 Speaking in 2010 , Miller commented on his approach to playing standards , which was more conservative than that of many others : " I believe in giving due respect to the melody , playing it as true as possible , [ ... ] a solo is a creative process that improves the melody . " He almost never transcribed recordings ( something that jazz musicians are typically taught to do ) ; Miller credited this with slowing his learning process , but also with allowing him to express himself more freely , as he reached his own understanding of the compositions he played . 
