I learn something not because I have to, but because I really want to. That's the same view I have for performing. I'm performing because I really want to, not because I have to bring bread back home. Yo-Yo Ma backbreadbring Change image and share on social
Children, in a way, are constant learners. Certainly sponge-like. Absorbing everything without careful analysis, even though, at the same time, they are certainly capable of incredible insights. Yo-Yo Ma absorbanalysiscapable Change image and share on social
One of the things I love about music is live performance. Yo-Yo Ma livelovemusic Change image and share on social
It took me way beyond what I knew, into places of which I was totally scared, but as I became less frightened, I welcomed new ways of thinking and approaching something. It made me an infinitely richer person, and I think a better musician. Yo-Yo Ma approachfrighteninfinitely share on social
I think the purpose of a piece of music is significant when it actually lives in somebody else. A composer puts down a code, and a performer can activate the code in somebody else. Once it lives in somebody else, it can live in others as well. Yo-Yo Ma activatecodecomposer share on social
I think that peace is, in many ways, a precondition of joy. Yo-Yo Ma joypeaceprecondition Change image and share on social
Practicing is not only playing your instrument, either by yourself or rehearsing with others - it also includes imagining yourself practicing. Your brain forms the same neural connections and muscle memory whether you are imagining the task or actually doing it. Yo-Yo Ma brainconnectionform share on social
After reaching 50, I began to wonder what the root of life is. Yo-Yo Ma beginlifereach Change image and share on social
We may be coming to a new golden age of instrument making. Yo-Yo Ma agecomegolden Change image and share on social
When we have a good balance between thinking and feeling... our actions and lives are always the richer for it. Yo-Yo Ma actionbalancefelt Change image and share on social
