--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was always getting told off by my choir…" description: "\"I was always getting told off by my choir teacher for, you know, riffing when I shouldn't.\" — Rita Ora" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e9/rita-ora-1777_always_i-was-always-getting-told-off-by-my-choi_2028162.jpg" --- # I was always getting told off by my choir teacher for, you… ![“I was always getting told off by my choir teacher for, you know, riffing when I shouldn't.” quote by Rita Ora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e9/rita-ora-1777_always_i-was-always-getting-told-off-by-my-choi_2028162.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e9/rita-ora-1777_always_i-was-always-getting-told-off-by-my-choi_2028162.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e9/rita-ora-1777_always_i-was-always-getting-told-off-by-my-choi_2028162.jpg) > “I was always getting told off by my choir teacher for, you know, riffing when I shouldn't.” [Rita Ora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-ora/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Being reprimanded for improvising when instructed not to highlights tension between conformity and creativity. **In simple terms:** Creative impulse vs rules. Key Takeaway Balance structure with spontaneity. Themes creativity authority music Mood frustrated reflective Type advice motivational When to use this quote - choir practice - school performances - creative workshops Key Concepts improvisation discipline Questions to Reflect On - When have you suppressed an idea to obey? - How can you channel spontaneity within limits? A Different Perspective Excessive conformity can stifle innovation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Always](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) [Choir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choir/) [Choir Teacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choir-teacher-2355698/) [Getting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/getting/) [Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know/) [Know Riffing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-riffing-3709682/) [Off](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/off/) [Riffing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/riffing-965115/) [Riffing Shouldn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/riffing-shouldn-3709681/) [Teacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teacher/) [Told Choir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/told-choir-3709680/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) ## Related quotes > [In high school, I was Mr. Choir Boy. I had solos, I was helping out the tenors with their parts and our choir teacher…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucas-grabeel/in-high-school-i-was-mr-choir-boy-i-had-solos-i-was-helping-out-the/) [Lucas Grabeel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucas-grabeel/) > [When I started learning the violin, my choir teacher thought I could sing. But when I first got on stage, I froze!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/momina-mustehsan/when-i-started-learning-the-violin-my-choir-teacher-thought-i-could/) [Momina Mustehsan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/momina-mustehsan/) > [I remember my choir teacher in high school told me, 'When in doubt, sing loud.' I'm a terrible singer, but I always auditioned for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-greer/i-remember-my-choir-teacher-in-high-school-told-me-when-in-doubt-sing/) [Judy Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-greer/) > [The '80s was an interesting, confining time for songwriters, so we were just sort of riffing in our own language, off to the side.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-wilson/the-80s-was-an-interesting-confining-time-for-songwriters-so-we-were/) [Nancy Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-wilson/) > [I do lots of crowd work in my set, because I enjoy writing material through riffing and conversation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hardwick/i-do-lots-of-crowd-work-in-my-set-because-i-enjoy-writing-material/) [Chris Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hardwick/) > [As long as the world keeps spinning, I'll keep riffing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-vaughn/as-long-as-the-world-keeps-spinning-i-ll-keep-riffing/) [Baron Vaughn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-vaughn/) > [I know you're supposed to hide your influences, but I suppose I see writing as riffing, really, about whatever you have been reading or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-toltz/i-know-you-re-supposed-to-hide-your-influences-but-i-suppose-i-see/) [Steve Toltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-toltz/) > [The idea of just improvising and riffing can sometimes be at the expense of story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rash/the-idea-of-just-improvising-and-riffing-can-sometimes-be-at-the/) [Jim Rash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rash/) > [So the actual riffing came out of us just sitting there and doing it the way I think some people think we really did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-hodgson/so-the-actual-riffing-came-out-of-us-just-sitting-there-and-doing-it/) [Joel Hodgson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-hodgson/) > [I love crowd work, I love riffing, I love the intersection of when I have a bit and I can ask you something and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-dillon/i-love-crowd-work-i-love-riffing-i-love-the-intersection-of-when-i/) [Tim Dillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-dillon/) > [Riffing on language will create wonderful effects you never intended. Which leads me to this writing advice: 'Always take credit for good stuff you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-peter-clark/riffing-on-language-will-create-wonderful-effects-you-never-intended/) [Roy Peter Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-peter-clark/) > [I think, in a way, the stand-up prepped me for the improv, because I do a lot of riffing in my stand-up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-f-tompkins/i-think-in-a-way-the-stand-up-prepped-me-for-the-improv-because-i-do/) [Paul F. Tompkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-f-tompkins/) > [In a weird way, riffing on genres is kind of a reaction to formula. When you watch so much of the programmers and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-wright/in-a-weird-way-riffing-on-genres-is-kind-of-a-reaction-to-formula/) [Edgar Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-wright/) > [I think when I feel I'm at my best is when I'm on stage, and it's my version of jazz because it's just riffing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-crystal/i-think-when-i-feel-i-m-at-my-best-is-when-i-m-on-stage-and-it-s-my/) [Billy Crystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-crystal/) > [Everybody has their cliques, and I was very shy. I'm still very shy. Music opened up doors. I would get to my choir class,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-fonsi/everybody-has-their-cliques-and-i-was-very-shy-i-m-still-very-shy/) [Luis Fonsi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-fonsi/) ## More by Rita Ora > [I don't know how 'X Factor' works. I was only there as a guest judge for a day. But I watched 'The Voice' a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/i-don-t-know-how-x-factor-works-i-was-only-there-as-a-guest-judge-for/) [Rita Ora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-ora/) > [For me, music comes naturally. I always just get in the studio and I feel like, wow, this is my heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/for-me-music-comes-naturally-i-always-just-get-in-the-studio-and-i/) [Rita Ora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-ora/) > [I have always liked the contrast between being blonde and having dark features.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/i-have-always-liked-the-contrast-between-being-blonde-and-having-dark/) [Rita Ora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-ora/) > [I get so nervous, I get belly pains before I go on stage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/i-get-so-nervous-i-get-belly-pains-before-i-go-on-stage/) [Rita Ora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-ora/) > [Unfortunately, being a brand is really important nowadays.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/unfortunately-being-a-brand-is-really-important-nowadays/) [Rita Ora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-ora/) > [I'd love to do a whole soundtrack to a movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/i-d-love-to-do-a-whole-soundtrack-to-a-movie/) [Rita Ora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-ora/) > ['Roc The Life' is a song I wrote with The Dream, who made 'Umbrella,' 'Single Ladies' and loads more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/roc-the-life-is-a-song-i-wrote-with-the-dream-who-made-umbrella/) [Rita Ora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-ora/) > [When I was younger, I did my first audition at 'Eurovision.' I was about 17. After my first audition, I blacked out; I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/when-i-was-younger-i-did-my-first-audition-at-eurovision-i-was-about/) [Rita Ora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-ora/) > [Know yourself; keep your circle tight. Keep your friends and your work circle tight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/know-yourself-keep-your-circle-tight-keep-your-friends-and-your-work/) [Rita Ora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-ora/) > [I'm often mistaken for Spanish or Latin descent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/i-m-often-mistaken-for-spanish-or-latin-descent/) [Rita Ora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-ora/) > [In this industry, all the heads of labels are men, but every artist has to prove themselves, regardless of their sex. I have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/in-this-industry-all-the-heads-of-labels-are-men-but-every-artist-has/) [Rita Ora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-ora/) > [I'd like to be the Princess. But I want a nice black crown, not a pink crown because I hate pink. I wanna be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/i-d-like-to-be-the-princess-but-i-want-a-nice-black-crown-not-a-pink/) [Rita Ora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-ora/) > [I think it's a big deal to have a great soundtrack for a movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/i-think-it-s-a-big-deal-to-have-a-great-soundtrack-for-a-movie/) [Rita Ora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-ora/) > [You got the magic numbers on your speed dial and you could barely drop a name, but meanwhile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/you-got-the-magic-numbers-on-your-speed-dial-and-you-could-barely/) [Rita Ora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-ora/) > [Girls have always wanted to be pretty, even in Egyptian times. Cleopatra wore all that eyeliner, you know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/girls-have-always-wanted-to-be-pretty-even-in-egyptian-times/) [Rita Ora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-ora/) [Explore all 209 Rita Ora quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-ora/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) [Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was always getting told off by my choir teacher for, you know, riffing when I shouldn't.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Rita Ora" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/i-was-always-getting-told-off-by-my-choir-teacher-for-you-know/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Always" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/i-was-always-getting-told-off-by-my-choir-teacher-for-you-know/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e9/rita-ora-1777_always_i-was-always-getting-told-off-by-my-choi_2028162.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e9/rita-ora-1777_always_i-was-always-getting-told-off-by-my-choi_2028162.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e9/rita-ora-1777_always_i-was-always-getting-told-off-by-my-choi_2028162.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I was always getting told off by my choir teacher for, you know, riffing when I shouldn't.” — Rita Ora", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Rita Ora", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-ora/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I was always getting told off...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/i-was-always-getting-told-off-by-my-choir-teacher-for-you-know/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/i-was-always-getting-told-off-by-my-choir-teacher-for-you-know/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```