Subhrajit Debnath IB Music SL What is a mistake?

4/11/2013 Mr. Meredith

The jazz musician Stefon Harris presents an interesting view of mistakes especially in improvisational jazz. With improvisation, often times musicians may play something that is different than the material played by the other musicians. The new material may be in a new key or meter or feature a variety of other melodic or rhythmic changes and idea. One may initially consider those moments as a mistake because the new material is significantly different or cause a moment of aural dissonance; however, Harris argues the attempt to play differently or change is not the mistake, but ignoring the opportunity to pursue the ideas of the other musician is the true mistake. Only by suppressing or ignoring or failing to adapt to the creativity of others, a musician will make an actual mistake. The crux of Harris argument is that mistakes are only made when a musician fails to pursue an opportunity for something new. In order to determine if Harriss theory is an accurate representation of mistakes, one must fully understand the improvisatory nature of jazz. The essence of jazz does lend well to Harriss argument. In jazz, musicians are may converse with each other musically. One musician starts the conversation with a certain theme while the others continue it with their own responses. A musician cant simply control all the whole conversation because it would no longer be a conversation. An important aspect of the improvisatory jazz style is to be able to express ones own creativity and ideas in these musical conversations; therefore, inserting ones own ideas is not a mistake even if it seems aurally dissonant as long as he or she is willing to do the same for the other artists. The real mistake occurs when this conversation cant develop properly because opportunities are missed.

The ramifications of this definition of mistake extend beyond jazz and the field of music. Interestingly, Harris was discussing his theory with non-musicians. The application of his view can be used in general non-musical areas. The same principles of understanding and willingness to adapt to new opportunities is outstanding advice. Under the same logic, the mistake is not listening and being more accepting of others ideas.