A GENIUS IS THE ONE MOST LIKE HIMSELF

 THE FOLLOWING FANTASTIC LIST OF ADVICE COMES COURTESY OF 

LEGENDARY JAZZ PIANIST THELONIOUS MONK.

THE LIST WAS TRANSCRIBED BY SAXOPHONIST STEVE LACY IN 1960.

IT'S A SPECTACULAR VIEW INTO ONE OF THE GREATEST, QUIRKIEST MINDS OF AMERICAN MUSIC.

MONK WAS FAMOUS FOR HIS ECCENTRICITY - SOME SAY HE WAS MENTALLY ILL, 

OTHERS BLAME A BAD COMBINATION OF PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATIONS.

HE WAS KNOWN TO STOP PLAYING PIANO, STAND UP AND DANCE A BIT WHILE THE BAND PLAYED ON.

BUT THROUGH HIS ADVICE HE REVEALS HIS FINE SENSE OF RESTRAINT.

“Don’t play everything (or every time); let some things go by. Some music just imagined. 

What you don’t play can be more important than what you do.”

MONK WAS EVIDENTLY A STICKLER FOR BAND PROTOCOL

 HE LEADS HIS LIST WITH

“Just because you’re not a drummer doesn’t mean that you don’t have to keep time!”

HOW SHOULD YOU LOOK? 

“Sharp as possible!” 

 

xx