Tyner Quotes & Sayings

I remember seeing McCoy Tyner in concert, and thinking that the music was incredible, but wanting to be invited in. I figured that humor was the way of letting the audience in. I've gotten a hard time about it, but I love to be funny onstage. — John Lurie

I think it was a natural step to start recording my own music. — McCoy Tyner

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

God is not a being among other beings, but the infinite Whither that makes possible the very functioning of our human spirit. — Elizabeth A. Johnson

Always seek to learn: The leader is always learning new things and gaining new insights. — Artika R. Tyner

What is your hands to make a difference in the world? — Artika R. Tyner

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

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

Let it be simple, let it be with love. — Debasish Mridha

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

The depth of love is revealed in its departure. — Richard Paul Evans

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

Serve others: The heart of the leader is manifested through service to others. — Artika R. Tyner

Somewhere along the line Coltrane's soprano sax runs out of steam. Now it's McCoy Tyner's piano solo I hear, the left hand carving out a repetitious rhythm and the right layering on thick, forbidding chords. Like some mythic scene, the music portrays somebody's - a nameless, faceless somebody's - dim past, all the details laid out as clearly as entrails being dragged out of the darkness. Or at least that's how it sounds to me. The patient, repeating music ever so slowly breaks apart the real, rearranging the pieces. It has a hypnotic, menacing smell, just like the forest. — Haruki Murakami

They were no match for her, even though there were four of them against one of her: She was a witch, as Harry knew, with prodigious skill and no conscience. — J.K. Rowling

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

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

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

I try to play what comes naturally at the moment and let it happen. — McCoy Tyner

I'll just try to keep my mind open to whatever comes my way. — McCoy Tyner

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

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

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

Jazz is not gonna be a dinosaur and stay around in one form. — McCoy Tyner

Bob Erlendson, a local piano player, taught me chord structure and which scales go along with them. Later, I began listening to [pianists] Bill Evans and McCoy Tyner. Then I got interested in [saxophonist] John Coltrane. — Lenny Breau

Seek justice: Make a commitment to serve the needs of the 'least of these' and give voice to the voiceless. — Artika R. Tyner

I wasn't raised with money, so I had to get used to having it. I think I've adjusted to it pretty well. — Christine McVie

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

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