I think I said this wrong.

I've presently been going over my Strauss waltzes for a German gig next week. In each piece there is so much room for interpretation and improv. And that's what I've been doing. But I'm frustrated because every time I play each one a different way I have to stop and finger the notes properly.

So.....the conclusion I came up with was:

It's easier to get my fingers to a point where I can play just about any ideas that I think of rather than fumble over the notes every time.

I notice people don't talk much here about actual "playing." Why is that?