Miles Davis

Jazz innovator

Modern influential 119 sayings

Sayings by Miles Davis

I don't care what people think about me. I just do what I do.

Undated — Interview
Controversial Unverifiable

My music is about freedom. It's about expressing yourself.

Undated — Interview
Controversial Unverifiable

I'm always pushing the boundaries. That's what a musician is supposed to do.

Undated — Interview
Controversial Unverifiable

I don't play for money. I play for the love of music.

Undated — Interview
Controversial Unverifiable

I don't believe in following trends. I create them.

Undated — Interview
Controversial Unverifiable

You can't teach somebody to play. You can only teach them to learn.

Undated — Interview
Controversial Unverifiable

I'm always searching for something new, something that hasn't been done before.

Undated — Interview
Controversial Unverifiable

I don't have any idols. I just listen to everybody.

Undated — Interview
Controversial Unverifiable

If you're not nervous, you're not paying attention.

unknown — Attributed
Humorous Unverifiable

A legend is an old man with a cane, walking out of a mist.

unknown — Attributed
Humorous Unverifiable

I'm always thinking about the next thing. I'm not stuck in the past.

1980s — Interview
Humorous Unverifiable

It's not the notes you play, it's the notes you don't play.

unknown — Attributed
Humorous Unverifiable

If you hit a wrong note, it's the next note that makes it good or bad.

unknown — Attributed
Humorous Unverifiable

You have to be able to play inside and outside the changes. You have to be able to play without the changes.

unknown — Attributed
Humorous Unverifiable

When you're creating, you're not thinking about the critics.

1980s — Interview
Humorous Unverifiable

I don't practice. I just play.

unknown — Attributed
Humorous Unverifiable

I can't play the same way every night. I get bored.

1980s — Interview
Humorous Unverifiable

If you don't know what to say, don't say nothing.

unknown — Attributed
Humorous Unverifiable

I'm not going to play like I used to. I'm going to play like I play now.

1980s — Interview
Humorous Unverifiable

I don't believe in no categories. Just good music and bad music.

1980s — Interview
Humorous Unverifiable