McCoy Tyner Quotes

• 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

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• 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

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• I try to play what comes naturally at the moment and let it happen.

  McCoy Tyner

  Play, Trying, Moments

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• I'll just try to keep my mind open to whatever comes my way.

  McCoy Tyner

  Mind, Trying, Way

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• Every performance is different, but I try to approach them in the same way and give it my all.

  McCoy Tyner

  Giving, Trying, Way

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• 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

  Interview with Russ Musto, www.allaboutjazz.com. December 17, 2003.

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• Jazz is not gonna be a dinosaur and stay around in one form.

  McCoy Tyner

  Dinosaurs, Jazz, Form

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• I try not to look back too much, but sometimes it's nice to reflect.

  McCoy Tyner

  Nice, Trying, Too Much

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• The piano is like an orchestra - I'm very fortunate that I chose it as my instrument.

  McCoy Tyner

  Piano, Orchestra, Instruments

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• I really do enjoy accompanying people - it's a challenge and a joy when you get it right.

  McCoy Tyner

  People, Joy, Challenges

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• 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

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• 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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• I think it was a natural step to start recording my own music.

  McCoy Tyner

  Thinking, Steps, Natural

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• 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

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