--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't meditate before I play or…" description: "\"I don't meditate before I play or compose, but I see playing and composing as meditative acts.\" — Steve Swallow" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd9/steve-swallow-68204_acts_i-don-t-meditate-before-i-play-or-compos_58455.png" --- # I don't meditate before I play or compose, but I see… ![“I don't meditate before I play or compose, but I see playing and composing as meditative acts.” quote by Steve Swallow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd9/steve-swallow-68204_acts_i-don-t-meditate-before-i-play-or-compos_58455.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd9/steve-swallow-68204_acts_i-don-t-meditate-before-i-play-or-compos_58455.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd9/steve-swallow-68204_acts_i-don-t-meditate-before-i-play-or-compos_58455.png) > “I don't meditate before I play or compose, but I see playing and composing as meditative acts.” Steve Swallow ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker treats musical performance and composition as forms of meditation, finding focus and presence in the act itself rather than through formal meditation practices. **In simple terms:** Music as meditation Key Takeaway Playing/composing cultivates mindfulness Themes Creativity Mindfulness Artistic Process Flow State Self-Expression Mood Focused Reflective Calm Type Philosophical Observational When to use this quote - During a live concert - In a studio session - While improvising - When writing a new piece - During personal practice Key Concepts Music Meditation Concentration Presence Practical Applications - Enhancing focus in creative work - Using music to achieve mental calm Questions to Reflect On - How does engaging in music affect your mental state? - Can other activities become meditative without formal practice? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Meditative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditative/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) ## Related quotes > [I come home from work, and depending on the day or depending on what was going on, if I needed to adjust, I'd just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-sexton/i-come-home-from-work-and-depending-on-the-day-or-depending-on-what/) [Brent Sexton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-sexton/) > [“we compose our life in stories we tell ourselves”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-j-geddes/we-compose-our-life-in-stories-we-tell-ourselves/) [john j geddes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-j-geddes/) > [Only when I experience do I compose - only when I compose do I experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustav-mahler/only-when-i-experience-do-i-compose-only-when-i-compose-do-i/) [Gustav Mahler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustav-mahler/) > [I am talented enough to compose internationally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anu-malik/i-am-talented-enough-to-compose-internationally/) [Anu Malik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anu-malik/) > [I am not just a singer, I am a composer as well. Because I'm balancing both, it takes me longer to compose a song.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ankit-tiwari/i-am-not-just-a-singer-i-am-a-composer-as-well-because-i-m-balancing/) [Ankit Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ankit-tiwari/) > [Works of art inspire me to compose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krzysztof-penderecki/works-of-art-inspire-me-to-compose/) [Krzysztof Penderecki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krzysztof-penderecki/) > [I've been a full-time composer for many years, and I'm still learning all the time. There is always more than one musical "solution" to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-keltonic/i-ve-been-a-full-time-composer-for-many-years-and-i-m-still-learning/) [John Keltonic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-keltonic/) > [If I pick up a fiddle, I don't compose on it, so much as I just play whatever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-amidon/if-i-pick-up-a-fiddle-i-don-t-compose-on-it-so-much-as-i-just-play/) [Sam Amidon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-amidon/) > [To compose is to remember music that has never been written.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/to-compose-is-to-remember-music-that-has-never-been-written/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [I got to compose for a full symphony orchestra.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-conte/i-got-to-compose-for-a-full-symphony-orchestra/) [Jack Conte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-conte/) > [I know a famous violinist who told me he can't compose because he knows too many pieces. So, when he starts thinking of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/i-know-a-famous-violinist-who-told-me-he-can-t-compose-because-he/) [Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/) > [One of the challenges is creating characters. I am trying to compose my sentences to express epic events happening to ordinary people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-hirata/one-of-the-challenges-is-creating-characters-i-am-trying-to-compose/) [Andrea Hirata](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-hirata/) > [Even in front of nature one must compose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-degas/even-in-front-of-nature-one-must-compose/) [Edgar Degas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-degas/) > [Every song that I compose has to satisfy the music director in me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gopi-sundar/every-song-that-i-compose-has-to-satisfy-the-music-director-in-me/) [Gopi Sundar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gopi-sundar/) > [I follow a simple formula when I compose. I ask myself, 'What would the audience want to hear?' and 'Why would they buy my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-r-rahman/i-follow-a-simple-formula-when-i-compose-i-ask-myself-what-would-the/) [A. R. Rahman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-r-rahman/) ## More by Steve Swallow > [Occasionally, when I run into a great bass backstage at a festival I'll play a few notes on the low E string, just to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-swallow/occasionally-when-i-run-into-a-great-bass-backstage-at-a-festival-i/) Steve Swallow > [I found it liberating of necessity to devise my own style and my own tactics and to look for a voice on the instrument…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-swallow/i-found-it-liberating-of-necessity-to-devise-my-own-style-and-my-own/) Steve Swallow > [Partisans present some of the most refreshing music I've heard in a long while, uncompromising, very well written and very well played. It demands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-swallow/partisans-present-some-of-the-most-refreshing-music-i-ve-heard-in-a/) Steve Swallow Explore all 4 Steve Swallow quotes ## More Acts quotes > [Each of our acts makes a statement as to our purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-buscaglia/each-of-our-acts-makes-a-statement-as-to-our-purpose/) [Leo Buscaglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-buscaglia/) > [The Constitution is very clear on the - on the declaration of war or reacting to international crimes - crimes against nations. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pitts/the-constitution-is-very-clear-on-the-on-the-declaration-of-war-or/) Joe Pitts > [God only acts and is, in existing beings or men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-blake/god-only-acts-and-is-in-existing-beings-or-men/) [William Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-blake/) > [Poetry is a lousy form of activism; it doesn't really change much. And maybe we can point to one or two historical times when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daphne-gottlieb/poetry-is-a-lousy-form-of-activism-it-doesn-t-really-change-much-and/) [Daphne Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daphne-gottlieb/) > [We are surrounded every day by countless acts of immeasurable kindness and goodwill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bel-edwards/we-are-surrounded-every-day-by-countless-acts-of-immeasurable/) [John Bel Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bel-edwards/) > [Foreign journalists have to have an approved interpreter assigned them, which they have to pay for, who also acts as guide. As an Iranian,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hooman-majd/foreign-journalists-have-to-have-an-approved-interpreter-assigned/) [Hooman Majd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hooman-majd/) > [I believe that homosexual acts between individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts. I do not believe that the Armed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-pace/i-believe-that-homosexual-acts-between-individuals-are-immoral-and/) [Peter Pace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-pace/) > [“The book of Luke is the account of the Spirit-empowered ministry of Jesus on the earth, and Acts is the account of the Spirit-empowered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-driscoll/the-book-of-luke-is-the-account-of-the-spirit-empowered-ministry-of/) [Mark Driscoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-driscoll/) > [“In Acts, every believer was living in a direct relationship with Him (Christ) and each one functioned normally as a member of His body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-hon/in-acts-every-believer-was-living-in-a-direct-relationship-with-him/) [Henry Hon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-hon/) > [Ladies seem very intrigued by a guy who is ultra confident and acts like he doesn't need you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorma-taccone/ladies-seem-very-intrigued-by-a-guy-who-is-ultra-confident-and-acts/) [Jorma Taccone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorma-taccone/) > [In the name of noble purposes men have committed unspeakable acts of cruelty against one another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-william-fulbright/in-the-name-of-noble-purposes-men-have-committed-unspeakable-acts-of/) [J. William Fulbright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-william-fulbright/) > [How do you make the timelessness of inert, silent objects count for something? How to use the, in a way, dumbness of sculpture in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-gormley/how-do-you-make-the-timelessness-of-inert-silent-objects-count-for/) [Antony Gormley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-gormley/) > [Only free people have an incentive to be virtuous. Only people who bear the consequences of their own acts will care about those consequences…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-browne/only-free-people-have-an-incentive-to-be-virtuous-only-people-who/) [Harry Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-browne/) > [The legitimacy of coercive acts in a democracy arises from the process by which they are justified and by the degree to which we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ignatieff/the-legitimacy-of-coercive-acts-in-a-democracy-arises-from-the/) [Michael Ignatieff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ignatieff/) > [I saw my city gripped by fear. Because of violent acts committed by illegal aliens, my residents were afraid to shop - or even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-barletta/i-saw-my-city-gripped-by-fear-because-of-violent-acts-committed-by/) [Lou Barletta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-barletta/) Browse all 251 Acts quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I don't meditate before I play or compose, but I see playing and composing as meditative acts.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Steve Swallow" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-swallow/i-don-t-meditate-before-i-play-or-compose-but-i-see-playing-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Acts" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-swallow/i-don-t-meditate-before-i-play-or-compose-but-i-see-playing-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd9/steve-swallow-68204_acts_i-don-t-meditate-before-i-play-or-compos_58455.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd9/steve-swallow-68204_acts_i-don-t-meditate-before-i-play-or-compos_58455.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd9/steve-swallow-68204_acts_i-don-t-meditate-before-i-play-or-compos_58455.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I don't meditate before I play or compose, but I see playing and composing as meditative acts.” — Steve Swallow", "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 Swallow", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-swallow/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I don't meditate before I play...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-swallow/i-don-t-meditate-before-i-play-or-compose-but-i-see-playing-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-swallow/i-don-t-meditate-before-i-play-or-compose-but-i-see-playing-and/#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 } } ] } ```