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Bobby McFerrin

Bobby McFerrin Quotes

Vocalist

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Famous Bobby McFerrin Quotes

“When we listen to improvisational jazz, or solo classical violinists, the way they phrase and inflect melodies feels vocal, like they’re talking to us. When I was figuring out how to perform solo, I wanted to move back and forth between bass riffs, melody, and harmony, so I often used sounds instead of — or alongside — the words of a song. I found that if I sang a line using the consonants, vowels, shadings, and inflection we recognize as human language sounds, people responded as if I were talking to them.”

PeopleIfsWayFeelsHumansWantedMovingUsedSongFoundLanguageSoundLinesTalkingHarmonyJazzPhrasesMelodySoloVocalBassBack And ForthViolinistHuman LanguageVowelsConsonantsMelody And Harmony
Author:Bobby McFerrin
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“If I sing "you broke my heart, you left me flat," everyone knows exactly what that means - they know the story. But if I sing a line that's plaintive or wailing, people can experience their own set of emotions and their own story. Each of us might give that phrase a different meaning. It's open to interpretation, and one song becomes a thousand songs. I love that.”

PeopleIfsKnowsGivingHeartMeanDifferentStoriesMightSongLeftLinesEmotionMy HeartThousandBrokePhrasesFlatsInterpretationWailingBroke My HeartDifferent MeaningsYou Left Me
Author:Bobby McFerrin
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“Remembering that life can be full of surprises is useful in any part of your life. You can try a new way of singing a song you’ve performed for years, a new way of showing your family your love for them, or a new recipe. Don’t just play the licks you know. We’re all improvising all the time — it’s good to recognize that and embrace it.”

KnowsWayTryingYearsPlayRememberSongSingingEmbraceSurpriseOur FamilyNew WaysRecipesImprovising
Author:Bobby McFerrin
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