I never had a hat, never wore one, but recently was given a brown suede duck-hunting hat. The moment I put it on I realized I was starved for a hat. I kept it warm by putting it on my head. I made plans to wear it especially when I was going to do any thinking. Somewhere in Virginia, I lost my hat.

The material of music is sound and silence. Integrating these is composing.

Composing for the prepared piano is not a criticism of the instrument. I'm only being practical.

My favorite piece [piece of music] is the one we hear all the time if we are quiet.

For myself and my own experience now, I don't really need any music. I have enough to listen to with just the sounds of the environment. I listen to the sounds of 6th avenue.

Art is sort of an experimental station in which one tries out living.

To accept whatever comes, regardless of the consequences, is to be unafraid.