I don't play with a lot of finesse. I usually play like I'm breaking out of jail!
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes a raw and passionate approach to playing music, likening it to the urgency of escaping captivity.
Stevie Ray Vaughan's quote reveals his approach to music as one filled with intensity and boldness rather than delicacy. By comparing his style to breaking out of jail, he highlights his desire to express himself freely and powerfully, indicating that his performances are driven by a deep emotional need for liberation and creativity.
In practice
Using this quote in a music lesson to inspire students to play passionately.
I kept listening, kept going to see people, kept sitting in with people, kept listening to records. If I wanted to learn somebody's stuff, like with Clapton, when I wanted to learn how he was getting some of his sounds - which were real neat - I learned how to make the sounds with my mouth and then copied that with my guitar.
Ya know, right now the most important thing in my life is to make sure you understand that, first of all I thank God I'm alive today, and I mean that. I spent too many years of my life thinking that the big party was the whole thing.
I was walking around trying to act cool, like I had no fear at all._x000D_ But I was afraid, afraid that somebody would find out just how scared I was._x000D_ Now I'm finally realizing that fear is the opposite of love.
I'm just doing the best I can now to keep this going... trying to grow up and remain young at the same time.
The way people come into your life when you need them, it's wonderful and it happens in so many ways. It's like having an angel. Somebody comes along and helps you get right.
The problem with taking amps to a shop is that they come back sounding like another amp.
Try your best to make goodness attractive. That's one of the toughest assignments you'll ever be given.
The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
Get excited and enthusiastic about your own dream. This excitement is like a forest fire - you can smell it, taste it, and see it from a mile away.
Every writing teacher I ever had except for one told me I was an awful writer, had no idea what I was doing, and should stop immediately. It only took the one to tell me something different to light a fire under me.
What matters isn't how well you play when you're playing well. What matters is how well you play when you're playing badly.
Listen to me, he said, when your dreams are of some world that never was or some world that never will be, and you're happy again, then you'll have given up. Do you understand? And you can't give up, I won't let you.
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