error

The error rate of the average professional concert is low. Astonishingly low, in fact, not counting barely noticeable errors. Astonishing especially when musicians play complex music from memory: they perform the double task of reproducing the score, and ‘interpreting’ what they reproduce. In most cases however this interpretation is part of what they have stored in memory. This may reduce spontaneity and freedom in performance. That a musical performance has to stop and start again is altogether exceptional. With good reason, since continuity belongs to the essence of music.

The average soccer match, on the contrary, is halted every other minute for some misdemeanour. An offense during a soccer match affects the whole course of the game. So, one may demand that the match will start all over again at every offense. If this is put to practice, flawless soccer will soon occur. (Not that I would care).

Even the best tennis players make numerous miscalculations during a match, often mistakes of the very same kind as made by beginners. Of course, on average they calculate better, move faster and hit harder. Since the ball enters the field anew at every serve, a mistake has no further consequences. It just makes watching less enjoyable. Flawless tennis might occur when players care less about immediate hits and more about playfulness. (And stop grimacing and making obscene gestures.)

More aesthetics would be good for sports. A little less pressure on correctness might be good for music.