--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I started writing songs for youth theater…" description: "\"I started writing songs for youth theater and stuff, and so it's really writing music for the stage that started me out, but then I eventually went to ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e7/tim-minchin-3287_jazz_i-started-writing-songs-for-youth-theate_528188.jpg" --- # I started writing songs for youth theater and stuff, and… ![“I started writing songs for youth theater and stuff, and so it's really writing music for the stage that started me out, but then I eventually went to music college and did a two-year course in contemporary music and then just played in endless bands, cover bands, jazz bands.” quote by Tim Minchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e7/tim-minchin-3287_jazz_i-started-writing-songs-for-youth-theate_528188.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e7/tim-minchin-3287_jazz_i-started-writing-songs-for-youth-theate_528188.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e7/tim-minchin-3287_jazz_i-started-writing-songs-for-youth-theate_528188.jpg) > “I started writing songs for youth theater and stuff, and so it's really writing music for the stage that started me out, but then I eventually went to music college and did a two-year course in contemporary music and then just played in endless bands, cover bands, jazz bands.” [Tim Minchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-minchin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote recounts a path from youth theater songwriting to diverse band experiences and formal music education. **In simple terms:** He moved from theater songs to college and many band gigs. Key Takeaway Embrace varied musical experiences to grow. Themes creativity education career music performance Mood enthusiastic reflective inspired Type career personal growth inspirational When to use this quote - songwriting workshops - band auditions - music school enrollment - collaborative projects Key Concepts artistic development networking skill diversification Questions to Reflect On - Which experiences shaped your voice? - How do you stay authentic across genres? A Different Perspective Frequent genre shifts can dilute personal style if not managed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Jazz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jazz/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Music making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music-making/) [Stage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stage/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Writing music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-music/) [Writing songs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-songs/) [Youth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/youth/) ## Related quotes > [I started writing songs when I was 10. It was a natural way to express myself as a kid. It wasn't until I started…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimbra/i-started-writing-songs-when-i-was-10-it-was-a-natural-way-to-express/) [Kimbra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimbra/) > [Writing songs is really about writing. It's not about necessarily focusing on one particular style or making it one particular thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jann-klose/writing-songs-is-really-about-writing-it-s-not-about-necessarily/) [Jann Klose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jann-klose/) > [I started writing music around 20 years old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-d/i-started-writing-music-around-20-years-old/) J.I.D > [I wanted to be the best guitar player in the world. And then my dad got me a portable recorder, so I started writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-goransson/i-wanted-to-be-the-best-guitar-player-in-the-world-and-then-my-dad/) [Ludwig Goransson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-goransson/) > [I couldn't wait to get out of school, but once I did, I didn't actually know what I wanted to do with myself. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitski/i-couldn-t-wait-to-get-out-of-school-but-once-i-did-i-didn-t-actually/) [Mitski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitski/) > [I started writing music as a composer in school, in the classical tradition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-holter/i-started-writing-music-as-a-composer-in-school-in-the-classical/) [Julia Holter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-holter/) > [I started out writing music for theatre and contemporary dance, so there has always been a dramatic and narrative element in my music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-johannsson/i-started-out-writing-music-for-theatre-and-contemporary-dance-so/) [Johann Johannsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-johannsson/) > [I listened to country music my whole life. I started writing music when I was a teenager. It all came out country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-bell-bundy/i-listened-to-country-music-my-whole-life-i-started-writing-music/) [Laura Bell Bundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-bell-bundy/) > [When I first started to get into writing, it was via music. I'd generate ideas for songs that would turn into stories, then they'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irvine-welsh/when-i-first-started-to-get-into-writing-it-was-via-music-i-d/) [Irvine Welsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irvine-welsh/) > [After winning 'K-pop Star' and debuting as a singer, I had a team of people who helped me. But then I realized that to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-park/after-winning-k-pop-star-and-debuting-as-a-singer-i-had-a-team-of/) [Jamie Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-park/) > [Ever since I started writing music, I've wanted to know what the songs are about and to be able to tell stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jens-lekman/ever-since-i-started-writing-music-i-ve-wanted-to-know-what-the-songs/) [Jens Lekman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jens-lekman/) > [I started writing music in a season of my life where people were telling me I wasn't defined by mistakes, and God really loved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mat-kearney/i-started-writing-music-in-a-season-of-my-life-where-people-were/) [Mat Kearney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-kearney/) > [Initially, I started writing music because I wanted to express my thoughts and get what was going on in my head out to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yungblud/initially-i-started-writing-music-because-i-wanted-to-express-my/) [Yungblud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yungblud/) > [I started writing music in a French way: more focused on lyrics than melody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-clementine/i-started-writing-music-in-a-french-way-more-focused-on-lyrics-than/) [Benjamin Clementine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-clementine/) > [I guess when I first started writing music, I really had no idea if anyone was ever going to hear what I was writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-joseph/i-guess-when-i-first-started-writing-music-i-really-had-no-idea-if/) [Tyler Joseph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-joseph/) ## More by Tim Minchin > [Because I'm on my own on stage and wear bare feet and look like a pixie, people always think I'm little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-minchin/because-i-m-on-my-own-on-stage-and-wear-bare-feet-and-look-like-a/) [Tim Minchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-minchin/) > [Fight for what is true. What is true is enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-minchin/fight-for-what-is-true-what-is-true-is-enough/) [Tim Minchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-minchin/) > [Love without evidence is stalking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-minchin/love-without-evidence-is-stalking/) [Tim Minchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-minchin/) > [I spent thousands of thousands of hours playing the piano, and by thousands of hours, I mean playing in cover bands or wedding bands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-minchin/i-spent-thousands-of-thousands-of-hours-playing-the-piano-and-by/) [Tim Minchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-minchin/) > [There's a lot of great, talented, passionate musical theatre practitioners and directors here. But it's very hard to suddenly start building great musicals in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-minchin/there-s-a-lot-of-great-talented-passionate-musical-theatre/) [Tim Minchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-minchin/) > [You've got to teach yourself you can do your job no matter what happens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-minchin/you-ve-got-to-teach-yourself-you-can-do-your-job-no-matter-what/) [Tim Minchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-minchin/) > [I never thought I was going to be an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-minchin/i-never-thought-i-was-going-to-be-an-actor/) [Tim Minchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-minchin/) > [Acting's just always been one of those things I've enjoyed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-minchin/acting-s-just-always-been-one-of-those-things-i-ve-enjoyed/) [Tim Minchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-minchin/) > [I had terrible ear problems and asthma and allergies. I spent quite a bit of time in hospital up to the age of eight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-minchin/i-had-terrible-ear-problems-and-asthma-and-allergies-i-spent-quite-a/) [Tim Minchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-minchin/) > [Throughout history, every mystery ever solved has turned out to be NOT magic..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-minchin/throughout-history-every-mystery-ever-solved-has-turned-out-to-be-not/) [Tim Minchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-minchin/) > [It's an incredibly exciting thing, this one meaningless life of yours](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-minchin/it-s-an-incredibly-exciting-thing-this-one-meaningless-life-of-yours/) [Tim Minchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-minchin/) > [I want to be here for my family. I want to make stuff in Australia. I want to take what I've learned and contribute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-minchin/i-want-to-be-here-for-my-family-i-want-to-make-stuff-in-australia-i/) [Tim Minchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-minchin/) > [I'm the son of a surgeon and the grandson of a surgeon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-minchin/i-m-the-son-of-a-surgeon-and-the-grandson-of-a-surgeon/) [Tim Minchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-minchin/) > [I don't like courting controversy because I don't like people not liking me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-minchin/i-don-t-like-courting-controversy-because-i-don-t-like-people-not/) [Tim Minchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-minchin/) > [I've spent years on stage adjusting the timing of a line to infinitesimal degrees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-minchin/i-ve-spent-years-on-stage-adjusting-the-timing-of-a-line-to/) [Tim Minchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-minchin/) [Explore all 134 Tim Minchin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-minchin/) ## More Jazz quotes > [When you listen to someone improvise, the notes that are played are only half the story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-laws/when-you-listen-to-someone-improvise-the-notes-that-are-played-are/) Hubert Laws > [I wasn't into jazz so much - I preferred things raw.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-page/i-wasn-t-into-jazz-so-much-i-preferred-things-raw/) [Jimmy Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-page/) > [Growing up in Iceland, it was very beautiful, very safe, but quite isolated. There was something about jazz music that had a way of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laufey/growing-up-in-iceland-it-was-very-beautiful-very-safe-but-quite/) [Laufey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laufey/) > [I didn't plan on rock-n-roll. I wanted to learn jazz; I got to know some people doing rock-n-roll with jazz, and I thought I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robby-krieger/i-didn-t-plan-on-rock-n-roll-i-wanted-to-learn-jazz-i-got-to-know/) [Robby Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robby-krieger/) > [Jazz is not something that can be defined through blunt instruments. It is much more poetic than that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-metheny/jazz-is-not-something-that-can-be-defined-through-blunt-instruments/) [Pat Metheny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-metheny/) > [When I was playing piano, it was like, 'I'm going to write a song using all the white keys.' 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/) > [Jazz is the music of the body. The breath comes through brass. It is the body's breath, and the strings' wails and moans are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/jazz-is-the-music-of-the-body-the-breath-comes-through-brass-it-is/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [Bruce Katz is a spectacular talent! He's a brilliant composer and arranger who uses uncommon and unique musical intelligence to redefine jazz and blues…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-coryell/bruce-katz-is-a-spectacular-talent-he-s-a-brilliant-composer-and/) [Larry Coryell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-coryell/) > [I think we've all had enough of Coltrane saxophonists. There's a case of someone ruining a generation of saxophonists, as Louis Armstrong may have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-bley/i-think-we-ve-all-had-enough-of-coltrane-saxophonists-there-s-a-case/) [Paul Bley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-bley/) > [Where human eyes have never seen, where human beings have never been, I build a world of abstract dreams, and I wait for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-ra/where-human-eyes-have-never-seen-where-human-beings-have-never-been-i/) [Sun Ra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-ra/) > [It's bluesy, rocky jazz. I call it soul music, but it's not James Brown soul music. It comes from my soul. It comes from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tinsel-korey/it-s-bluesy-rocky-jazz-i-call-it-soul-music-but-it-s-not-james-brown/) [Tinsel Korey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tinsel-korey/) > [I listen to classical music very much. There's a lot of jazz that I don't enjoy listening to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-konitz/i-listen-to-classical-music-very-much-there-s-a-lot-of-jazz-that-i/) [Lee Konitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-konitz/) > [My influences are jazz, blues, European classical music; they are rock music and pop music. So many kinds of music. World music from different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rokia-traore/my-influences-are-jazz-blues-european-classical-music-they-are-rock/) [Rokia Traore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rokia-traore/) > [Trombone virtuoso and innovative composer, Papo combines the best of jazz and Latin music to create a genre that is unique and wild. He's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-brecker/trombone-virtuoso-and-innovative-composer-papo-combines-the-best-of/) Michael Brecker > [My roots are in classical music and jazz, and I want the freedom of being able to improvise. This freedom is possible only in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adnan-sami/my-roots-are-in-classical-music-and-jazz-and-i-want-the-freedom-of/) [Adnan Sami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adnan-sami/) [Browse all 3,027 Jazz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jazz/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I started writing songs for youth theater and stuff, and so it's really writing music for the stage that started me out, but then I eventually went to music college and did a two-year course in contemporary music and then just played in endless bands, cover bands, jazz bands.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tim Minchin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-minchin/i-started-writing-songs-for-youth-theater-and-stuff-and-so-it-s/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Jazz" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-minchin/i-started-writing-songs-for-youth-theater-and-stuff-and-so-it-s/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e7/tim-minchin-3287_jazz_i-started-writing-songs-for-youth-theate_528188.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e7/tim-minchin-3287_jazz_i-started-writing-songs-for-youth-theate_528188.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e7/tim-minchin-3287_jazz_i-started-writing-songs-for-youth-theate_528188.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I started writing songs for youth theater and stuff, and so it's really writing music for the stage that…” — Tim Minchin", "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": "Tim Minchin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-minchin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I started writing songs for youth...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-minchin/i-started-writing-songs-for-youth-theater-and-stuff-and-so-it-s/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-minchin/i-started-writing-songs-for-youth-theater-and-stuff-and-so-it-s/#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 } } ] } ```