--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm a terrible drummer; I almost cannot…" description: "\"I'm a terrible drummer; I almost cannot play the guitar nor sax nor trumpet.\" — Ryuichi Sakamoto" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/603/ryuichi-sakamoto-5498_drummer_i-m-a-terrible-drummer-i-almost-cannot-p_1375894.jpg" --- # I'm a terrible drummer; I almost cannot play the guitar… ![“I'm a terrible drummer; I almost cannot play the guitar nor sax nor trumpet.” quote by Ryuichi Sakamoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/603/ryuichi-sakamoto-5498_drummer_i-m-a-terrible-drummer-i-almost-cannot-p_1375894.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/603/ryuichi-sakamoto-5498_drummer_i-m-a-terrible-drummer-i-almost-cannot-p_1375894.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/603/ryuichi-sakamoto-5498_drummer_i-m-a-terrible-drummer-i-almost-cannot-p_1375894.jpg) > “I'm a terrible drummer; I almost cannot play the guitar nor sax nor trumpet.” [Ryuichi Sakamoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryuichi-sakamoto/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The artist admits feeling inadequate at multiple instruments, reflecting humility and the challenges of mastering diverse skills. **In simple terms:** Feeling incompetent at many instruments is a common artistic struggle. Key Takeaway Embrace learning as a lifelong process despite setbacks. Themes humility learning artistic struggle self‑critique multitalented growth Mood determined hopeful reflective Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - creative work - personal development Key Concepts music practice skill development Questions to Reflect On - What steps can you take to improve your musical skills? - How does acknowledging weakness influence growth? A Different Perspective Self‑critique can hinder confidence and progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Drummer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drummer/) [Guitar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guitar/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Trumpet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trumpet/) ## Related quotes > [I started out as a drummer, and now play with a back-to-basics rock band called the 'Luddites.' I'm happiest when I'm behind the kit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-astley/i-started-out-as-a-drummer-and-now-play-with-a-back-to-basics-rock/) [Rick Astley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-astley/) > [A bass player has to think and play like a bass player. A drummer has to play and think like a drummer, and stay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-hayes/a-bass-player-has-to-think-and-play-like-a-bass-player-a-drummer-has/) [Hunter Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-hayes/) > [I saw a drummer play once when I was a kid and I thought, that's really cool. You know, you're moving. You're using your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-kreutzmann/i-saw-a-drummer-play-once-when-i-was-a-kid-and-i-thought-that-s/) [Bill Kreutzmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-kreutzmann/) > [I remember John walking on and starting to play, and my mouth sort of dropped open in disbelief at the power of the playing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cozy-powell/i-remember-john-walking-on-and-starting-to-play-and-my-mouth-sort-of/) Cozy Powell > [I'm a terrible drummer. I can tune 'em pretty good, but I'm a pretty bad drummer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-robbins/i-m-a-terrible-drummer-i-can-tune-em-pretty-good-but-i-m-a-pretty-bad/) [J. Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-robbins/) > [As you know, I played a little trumpet with Elvis. I overdub a few drum licks here and there on a session, but I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-stevens/as-you-know-i-played-a-little-trumpet-with-elvis-i-overdub-a-few-drum/) [Ray Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-stevens/) > [I've always said the bass just happens to be the crayon I picked out of the box. I'd still be drawing the same pictures...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-claypool/i-ve-always-said-the-bass-just-happens-to-be-the-crayon-i-picked-out/) [Les Claypool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-claypool/) > [We decided to do some of Merle's things with modern instrumentation. We used a flute, a bass clarinet, a trumpet, a clarinet, drums, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-ernie-ford/we-decided-to-do-some-of-merle-s-things-with-modern-instrumentation/) [Tennessee Ernie Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-ernie-ford/) > [Psy Free was a trio consisting of guitar, organ and drums. I was the drummer. We did what the name suggests: psychedelic, free music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/klaus-schulze/psy-free-was-a-trio-consisting-of-guitar-organ-and-drums-i-was-the/) [Klaus Schulze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/klaus-schulze/) > [I was a singing guitar player as a kid, and I found it really embarrassing, so I stopped singing and became a drummer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-murphy/i-was-a-singing-guitar-player-as-a-kid-and-i-found-it-really/) [James Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-murphy/) > [In general, we like to play as a band - guitar, piano, and voice. We also tour with a bass player, a drummer, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-dost/in-general-we-like-to-play-as-a-band-guitar-piano-and-voice-we-also/) [Andrew Dost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-dost/) > [I play bass. I play a bit of guitar. I've never been to a lesson, so my theory of music is non-existent in any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sangster/i-play-bass-i-play-a-bit-of-guitar-i-ve-never-been-to-a-lesson-so-my/) [Thomas Sangster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sangster/) > [I'm a pretty good drummer. I'm pretty good at guitar, bass and piano. I can play accordion; I'm not virtuoso. I've played cello before.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendon-urie/i-m-a-pretty-good-drummer-i-m-pretty-good-at-guitar-bass-and-piano-i/) [Brendon Urie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendon-urie/) > [He's (Ringo Starr) not even the best drummer in the Beatles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-mccartney/he-s-ringo-starr-not-even-the-best-drummer-in-the-beatles/) [Paul McCartney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-mccartney/) > [Look, man, all I am is a trumpet player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/look-man-all-i-am-is-a-trumpet-player/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) ## More by Ryuichi Sakamoto > [That's the meaning of 'The Revenant': It's a return from death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryuichi-sakamoto/that-s-the-meaning-of-the-revenant-it-s-a-return-from-death/) [Ryuichi Sakamoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryuichi-sakamoto/) > [In Japan, there has always been a small number of musicians who have been outspoken on social issues, but they tend to be dismissed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryuichi-sakamoto/in-japan-there-has-always-been-a-small-number-of-musicians-who-have/) [Ryuichi Sakamoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryuichi-sakamoto/) > [I was really into the music of Cream after I finished composing the music for 'BTTB.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryuichi-sakamoto/i-was-really-into-the-music-of-cream-after-i-finished-composing-the/) [Ryuichi Sakamoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryuichi-sakamoto/) > [I am worried that young Japanese people are not very curious about the outside world - which is so different to the way we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryuichi-sakamoto/i-am-worried-that-young-japanese-people-are-not-very-curious-about/) [Ryuichi Sakamoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryuichi-sakamoto/) > [My audiences are generally mixed. Some people like techno, others are into the pop music, and others enjoy my film music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryuichi-sakamoto/my-audiences-are-generally-mixed-some-people-like-techno-others-are/) [Ryuichi Sakamoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryuichi-sakamoto/) > [It's a very intimate, closed universe, doing my own music. It's just me, basically. I have to inspire myself; I have to do everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryuichi-sakamoto/it-s-a-very-intimate-closed-universe-doing-my-own-music-it-s-just-me/) [Ryuichi Sakamoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryuichi-sakamoto/) > [In Japanese culture, there is a belief that God is everywhere - in mountains, trees, rocks, even in our sympathy for robots or Hello…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryuichi-sakamoto/in-japanese-culture-there-is-a-belief-that-god-is-everywhere-in/) [Ryuichi Sakamoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryuichi-sakamoto/) > [I think there's a genuine difference between the real and the virtual in music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryuichi-sakamoto/i-think-there-s-a-genuine-difference-between-the-real-and-the-virtual/) [Ryuichi Sakamoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryuichi-sakamoto/) > [My interests are moving toward both 'sound and music,' not just 'music.' I have been doing lots of field recordings and also collecting lots…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryuichi-sakamoto/my-interests-are-moving-toward-both-sound-and-music-not-just-music-i/) [Ryuichi Sakamoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryuichi-sakamoto/) > [The global view of cultures is part of my nature. I want to break down the walls between genres, categories, or cultures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryuichi-sakamoto/the-global-view-of-cultures-is-part-of-my-nature-i-want-to-break-down/) [Ryuichi Sakamoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryuichi-sakamoto/) > [I've realised that if it is to remain relevant, contemporary music needs to change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryuichi-sakamoto/i-ve-realised-that-if-it-is-to-remain-relevant-contemporary-music/) [Ryuichi Sakamoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryuichi-sakamoto/) > [The piano is the closest instrument to me in my life, so it's just natural to play my pieces on the piano.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryuichi-sakamoto/the-piano-is-the-closest-instrument-to-me-in-my-life-so-it-s-just/) [Ryuichi Sakamoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryuichi-sakamoto/) > [In the 1980s, Josef Beuys planted the seed that activism could be considered as art. I am influenced by the idea of his idea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryuichi-sakamoto/in-the-1980s-josef-beuys-planted-the-seed-that-activism-could-be/) [Ryuichi Sakamoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryuichi-sakamoto/) > [I'm really bad writing the chase scenes or fighting scenes. I'm much better for writing, like, a more melancholic or tragic music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryuichi-sakamoto/i-m-really-bad-writing-the-chase-scenes-or-fighting-scenes-i-m-much/) [Ryuichi Sakamoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryuichi-sakamoto/) > [Art is often defined as a famous masterpiece in a gallery, and we are meant to visit the work and view it to appreciate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryuichi-sakamoto/art-is-often-defined-as-a-famous-masterpiece-in-a-gallery-and-we-are/) [Ryuichi Sakamoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryuichi-sakamoto/) [Explore all 100 Ryuichi Sakamoto quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryuichi-sakamoto/) ## More Drummer quotes > [I usually write from the rhythm section...If a drummer got a funky beat on some things - like a half-shuffle or a shuffle or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/i-usually-write-from-the-rhythm-section-if-a-drummer-got-a-funky-beat/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) > [My motivation for being a good drummer was born out of fear, which, in a way, seems so antithetical to what art should be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damien-chazelle/my-motivation-for-being-a-good-drummer-was-born-out-of-fear-which-in/) [Damien Chazelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damien-chazelle/) > [Metallica's the only band i've ever been in. I'm not sure that when it ends in five, ten years, I'm going to put an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lars-ulrich/metallica-s-the-only-band-i-ve-ever-been-in-i-m-not-sure-that-when-it/) [Lars Ulrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lars-ulrich/) > [Imagine if you were a drummer, and you accidentally picked up two magic wands instead of sticks. There you are, keeping the beat, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/imagine-if-you-were-a-drummer-and-you-accidentally-picked-up-two/) [Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/) > [I used to be a drummer in a band, and I really loved playing the drums, so I look forward to the right opportunity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zedd/i-used-to-be-a-drummer-in-a-band-and-i-really-loved-playing-the-drums/) [Zedd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zedd/) > [Hendrix rehearsed different drummers, before we met Mitch Mitchell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-redding/hendrix-rehearsed-different-drummers-before-we-met-mitch-mitchell/) [Noel Redding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-redding/) > [The drums have hogged a lot of the credit. We're as much -- or more -- \*cymbal\* players, as we are drummers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-erskine/the-drums-have-hogged-a-lot-of-the-credit-we-re-as-much-or-more/) [Peter Erskine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-erskine/) > [Hip Nip just sounds groovy. A drummer laid it on me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-morita/hip-nip-just-sounds-groovy-a-drummer-laid-it-on-me/) [Pat Morita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-morita/) > [He's (Ringo Starr) not even the best drummer in the Beatles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-mccartney/he-s-ringo-starr-not-even-the-best-drummer-in-the-beatles/) [Paul McCartney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-mccartney/) > [That's the thing that we said about the horn before: it's a focus issue. It's like a singer versus a drummer. If a drummer's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-hunter/that-s-the-thing-that-we-said-about-the-horn-before-it-s-a-focus/) [Charlie Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-hunter/) > [There is no roles. No one is keeping any roles. The drummer is also answering everybody and everything. So it is a constant conversation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-vitous/there-is-no-roles-no-one-is-keeping-any-roles-the-drummer-is-also/) [Miroslav Vitous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-vitous/) > [I'm a pretty good drummer. I'm pretty good at guitar, bass and piano. I can play accordion; I'm not virtuoso. I've played cello before.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendon-urie/i-m-a-pretty-good-drummer-i-m-pretty-good-at-guitar-bass-and-piano-i/) [Brendon Urie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendon-urie/) > [When I listened to Elvin Jones, man, for the first time I heard a drummer that had all the technique plus emotion, passion, feel,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/butch-trucks/when-i-listened-to-elvin-jones-man-for-the-first-time-i-heard-a/) [Butch Trucks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/butch-trucks/) > [I play bass. I play a bit of guitar. I've never been to a lesson, so my theory of music is non-existent in any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sangster/i-play-bass-i-play-a-bit-of-guitar-i-ve-never-been-to-a-lesson-so-my/) [Thomas Sangster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sangster/) > [I'd just play 'til my hands fell off. My parents would yell at me to stop because they couldn't stand the noise any more!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-castillo/i-d-just-play-til-my-hands-fell-off-my-parents-would-yell-at-me-to/) [Randy Castillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-castillo/) [Browse all 532 Drummer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drummer/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm a terrible drummer; I almost cannot play the guitar nor sax nor trumpet.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ryuichi Sakamoto" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryuichi-sakamoto/i-m-a-terrible-drummer-i-almost-cannot-play-the-guitar-nor-sax-nor/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Drummer" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryuichi-sakamoto/i-m-a-terrible-drummer-i-almost-cannot-play-the-guitar-nor-sax-nor/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/603/ryuichi-sakamoto-5498_drummer_i-m-a-terrible-drummer-i-almost-cannot-p_1375894.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/603/ryuichi-sakamoto-5498_drummer_i-m-a-terrible-drummer-i-almost-cannot-p_1375894.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/603/ryuichi-sakamoto-5498_drummer_i-m-a-terrible-drummer-i-almost-cannot-p_1375894.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I'm a terrible drummer; I almost cannot play the guitar nor sax nor trumpet.” — Ryuichi Sakamoto", "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": "Ryuichi Sakamoto", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryuichi-sakamoto/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I'm a terrible drummer; I almost...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryuichi-sakamoto/i-m-a-terrible-drummer-i-almost-cannot-play-the-guitar-nor-sax-nor/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryuichi-sakamoto/i-m-a-terrible-drummer-i-almost-cannot-play-the-guitar-nor-sax-nor/#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 } } ] } ```