Even when you write it, someone's got to play it. So if you can play it and bypass all the rest of the things, you're still doing as great as someone that has spent forty years trying to find out…

Quote by Ornette Coleman

Topics: Ornette Coleman Quotes

It was when I found out I could make mistakes that I knew I was...

It was when I found out I could make mistakes that I knew I was...

I mean, if you decided to go out today and get you an instrument and...

I mean, if you decided to go out today and get you an instrument and...

I've had those people very interested in my writing. Since I think of myself as...

I've had those people very interested in my writing. Since I think of myself as...

I asked my mother could I have an instrument. She said, 'Well if you go...

I asked my mother could I have an instrument. She said, 'Well if you go...

I don't know what they're thinking about. Just because someone says, 'I like what you...

I don't know what they're thinking about. Just because someone says, 'I like what you...

Actually, I have another record I made with them in 1976, but I've had such...

Actually, I have another record I made with them in 1976, but I've had such...

No one has to learn to spell to talk, right? You see a little kid...

No one has to learn to spell to talk, right? You see a little kid...

You've got to realize. In the western world, regardless of what color you are, what...

You've got to realize. In the western world, regardless of what color you are, what...

It just makes that person feel that what his work is is going to be...

It just makes that person feel that what his work is is going to be...

It's just someone has labelled us as having a different label to do what you...

It's just someone has labelled us as having a different label to do what you...

I don't really live like a musician myself. I think music is just something that...

I don't really live like a musician myself. I think music is just something that...

I'm having this conversation with you now. I'm talking, but I'm thinking, feeling, smelling, and...

I'm having this conversation with you now. I'm talking, but I'm thinking, feeling, smelling, and...

I've been playing with Blackwell over 20 years. We used to play when I first...

I've been playing with Blackwell over 20 years. We used to play when I first...

To me, human existence exists on a multiple level, not just on a two-dimensional level,...

To me, human existence exists on a multiple level, not just on a two-dimensional level,...

Jazz is the only music in which the same note can be played night after...

Jazz is the only music in which the same note can be played night after...

I remember once I read a book on mental illness and there was a nurse...

I remember once I read a book on mental illness and there was a nurse...

You don't have to worry about being a number one, number two, or number three....

You don't have to worry about being a number one, number two, or number three....

That's why I haven't been so anxious. But now, lots of people write and say,...

That's why I haven't been so anxious. But now, lots of people write and say,...

I think that those elements - light and sound - are beyond democratic. They're into...

I think that those elements - light and sound - are beyond democratic. They're into...

After I left Texas and went to California, I had a hard time getting anyone...

After I left Texas and went to California, I had a hard time getting anyone...