There are a couple way to define how consistency works to everyone’s benefit.
The first is the consistency of a rollercoaster ride, a gas pump, or a good coffee maker. It’s the same every time. We need it to be. That’s why we like it. It’s consistent…ie. safe and expectations are met. (You can argue about whether or not the rollercoaster ride is good or not…but you can’t argue about it being different from one person to another)
The other type of consistency is that of the emergency room, the counseling office, or a personal trainer. In this case the consistency we seek out is one with a lot of variance…we don’t seek to have the same experience as the person before us. We need the consistency to be in treating everyone differently.
So as an artist it’s both, right?
We need you to play the chords mostly right and hit most of the notes every night. We need you to hit the stage reasonably on time and remember the lyrics. We need you to be a professional…or if you’re not, at least act like one. Every night, consistently, we need you to entertain…
…which means you need to leave room for and plan for spontaneity. Conscious spontaneity. We need you to know how and not be afraid of veering from the ‘consistency’ of the show in order to consistently entertain…ie. treating this moment differently because that’s what it needs right now.
The goal is that professional consistency, over time, will give way to consistently entertaining, which is the bringing together of both types of consistency night after night…never in the same amounts ;)
Don’t miss a post. Sign up for free.
I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com