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

Originally, I wanted to be a composer. I always tell people, 'I think of myself...

Originally, I wanted to be a composer. I always tell people, 'I think of myself...

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 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...

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...

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 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...

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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 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...

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...