Solved Game

“A solved game is a game whose outcome (win, lose or draw) can be correctly predicted from any position, assuming that both players play perfectly.” (Wikipedia)

For example, you’ve probably solved Tic-Tac-Toe. Assuming no mistakes, every game you ever play will end in a draw.

Checkers is a solved game, too. Top players can play it perfectly and know the unarguable right move from a given situation.

Other games aren’t solved – or maybe even solvable. Chess is too complex to be truly solvable by any human or computer, though the endgame–the last half-dozen or so moves–are a solved game within chess.

Performing music is not a solvable game. Indeed, perhaps a big part of the joy of live music-making is its utter complexity and un-solvability. Like chess, certain portions might be solvable, but like chess, go, or any massively complex system, it would take more than a lifetime for any human to comprehend a perfect solution.

Making music isn’t solvable. But you can still win it if you try.