I learn something not because I have to, but because I really want to. That's the same view I have for performing. I'm performing because I really want to, not because I have to bring bread back home.

Quote by Yo-Yo Ma

Topics: Yo-Yo Ma Quotes

One is that you have to take time, lots of time, to let an idea...

One is that you have to take time, lots of time, to let an idea...

It took me way beyond what I knew, into places of which I was totally...

It took me way beyond what I knew, into places of which I was totally...

I love grocery shopping when I'm home. That's what makes me feel totally normal. I...

I love grocery shopping when I'm home. That's what makes me feel totally normal. I...

Good things happen when you meet strangers.

Good things happen when you meet strangers.

When you learn something from people, or from a culture, you accept it as a...

When you learn something from people, or from a culture, you accept it as a...

The role of the musician is to go from concept to full execution. Put another...

The role of the musician is to go from concept to full execution. Put another...

One of the most interesting aspects of the film project was collaborating with so many...

One of the most interesting aspects of the film project was collaborating with so many...

Many of the Central Asians know Russian, and Ted Levin speaks it fluently. I speak...

Many of the Central Asians know Russian, and Ted Levin speaks it fluently. I speak...

We may be coming to a new golden age of instrument making.

We may be coming to a new golden age of instrument making.

After reaching 50, I began to wonder what the root of life is.

After reaching 50, I began to wonder what the root of life is.

But an innovation, to grow organically from within, has to be based on an intact...

But an innovation, to grow organically from within, has to be based on an intact...

Things can fall apart, or threaten to, for many reasons, and then there's got to...

Things can fall apart, or threaten to, for many reasons, and then there's got to...

I'm not likely to forget where I've been and what I've done and learned. I...

I'm not likely to forget where I've been and what I've done and learned. I...

The tango is really a combination of many cultures, though it eventually became the national...

The tango is really a combination of many cultures, though it eventually became the national...

Music has always been transnational; people pick up whatever interests them, and certainly a lot...

Music has always been transnational; people pick up whatever interests them, and certainly a lot...

I've been traveling all over the world for 25 years, performing, talking to people, studying...

I've been traveling all over the world for 25 years, performing, talking to people, studying...