Skip to content

Music Quote by Steve Lacy

“Saxophone is one thing, and music is another.” quote by Steve Lacy — Download Open image

“Saxophone is one thing, and music is another.”

About This Quote

Source Interview: Music Magazine, 2020

The instrument is a tool; music is the art created with it.

In simple terms: Instrument vs. music distinction.

Key Takeaway

Focus on artistic expression.

Themes

creativity instrumentation artistic intent

Mood

thoughtful inspirational

Type

musical philosophical

When to use this quote

learning saxophone
composing music
live performance

Key Concepts

music theory performance expression

Questions to Reflect On

How do you let the instrument serve the music?
What defines music beyond the tool?

A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on instrument can limit creativity.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3.4 out of 5 (7 ratings)

Music Music is One thing Saxophone Saxophone Thing Song Thing Thing Music

More by Steve Lacy

Kenny G, I have to be grateful to him for proving that the instrument can be played all different kinds of ways.

Image

Risk is at the heart of jazz. Every note we play is a risk.

Image

Circumstances can be very important. Find the right people to work with.

Image

The more original something is, the more of a threat it seems until the people catch up with it. That happened with Thelonious Monk.…

Image

If you're trying to invent something new, you're going to reach a lot of discouraging points, and most people give up.

Image

Bamboo is not a weed, it's a flowering plant. Bamboo is a magnificent plant.

Image

There is an awful lot of what I call recreational jazz going on, where people go out and learn a particular language or style…

Image

If you have music you want to play that no one asks you to play, you have to go out and find where you…

Image

When I found the music of Monk I finally found music that fit that horn. Every one of his tunes fit it perfectly.

Image

I've always been extremely lucky in playing with great people who knew much more than I did. That's how I got from there to…

Image

It starts with a single sound. If there's something in that sound, then it's worth continuing.

Image

Nobody was playing the soprano saxophone and certainly nobody was trying to do anything with it. So I was all alone. I didn't know…

Image

Explore all 50 Steve Lacy quotes

More Music quotes

I feel like I definitely have a real sporty style, more so than a lot of people in G.O.O.D. Music.

Image

Before I debuted, it was my goal to make my debut, and afterwards, I aimed at winning champion titles on television music shows, and…

Image

When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…

Image

I'm at the edge of the world, Where do I go from here? Do I disappear? Edge of the world, Should I sink or…

Bring Me The Horizon

Image

I've seen a lot of people come out of Carol City, but I had this distinct vision for Carol City, just me coming out…

Image

When you listen to someone improvise, the notes that are played are only half the story.

Image

I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…

Bruce Springsteen

Image

“Downloading's the same as what I used to do. I used to tape the charts of the songs I liked [off the radio]. I…

Image

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…

Image

Each woman is like an instrument, waiting to be learned, loved, and finely played, to have at last her own true music made.

Patrick Rothfuss

Image

I want people to hear my lyrics and my melodies and say, 'That dude's in pain.'

Image

I make dance music because I love to dance. But I want to think at the same time.

Image

Browse all 55,309 Music quotes