It's part of my nature. I get excited when trying out new stuff, whether it be an idea or equipment. It stimulates my juices. Herbie Hancock More Quotes by Herbie Hancock More Quotes From Herbie Hancock We need to move into a culture of peace. What I hope to promote is the idea that we all need each other and that the greatest happiness in life is not how much we have but how much we give. That's a wealth that's priceless. You can't buy compassion. Herbie Hancock compassion peace moving The first thing I ever heard about synthesizers, they were being used in rock. Herbie Hancock rocks used firsts But, the truth is that everyone is somebody already. Herbie Hancock truth-is I am not fundamentally a musician, I am fundamentally a human being. Herbie Hancock human-beings musician humans I feel a lot more secure about the directions I take, than I might have, had I not practiced Buddhism. Herbie Hancock buddhism jazz might I've never really been interested in doing a solo piano tour. Herbie Hancock solo piano You can expand, repeat, even change keys and do other things electronically to give certain elements and phrases more cohesiveness. Herbie Hancock keys change giving I'm always interested in looking forward toward the future. Carving out new ways of looking at things. Herbie Hancock carving looking-forward way I never dreamed I would be a Goodwill Ambassador, and for UNESCO. Perfect organization. It is apolitical and it's about education, science and culture. I mean that is what I live. That is what UNESCO is really about; it's all about bringing human beings together with one common goal, which is to move human kind forward. Herbie Hancock organization mean moving Back in the day for me was a great time in my life - I was in my 20s. Most people refer to their experiences in their twenties as being a highlight in their life. It's a period of time where you often develop your own way, your own sound, your own identity, and that happened with me, when I was with a great teacher - Miles Davis. Herbie Hancock identity teacher people So much of what I create has been due to the influence of Miles Davis and Donald Byrd, and so many of those that have passed on. Their music, their legacy lives on with the rest of us because we are so highly influenced by their experience and what they have given us. Herbie Hancock miles legacy influence One of the greatest experiences I ever had was listening to a conversation with Joni Mitchell and Wayne Shorter. Just to hear them talking, my mouth was open. They understand each other perfectly, and they make these leaps and jumps because they don't have to explain anything. Herbie Hancock mouths listening talking In World War II, jazz absolutely was the music of freedom, and then in the Cold War, behind the Iron Curtain, same thing. It was all underground, but they needed the food of freedom that jazz offered. Herbie Hancock iron war world My father was really good with math. It's a funny thing, I don't remember my father or my mother being so mechanical-minded. My father always wanted to be a doctor, but he came from a really poor family in Georgia, and there was no way he was going to be a doctor. Herbie Hancock mother math father Most people define themselves by what they do - 'I'm a musician.' Then one day it occurred to me that I'm only a musician when I'm playing music - or writing music, or talking about music. I don't do that 24 hours a day. I'm also a father, a son, a husband, a citizen - I mean, when I go to vote, I'm not thinking of myself as 'a musician.' Herbie Hancock husband writing father I've had a life that has taken many interesting paths. I've learned a lot from mentors who were instrumental in shaping me, and I want to share what I've learned. Herbie Hancock mentor taken interesting I've been practising Buddhism for forty years, and that's what has led me to this path of discovering my own humanity and recognizing the humanity in others. Herbie Hancock buddhism humanity years I've always been interested in science. I used to take watches apart and clocks apart, and there's little screws, and a little this and that, and I found out if I dropped one of them, that thing ain't gonna work. Herbie Hancock clock littles watches I'm one of the people who was a pioneer in encouraging musicians, early in the game, to get interested in technology, and now all the musicians are getting into it. Herbie Hancock technology games people You can practice to learn a technique, but I'm more interested in conceiving of something in the moment. Herbie Hancock music technique practice
