--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You can work on the saxophone alone, but…" description: "\"You can work on the saxophone alone, but ultimately you must perform with others.\" — Steve Lacy" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/766/steve-lacy-13386_saxophone_you-can-work-on-the-saxophone-alone-but_1699882.jpg" --- # You can work on the saxophone alone, but ultimately you… ![“You can work on the saxophone alone, but ultimately you must perform with others.” quote by Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/766/steve-lacy-13386_saxophone_you-can-work-on-the-saxophone-alone-but_1699882.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/766/steve-lacy-13386_saxophone_you-can-work-on-the-saxophone-alone-but_1699882.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/766/steve-lacy-13386_saxophone_you-can-work-on-the-saxophone-alone-but_1699882.jpg) > “You can work on the saxophone alone, but ultimately you must perform with others.” [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Solo practice builds skill, but true music emerges through shared performance. **In simple terms:** Practice alone, but play together. Key Takeaway Collaborate to create. Themes collaboration music growth Mood enthusiastic inspired Type musical inspirational When to use this quote - band rehearsals - live performances Key Concepts musical synergy shared expression Questions to Reflect On - How does collaboration change your sound? - What benefits do you find in group practice? A Different Perspective Solo work may limit artistic depth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Saxophone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saxophone/) ## Related quotes > [I understood that if I wanted to work, the saxophone was the main instrument. The clarinet was what we call a double.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-konitz/i-understood-that-if-i-wanted-to-work-the-saxophone-was-the-main/) [Lee Konitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-konitz/) > [When I began to choreograph and find my way pulling other artists' dreams out and changing music in a visual way, there was still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurieann-gibson/when-i-began-to-choreograph-and-find-my-way-pulling-other-artists/) [Laurieann Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurieann-gibson/) > [I've been working on the soprano saxophone for 40 years, and the possibilities are astounding. It's up to you, the only limit is the imagination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/i-ve-been-working-on-the-soprano-saxophone-for-40-years-and-the/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [I heard Sidney Bechet play a Duke Ellington piece and fell in love with the soprano saxophone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/i-heard-sidney-bechet-play-a-duke-ellington-piece-and-fell-in-love/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [Play difficult and interesting things. If you play boring things, you risk losing your appetite. Saxophone can be tedious with too much of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/play-difficult-and-interesting-things-if-you-play-boring-things-you/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [The potential for the saxophone is unlimited.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/the-potential-for-the-saxophone-is-unlimited/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [The saxophone is a very interesting machine, but I'm more interested in music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/the-saxophone-is-a-very-interesting-machine-but-i-m-more-interested/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/nobody-was-playing-the-soprano-saxophone-and-certainly-nobody-was/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [Saxophone is one thing, and music is another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/saxophone-is-one-thing-and-music-is-another/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [Guitars, there was rock 'n' roll. Saxophone, jazz. Now we have the computer and there's this electronic thing happening in music that is somewhat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-commerford/guitars-there-was-rock-n-roll-saxophone-jazz-now-we-have-the-computer/) [Tim Commerford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-commerford/) > [I am a frustrated saxophone player. If I could, I would abandon all of my books, and I would trade it all if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-pinsky/i-am-a-frustrated-saxophone-player-if-i-could-i-would-abandon-all-of/) [Robert Pinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-pinsky/) > [As a horn player, the greatest compliment one can get is when a person comes to you and says, 'I heard this saxophone on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-clemons/as-a-horn-player-the-greatest-compliment-one-can-get-is-when-a-person/) [Clarence Clemons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-clemons/) > [I know I’m an African-American, and I know I play the saxophone, but I’m not a jazz musician. I’m not a classical musician, either.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-braxton/i-know-i-m-an-african-american-and-i-know-i-play-the-saxophone-but-i/) [Anthony Braxton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-braxton/) > [I was hearing music in my head and trying to play it on the clarinet, but it didn't match.' Then, literally the first day,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamasi-washington/i-was-hearing-music-in-my-head-and-trying-to-play-it-on-the-clarinet/) [Kamasi Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamasi-washington/) > [I decided to play the saxophone because it was the most obvious instrument in my family. There were a lot of saxophone players in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flying-lotus/i-decided-to-play-the-saxophone-because-it-was-the-most-obvious/) [Flying Lotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flying-lotus/) ## 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.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/kenny-g-i-have-to-be-grateful-to-him-for-proving-that-the-instrument/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [Risk is at the heart of jazz. Every note we play is a risk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/risk-is-at-the-heart-of-jazz-every-note-we-play-is-a-risk/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [Circumstances can be very important. Find the right people to work with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/circumstances-can-be-very-important-find-the-right-people-to-work-with/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [The more original something is, the more of a threat it seems until the people catch up with it. That happened with Thelonious Monk.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/the-more-original-something-is-the-more-of-a-threat-it-seems-until/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [If you're trying to invent something new, you're going to reach a lot of discouraging points, and most people give up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/if-you-re-trying-to-invent-something-new-you-re-going-to-reach-a-lot/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [Bamboo is not a weed, it's a flowering plant. Bamboo is a magnificent plant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/bamboo-is-not-a-weed-it-s-a-flowering-plant-bamboo-is-a-magnificent/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [There is an awful lot of what I call recreational jazz going on, where people go out and learn a particular language or style…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/there-is-an-awful-lot-of-what-i-call-recreational-jazz-going-on-where/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [Saxophone is one thing, and music is another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/saxophone-is-one-thing-and-music-is-another/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [If you have music you want to play that no one asks you to play, you have to go out and find where you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/if-you-have-music-you-want-to-play-that-no-one-asks-you-to-play-you/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [When I found the music of Monk I finally found music that fit that horn. Every one of his tunes fit it perfectly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/when-i-found-the-music-of-monk-i-finally-found-music-that-fit-that/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/i-ve-always-been-extremely-lucky-in-playing-with-great-people-who/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [It starts with a single sound. If there's something in that sound, then it's worth continuing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/it-starts-with-a-single-sound-if-there-s-something-in-that-sound-then/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/nobody-was-playing-the-soprano-saxophone-and-certainly-nobody-was/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [Before the work comes to you, you have to invent work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/before-the-work-comes-to-you-you-have-to-invent-work/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [Register is very important. Music sounds best in a certain register.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/register-is-very-important-music-sounds-best-in-a-certain-register/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) [Explore all 50 Steve Lacy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) ## More Perform quotes > [It's the only way you're able to play as long as I have, is to go out there and perform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-woodson/it-s-the-only-way-you-re-able-to-play-as-long-as-i-have-is-to-go-out/) [Charles Woodson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-woodson/) > [For me, I've always told myself, 'I can only do me in the ring.' When I go out there and perform, I can only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sasha-banks/for-me-i-ve-always-told-myself-i-can-only-do-me-in-the-ring-when-i-go/) [Sasha Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sasha-banks/) > [I'm a big Penn & Teller fan. But I myself was never very good; I was a teenage magician who performed at kids' parties.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ira-glass/i-m-a-big-penn-teller-fan-but-i-myself-was-never-very-good-i-was-a/) [Ira Glass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ira-glass/) > [Playing in the NFL, you're expected to perform and perform well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-jones/playing-in-the-nfl-you-re-expected-to-perform-and-perform-well/) [Daniel Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-jones/) > [I firmly believe that if members of Congress fail to perform their most basic duty in passing a budget, then they do not deserve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-schrader/i-firmly-believe-that-if-members-of-congress-fail-to-perform-their/) [Kurt Schrader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-schrader/) > [I'm human. I want to play, I want to perform well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-cahill/i-m-human-i-want-to-play-i-want-to-perform-well/) [Gary Cahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-cahill/) > [We perform the show for the people that are in the room and then that performance is theirs forever and ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-urie/we-perform-the-show-for-the-people-that-are-in-the-room-and-then-that/) [Michael Urie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-urie/) > [I'm always a competitor. I'm not there just to have a good time. I want to play well and perform well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-kuchar/i-m-always-a-competitor-i-m-not-there-just-to-have-a-good-time-i-want/) [Matt Kuchar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-kuchar/) > [I always was a writer, but then I wanted to do stand-up because I thought that was a way that I could perform what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roseanne-barr/i-always-was-a-writer-but-then-i-wanted-to-do-stand-up-because-i/) [Roseanne Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roseanne-barr/) > [The thing is, don't get me wrong, I still love scoring and I hate to lose but now I see myself more as making…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thierry-henry/the-thing-is-don-t-get-me-wrong-i-still-love-scoring-and-i-hate-to/) [Thierry Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thierry-henry/) > [Once you're on the pitch and you've put the shirt on, it's then down to you to perform and play well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-lingard/once-you-re-on-the-pitch-and-you-ve-put-the-shirt-on-it-s-then-down/) [Jesse Lingard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-lingard/) > [“All human beings must perform according to their nature.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-berger/all-human-beings-must-perform-according-to-their-nature/) [Thomas Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-berger/) > [I love having the opportunity to perform, and I hate not being given the opportunity to perform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christie-laing/i-love-having-the-opportunity-to-perform-and-i-hate-not-being-given/) [Christie Laing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christie-laing/) > [In my mid-twenties, I said to myself: 'I can't perform anymore!' I didn't know what I wanted to do. I didn't perform for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-kayden/in-my-mid-twenties-i-said-to-myself-i-can-t-perform-anymore-i-didn-t/) [Spencer Kayden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-kayden/) > [Korean audiences are amazing. The fans scream so loud, and that really surprises skaters when they first perform in my shows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-yuna/korean-audiences-are-amazing-the-fans-scream-so-loud-and-that-really/) [Kim Yuna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-yuna/) Browse all 722 Perform quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You can work on the saxophone alone, but ultimately you must perform with others.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Steve Lacy" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/you-can-work-on-the-saxophone-alone-but-ultimately-you-must-perform/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Perform" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/you-can-work-on-the-saxophone-alone-but-ultimately-you-must-perform/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/766/steve-lacy-13386_saxophone_you-can-work-on-the-saxophone-alone-but_1699882.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/766/steve-lacy-13386_saxophone_you-can-work-on-the-saxophone-alone-but_1699882.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/766/steve-lacy-13386_saxophone_you-can-work-on-the-saxophone-alone-but_1699882.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You can work on the saxophone alone, but ultimately you must perform with others.” — Steve Lacy", "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": "Steve Lacy", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You can work on the saxophone...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/you-can-work-on-the-saxophone-alone-but-ultimately-you-must-perform/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/you-can-work-on-the-saxophone-alone-but-ultimately-you-must-perform/#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 } } ] } ```