Jeff Beck

A Les Paul feels like a guitar and I play differently on that and I sound too much like someone else.

I’m an experimenter. It’s rich because every album I’ve done, except for a couple of techno-y records, are different. Really you’ve got to hand it to the Fender Strat, because there are songs in that guitar. It’s a tool of great inspiration and torture at the same time because it’s forever sitting there challenging you to find something else in it, but it is there if you really search.

[Stratocaster vs Les Paul] It’s a totally different animal. One is for very subtle and, I would say, more musical things that you can distract and abuse. You can’t do that with a Les Paul. It’s too delicate. It’s got a very delicate tone; most people don’t ever realize that because they are plugged into monstrous amplifiers which completely, instantaneously covers up the unique sound quality it has. All those years of development go straight out the window when you overload the amp.

I play the way I do cause it allows me to come up w/ the sickest sounds possible. That’s the point now isn’t it?

I don’t care about the rules, if I don’t break the rules at least 10x every song then I’m not doing my job.

I like an element of chaos in music. That feeling is the best thing ever.

Jazz will endure just as long people hear it through their feet instead of their brains.

Your accompanist has a lot to do with how you sing, so experiment and choose your partner wisely.

Man, as long as people want to hear Jazz, I’ll give it to them.

Despite the fact I’m a professional performer, it’s true that I have always preferred playing without an audience.

I’ve never known a musician who regretted being one. Whatever deceptions life may have in store for you, music itself is not going to let you down.

I would’ve loved to have been in a band, but sadly I just wasn’t good enough.

I can’t understand these guys who just have to have your autograph. I asked one of them ‘What do you do when you get home, take it out and look at it?’

The joy of music should never be interrupted by a commercial.

If you can’t play the Blues you might as well hang it up.

If you got up on the bandstand at Minton’s and couldn’t play, you might get your ass kicked.

I never heard of a Jazz musician who retired. You love what you do, so what are you going to do… play for the walls?

Applause felt like approval and it became a drug that soothed the pain, but only temporarily.

One can be very happy without demanding that others agree with them.

In my music, I’m trying to play the truth of what I am. The reason it’s difficult is because I’m changing all the time.

The way I think about the practicing, it is my undercover work.