Thelonious Monk, A musical genius

Creative Advice for Musicians – Inspired by Thelonious Monk
By Henry Bahrou

Jazz legend Thelonious Monk was known not just for his playing, but for his unconventional wisdom. In the 1960s, saxophonist Steve Lacy captured a collection of insights Monk shared with bandmates—guidance that has continued to resonate with musicians of all kinds. While the original list is widely circulated, here’s a paraphrased and interpreted version that draws on Monk’s spirit and ideas, reimagined in a modern context.

• Timekeeping is everyone’s job—not just the drummer’s. Feel the beat and internalize it.
• Keep the melody in your head and in your body. It grounds everything else you play.
• Don’t overcomplicate things. Sometimes the most direct musical statement is the most powerful.
• Support the other musicians, especially the drummer. A good band lifts each other up.
• Know when to hold back. Silence and space are part of music too.
• You have to really feel the music to make it work. Surface-level playing won’t cut it.
• Let the music breathe—leave room for imagination.
• Focus on the transitions. Often, the “bridge” or inner workings of a tune are what bring it to life.
• Play in a way that leaves people wanting more, not tuning out.
• A single note, played with intention, can carry more weight than a flurry of empty ones.
• Stay musically fit, even when you don’t have a gig. Opportunity favors the prepared.
• Don’t chase every job—sometimes being present is enough to be called upon.
• Performance is more than sound. Presentation, presence, and style matter.
• Don’t be afraid to bring humor or movement into your playing if that’s what the moment calls for.
• Innovation comes from those who don’t follow the rules. Be yourself—completely.

These ideas still offer powerful lessons today: play with conviction, respect your bandmates, and don’t forget to listen. Whether you’re improvising in a jazz club or practicing scales at home, music thrives on both discipline and imagination.

Inspired by the wisdom of Thelonious Monk.