22 quotes
Lost Folder Causes Tension Among Musicians
Fletcher
Jesus fucking Christ, where have you been?
Carl
We have an issue.
Fletcher
Okay, now is not the time.
Carl
I gave Neiman the folder and Neiman lost it.
Fletcher
Neiman lost it?
Carl
Yes.
Fletcher
The folder is your fucking responsibility, Tanner. Why would you give it to Neiman? Right? You give a calculator to a fucking retard he's gonna try to turn on a TV with it. Now get your sticks and get your ass on stage.
Carl
I-- I can't.
Fletcher
You can't?
Carl
I-- I can't go onstage. I don't know the charts by heart.
Fletcher
Are you fucking kidding me?
Carl
I-- You know this. I need the music. It's my memory, I need visual cues.
[stammers]
Fletcher
Visual cues?
Carl
Yes, it's a medical condition--
Fletcher
A medical condition? What are you, fucking ]? Play the goddamn music.
[[Sanjay Gupta]
Carl
I can't.
Andrew
I can.
Fletcher
You know "Whiplash" by heart?
Andrew
Yes, sir. Every measure.
Fletcher
All right. Well, you better fucking hope your memory doesn't fail you. And I hope you play it a whole lot better than you did last month in rehearsal, because I do not intend to start losing now. Get your sticks and get your fucking ass onstage. Onstage!
[to band]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Fletcher's Harsh Critique of Performance Standards
Terence Fletcher
And here comes Mister Gay Pride of the Upper West Side himself. Unfortunately, this is not a Bette Midler concert, we will not be serving Cosmopolitans and Baked Alaska, so just play faster than you give fucking hand jobs, will you please? One, two, one, two. Not even fucking close. Let's go, with the Irish Mick-fucking-Paddy cracker now. You know, you actually do look quite a bit like a leprechaun. I think I'm gonna start calling you Flannery.
[Carl starts drumming, Fletcher stops him; to Ryan]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confrontation and Criticism in Musical Training
Terence Fletcher
Is that really the fastest you can play, you worthless Hymie fuck? No wonder mommy ran out on you. Get off the fucking kit.
[after Andrew stops drumming]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Importance of Tempo in Music
Fletcher
Why do you suppose I just hurled a chair at your head, Neiman?
Andrew
I... I don't know.
Fletcher
Sure you do.
Andrew
The tempo.
Fletcher
Were you rushing or were you dragging?
Andrew
I don't know.
Fletcher
Start counting.
Andrew
Five, six--
Fletcher
In four, damn it! Look at me.
Andrew
One, two, three, four-- ...One, two, three, four-- ...One, two, three...
[Fletcher slaps him; slap]
Fletcher
Now, was I rushing or was I dragging?
Andrew
I don't know.
Fletcher
Count again.
Andrew
One, two, three, four-- ...One, two, three, four-- ...One, two, three...
[slap; slap]
Fletcher
Rushing or dragging?
Andrew
Rushing.
Fletcher
So you do know the difference! If you deliberately sabotage my band, I will fuck you like a pig. Now are you a rusher, or are you a dragger, or are you gonna be ON MY FUCKING TIME?!
Andrew
I'm gonna be on your time.
Fletcher
What does that say?
[points to sheet music]
Andrew
Quarter note equals 215.
Fletcher
Count me a 215.
Andrew
One, two, three, four, one, two, three, four...
Fletcher
Jesus fucking Christ! I didn't know they allowed retards into Shaffer! Am I to understand that you cannot read tempo? Can you even fucking read music?! What is that?
Andrew
Eighth note.
Fletcher
Yes, what is that?
Andrew
Dotted sixteenth note.
Fletcher
Sight-read measure 101.
Andrew
Bop-bop-ba-bop-ba--
Fletcher
What, are you in a fucking a cappella group? Play the goddamn kit! Stop. Now answer my question: were you rushing, or were you dragging? ANSWER!!!
[Andrew drums the measure; Andrew doesn't respond]
Andrew
Rushing.
Fletcher
Oh, my dear God. Are you one of those single tear people? Do I look like a double fucking rainbow to you? You must be upset. Are you upset?
[sees Andrew shed a tear]
Andrew
No.
Fletcher
No? So you just don't give a shit about any of this?
Andrew
I do give a shit about this.
Fletcher
So, are you upset? Yes or fucking no? Yes, you are upset.
[Andrew nods yes]
Andrew
Yeah.
Fletcher
Say it.
Andrew
I'm upset.
Fletcher
Say it so the whole band can hear you.
Andrew
I'm upset!
Fletcher
Louder!
Andrew
I'm upset!
[loud]
Fletcher
LOUDER!
Andrew
I'M UPSET!
[louder]
Fletcher
You are a worthless, friendless, faggot-lipped little piece of shit whose mommy left daddy when she figured out he wasn't ], and who is now weeping and slobbering all over my drum set like a fucking nine-year old girl! So for the final, FATHER-FUCKING TIME, SAY IT LOUDER!!!
[[Eugene O'Neill]
Andrew
I'M UPSET!!!
[high pitched]
Fletcher
Carl. Start practicing harder, Neiman.
[Carl takes Andrew's place at the drums as Fletcher goes back to compose the band]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confrontation of Betrayal and Manipulation
Terence Fletcher
You think I'm fucking stupid? I know it was you.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Exploring Family Backgrounds in Whiplash
Fletcher
Your parents musicians?
Andrew
No.
Fletcher
What do they do?
Andrew
My, uh, dad's a writer.
Fletcher
Oh, what's he written?
Andrew
Uh, I guess he's more of a teacher, really.
Fletcher
Oh. College?
Andrew
Pennington High School.
Fletcher
What about your mother, what does she do?
Andrew
I don't know, she left when I was a baby.
Fletcher
So no musicians in the family. Well, you've just got to listen to the greats then. Buddy Rich, Jo Jones. You know, Charlie Parker became Bird because Jones threw a cymbal at his head. See what I'm saying?
[Andrew shakes his head]
Andrew
Mm-hm.
Fletcher
Listen, the key is to just relax. Don't worry about the numbers, don't worry about what the other guys are thinking. You're here for a reason. You believe that, right?
Andrew
Yeah.
Fletcher
Say it.
Andrew
I'm here for a reason.
Fletcher
Cool. All right, man. Have fun.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Price of Excellence in Music
Terence Fletcher
Neiman, you earned the part. Alternates, will you clean the blood off my drum set?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Embracing the Moment with Confidence
Terence Fletcher
It's all good, no worries, here we go.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Lesson in Timing and Performance
Terence Fletcher
Barker, that is not your boyfriend's dick. Do not come early.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Fletcher's Commentary on Neiman's Age and Talent
Terence Fletcher
We've got a squeaker today, people. Neiman. 19 years old. Isn't he cute?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confrontation Over Musical Performance Quality
Fletcher
Tell me it's not you, Elmer Fudd. It's okay. Play.
[walks over to Metz]
Fletcher
Do you think you're out of tune?
Fletcher
What are you... there's no fucking Mars Bar down there, what are you looking at? Look up here, look at me. Do you think you're out of tune?
Metz
Yes.
[after a long, hesitant pause]
Fletcher
THEN WHY THE FUCK DIDN'T YOU SAY SO?! I've carried your fat ass for too long, Metz. I'm not gonna have you cost us a competition because your mind's on a fucking Happy Meal instead of on pitch. Jackson, congratulations. You're fourth chair. Metz, why are you still sitting there? Get the fuck out!
[yelling; calmer tone]
Fletcher
For the record, Metz wasn't out of tune. You were, Erickson, but he didn't know and that's bad enough. Alright take 10, when we get back the squeaker's on.
[to the band]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Adjusting to the right tempo
Terence Fletcher
Not quite my tempo.
[Repeated line]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Expectations of Musical Precision and Commitment
Terence Fletcher
Either you're deliberately out of tune and sabotaging my band, or you don't know you're out of tune, which, I'm afraid, is even worse.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Consequences of Ambition and Mental Health
Andrew
When did you start talking to her?
Lawyer
Your father got in contact with us this week. Does the name Sean Casey mean anything to you? You know of his death? Last month, he hanged himself in his apartment.
Andrew
What does that have to do with me?
Lawyer
Sean suffered from anxiety and depression. His mother claims this started during his time as Fletcher's student. Now, the Casey's aren't wealthy, they don't want to file suit.
Andrew
So, what do they want?
Lawyer
To make sure that Terence Fletcher is never allowed to do this to another student.
Andrew
He didn't do anything.
Jim
What is wrong with you? It's over, okay? He's out of your life. Why would you let him get away with what he did to you?
Lawyer
Would you characterize his conduct as extreme, Andrew? Did he ever intentionally inflict emotional distress? This would not be a public hearing, you know. Fletcher would never know it was you who spoke up.
Andrew
Why would you do this to me?
Jim
Do you think that I would let him put my son through hell, and then just walk away scot-free? Don't you know I would never let that happen? That there is nothing in the world more important to me than you? Don't you know that?
Lawyer
Andrew?
[long pause]
Andrew
Just tell me what to say.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Choosing Ambition Over Relationships
Andrew
I'm just gonna lay it out there. This is why I don't think we should be together. And I've thought about it a lot and this is what's gonna happen. I'm gonna keep pursuing what I'm pursuing. And because I'm doing that, it's gonna take up more and more of my time. And I'm not gonna be able to spend as much time with you. And when I do spend time with you, I'm gonna be thinking about drumming. And I'm gonna be thinking about jazz music, my charts, all that. And because of that, you're gonna start to resent me. And you're gonna tell me to ease up on the drumming, spend more time with you because you're not feeling important. And I'm not gonna be able to do that. And really, I'm gonna start to resent you for even asking me to stop drumming. And we're just gonna start to hate each other. And it's gonna get very... It's gonna be ugly. And so for those reasons, I'd rather just, you know, break it off clean... because I wanna be great.
Nicole
And you're not?
Andrew
I wanna be one of the greats.
Nicole
And I would stop you from doing that?
Andrew
Yeah.
Nicole
You know I would stop you from doing that. You know, for a fact?
Andrew
Yes.
Nicole
And I'd barely see you anyway?
Andrew
Yeah.
Nicole
And when I do see you, you'd treat me like shit because I'm just some girl who doesn't know what she wants. And you have a path, and you're gonna be great, and I'm going to be forgotten, and therefore you won't be able to give me the time of day because you have bigger things to pursue?
Andrew
That's exactly my point.
Nicole
What the fuck is wrong with you? You're right, we should not be dating.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Fletcher's Departure from Shaffer Academy
Fletcher
I don't know if you heard. I'm not at Shaffer anymore.
Andrew
Yeah, I did hear that. Did you quit?
Fletcher
Not exactly. Some parents got a kid from Sean Casey's year, I think, to say some things about me. Although why anybody would have anything other than peaches and cream to say about me is a mystery. That's a good laugh, right?
[Andrew chuckles]
Andrew
I'm sorry.
Fletcher
No, listen-- I get it. I know I made enemies. I'm conducting a little, though. They brought back the JVC Fest this year. They got me opening in a couple weeks with a pro band.
Andrew
That's great.
Fletcher
Yeah. It's all right. Truth is, I don't think people understood what it was I was doing at Shaffer. I wasn't there to conduct. Any fucking moron can wave his arms and keep people in tempo. I was there to push people beyond what's expected of them. I believe that is... an absolute necessity. Otherwise, we're depriving the world of the next ]. The next ]. I told you that story about how Charlie Parker became Charlie Parker, right?
[[Louis Armstrong; [w:Charlie Parker|Charlie Parker]
Andrew
] threw a cymbal at his head.
[[w:Jo Jones|Jo Jones]
Fletcher
Exactly. Parker's a young kid, pretty good on the sax. Gets up to play at a cutting session, and he fucks it up. And Jones nearly decapitates him for it. And he's laughed off-stage. Cries himself to sleep that night, but the next morning, what does he do? He practices. And he practices and he practices with one goal in mind: never to be laughed at again. And a year later, he goes back to the Reno and he steps up on that stage, and plays the best motherfucking solo the world has ever heard. So imagine if Jones had just said, "Well, that's okay, Charlie. That was all right. Good job." And then Charlie thinks to himself, "Well, shit, I did do a pretty good job." End of story. No Bird. That, to me, is an absolute tragedy. But that's just what the world wants now. People wonder why jazz is dying. I tell you, man, and every Starbucks "jazz" album just proves my point, really - there are no two words in the English language more harmful than "good job".
Andrew
But is there a line? You know, maybe you go too far, and you discourage the next Charlie Parker from ever becoming Charlie Parker?
[pause]
Fletcher
No, man, no. Because the next Charlie Parker would never be discouraged.
Andrew
Yeah.
Fletcher
The truth is, Andrew, I never really had a Charlie Parker. But I tried. I actually fucking tried, and that's more than most people ever do. And I will never apologize for how I tried.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Searching for the Music Folder
Carl
I need to look at the music.
Andrew
Oh yeah, it's right here.
[He turns around to realize the folder is not where he left it]
Carl
Why isn't it on you?
Andrew
Where's the folder?
[Confused]
Carl
You're joking, right?
Andrew
I- no- no, I literal- no, I s- I swear I just had it here two seconds ago-
Carl
I don't know-
Andrew
It's gotta be around here somewhere. Did you see-
Carl
How could you be so fucking stupid?
[Angry]
Andrew
I don't know, maybe a janitor came by or something-
Carl
A janitor? FIND THE FUCKING FOLDER! A FUCKING JANITOR?! YOU'RE A DUMB FUCK! A DUMB FUCK! FIND THE FOLDER!
[Desperate]
Andrew
I'm sorry-
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Tribute to a Talented Musician's Journey
Terence Fletcher
Six years ago, I came across a kid in a practice room working on his scales. He was early second year and he'd started at Shaffer with a lot of hope. Like all you guys. But the truth was, he barely squeaked in to begin with, and, uh... he was really struggling. The faculty were all telling him, "Maybe this isn't for you." But they didn't see what I saw. This scared, skinny kid, cursing himself because he couldn't get his scales right. I saw a drive in him. And I put him in Studio Band. And when he graduated, Marsalis made him third trumpet at Lincoln Center. A year later, he was first. And that's who you're listening to now. His name was Sean Casey. I found out this morning that... Sean... died yesterday... in a car accident. And, uh, I just... I wanted you guys to know he was a beautiful player. I just thought you should know.
[playing an audio clip of a trumpet solo for the band]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Demanding Perfection from Musicians
Terence Fletcher
Sorry guys, hate to put you through this. If you need to fuckin take a dump, or get a coffee, whatever - now might be a good time, because we're gonna stay here until I find a drummer who can fucking play in time. I apologize to the musicians. Seriously, take ten, twenty, a fucking hour. You hear me, cocksuckers? You better start shitting me perfect four-hundreds. Connolly, get your fucking ass back on the kit!
[to drummers]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Tension in a Music Rehearsal Setting
Andrew
Hey. Hey, sorry I'm late.
Fletcher
Well, glad you could fit us into your busy schedule, darling.
Andrew
I know. Look, I'm sorry I'm late, but I'm here. I'm ready to go.
Fletcher
Connolly's playing the part.
Andrew
Yeah, like fucking hell he's playing my part.
Fletcher
What the fuck did you just say to me?
Andrew
It's my part.
Fletcher
It's my part and I decide who to lend it to. Usually it's somebody that has fucking sticks.
Andrew
I left them in the car, I'll be right back. Take me five minutes.
Fletcher
I'm warming up the band now.
Andrew
Look, I can use Ryan's sticks.
Fletcher
Neiman, you lost the fucking part.
Andrew
No, I didn't! Look, you can't fucking do this to me!
Fletcher
CAN'T'?!
Andrew
Yeah!
Fletcher
When did you become a fucking expert on what I can or cannot do, you fucking weepy willow shitsack?
Andrew
I earned that part.
Fletcher
You never earned anything. God, you are a self-righteous prick. The only reason you are a core is because you misplaced a folder. The only reason you're in Studio Band to begin with is because I told you exactly what I'd be asking for in Nassau! Am I wrong?
Andrew
Yeah, yeah. I'm in studio band because I'm the best player...
Ryan
Hey, why don't you just back off, bro?
[interrupts]
Andrew
Hey, you know, fuck off, Johnny Utah! Turn my pages, bitch!
Fletcher
Hey, I can cut you any fucking time I want.
Andrew
You would've cut me by now.
Fletcher
Try me, you fucking weasel! At 5:30, that's in exactly eleven minutes, my band is onstage. If your ass is not on that stool with your own fucking sticks in hand or you make ONE FUCKING MISTAKE, ONE, I will drum your ass back to Nassau where you can turn pages until you graduate or fucking drop out! By the time you're done at Shaffer, you're gonna make Daddy look like a fucking success story! Got it? Or, we can let Johnny Utah play the part. You choose.
Andrew
It's my part, I'll be on your stage. Fuck you.
[to Connelly; runs to get his sticks]
Fletcher
You got ten minutes you fucking pathetic pansy-ass fruit-fuck!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Demanding Excellence in Music Performance
Terence Fletcher
Listen up, cocksuckers! Hurry the fuck up. Get your music. "Irene" only. Set one. Rhythm section out first. Tanner, the kit is a fucking tonal catastrophe, get it in tune, all right? Rhythm and soloists, bar 45, we're gonna pick up the tempo there, all right? Bar 106, brass, do not forget we sharp that ninth. Everybody remember, Lincoln Center and its ilk use these competitions to decide who they are interested in and who they are not. And I am not gonna have my reputation in that department tarnished by a bunch of fucking limp-dick, sour-note, flatter-than-their-girlfriends, flexible-tempo dipshits. Got it? One more thing. Eugene, give me that. If I ever see another one of these lying around, I swear to fucking God, I will stop being so polite. Get the fuck out of my sight before I demolish you. Stage right, in order, now. I can still fucking see you, Mini-Me!
[Eugene hands Fletcher his music folder; to a stagehand who just walked in; to band; to stagehand]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Friendship and Its Perceived Value
Uncle Frank
You got any friends, Andy?
Andrew
No.
Uncle Frank
Oh, why's that?
Andrew
I don't know, I just never really saw the use.
Uncle Frank
Well, who are you going to play with otherwise? ] and ], they were school buddies, am I right?
[[John Lennon|Lennon; [w:Paul McCartney|McCartney]
Andrew
] didn't know anybody til ] threw a cymbal at his head.
[[Charlie Parker; [w:Jo Jones |Jo Jones]
Uncle Frank
So that's your idea of success, huh?
Andrew
I think being the greatest musician of the 20th century is anybody's idea of success.
Jim
Dying broke and drunk and full of heroin at the age of 34 is not exactly my idea of success.
Andrew
I'd rather die drunk, broke at 34 and have people at a dinner table talk about me than live to be rich and sober at 90 and nobody remembered who I was.
Uncle Frank
Ah, but your friends will remember you, that's the point.
Andrew
None of us were friends with Charlie Parker. That's the point.
Uncle Frank
Travis and Dustin? They have plenty of friends and plenty of purpose.
Andrew
I'm sure they'll make great school board presidents someday.
Dustin
Oh, that's what this is all about? You think you're better than us?
Andrew
You catch on quick. Are you in Model UN?
Travis
I got a reply for you, Andrew. You think Carleton football's a joke? Come play with us.
Andrew
Four words you will never hear from the NFL.
Aunt Emma
Who wants dessert?
Jim
Hear from Lincoln Center?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.