When considering the performance of musicians in regard to taste, it is generally agreed that a player should not intrude his individual personality on the music.

Each era, however, has its own notion of taste in performance. During the 18th century, for instance, the attitude toward taste was precisely the opposite. The ability of the musician to intrude his personality (individual style, technique and musicality) on what was played was the basis for judging the taste of the musician.

In general, if a musician truly creates something of his own based on the blueprint of notes in front of him as his guide, he is considered to be a musician of good taste. If, on the other hand, a musician exceeds the limits of his responsibility and becomes overindulgent, vapid or uninventive, his taste is suspect.