--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Lots of times it really doesn't matter…" description: "\"Lots of times it really doesn't matter what notes you play, but what notes come before and after a run.\" — Tommy Bolin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/165/tommy-bolin-18209_before-and-after_lots-of-times-it-really-doesn-t-matter-w_1277177.jpg" --- # Lots of times it really doesn't matter what notes you… ![“Lots of times it really doesn't matter what notes you play, but what notes come before and after a run.” quote by Tommy Bolin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/165/tommy-bolin-18209_before-and-after_lots-of-times-it-really-doesn-t-matter-w_1277177.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/165/tommy-bolin-18209_before-and-after_lots-of-times-it-really-doesn-t-matter-w_1277177.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/165/tommy-bolin-18209_before-and-after_lots-of-times-it-really-doesn-t-matter-w_1277177.jpg) > “Lots of times it really doesn't matter what notes you play, but what notes come before and after a run.” [Tommy Bolin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-bolin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The musical impact of a phrase depends on its context, not just the notes themselves. **In simple terms:** Context shapes musical meaning. Key Takeaway Pay attention to surrounding notes. Themes music theory creativity context Mood analytical inspired Type educational musical When to use this quote - songwriting - improvisation - performance practice Key Concepts phrasing musical narrative Questions to Reflect On - How does preceding material influence your next musical idea? - Can you create tension by breaking expected context? A Different Perspective Focusing on context may limit spontaneous experimentation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Before and after](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/before-and-after/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [It's not the notes you play, it's the notes you don't play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/it-s-not-the-notes-you-play-it-s-the-notes-you-don-t-play/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) > [Don't play the notes. Play the meaning of the notes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-casals/don-t-play-the-notes-play-the-meaning-of-the-notes/) [Pablo Casals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-casals/) > [I still do not know where the notes will come from when I accept a commission for a new work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lukas-foss/i-still-do-not-know-where-the-notes-will-come-from-when-i-accept-a/) [Lukas Foss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lukas-foss/) > [I write letters to my right brain all the time. They're just little notes. And right brain, who likes to get little notes from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-grafton/i-write-letters-to-my-right-brain-all-the-time-they-re-just-little/) [Sue Grafton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-grafton/) > [You have to know 400 notes that you can play, then pick the right four.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/you-have-to-know-400-notes-that-you-can-play-then-pick-the-right-four/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) > [The first notes I still play when I start a sound check are classical. Those are my roots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/the-first-notes-i-still-play-when-i-start-a-sound-check-are-classical/) [Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) > [The melody is the most important thing that must stay in the minds of the people who listen to you. No matter how many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-benson/the-melody-is-the-most-important-thing-that-must-stay-in-the-minds-of/) [George Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-benson/) > [Playing keys is more than just knowing what notes to play. You have to know about the buttons too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-jerome/playing-keys-is-more-than-just-knowing-what-notes-to-play-you-have-to/) [St. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-jerome/) > [I'll tell you a little secret about the Blues: it's not enough to know which notes to play, you have to know why they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/i-ll-tell-you-a-little-secret-about-the-blues-it-s-not-enough-to-know/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [I always had a knack for improvisation. I can write down the notes I play, but never really had a proper academic musical background.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/i-always-had-a-knack-for-improvisation-i-can-write-down-the-notes-i/) [Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/) > [I've been married three times, really I should only have been married once.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinead-o-connor/i-ve-been-married-three-times-really-i-should-only-have-been-married/) [Sinead O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinead-o-connor/) > [When you go through really hard times, you really figure out who you are, how you respond to things, and how things affect you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-alaina/when-you-go-through-really-hard-times-you-really-figure-out-who-you/) [Lauren Alaina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-alaina/) > [There are often some hundred times, a thousand times, before you can really see it for the first time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-morgenstern/there-are-often-some-hundred-times-a-thousand-times-before-you-can/) [Christian Morgenstern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-morgenstern/) > [I used to be very hard on myself at times - a lot of times, really.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mardy-fish/i-used-to-be-very-hard-on-myself-at-times-a-lot-of-times-really/) [Mardy Fish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mardy-fish/) > [At certain times you really feel as though you have to do something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-lange/at-certain-times-you-really-feel-as-though-you-have-to-do-something/) [Jessica Lange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-lange/) ## More by Tommy Bolin > [I can't do anything but play guitar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-bolin/i-can-t-do-anything-but-play-guitar/) [Tommy Bolin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-bolin/) > [I started on drums when I was 13 and played them for two years. Then I went to guitar for a year, played keyboards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-bolin/i-started-on-drums-when-i-was-13-and-played-them-for-two-years-then-i/) [Tommy Bolin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-bolin/) > [Right now I feel so inspired, it's hard to believe. I've written about 20 songs in the last two days. I'd gone about four…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-bolin/right-now-i-feel-so-inspired-it-s-hard-to-believe-i-ve-written-about/) [Tommy Bolin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-bolin/) > [I can't see. I used to wear glasses off stage. Now I'm thinking of getting a pair of contract lenses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-bolin/i-can-t-see-i-used-to-wear-glasses-off-stage-now-i-m-thinking-of/) [Tommy Bolin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-bolin/) > [A lot of things just got distorted, like stories about each other. After the tour we never talked. I believe a band should be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-bolin/a-lot-of-things-just-got-distorted-like-stories-about-each-other/) [Tommy Bolin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-bolin/) > [For me, practice isn't doing scales but doing things like writing, jamming with other people, or playing gigs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-bolin/for-me-practice-isn-t-doing-scales-but-doing-things-like-writing/) [Tommy Bolin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-bolin/) > [I learned a lot about lead; you don't have to blow your cookies in the first bar. It is much harder to be simple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-bolin/i-learned-a-lot-about-lead-you-don-t-have-to-blow-your-cookies-in-the/) [Tommy Bolin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-bolin/) > [I just started off on my own by learning the regular chords then the barre chords. Then I'd lean the notes that would go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-bolin/i-just-started-off-on-my-own-by-learning-the-regular-chords-then-the/) [Tommy Bolin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-bolin/) > [I'd rather work than not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-bolin/i-d-rather-work-than-not/) [Tommy Bolin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-bolin/) > [Blues teaches you to develop coherent solos, because the form you're playing over is so basic. You have to develop leads that go someplace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-bolin/blues-teaches-you-to-develop-coherent-solos-because-the-form-you-re/) [Tommy Bolin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-bolin/) > [If you're not having fun it's not worth doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-bolin/if-you-re-not-having-fun-it-s-not-worth-doing/) [Tommy Bolin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-bolin/) > [Once I was playing and moving around and I fell right on my back. Just straight on my back. It was the most embarrassing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-bolin/once-i-was-playing-and-moving-around-and-i-fell-right-on-my-back-just/) [Tommy Bolin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-bolin/) > [I have my own style, but it's different for each kind of music. There are certain little characteristic things every player has.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-bolin/i-have-my-own-style-but-it-s-different-for-each-kind-of-music-there/) [Tommy Bolin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-bolin/) > [I used to listen a lot to Rolling Stones records and play along with them when I was first starting. It's a good way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-bolin/i-used-to-listen-a-lot-to-rolling-stones-records-and-play-along-with/) [Tommy Bolin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-bolin/) > [I used to try and take things in leaps and bounds. Now I've realized it's got to be step by step.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-bolin/i-used-to-try-and-take-things-in-leaps-and-bounds-now-i-ve-realized/) [Tommy Bolin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-bolin/) [Explore all 35 Tommy Bolin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-bolin/) ## More Before and after quotes > [Learning is the measurement of knowledge before and after.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eben-pagan/learning-is-the-measurement-of-knowledge-before-and-after/) [Eben Pagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eben-pagan/) > [Stretching, which I do for five to 10 minutes before and after a match, is so important in general when it comes to prolonging…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jozy-altidore/stretching-which-i-do-for-five-to-10-minutes-before-and-after-a-match/) [Jozy Altidore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jozy-altidore/) > [I would like my book to give people insight to the war before and after, but I don't think anyone could read my book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asne-seierstad/i-would-like-my-book-to-give-people-insight-to-the-war-before-and/) [Asne Seierstad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asne-seierstad/) > [Art has a double visage: it looks before and after. Romance is its forward-looking face. The germ of growth is in romanticism. Formalism, on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-edward-woodberry/art-has-a-double-visage-it-looks-before-and-after-romance-is-its/) [George Edward Woodberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-edward-woodberry/) > [Sever the edge between before and after.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/takuan-soho/sever-the-edge-between-before-and-after/) [Takuan Soho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/takuan-soho/) > [Our sages of blessed memory have said that we must not enjoy any pleasure in this world without reciting a blessing. If we eat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shmuel-yosef-agnon/our-sages-of-blessed-memory-have-said-that-we-must-not-enjoy-any/) [Shmuel Yosef Agnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shmuel-yosef-agnon/) > [Love: a single word, a wispy thing, a word no bigger or longer than an edge. That's what it is: an edge; a razor.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-oliver/love-a-single-word-a-wispy-thing-a-word-no-bigger-or-longer-than-an/) [Lauren Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-oliver/) > [If this glorious birth to death hassle is the only hassle we are ever to have ..if our grand exhilarating fight of life is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-kesey/if-this-glorious-birth-to-death-hassle-is-the-only-hassle-we-are-ever/) [Ken Kesey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-kesey/) > [Aum is the most powerful of all mantras. It is good to chant Aum seven or more times before and after each meditation. Chanting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/aum-is-the-most-powerful-of-all-mantras-it-is-good-to-chant-aum-seven/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I feel like we were the last generation, and there's this big divide before and after the 1990s. I feel sorry for the kids…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chloe-sevigny/i-feel-like-we-were-the-last-generation-and-there-s-this-big-divide/) [Chloe Sevigny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chloe-sevigny/) > [I've been on tour since I was 16, and I always do meet-and-greets before and after shows, so you kind of build these friendships…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-swift/i-ve-been-on-tour-since-i-was-16-and-i-always-do-meet-and-greets/) [Taylor Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-swift/) > [I spent a month in India and where I learnt an important word for me, for everything that had come before and after, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-ogilvie/i-spent-a-month-in-india-and-where-i-learnt-an-important-word-for-me/) [George Ogilvie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-ogilvie/) > [For the bliss of the animals lies in this, that, on their lower level, they shadow the bliss of those--few at any moment on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/for-the-bliss-of-the-animals-lies-in-this-that-on-their-lower-level/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Imagination, where it is truly creative, is a faculty, and not a quality; it looks before and after, it gives the form that makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/imagination-where-it-is-truly-creative-is-a-faculty-and-not-a-quality/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) > [Perhaps this is how girls fall -- not in some crime of enchantment at the hands of a wicked ne'er-do-well, a grand before and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/perhaps-this-is-how-girls-fall-not-in-some-crime-of-enchantment-at/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) [Browse all 85 Before and after quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/before-and-after/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Lots of times it really doesn't matter what notes you play, but what notes come before and after a run.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tommy Bolin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-bolin/lots-of-times-it-really-doesn-t-matter-what-notes-you-play-but-what/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Before and after" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-bolin/lots-of-times-it-really-doesn-t-matter-what-notes-you-play-but-what/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/165/tommy-bolin-18209_before-and-after_lots-of-times-it-really-doesn-t-matter-w_1277177.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/165/tommy-bolin-18209_before-and-after_lots-of-times-it-really-doesn-t-matter-w_1277177.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/165/tommy-bolin-18209_before-and-after_lots-of-times-it-really-doesn-t-matter-w_1277177.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Lots of times it really doesn't matter what notes you play, but what notes come before and after a run.” — Tommy Bolin", "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": "Tommy Bolin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-bolin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Lots of times it really doesn't...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-bolin/lots-of-times-it-really-doesn-t-matter-what-notes-you-play-but-what/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-bolin/lots-of-times-it-really-doesn-t-matter-what-notes-you-play-but-what/#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 } } ] } ```