"Even if you're improvising, the fact that beforehand you know certain things will work helps you make those improvisations successful. It really helps to have a certain amount of knowledge about musical structure"

John Cale's quote speaks with the value of having a foundational understanding of musical structure when improvising. He recommends that having a certain quantity of knowledge about musical structure can assist make improvisations successful. This understanding can offer a structure for the improvisation, permitting the artist to explore and experiment within the limits of the structure. Knowing the structure can also help the musician to expect how specific improvisations will sound and how they will fit into the general piece. This understanding can help the artist to make informed decisions about their improvisations, enabling them to develop something that is both innovative and cohesive. Ultimately, John Cale's quote stresses the significance of having a strong understanding of musical structure when improvising.