• The trouble with most musicians today is that they are copycats. Of course you have to start out playing like someone else. You have a model, or a teacher, and you learn all that he can show you. But then you start playing for yourself. Show them that you're an individual. And I can count those who are doing that today on the fingers of one hand.

    Lester Young: The trouble with most musicians today is that they are copycats.  Of course you have to start out playing like someone else.  You have a model, or a teacher, and you learn all that he can show you.  But then you start playing for yourself.  Show them that you're an individual.  And I can count those who are doing that today on the fingers of one hand.