--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you play, do not trouble yourself as…" description: "\"When you play, do not trouble yourself as to who is listening. Yet always play as though a master listened to you.\" — Robert Schumann" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3f/robert-schumann-11519_listening_when-you-play-do-not-trouble-yourself-as_1444280.jpg" --- # When you play, do not trouble yourself as to who is… ![“When you play, do not trouble yourself as to who is listening. Yet always play as though a master listened to you.” quote by Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3f/robert-schumann-11519_listening_when-you-play-do-not-trouble-yourself-as_1444280.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3f/robert-schumann-11519_listening_when-you-play-do-not-trouble-yourself-as_1444280.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3f/robert-schumann-11519_listening_when-you-play-do-not-trouble-yourself-as_1444280.jpg) > “When you play, do not trouble yourself as to who is listening. Yet always play as though a master listened to you.” [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Perform with confidence as if an expert audience watches, but without worrying about their judgment. **In simple terms:** Play confidently, ignore who watches. Key Takeaway Focus on mastery, not audience. Themes confidence performance mindset Mood determined reflective Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - concerts - practice sessions - recording - teaching Key Concepts self‑efficacy presence Questions to Reflect On - Do you play for yourself or for others? - How does imagining a master listener change your approach? A Different Perspective If you over‑focus on imagined critics, you may lose authenticity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) ## Related quotes > [“Judas said, "Master, as you have listened to all of them, now also listen to me. For I have seen a great vision." And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodolphe-kasser/judas-said-master-as-you-have-listened-to-all-of-them-now-also-listen/) [Rodolphe Kasser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodolphe-kasser/) > [Music is about listening, the more you play, the more the magic spreads.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maynard-james-keenan/music-is-about-listening-the-more-you-play-the-more-the-magic-spreads/) [Maynard James Keenan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maynard-james-keenan/) > [I don't care who I play to, as long as they enjoy listening to what I play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-emerson/i-don-t-care-who-i-play-to-as-long-as-they-enjoy-listening-to-what-i/) [Keith Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-emerson/) > [When we sin we aren't good people doing bad things, we have switched what master we listened to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-we-sin-we-aren-t-good-people-doing-bad-things-we-have-switched/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Milkparade "If you can master nonsense as well as you have already learned to master sense, then each will expose the other for what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malaclypse-the-younger/milkparade-if-you-can-master-nonsense-as-well-as-you-have-already/) [Malaclypse the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malaclypse-the-younger/) > [By positional play a master tries to prove and exploit true values, whereas by combinations he seeks to refute false values ... A combination…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emanuel-lasker/by-positional-play-a-master-tries-to-prove-and-exploit-true-values/) [Emanuel Lasker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emanuel-lasker/) > [The wise musicians are those who play what they can master.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duke-ellington/the-wise-musicians-are-those-who-play-what-they-can-master/) [Duke Ellington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duke-ellington/) > [Play always as if in the presence of a master.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/play-always-as-if-in-the-presence-of-a-master/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [A fiery, good beginner always stands higher than a master in mediocrity...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/a-fiery-good-beginner-always-stands-higher-than-a-master-in-mediocrity/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [Listening to the radio every day for an entire year was a prison sentence. It was the most depressing, annoying, debilitating project I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-vowell/listening-to-the-radio-every-day-for-an-entire-year-was-a-prison/) [Sarah Vowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-vowell/) > [A lot of people that buy vinyl today don’t realise that they’re listening to CD masters on vinyl and that’s because the record companies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-young/a-lot-of-people-that-buy-vinyl-today-don-t-realise-that-they-re/) [Neil Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-young/) > [In a dog social cue from a master can override where he saw the being placed. That won’t happen unless we have bred a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/temple-grandin/in-a-dog-social-cue-from-a-master-can-override-where-he-saw-the-being/) [Temple Grandin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/temple-grandin/) > [Patience is the ability to accept trouble, suffering, delay without getting angry or upset, I feel like if you can master patience you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/patience-is-the-ability-to-accept-trouble-suffering-delay-without/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [Search for the seed of good in every adversity. Master that principle and you will own a precious shield that will guard you well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/og-mandino/search-for-the-seed-of-good-in-every-adversity-master-that-principle/) [Og Mandino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/og-mandino/) > [The man who can master his time can master nearly anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-man-who-can-master-his-time-can-master-nearly-anything/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) ## More by Robert Schumann > [“By means of industry and perseverance you will rise higher and higher.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/by-means-of-industry-and-perseverance-you-will-rise-higher-and-higher/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [When you play, never mind who listens to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/when-you-play-never-mind-who-listens-to-you/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [A fiery, good beginner always stands higher than a master in mediocrity...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/a-fiery-good-beginner-always-stands-higher-than-a-master-in-mediocrity/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [Music induces nightingales to sing, pug dogs to yelp.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/music-induces-nightingales-to-sing-pug-dogs-to-yelp/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [To compose is to remember music that has never been written.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/to-compose-is-to-remember-music-that-has-never-been-written/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [Play always as if in the presence of a master.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/play-always-as-if-in-the-presence-of-a-master/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [You should neither play bad compositions, nor, unless compelled, listen to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/you-should-neither-play-bad-compositions-nor-unless-compelled-listen/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [If, while at the piano, you attempt to form little melodies, that is very well; but if they come into your mind of themselves,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/if-while-at-the-piano-you-attempt-to-form-little-melodies-that-is/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [Art was not created as a way to riches. Strive to become a true artist; all else will take care of itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/art-was-not-created-as-a-way-to-riches-strive-to-become-a-true-artist/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [Music - so different from painting - is the art which we enjoy most in company with others. A symphony, presented in a room…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/music-so-different-from-painting-is-the-art-which-we-enjoy-most-in/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [Believe me, were I ever to accomplish anything, it would be in music, which has always attracted me; and, without overestimating myself, I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/believe-me-were-i-ever-to-accomplish-anything-it-would-be-in-music/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [We shouldn't repeat the same for ages on end, but look into the new as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/we-shouldn-t-repeat-the-same-for-ages-on-end-but-look-into-the-new-as/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [The poet sees better than other mortals. I do not see things as they are, but according to my own subjective impression, and this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/the-poet-sees-better-than-other-mortals-i-do-not-see-things-as-they/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [Without enthusiasm nothing great can be effected in art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/without-enthusiasm-nothing-great-can-be-effected-in-art/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [That first concept is alway the most naturally and best. The mind errs, the emotion never.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/that-first-concept-is-alway-the-most-naturally-and-best-the-mind-errs/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) [Explore all 59 Robert Schumann quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) ## More Listening quotes > [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he postulates. Not only does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-prophet-who-fails-to-present-a-bearable-alternative-and-yet/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [I've been writing songs since I was 10 years old and always had a penchant for rhyming. I started listening to hip hop through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoodie-allen/i-ve-been-writing-songs-since-i-was-10-years-old-and-always-had-a/) [Hoodie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoodie-allen/) > [I listen to heavy metal thanks to my son. When I argue with him on the kind of music he is listening to, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeenat-aman/i-listen-to-heavy-metal-thanks-to-my-son-when-i-argue-with-him-on-the/) [Zeenat Aman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeenat-aman/) > [I am attracted to looking at the different things language can mean even in one sometimes quite ordinary utterance. Writing is partly about listening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rae-armantrout/i-am-attracted-to-looking-at-the-different-things-language-can-mean/) [Rae Armantrout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rae-armantrout/) > [“The only problem is the heart is quiet. It takes a very special kind of person to hear what the heart says. Most can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-palmieri/the-only-problem-is-the-heart-is-quiet-it-takes-a-very-special-kind/) [Suzanne Palmieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-palmieri/) > [“Listening isn't just about being quiet. It's about listening to what is said, what is unsaid, and what is meant with your eyes, ears…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drishti-bablani-wordions/listening-isn-t-just-about-being-quiet-it-s-about-listening-to-what/) [Drishti Bablani, Wordions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drishti-bablani-wordions/) > [Words can only have an effect on you if you choose to listen to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernajoy-vaal/words-can-only-have-an-effect-on-you-if-you-choose-to-listen-to-them/) [Bernajoy Vaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernajoy-vaal/) > [Listening is a very active awareness of the coming together of at least two lives. Listening, as far as I'm concerned, is certainly a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-rogers/listening-is-a-very-active-awareness-of-the-coming-together-of-at/) [Fred Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-rogers/) > [It's something he used to say when he was happy. It could be a very, very simple day. We might be sitting out on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-grant/it-s-something-he-used-to-say-when-he-was-happy-it-could-be-a-very/) [Jennifer Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-grant/) > [Closing his eyes, he sent up a prayer to anyone who was listening, asking please, for God's sake, stop sending him signals that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/closing-his-eyes-he-sent-up-a-prayer-to-anyone-who-was-listening/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [ He \[ the son\]'s grown up listening to all types of music, and the natural form of rebellion is to find the one genre… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solange-knowles/he-the-son-s-grown-up-listening-to-all-types-of-music-and-the-natural/) [Solange Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solange-knowles/) > [“Listening is an essential part of praying. Answers from the Lord come quietly—ever so quietly. In fact, few hear his answers audibly with their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-burke-peterson/listening-is-an-essential-part-of-praying-answers-from-the-lord-come/) [H. Burke Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-burke-peterson/) > [Getting older doesn't help you in the fact that you might have covered some of this ground before. So you're listening to a song…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-brooks/getting-older-doesn-t-help-you-in-the-fact-that-you-might-have/) [Garth Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-brooks/) > [Nobody is listening to your telephone calls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/nobody-is-listening-to-your-telephone-calls/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) Browse all 6,237 Listening quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When you play, do not trouble yourself as to who is listening. 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