McCoy Tyner famous quotes

03-24-2025

To me living and music are all the same thing. And I keep finding out more about music as I learn more about myself, my environment, about all kinds of different things in life. I play what I live. Therefore, just as I can't predict what kinds of experiences I'm going to have, I can't predict the directions in which my music will go. I just want to write and play my instrument as I feel.
-- McCoy Tyner

#Writing #Play #Things In Life
When a man's faith is never tried, I don't think he'll ever learn anything. You have to have trial and tribulation, or what are you going to learn?
-- McCoy Tyner

#Men #Thinking #Trials
I'll just try to keep my mind open to whatever comes my way.
-- McCoy Tyner

#Mind #Trying #Way
I try to play what comes naturally at the moment and let it happen.
-- McCoy Tyner

#Play #Trying #Moments
Jazz is not gonna be a dinosaur and stay around in one form.
-- McCoy Tyner

#Dinosaurs #Jazz #Form
I try not to look back too much, but sometimes it's nice to reflect.
-- McCoy Tyner

#Nice #Trying #Too Much
Every performance is different, but I try to approach them in the same way and give it my all.
-- McCoy Tyner

#Giving #Trying #Way
Playing solo is difficult because you have to keep the momentum yourself. You have to continue to create and develop, so it forces you to stretch in a variety of ways.
-- McCoy Tyner

#Way #Momentum #Solo
My mother gave me a choice. She said, 'Would you like to take singing lessons or piano.' I'm glad I chose piano.
-- McCoy Tyner

#Mother #Piano #Choices
The piano is like an orchestra - I'm very fortunate that I chose it as my instrument.
-- McCoy Tyner

#Piano #Orchestra #Instruments
You have to listen to what someone is doing and help them get to where they want to go, musically speaking. I play a supporting role if someone else is soloing, and a guitarist will do the same for me while I am soloing.
-- McCoy Tyner

#Play #Want #Roles
I really do enjoy accompanying people - it's a challenge and a joy when you get it right.
-- McCoy Tyner

#People #Joy #Challenges
Sometimes it's nice to try different instruments because they have a different sound to offer and therefore your approach changes a little bit. But, I always come back to the piano.
-- McCoy Tyner

#Nice #Piano #Trying
I think it was a natural step to start recording my own music.
-- McCoy Tyner

#Thinking #Steps #Natural
I remember coming home from school - I couldn't wait to get to the piano so I could play and practice.
-- McCoy Tyner

#Home #School #Practice
With all the travelling and performing I've been doing, it's hard to find time to practice! But seriously, I probably did most of my practicing when I was younger.
-- McCoy Tyner

#Practice #Performing #Hard
I really love the piano and I feel very fortunate that I am able to play and travel all over the world as my career.
-- McCoy Tyner

#Play #Careers #Piano

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