Plans, Takes, and Mis-takes

Abstract

This paper analyzes what may have been a mistake by

pianist Thelonious Monk playing a jazz solo in 1958.

Even in a Monk composition designed for patterned

mayhem, a note can sound out of pattern. We reframe

the question of whether the note was a mistake and ask

instead about how Monk handles the problem. Amazingly,

he replays the note into a new pattern that resituates

its jarring effect in retrospect. The mistake, or

better, the

mis-take, was “saved” by subsequent notes.

Our analysis, supported by reflections from jazz musicians

and the philosopher John Dewey, encourages a

reformulation of plans, takes, and

mis-takes as categories

for the interpretation of contingency, surprise, and

repair in all human activities. A final section suggests

that mistakes are essential to the practical plying and

playing of knowledge into performances, particularly

those that highlight learning.