Nick NOTOC
May I add to your excellent view on comparing music and flying?
Having done both professionally, may I suggest. A well rehearsed, technically competent band with excellent arrangments for the music is fine in and of itself.
Almost perfection in each and every event.
Add to that the ability to improvise, with the confidence of a steady beat from the drums and rhythym section make the one taking off on a solo to really do a great job.
So too in flying. Most of the time, we should be providing that "steady beat" of what is to be expected and following the fine arrangments ( READ SOP_)...when something not covered by the SOP, THE MAN with the PLAN should takeoff (soloing as it were) with the confidence of his sidemen backing him up.
But more practice on the SOP means more confidence in a desperate situation.