165 Quotes by Joshua Bell

There are days that I get neurotic with the violin. Every little adjustment will change the balance for good or for bad. It’s kind of a miracle, the way the whole thing works as an acoustical whole, so perfectly balanced.

When you play for ticket-holders, you are already validated. I have no sense that I need to be accepted. I’m already accepted.

There are some great teachers who have had great students, but they themselves can’t play a note. I don’t understand it, because the most I learned from my teacher was just hearing him play.

I like working with kids because I enjoy seeing the looks on their faces and, it’s kind of selfish, I want a future audience.

Kids need to be structured in some way, but you don’t want to force something down their throats that they have no interest in. You have to find the right balance.

If you mess up the tiniest little thing in the Beethoven concerto, or the phrasing isn’t just exactly perfectly executed, Beethoven brings out the worst in the best violinist. You almost never hear a satisfying performance, because it doesn’t play itself.

Over the years, I’ve collected a lot of musical friends.

The violin sings.

You're a constant student, as a musician.