I mean, if you decided to go out today and get you an instrument and do whatever it is that you do, no one can tell you how you're going to do it but when you do it.

Quote by Ornette Coleman

Topics: Ornette Coleman Quotes

It seems to me that in the western world, culture has something to do with...

It seems to me that in the western world, culture has something to do with...

I've never had a relationship with a record executive. I always went to the record...

I've never had a relationship with a record executive. I always went to the record...

I remember once, we got an interview, and he said, 'Dad, these people are writing...

I remember once, we got an interview, and he said, 'Dad, these people are writing...

Most of my relationships have been like that - with record companies. I've never had...

Most of my relationships have been like that - with record companies. I've never had...

I had a really good time in New Orleans, although I had some very tragic...

I had a really good time in New Orleans, although I had some very tragic...

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...

So, for instance, if you came to me, I'd ask,'Do you want to write? Do...

So, for instance, if you came to me, I'd ask,'Do you want to write? Do...

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 decided, if I'm going to be poor and black and all, the least thing...

I decided, if I'm going to be poor and black and all, the least thing...

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...

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...

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...

All the things that human beings suffer from are how their environment treats them, and...

All the things that human beings suffer from are how their environment treats them, and...

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...

That's what I was trying to say when we were talking about sound. I think...

That's what I was trying to say when we were talking about sound. I think...

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...

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,...

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...

Even when you write it, someone's got to play it. So if you can play...

Even when you write it, someone's got to play it. So if you can play...

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...