...talent and genius operate outside the rules, and theory conflicts with practice - Carl von Clausewitz I would argue that he agrees. However... The general

...talent and genius operate outside the rules, and theory conflicts with practice - Carl von Clausewitz I would argue that he agrees. However... The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand. - Sun Tzu Both intellectualism and the ability to improvise are necessary. Arguably, if you have to adapt then a calculation has failed. Hearing the sound of thunder is not the mark of a keen ear, neither is entering battle and winning the mark of a great general. There is no point reinventing the wheel. Many have come before and it seems wise to assimilate their experience with a critical mind. Instinct ultimately rises from your existing body of knowledge. And even in jazz it emerges from a bass line.