---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I started off as a studio pianist in…"
description: "\"I started off as a studio pianist in Hollywood.\" — Skitch Henderson"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/002/skitch-henderson-23749_hollywood_i-started-off-as-a-studio-pianist-in-hol_3136777.jpg"
---

#  I started off as a studio pianist in Hollywood.

![“I started off as a studio pianist in Hollywood.” quote by Skitch Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/002/skitch-henderson-23749_hollywood_i-started-off-as-a-studio-pianist-in-hol_3136777.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/002/skitch-henderson-23749_hollywood_i-started-off-as-a-studio-pianist-in-hol_3136777.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/002/skitch-henderson-23749_hollywood_i-started-off-as-a-studio-pianist-in-hol_3136777.jpg)

> “I started off as a studio pianist in Hollywood.”

[Skitch Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skitch-henderson/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He notes his early career began as a pianist for film and TV studios.

**In simple terms:** Started as a studio pianist.

Key Takeaway

Recognize humble beginnings in career paths.

Themes

career humility music

Mood

nostalgic proud

Type

biographical career

When to use this quote

- film scoring
- live performance
- teaching music

Key Concepts

industry entry skill development networking

Questions to Reflect On

- What early experiences shaped your current work?
- How can you honor your beginnings?

A Different Perspective

May overlook later achievements.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Hollywood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hollywood/) [Pianist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pianist/)

## Related quotes

> [As a young pianist in Hollywood, I began orchestrating for others, and I just felt really comfortable doing that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-williams/as-a-young-pianist-in-hollywood-i-began-orchestrating-for-others-and/)

[John Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-williams/)

> [In the early Nineties, after my first round of financial problems, I started a studio in Kensal Road in London right at the time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-sayer/in-the-early-nineties-after-my-first-round-of-financial-problems-i/)

[Leo Sayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-sayer/)

> [Remember, I'm someone who got fired from Disney and eight days later started the first studio in 65 years with two of the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-katzenberg/remember-i-m-someone-who-got-fired-from-disney-and-eight-days-later/)

[Jeffrey Katzenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-katzenberg/)

> [When I was studying... there weren't any black concert pianists. My choices were intuitive, and I had the technique to do it. People have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-simone/when-i-was-studying-there-weren-t-any-black-concert-pianists-my/)

[Nina Simone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-simone/)

> [My father was a stone mason, and a talented amateur pianist and vocalist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-e-walker/my-father-was-a-stone-mason-and-a-talented-amateur-pianist-and/)

[John E. Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-e-walker/)

> [My grandmother was a classical pianist, so I grew up with Schubert, Mozart, Beethoven. I studied piano as a kid. My musical background and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phillipa-soo/my-grandmother-was-a-classical-pianist-so-i-grew-up-with-schubert/)

[Phillipa Soo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phillipa-soo/)

> [“To wake up one day and be Steinway and Glen in One... Glen Steinway, Steinway Glen, all for Bach.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bernhard/to-wake-up-one-day-and-be-steinway-and-glen-in-one-glen-steinway/)

[Thomas Bernhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bernhard/)

> [I decided during my teens that I wasn't going to have the life of a concert pianist, much to the chagrin of a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cy-coleman/i-decided-during-my-teens-that-i-wasn-t-going-to-have-the-life-of-a/)

[Cy Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cy-coleman/)

> [I would also like to mention pianists like Michel Petrucciani or Chick Сorea for whom I have great admiration in the jazz field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-clayderman/i-would-also-like-to-mention-pianists-like-michel-petrucciani-or/)

[Richard Clayderman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-clayderman/)

> [In fact although I have studied in a Conservatory the classical piano, I do not consider myself a classical pianist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-clayderman/in-fact-although-i-have-studied-in-a-conservatory-the-classical-piano/)

[Richard Clayderman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-clayderman/)

> [Please do not shoot the pianist. He is doing his best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/please-do-not-shoot-the-pianist-he-is-doing-his-best/)

[Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/)

> [A mission that comes from the heart to promote these things and to encourage composers to write, then of course they should do it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-andre-hamelin/a-mission-that-comes-from-the-heart-to-promote-these-things-and-to/)

[Marc-Andre Hamelin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-andre-hamelin/)

> [I want to act in a film like 'The Pianist.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahul-dev/i-want-to-act-in-a-film-like-the-pianist/)

[Rahul Dev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahul-dev/)

> [My family was musical on both sides. My father's family had a famous flautist and a classical pianist. My mother won a contest to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-estefan/my-family-was-musical-on-both-sides-my-father-s-family-had-a-famous/)

[Gloria Estefan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-estefan/)

> [My dad's family were political and he was always a theatrical creature, whereas my mum is really musical and her father was the touring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-jones/my-dad-s-family-were-political-and-he-was-always-a-theatrical/)

[Grace Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-jones/)

## More by Skitch Henderson

> [That was probably the stamp that went into my mind, because I worked in television for many years, doing that kind of music, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skitch-henderson/that-was-probably-the-stamp-that-went-into-my-mind-because-i-worked/)

[Skitch Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skitch-henderson/)

> [I listen to everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skitch-henderson/i-listen-to-everything/)

[Skitch Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skitch-henderson/)

> [You can tell by the applause: There's perfunctory applause, there's light applause, and then there's real applause. When it's right, applause sounds like vanilla…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skitch-henderson/you-can-tell-by-the-applause-there-s-perfunctory-applause-there-s/)

[Skitch Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skitch-henderson/)

> [I grew up on film scores and scores from films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skitch-henderson/i-grew-up-on-film-scores-and-scores-from-films/)

[Skitch Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skitch-henderson/)

> [We try to say it's creative and in a manner it is creative, but it is a business, because today, with the cost factor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skitch-henderson/we-try-to-say-it-s-creative-and-in-a-manner-it-is-creative-but-it-is/)

[Skitch Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skitch-henderson/)

> [But I listen to everything, I listen to all artists that come along.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skitch-henderson/but-i-listen-to-everything-i-listen-to-all-artists-that-come-along/)

[Skitch Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skitch-henderson/)

> [Well, I worked with lots of different artists, of course.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skitch-henderson/well-i-worked-with-lots-of-different-artists-of-course/)

[Skitch Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skitch-henderson/)

> [Although we are being presented in Carnegie Hall, we have to furnish a budget for our guest stars, and for the music writing -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skitch-henderson/although-we-are-being-presented-in-carnegie-hall-we-have-to-furnish-a/)

[Skitch Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skitch-henderson/)

> [I worked with practically everybody in the business in all of the years in NBC, but I worked personally many years with people like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skitch-henderson/i-worked-with-practically-everybody-in-the-business-in-all-of-the/)

[Skitch Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skitch-henderson/)

> [I think my favorite experience is whatever I'm doing now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skitch-henderson/i-think-my-favorite-experience-is-whatever-i-m-doing-now/)

[Skitch Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skitch-henderson/)

> [Symphonic orchestras have almost become a glut in the market.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skitch-henderson/symphonic-orchestras-have-almost-become-a-glut-in-the-market/)

[Skitch Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skitch-henderson/)

> [While there used to be one or two Pops orchestras, now there are all kinds of European orchestras that suddenly look upon this as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skitch-henderson/while-there-used-to-be-one-or-two-pops-orchestras-now-there-are-all/)

[Skitch Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skitch-henderson/)

> [I had had a classical education prior to that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skitch-henderson/i-had-had-a-classical-education-prior-to-that/)

[Skitch Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skitch-henderson/)

> [Do, What you're going to do in longevity. Not just what happens tomorrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skitch-henderson/do-what-you-re-going-to-do-in-longevity-not-just-what-happens-tomorrow/)

[Skitch Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skitch-henderson/)

> [I also work with the regular orchestras in Munich, Germany and other similar orchestras.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skitch-henderson/i-also-work-with-the-regular-orchestras-in-munich-germany-and-other/)

[Skitch Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skitch-henderson/)

[Explore all 25 Skitch Henderson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skitch-henderson/)

## More Hollywood quotes

> [Hollywood is very much an industry town. Your life becomes caught up in all of the parties and this list and that list. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-johnson/hollywood-is-very-much-an-industry-town-your-life-becomes-caught-up/)

[Don Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-johnson/)

> [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/)

[David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/)

> [Why did Erich von Stronheim leave Germany? Why did Hitchcock leave England? If you were a director you'd like to work in Hollywood too.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-polanski/why-did-erich-von-stronheim-leave-germany-why-did-hitchcock-leave/)

[Roman Polanski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-polanski/)

> [Hollywood is so fixated on keeping it that way because it's generating the buzz, but that representation isn't right. I definitely feel like it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-boyega/hollywood-is-so-fixated-on-keeping-it-that-way-because-it-s/)

[John Boyega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-boyega/)

> [In the movie, the stars above the ship bear no correspondence to any constellations in a real sky. Worse yet, while the heroine bobs...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/in-the-movie-the-stars-above-the-ship-bear-no-correspondence-to-any/)

[Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/)

> [“Artist Matthew Barney has made a film about “shit”. It is hardly original. Hollywood has made shit films for decades.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-cavanagh/artist-matthew-barney-has-made-a-film-about-shit-it-is-hardly/)

[Dean Cavanagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-cavanagh/)

> [If you can believe it, Hollywood wanted to change my birthdate. I was born after Valentine's Day, so they wanted to change it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-romero/if-you-can-believe-it-hollywood-wanted-to-change-my-birthdate-i-was/)

[Cesar Romero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-romero/)

> [In a lot of movies, African-Americans are either maids or slaves, but that's not all they were. We need to show that. And we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-schroeder/in-a-lot-of-movies-african-americans-are-either-maids-or-slaves-but/)

[Allison Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-schroeder/)

> [“I'm always looking for evidence to support my conjecture that celebrity in Hollywood is sort of like a Joel Peter Witkin photograph: It looks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cintra-wilson/i-m-always-looking-for-evidence-to-support-my-conjecture-that/)

[Cintra Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cintra-wilson/)

> [I came to Hollywood to be a movie song-and-dance man just at the time those films were going out of style.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-berry/i-came-to-hollywood-to-be-a-movie-song-and-dance-man-just-at-the-time/)

[Ken Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-berry/)

> [Writing is the life blood of everything in Hollywood. Without writers, there are no scripts, no acting work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-wong/writing-is-the-life-blood-of-everything-in-hollywood-without-writers/)

[Ali Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-wong/)

> [Popular culture as a whole is popular, but in today's fragmented market it's a jostle of competing unpopular popular cultures. As the critic Stanley…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/popular-culture-as-a-whole-is-popular-but-in-today-s-fragmented/)

[Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/)

> [Hollywood regency never goes out of style.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lara-spencer/hollywood-regency-never-goes-out-of-style/)

[Lara Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lara-spencer/)

> [Washington is a Hollywood for ugly people. Hollywood is a Washington for the simpleminded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/washington-is-a-hollywood-for-ugly-people-hollywood-is-a-washington/)

[John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/)

> [What is accurately portrayed is the rich humanity not just of Martin Luther King but of the movement, which was a multiracial movement. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/what-is-accurately-portrayed-is-the-rich-humanity-not-just-of-martin/)

[Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/)

[Browse all 4,991 Hollywood quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hollywood/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I started off as a studio pianist in Hollywood.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Skitch Henderson"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skitch-henderson/i-started-off-as-a-studio-pianist-in-hollywood/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Hollywood"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skitch-henderson/i-started-off-as-a-studio-pianist-in-hollywood/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/002/skitch-henderson-23749_hollywood_i-started-off-as-a-studio-pianist-in-hol_3136777.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/002/skitch-henderson-23749_hollywood_i-started-off-as-a-studio-pianist-in-hol_3136777.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/002/skitch-henderson-23749_hollywood_i-started-off-as-a-studio-pianist-in-hol_3136777.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I started off as a studio pianist in Hollywood.” — Skitch Henderson",
                "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": "Skitch Henderson",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skitch-henderson/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I started off as a studio...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skitch-henderson/i-started-off-as-a-studio-pianist-in-hollywood/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skitch-henderson/i-started-off-as-a-studio-pianist-in-hollywood/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
