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

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 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....

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...

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...

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...

If you decide you want to be treated good, and you treat someone else good,...

If you decide you want to be treated good, and you treat someone else good,...

Actually, when I was in elementary school, I saw a saxophone. A band came to...

Actually, when I was in elementary school, I saw a saxophone. A band came to...

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,...

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 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'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 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'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...

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...