Metaphor for creativity: There are no mistakes on the bandstand

 The TED talk by jazz musician Stefon Harris There are no mistakes on the Bandstand demonstrated how a "mistake" like an out of key note, was an opportunity if the other players who where listening and responded to what they heard.  Harris talked about the Bandstand as a special place, a place without past and without future.  The bandstand is a place of the complete present.  Musicians in the present and responding to one another in a natural way results in opportunities for creativity.  Harris and the 3 players with him showed how it worked when they let a note by one lead toward a new directions.

No mistakes on the bandstand is a natural metaphor for creativity in almost any creative endeavor.   Bandstand is the creative moment.  The here, the now.  With the understanding or assumption there needs to be a excellent level of craft, there are no mistakes, just a deviation from an expectation and an opportunity for a new and creative direction.  Harris did not talk about level of craft, he assumed a high level.

As metaphor bandstand to have no mistakes is to be open to change, be ready to adjust and avoid being judgmental, especially on the bandstand at the time of creating the art.