13+ Wes Montgomery Quotes On Music, West And Patton

Wes Montgomery was an American jazz guitarist. He was known for his distinctive style of playing with his thumb and was one of the most influential jazz guitarists of the 20th century. He was an important figure in jazz fusion, creating a unique sound that blended jazz, blues, and gospel music. Following is our collection on famous quotes by Wes Montgomery on life, music, love.

I never practice my guitar. From time to time I just open the case & throw in a piece of raw meat. — Wes Montgomery

Regardless of what you play, the biggest thing is keeping the feel going. — Wes Montgomery

I've really gone into business since I got the 6 string, which was like starting all over. — Wes Montgomery

When I got pretty good I went on the road with a group. We starved. — Wes Montgomery

Well, I got pretty good and went on the road with a group. We starved. At that time I didn't realize that you'd work one gig in Kansas City, the next in Florida and the next gig will be in Louisville. You know, a thousand miles a night. That was really rough, man. — Wes Montgomery

I don't know whether it was his (Charlie Christian's) melodic lines, his sound or his approach, but I hadn't heard anything like that before. He sounded so good and it sounded so easy, so I bought me a guitar and an amplifier and said now I can't do nothing but play! Really, welding was my talent, I think, but I sort of swished it aside. — Wes Montgomery

I don't know that many chords. I'd be loaded if I knew that many. But that's not my aim. My aim is to move from one vein to the other without any trouble. The biggest thing to me is keeping a feeling, regardless what you play. So many cats lose their feeling at various times, not through the whole tune, but at various times, and it causes them to have to build up and drop down, and you can feel it. — Wes Montgomery

If a jazz player is really playing, the classical player will have to respect him. — Wes Montgomery

A lot of places we go, when they see the organ coming in, they're expecting rock and roll, but after they hear us play they like it. To me, guitar cuts through-it carries more than organ. But organ has got more guts. — Wes Montgomery

It's impossible for me to feel like there's only one way to do a thing. There's nothing wrong with having one way of doing it, but I think it's a bad habit. I believe in range. Like, there's a lot of tunes that I play all the time-sometimes I hear 'em in a different register. And if you don't have complete freedom, or you won't let yourself get away from that one straight line, oh, my goodness, that's too horrible to even think about. — Wes Montgomery

I got a standard box. I don't never want nothing special. Then if I drop my box, I can borrow somebody else's. — Wes Montgomery

To me, all guitar players can play, because I know they're getting to where they're at. It's a very hard instrument to accept, because it takes years to start working with it, that's first, and it looks like everybody else is moving on the instrument but you. Then when you find a cat that's really playing, you always find that he's been playing a long time, you can't get around it. — Wes Montgomery

Playing octaves was just a coincidence. And it's still such a challenge, like chord versions, block chords like cats play on piano. There are a lot of things that can be done with it, but each is a field of its own. I used to have headaches every time I played octaves, because it was extra strain, but the minute I'd quit I'd be all right. But now I don't have headaches when I play octaves. — Wes Montgomery

Life Lessons by Wes Montgomery

1. Wes Montgomery's work demonstrates the importance of practice and dedication to mastering an instrument. He was able to develop a unique and influential style of jazz guitar playing through his dedication to the craft.
2. Wes Montgomery also showed the importance of collaboration and improvisation in jazz. He was able to create a unique sound by working with other musicians and by experimenting with different techniques.
3. Wes Montgomery's work also highlights the importance of having a creative and open-minded approach to music. He was able to create a distinct sound by pushing the boundaries of jazz guitar playing and exploring new ideas.