Not many composers have ideas. Far more of them know how to use strange instruments which do not require ideas.
George GershwinIt took me three weeks to write the 'Rhapsody in Blue.' I had always wanted to write something blue and Paul Whiteman inspired.
George GershwinAll these tales of people sitting down and composing symphonies just as though they were writing a letter are very much exaggerated; at least, it isn't that way in my work.
George Gershwin