Meaning of the quote

'I'll play it and tell you what it is later.' This quote means that Miles Davis, the famous American musician, would often improvise and create new music on the spot, without planning it out beforehand. He trusted his musical instincts and wanted to surprise his audience by revealing the meaning of his spontaneous performance after he had played it for them.

About Miles Davis

Miles Davis was an acclaimed American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer who had a prolific and influential career spanning five decades. He pioneered multiple jazz styles, from cool jazz and hard bop to jazz fusion, and recorded some of the most iconic albums in the genre’s history, including the best-selling jazz album of all time, ‘Kind of Blue’.

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More quotes from Miles Davis

I know what I’ve done for music, but don’t call me a legend. Just call me Miles Davis.

Miles Davis

American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer (1926-1991)

For me, music and life are all about style.

Miles Davis

American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer (1926-1991)

Do not fear mistakes. There are none.

Miles Davis

American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer (1926-1991)

A legend is an old man with a cane known for what he used to do. I’m still doing it.

Miles Davis

American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer (1926-1991)

The thing to judge in any jazz artist is, does the man project and does he have ideas.

Miles Davis

American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer (1926-1991)

If you understood everything I say, you’d be me!

Miles Davis

American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer (1926-1991)

I’ll play it and tell you what it is later.

Miles Davis

American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer (1926-1991)

I’ll play it first and tell you what it is later.

Miles Davis

American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer (1926-1991)

I’m always thinking about creating. My future starts when I wake up every morning… Every day I find something creative to do with my life.

Miles Davis

American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer (1926-1991)

You can dominate a game if you dominate on the line… We’re just going to have to go out there and work hard and blow people off the ball, and let our runners do what they do best.

Miles Davis

American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer (1926-1991)

It’s always been a gift with me, hearing music the way I do. I don’t know where it comes from, it’s just there and I don’t question it.

Miles Davis

American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer (1926-1991)

Don’t play what’s there, play what’s not there.

Miles Davis

American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer (1926-1991)

Sometimes you have to play a long time to be able to play like yourself.

Miles Davis

American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer (1926-1991)