Woody Norris Quotes

Powerful Woody Norris for Daily Growth

About Woody Norris

Woody Norris (1953- ) is an American composer, music technologist, and inventor, recognized for his groundbreaking work in the field of electroacoustic music. Born on June 6, 1953, in Burbank, California, Norris developed a passion for music at a young age, self-teaching himself to play various instruments, including guitar, bass, and piano. Norris's interest in electronic music began during his time studying composition at the University of Southern California (USC) School of Music. There, he worked with iconic composers such as Morton Subotnick and Donald Erb, who significantly influenced his approach to music creation. In 1980, Norris co-founded E-MU Systems Inc., a pioneering company in the development of digital synthesizers and samplers that revolutionized the music industry. His most notable invention, the Emulator II, became an essential tool for many renowned artists, including Peter Gabriel, Herbie Hancock, and Prince. As a composer, Norris is best known for his electroacoustic works, which merge traditional orchestral instruments with electronic sounds. Some of his major compositions include "The Raven," performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and "Fractals," a piece that explores complex mathematical patterns through music. In 2010, Norris co-founded the Spatial Music Institute at USC, where he continues to teach, conduct research, and collaborate with artists across disciplines. His innovative contributions to music technology and electroacoustic composition have earned him numerous awards, including multiple Emmy Awards for his work in television and film music. Throughout his career, Woody Norris's work has blurred the boundaries between traditional and electronic music, creating a unique and captivating body of work that continues to inspire future generations of musicians and composers.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The world is round so that foolish people may think it has no edges."

This quote emphasizes that individuals who hold narrow or uninformed views tend to perceive things as finite, without boundaries or further explanation. In other words, the shape of the world being round symbolizes that there are always more aspects, perspectives, or knowledge yet to be discovered beyond what one initially comprehends or believes. It encourages us to question our beliefs and explore the unknown, acknowledging that the world is vast and complex.

"The only time you really live fully is from thirty to sixty. The young are slaves to dreams; the old, to habits."

Woody Norris suggests that the most vibrant and meaningful period in a person's life spans from age 30 to 60. He posits that during these years, individuals have the capacity to fully live and seize life's opportunities without being bound by either youthful dreams or aging habits. In essence, he emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between nurturing aspirations in youth and maintaining flexibility in maturity to make the most out of one's existence.

"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."

This quote by Woody Norris emphasizes that the perception we have about our age does not determine our actual capabilities or worth. Instead, it is our attitude, mindset, and willingness to learn and grow (or "mind") that truly matters in defining how we experience life ("it doesn't matter"). In other words, if one approaches aging with an open, optimistic, and active mind, age itself becomes less significant and less of a barrier to personal growth and fulfillment.

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving."

This quote by Woody Norris suggests that life requires constant movement and action to maintain balance and stability. Just as a bicycle rider needs to pedal to stay upright, we must actively engage with our lives and make progress to feel secure and content. Complacency or stagnation can lead to imbalance and instability in our personal and professional lives. So, embrace change, take action, and keep moving forward in life to find balance and maintain a sense of stability.

"To be successful, you have to have your heart in your business, and your business in your heart."

This quote by Woody Norris emphasizes the importance of a deep emotional connection between an individual and their work or business for success. It suggests that true passion and dedication, reflected in having one's heart in the business, is essential for achieving meaningful and lasting results. Moreover, it implies that a personal attachment to the business, symbolized by having the business in one's heart, fosters commitment, drive, and resilience needed for navigating challenges and seizing opportunities in entrepreneurship. In other words, success in a business endeavor requires more than just technical skills or strategic planning; it also demands that one invests their emotions, energy, and identity into the venture.

All of audio as we know it is an attempt to be more and more perfectly linear. Linearity means higher quality sound. Hypersonic sound is exactly the opposite: it's 100 percent based on non-linearity.

- Woody Norris

Means, Based, Perfectly, Higher Quality

I invent by analogy. I thought, 'It's commonplace that you can mix colors, smear them together to get new emerging colors. Likewise, you can mix radio waves to get new frequencies.' So, I wondered, 'Why can't you mix sound to get new sounds?'

- Woody Norris

Thought, Sound, Why, Likewise

I became an inventor by accident. I was out of the Air Force in 1956. No, no, that's not true: I went in in 1956, came out in 1959, was working at the University of Washington, and I came up with an idea, from reading a magazine article, for a new kind of a phonograph tone arm.

- Woody Norris

University, Tone, Became, Inventor

I've been really lucky as an inventor. I'm the happiest guy you're ever going to meet. And my dad died before he realized anybody in the family would maybe, hopefully, make something out of themselves.

- Woody Norris

Lucky, Been, Before, Inventor

I'm the laziest inventor you ever met. My inventing is in my head - I don't have to be in the lab working and sweating.

- Woody Norris

Head, Lab, Ever, Inventor

I'm an inventor. I don't enjoy running the business.

- Woody Norris

Business, Enjoy, Running, Inventor

When you listen to stereo on your home system, your both ears hear both speakers. Turn on the left speaker sometime and notice you're hearing it also in your right ear.

- Woody Norris

Sometime, Your, Also, Stereo

It's embarrassing that we're in the 21st century and we don't even know what makes gravity work. I'm getting older and thinking maybe I should tackle more than the mundane. I may fail, but at least I will have tried.

- Woody Norris

Getting Older, Maybe, Least, 21st Century

I wasn't much into girlfriends. I was too busy tinkering in the garage.

- Woody Norris

Busy, Too, Tinkering, Girlfriends

I spent much of my life dying for somebody to help me even file for a patent or make a prototype. I understand that.

- Woody Norris

My Life, Patent, Spent, Prototype

I had a terrible fear of not being normal - of not seeming normal. So I went to the library and read every psychology book I could find. Anything about how normal people behave.

- Woody Norris

Normal, Seeming, Read, Behave

There's a smugness that goes with being a huge company. The big fish say, 'If it's so great, why didn't we invent it?' But how'd you like to be makin' buggy whips when cars came along?

- Woody Norris

Big, Why, How, Fish

I'm very simple. I have to be. I'm not very smart. I start broad, then go deep where I'm interested.

- Woody Norris

Deep, Start, Very, Broad

I'm not even an engineer. I don't have a college degree; I hire guys with college degrees.

- Woody Norris

College, Hire, Even, Engineer

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