“You can play a shoestring if you’re sincere” is a frequently cited quotation attributed to American jazz saxophonist and composer John Coltrane (1926-1967), but it’s not known if he ever said it. The quotation has been cited in print since 2004.
 
   
Wikipedia: John Coltrane
John William Coltrane, also known as “Trane” (September 23, 1926 – July 17, 1967), was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Working in the bebop and hard bop idioms early in his career, Coltrane helped pioneer the use of modes in jazz and was later at the forefront of free jazz. He organized at least fifty recording sessions as a leader during his career, and appeared as a sideman on many other albums, notably with trumpeter Miles Davis and pianist Thelonious Monk.
 
Tropic of Food
Thursday, September 16, 2004
Rickity’s Horoscope vs. Sweet RB’s Horoscope
(...)
John Coltrane: “You can play a shoestring if you’re sincere.”
     
Google Groups: alt.gathering.rainbow
REGION 16: Journey In Words
bodhi
11/28/04
(...)
“You can play a shoestring if you’re sincere.”
John Coltrane
 
Google Books
Wabi Sabi:
The Art of Everyday Life
By Diane Durston
North Adams, MA: Storey Pub.
2006
Pg. 192:
You can play a shoestring if you’re sincere. —John Coltrane
 
23 September 2007, The Chronicle-Telegram (Elyria, OH), pg. F3, col. 2:
TODAY’S QUOTE
“You can play a shoestring if you’re sincere.” John Coltrane
 
Twitter
Quotes Today
‏@todayquotes
“You can play a shoestring if you’re sincere.”
-John Coltrane, wb 81 today
9:43 AM - 23 Sep 2007
 
Jazz at Lincoln Center
“You can play a shoestring if you’re sincere” — John Coltrane
Dec 1st, 2014
 
Twitter
Errol Nazareth
‏@ErrolNazareth
“You can play a shoestring if you’re sincere” ~ John Coltrane drops science. Today marks the 50th anniversary of ‘A Love Supreme.’
4:55 PM - 9 Dec 2014