--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm not a person who writes really…" description: "\"I'm not a person who writes really abstract things with oblique references. I look at abstraction like I look at condiments. Give me some Tabasco sauce..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/361/wynton-marsalis-1721_abstract_i-m-not-a-person-who-writes-really-abstr_108497.png" --- # I'm not a person who writes really abstract things with… ![“I'm not a person who writes really abstract things with oblique references. I look at abstraction like I look at condiments. Give me some Tabasco sauce, some ketchup, some mayonnaise. I love all of that. Put it on a trumpet. I've just got to have the ketchup and Tabasco sauce. That's my attitude…” quote by Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/361/wynton-marsalis-1721_abstract_i-m-not-a-person-who-writes-really-abstr_108497.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/361/wynton-marsalis-1721_abstract_i-m-not-a-person-who-writes-really-abstr_108497.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/361/wynton-marsalis-1721_abstract_i-m-not-a-person-who-writes-really-abstr_108497.png) > “I'm not a person who writes really abstract things with oblique references. I look at abstraction like I look at condiments. Give me some Tabasco sauce, some ketchup, some mayonnaise. I love all of that. Put it on a trumpet. I've just got to have the ketchup and Tabasco sauce. That's my attitude about musical philosophy.” [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) ## 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 prefers concrete, sensory language over abstract references, likening musical ideas to familiar condiments that add flavor and immediacy to expression. **In simple terms:** He favors tangible metaphors over vague abstraction. Key Takeaway Clarity and sensory detail enhance artistic communication. Themes art communication metaphor creativity Mood playful energetic Type artistic didactic When to use this quote - teaching music theory - writing program - designing branding Key Concepts aesthetic philosophy Practical Applications - use everyday analogies to explain complex concepts - incorporate sensory descriptors in presentations Questions to Reflect On - When does concrete metaphor hinder deeper insight? - How can abstraction and concreteness be balanced? A Different Perspective Over‑reliance on concrete imagery can limit imaginative depth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abstract](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstract/) [Abstract Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstract-things-1295452/) [Abstraction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstraction/) [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Condiments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/condiments/) [Give me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/give-me/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Ketchup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ketchup/) [Looks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looks/) [Mayonnaise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mayonnaise/) [Musical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/musical/) [Musical Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/musical-philosophy-1295451/) [My attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-attitude/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Sauce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sauce/) [Sauce Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sauce-attitude-1295450/) [Tabasco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tabasco/) [Trumpet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trumpet/) [Trumpets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trumpets/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Americans will eat garbage provided you sprinkle it liberally with ketchup.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-james/americans-will-eat-garbage-provided-you-sprinkle-it-liberally-with/) [Henry James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-james/) > [The Japanese have become so smitten with the Western condiment - its texture as silky as a kimono, its tang as understated as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-japanese-have-become-so-smitten-with-the-western-condiment-its/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [Life holds many, many, many mysteries, abstract things we all think about. In a film when things get abstract, some people don't appreciate that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lynch/life-holds-many-many-many-mysteries-abstract-things-we-all-think/) [David Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lynch/) > [“Art should be linked to abstract things - color, line, tone. It is not an instrument to improve social conditions and chase ugliness. Painting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irving-stone/art-should-be-linked-to-abstract-things-color-line-tone-it-is-not-an/) [Irving Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irving-stone/) > [I admire artists who really take risks and aren't afraid to do smaller movies and obscure, abstract things. It would be really cool if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/britne-oldford/i-admire-artists-who-really-take-risks-and-aren-t-afraid-to-do/) [Britne Oldford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/britne-oldford/) > [“Talking about abstract things is important. Having big, wild conversations about concepts like art, music, time travel, and dreams makes it much easier when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/talking-about-abstract-things-is-important-having-big-wild/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only abstract things that could hit and manage to hurt you are.. Memories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raghib-clitso/the-only-abstract-things-that-could-hit-and-manage-to-hurt-you-are/) [Raghib Clitso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raghib-clitso/) > [I hardly need to abstract things, for each object is unreal enough already, so unreal that I can only make it real by means…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-beckmann/i-hardly-need-to-abstract-things-for-each-object-is-unreal-enough/) [Max Beckmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-beckmann/) > [When I put some Tabasco on things, and there's really nothing in Tabasco, it's not bad for you in any way, so that's kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-ditka/when-i-put-some-tabasco-on-things-and-there-s-really-nothing-in/) [Mike Ditka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-ditka/) > [I carry my own tea, food, and Tabasco on the plane with me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-rodgers/i-carry-my-own-tea-food-and-tabasco-on-the-plane-with-me/) [Paul Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-rodgers/) > [Philosophers have often looked for the defining feature of humans — language, rationality, culture, and so on. I'd stick with this: Man is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-bloom/philosophers-have-often-looked-for-the-defining-feature-of-humans/) [Paul Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-bloom/) > [I just started making Bloody Marys. I always thought they looked gross, then I tasted one. There's an art to it, from the Tabasco…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-reid/i-just-started-making-bloody-marys-i-always-thought-they-looked-gross/) [Tara Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-reid/) > [Tabasco sauce is to bachelor cooking what forgiveness is to sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/tabasco-sauce-is-to-bachelor-cooking-what-forgiveness-is-to-sin/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [I put Tabasco sauce over everything. Or I put it on pretty much anything that wouldn't taste gross - I mean, I wouldn't put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-lavine/i-put-tabasco-sauce-over-everything-or-i-put-it-on-pretty-much/) [Zach LaVine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-lavine/) > [When you use Tabasco in the marinade, it kind of infuses everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-batali/when-you-use-tabasco-in-the-marinade-it-kind-of-infuses-everything/) [Mario Batali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-batali/) ## More by Wynton Marsalis > [I never minded giving my opinions. They are just opinions, and I had studied music and I had strong feelings. I was happy for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/i-never-minded-giving-my-opinions-they-are-just-opinions-and-i-had/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [I always read all these books about the slaves. My mother is very educated. My father would talk to us like we were grown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/i-always-read-all-these-books-about-the-slaves-my-mother-is-very/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [“The best musicians know this music isn't about "schools" at all. Like my father says, "There's only one school, the school of 'Can you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/the-best-musicians-know-this-music-isn-t-about-schools-at-all-like-my/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [Louis Armstrong is jazz. He represents what the music is all about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/louis-armstrong-is-jazz-he-represents-what-the-music-is-all-about/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [And that's the soulful thing about playing: you offer something to somebody. You don't know if they'll like it, but you offer it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/and-that-s-the-soulful-thing-about-playing-you-offer-something-to/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [Ethics are more important than laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/ethics-are-more-important-than-laws/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [Many a revolution started with the actions of a few. Only 56 men signed the Declaration of Independence. A few hanging together can lead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/many-a-revolution-started-with-the-actions-of-a-few-only-56-men/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [“Today you go into make a modern recording with all this technology. The bass plays first, then the drums come in later, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/today-you-go-into-make-a-modern-recording-with-all-this-technology/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [In the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra we play such a diversity of music, with 10 arrangers in the band, we don't really worry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/in-the-jazz-at-lincoln-center-orchestra-we-play-such-a-diversity-of/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [Commercialism that has absolutely no relationship to quality whatsoever, only quantitative assessment of a thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/commercialism-that-has-absolutely-no-relationship-to-quality/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [Instead of imposing your will on every situation...focus on including everyone else, and just that little adjustment of attitude gives you the space to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/instead-of-imposing-your-will-on-every-situation-focus-on-including/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [I'm not afraid of you being yourself. That's America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/i-m-not-afraid-of-you-being-yourself-that-s-america/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [“I noticed that religion gave some people a way to escape dealing with the world: “Things will be better when you die,” the people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/i-noticed-that-religion-gave-some-people-a-way-to-escape-dealing-with/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [Trumpet players see each other, and it's like we're getting ready to square off or get into a fight or something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/trumpet-players-see-each-other-and-it-s-like-we-re-getting-ready-to/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [I dress up a certain way because I respect the music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/i-dress-up-a-certain-way-because-i-respect-the-music/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) [Explore all 213 Wynton Marsalis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) ## More Abstract quotes > [Love is like that, fragile and light. No wonder it rests upon our hearts in intangible moments, bids us follow fleeting thoughts and ideas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-like-that-fragile-and-light-no-wonder-it-rests-upon-our/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Wisdom is the abstract of the past, but beauty is the promise of the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/wisdom-is-the-abstract-of-the-past-but-beauty-is-the-promise-of-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [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/) > [A little too abstract, a little too wise, It is time for us to kiss the earth again, It is time to let the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robinson-jeffers/a-little-too-abstract-a-little-too-wise-it-is-time-for-us-to-kiss-the/) [Robinson Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robinson-jeffers/) > [“Happy is very abstract, you can't touch it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-veal/happy-is-very-abstract-you-can-t-touch-it/) [Julius Veal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-veal/) > [Abstract Expressionism was invented by New York drunks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/abstract-expressionism-was-invented-by-new-york-drunks/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [The more horrible this world (as today, for instance), the more abstract our art, whereas a happy world brings forth an art of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/the-more-horrible-this-world-as-today-for-instance-the-more-abstract/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [Describing comic sensibility is near impossible. It's sort of an abstract silliness, that sometimes the joke isn't the star.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-carvey/describing-comic-sensibility-is-near-impossible-it-s-sort-of-an/) [Dana Carvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-carvey/) > [For people of color - especially African Americans - the idea that racist cops might frame members of their community is no abstract notion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-wise/for-people-of-color-especially-african-americans-the-idea-that-racist/) [Tim Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-wise/) > [The word of the Lord never comes to us as an opinion, no attempt is made to support it by argument, it comes as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-w-ivins/the-word-of-the-lord-never-comes-to-us-as-an-opinion-no-attempt-is/) [Anthony W. Ivins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-w-ivins/) > [A mobile is an abstract sculpture made chiefly out of sheet metal, steel rods, wire and wood. Some or all of these elements move,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-calder/a-mobile-is-an-abstract-sculpture-made-chiefly-out-of-sheet-metal/) [Alexander Calder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-calder/) > [I'm this superphilosophical kind of person. Stuck in a prison of abstract ideas and overpowering emotions, I have this personality that makes it really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natsuo-kirino/i-m-this-superphilosophical-kind-of-person-stuck-in-a-prison-of/) [Natsuo Kirino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsuo-kirino/) > [Future lawyers should be more aware that law is not a system of abstract logic, but the web of arrangements, rooted in history but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-frankfurter/future-lawyers-should-be-more-aware-that-law-is-not-a-system-of/) [Felix Frankfurter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-frankfurter/) > [The trouble is that when you read criticisms about the other films that I've made you get the impression that they're all about themes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-haneke/the-trouble-is-that-when-you-read-criticisms-about-the-other-films/) [Michael Haneke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-haneke/) > [Painting is... a richer language than words... Painting operates through signs which are not abstract and incorporeal like words. The signs of painting are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-dubuffet/painting-is-a-richer-language-than-words-painting-operates-through/) [Jean Dubuffet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-dubuffet/) [Browse all 1,403 Abstract quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstract/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm not a person who writes really abstract things with oblique references. I look at abstraction like I look at condiments. Give me some Tabasco sauce, some ketchup, some mayonnaise. I love all of that. Put it on a trumpet. I've just got to have the ketchup and Tabasco sauce. 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