There is a discrepancy between what I believe and “how it is”.
I noticed it recently while attending a live show. It was a typical live show; muddy, a horrible mix, out of tune, not tight and I couldn’t see a thing the whole night. Luckily, I was surrounded by friends, many of which I had not seen in years, so that part was great. But as far as the live show went, it was more of a punishment than any kind of entertainment.
If you asked me out of the blue, how I feel about live music, I would typically speak highly of the experience. I would probably say something about how it’s the most awesome way to experience music etc, etc….. But for some reason, I don’t know if it was this most recent show experience that initiated it, but I realized that throughout my whole life of going to live shows, only a handful of them were in fact “awesome”. It is SUPER RARE for a live show to be even remotely reasonable. I was basing my entire live music perspective on 5 or 6 outstanding shows.
This Is Not About Live Music
This realization got me thinking… “what else do I do this with?”. How many other things are there where I assume to cherish the entire category based on a handful of positive experiences? Where I’m in a sense, chasing those memories, hoping that it happens again?
Going back to the live music topic, but from the perspective of the performer, I’ve only ever had 3 or 4 great show experiences out of hundreds, yet I will typically state that “I love playing live”.
Same goes for recording. I REALLY LOVE the experience of capturing an exciting idea and when an arrangement comes together in an interesting way. But when I think of the general task of recording, I really dislike it when it’s difficult to capture a tight, clean performance and it takes fifty to a hundred attempts…
What’s The Point Of All Of This?
Once you realize this phenomenon, it’s hard not to suddenly see it in every corner of your life and maybe even get kind of bummed out. For me, it’s an illumination.
Using the live show as the continued example, especially from the perspective as a performer, it’s an opportunity to address the shortcoming and creatively fill the gaps. I can make sure to play with musicians who are obsessed with playing tight and are practiced, and who have a studio understanding of sound. I can make sure to either play at an adequately outfitted venue, or bring the necessary things that will ensure a faithful presentation.
With the previous example of recording, something as simple as more practice and preparation may not only alleviate the frustration of struggling to achieve a satisfactory result, but also provide long term benefits of heightened ability.
The discrepancy between ideals and reality is often the opportunity that, if seized, can improve both the experience and result.
What do you think you love or think you do well with, were the reality is actually the opposite?