What role does improvisation play in preserving tradition?
A Different Perspective
Reliance on old instruments may limit sonic range; new ideas require openness.
