--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Ultimately, what we do as musicians, I…" description: "\"Ultimately, what we do as musicians, I think of us as a type of emotional engineer. We essential take these sound waves, this sound, and we organize it..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e14/stefon-harris-26052_audience_ultimately-what-we-do-as-musicians-i-thi_1474075.jpg" --- # Ultimately, what we do as musicians, I think of us as a… ![“Ultimately, what we do as musicians, I think of us as a type of emotional engineer. We essential take these sound waves, this sound, and we organize it into emotion, and that's how we connect with our audiences.” quote by Stefon Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e14/stefon-harris-26052_audience_ultimately-what-we-do-as-musicians-i-thi_1474075.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e14/stefon-harris-26052_audience_ultimately-what-we-do-as-musicians-i-thi_1474075.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e14/stefon-harris-26052_audience_ultimately-what-we-do-as-musicians-i-thi_1474075.jpg) > “Ultimately, what we do as musicians, I think of us as a type of emotional engineer. We essential take these sound waves, this sound, and we organize it into emotion, and that's how we connect with our audiences.” [Stefon Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefon-harris/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Musicians shape sound into feeling to bridge with listeners. **In simple terms:** Musicians turn sound into emotion. Key Takeaway Use music to connect emotionally. Themes creativity emotion communication Mood inspired reflective Type artistic educational When to use this quote - concerts - studio recording - live streaming - teaching - collaborations Key Concepts sound engineering emotional design Questions to Reflect On - How does emotional intent guide your arrangement? - What techniques translate sound to feeling? A Different Perspective May overlook technical precision for emotional impact. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Audience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audience/) [Audiences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audiences/) [Emotion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotion/) [Emotional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotional/) [Engineers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/engineers/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Musician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/musician/) [Musicians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/musicians/) [Sound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sound/) [Sound waves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sound-waves/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Waves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waves/) ## Related quotes > [Ultimately, musicians make their money in live concerts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-popper/ultimately-musicians-make-their-money-in-live-concerts/) [John Popper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-popper/) > [Ultimately, musicians of the world must come to realize the potential of their calling... If the musician is illuminated from within, he becomes a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-werner/ultimately-musicians-of-the-world-must-come-to-realize-the-potential/) [Kenny Werner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-werner/) > [Once we went into the basement and learned a song, we felt successful. Then we learned two songs, and then we got a gig,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gord-downie/once-we-went-into-the-basement-and-learned-a-song-we-felt-successful/) [Gord Downie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gord-downie/) > [I only choose musicians who I think will emerge, can emerge, with their own character, while still going along with the tune in question.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-wyatt/i-only-choose-musicians-who-i-think-will-emerge-can-emerge-with-their/) [Robert Wyatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-wyatt/) > [Why the connection with musicians? I think it's because in the end we're doing very similar things - we're telling stories, we're using poetic,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-lloyd-jones/why-the-connection-with-musicians-i-think-it-s-because-in-the-end-we/) [Sally Lloyd-Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-lloyd-jones/) > [I don't think that there's much that sets me apart from other musicians, but I think there are definitely things that set me apart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/i-don-t-think-that-there-s-much-that-sets-me-apart-from-other-2/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [I'm a spiritual musician, I think there has been enough political musicians and I think everything that can be said has been said about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ziggy-marley/i-m-a-spiritual-musician-i-think-there-has-been-enough-political/) [Ziggy Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ziggy-marley/) > [I don't think that there's much that sets me apart from other musicians, but I think there are definitely things that set me apart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/i-don-t-think-that-there-s-much-that-sets-me-apart-from-other/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [Musicians don't respect a lot of the stuff that is on TRL and a lot of musicians think that stuff on the radio is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rich/musicians-don-t-respect-a-lot-of-the-stuff-that-is-on-trl-and-a-lot/) [Adam Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rich/) > [We'll win, of course," he said. "You don't want that," said the demon. "Why not, pray?“ “Listen," said Crowley desperately, "how many musicians do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/we-ll-win-of-course-he-said-you-don-t-want-that-said-the-demon-why/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“Most musicians think that Music is made up of notes. They forget that notes are just a part of Music, and a small part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-wooten/most-musicians-think-that-music-is-made-up-of-notes-they-forget-that/) [Victor Wooten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-wooten/) > [Stereotyping and generating brands around musicians I think contributes to their eventual demise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/squarepusher/stereotyping-and-generating-brands-around-musicians-i-think/) Squarepusher > [I am totally against the war but violence is part of mankind and it's going to happen, but as musicians I think we've got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/i-am-totally-against-the-war-but-violence-is-part-of-mankind-and-it-s/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [I know musicians who think that drumming and guitaring can be very meditative, but singing is different because when you think about things, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-dennen/i-know-musicians-who-think-that-drumming-and-guitaring-can-be-very/) [Brett Dennen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-dennen/) > [Nobody asks me about what male musicians I think about; I only ever get asked about females.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorde/nobody-asks-me-about-what-male-musicians-i-think-about-i-only-ever/) [Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorde/) ## More by Stefon Harris > [It's about being here in the moment, accepting one another and allowing creativity to flow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefon-harris/it-s-about-being-here-in-the-moment-accepting-one-another-and/) [Stefon Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefon-harris/) > [Miles Davis is a major influence of mine in terms of the way that I am as a bandleader.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefon-harris/miles-davis-is-a-major-influence-of-mine-in-terms-of-the-way-that-i/) [Stefon Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefon-harris/) > [I don't really see huge barriers between any styles of music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefon-harris/i-don-t-really-see-huge-barriers-between-any-styles-of-music/) [Stefon Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefon-harris/) > [I listen to a lot of singers, because I find phrasing to be one of the most essential elements of playing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefon-harris/i-listen-to-a-lot-of-singers-because-i-find-phrasing-to-be-one-of-the/) [Stefon Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefon-harris/) > [I think it all comes back to the individual. My instrument's just a pile of metal and wood! If you listen to the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefon-harris/i-think-it-all-comes-back-to-the-individual-my-instrument-s-just-a/) [Stefon Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefon-harris/) > [Italy has great food and Barcelona has great energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefon-harris/italy-has-great-food-and-barcelona-has-great-energy/) [Stefon Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefon-harris/) > [If you listen to the way I speak, I have a lot of rhythm, use a lot of accents. When I'm playing my instrument,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefon-harris/if-you-listen-to-the-way-i-speak-i-have-a-lot-of-rhythm-use-a-lot-of/) [Stefon Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefon-harris/) > [Every ‘mistake’ is an opportunity in jazz.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefon-harris/every-mistake-is-an-opportunity-in-jazz/) [Stefon Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefon-harris/) > [One of the things I'm adamant about as a bandleader is not micromanaging. I'm an advocate for the concept of allowing everyone to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefon-harris/one-of-the-things-i-m-adamant-about-as-a-bandleader-is-not/) [Stefon Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefon-harris/) > [I love Amsterdam. The city is vibrant and alive. It's fresh and so open. It's definitely one of my favorite places.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefon-harris/i-love-amsterdam-the-city-is-vibrant-and-alive-it-s-fresh-and-so-open/) [Stefon Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefon-harris/) > [Being at home with my family always inspires me. I find it hard to be inspired when I'm on the move. I'm not creative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefon-harris/being-at-home-with-my-family-always-inspires-me-i-find-it-hard-to-be/) [Stefon Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefon-harris/) > [One of the things I'm adamant about as a bandleader is not micromanaging. I'm an advocate for the concept of allowing everyone to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefon-harris/one-of-the-things-i-m-adamant-about-as-a-bandleader-is-not-2/) [Stefon Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefon-harris/) > [I'm a spa person. Massages keep me relaxed, so I always try to make time for them when I tour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefon-harris/i-m-a-spa-person-massages-keep-me-relaxed-so-i-always-try-to-make/) [Stefon Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefon-harris/) > [I think when you look back at the different eras in jazz, what leads from one to another is never a melodic revolution, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefon-harris/i-think-when-you-look-back-at-the-different-eras-in-jazz-what-leads/) [Stefon Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefon-harris/) > [The way I look at music, what I'm interested in is not necessarily creativity - in many ways I think creativity is overrated, actually.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefon-harris/the-way-i-look-at-music-what-i-m-interested-in-is-not-necessarily/) [Stefon Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefon-harris/) [Explore all 22 Stefon Harris quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefon-harris/) ## More Audience quotes > [If the audience likes your work, if they like you, they don't think whether you are married or have children or not. I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/if-the-audience-likes-your-work-if-they-like-you-they-don-t-think/) [Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/) > [It's those moments, those odd moments that you look for and sometimes by creating this kind of loose atmosphere you find those little moments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-levinson/it-s-those-moments-those-odd-moments-that-you-look-for-and-sometimes/) [Barry Levinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-levinson/) > [I can skate beautifully. While performing on ice I always try to please the audience and to win as well. Being artistic is very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeni-plushenko/i-can-skate-beautifully-while-performing-on-ice-i-always-try-to/) [Evgeni Plushenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeni-plushenko/) > [One of the best moments of any Liars show is hearing the crowd squawk 'We're doomed! We're doomed!' on cue during 'We Fenced Other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-sheffield/one-of-the-best-moments-of-any-liars-show-is-hearing-the-crowd-squawk/) [Rob Sheffield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-sheffield/) > [It's the adrenaline rush you only get from being in front of an audience. It's addictive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raphael-saadiq/it-s-the-adrenaline-rush-you-only-get-from-being-in-front-of-an/) [Raphael Saadiq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raphael-saadiq/) > [If I had to speak in front of a Korean audience, I would be hard pressed to sound other than a little girl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/an-na/if-i-had-to-speak-in-front-of-a-korean-audience-i-would-be-hard/) [An Na](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/an-na/) > [The liveness of theater, and the excitement of experiencing it alongside an audience, is something you can't get at home. That makes the theater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-blaemire/the-liveness-of-theater-and-the-excitement-of-experiencing-it/) [Nick Blaemire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-blaemire/) > [One of the things that touches me most when I play for an audience is that although we may be unable to communicate in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hough/one-of-the-things-that-touches-me-most-when-i-play-for-an-audience-is/) [Stephen Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hough/) > [I have to feel the audience. I enjoy that feeling of community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-gahan/i-have-to-feel-the-audience-i-enjoy-that-feeling-of-community/) [Dave Gahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-gahan/) > [When you lived it for years and years and years and seen different characters just get pummeled and squashed because 'I said so,' it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arn-anderson/when-you-lived-it-for-years-and-years-and-years-and-seen-different/) [Arn Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arn-anderson/) > [“During the first few minutes of your presentation, your job is to assure the audience members that you are not going to waste their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-ludwig-and-greg-owen-boger/during-the-first-few-minutes-of-your-presentation-your-job-is-to/) [Dale Ludwig and Greg Owen-Boger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-ludwig-and-greg-owen-boger/) > [Donald Trump is a different ball of wax. 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My music director, who knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tesh/when-i-was-playing-piano-it-was-like-i-m-going-to-write-a-song-using/) [John Tesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tesh/) [Browse all 9,118 Audience quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audience/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Ultimately, what we do as musicians, I think of us as a type of emotional engineer. 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