'There are no mistakes, only happy accidents' (Bob Ross, artist)

I lead a small jazz ensemble comprised of college students from varied backgrounds and of all ages. Many times throughout our rehearsals, I will mention to beginning improvisers that 'there are no mistakes, only happy accidents.' I once heard the renowned painter and TV show host, Bob Ross, say this as he made what most would have considered a big blooper while painting a landscape on the canvas. He was always very calm so this phrase just rolled off his tongue easily as he continued to paint incorporating the "mistake" --that was not a mistake-- into what became a very beautiful finished product. It was no surprise but quite a delight when one of my students sent along a TED Talks link about the same principle. Thanks Sherry!

It's comforting to know that other musicians subscribe to the same principle and are able to explain it so thoroughly. And musician or not, this principle can be applied to any endeavor. It conveys the idea that an unexpected change of course is an opportunity to create something that will be possibly even more enriching than what you had originally planned.

This happens to me and my composing partner, Paul, quite often as we start to record a new composition. When we are set, we hit record and even if there is a "mistake" (something we hadn't planned on), it is a journey into the realm of the Absolute from which all creativity flows and most often a very "happy accident". Many new songs have arisen from the flow of such "accidental" streams.

Below is the link to the TED Talks video by Stefon Harris. May you see every "mistake" as an opportunity to create something new and exciting!  :O)

TED Talks -Stefon Harris There are no mistakes on the bandstand.html