As someone who has come back to jazz improvisation after many years, and being a coder, the performance aspect is a little like playing a video game.
But this game has 1) very short levels (1-2 seconds), 2) repeated patterns in the levels and sequence of levels, 3) strong incentives to solve levels in novel and interesting ways, but 4) there are hidden mines everywhere which can damage you, but 5) you get points for hitting the mines in the right way so that you avoid damage. The mines are “wrong notes.”
Music theory gives you power ups to see the mines, quickly plot paths, and treat sequences of levels as part of a meta-level. But you have to be FAST.
(I have been known to stretch an analogy too far..)
But this game has 1) very short levels (1-2 seconds), 2) repeated patterns in the levels and sequence of levels, 3) strong incentives to solve levels in novel and interesting ways, but 4) there are hidden mines everywhere which can damage you, but 5) you get points for hitting the mines in the right way so that you avoid damage. The mines are “wrong notes.”
Music theory gives you power ups to see the mines, quickly plot paths, and treat sequences of levels as part of a meta-level. But you have to be FAST.
(I have been known to stretch an analogy too far..)