Last updated on Mar 26, 2024

What is the best way to handle mistakes during a live performance?

Mistakes happen to everyone, even the most experienced and talented musicians. But how you deal with them during a live performance can make a big difference to your reputation, confidence, and audience satisfaction. In this article, you will learn some practical tips on how to handle mistakes during a live performance, whether they are minor glitches or major blunders.

Key takeaways from this article

Embrace authenticity:

When a mistake happens, own it with a smile or laugh. Your genuine reaction can turn the slip into a moment of connection with your audience.
Avoid dwelling on errors:

Focus on the main performance instead of minor flubs that the audience may not even notice. Keep your confidence intact and maintain the show's flow.

This summary is powered by AI and these experts

Douglas Adair

President at ORS Interactive, Inc.

1 Accept and acknowledge

The first step to handle mistakes during a live performance is to accept and acknowledge them. Don't try to pretend that nothing happened, or blame someone else, or make excuses. This will only make you look unprofessional and insecure. Instead, admit your mistake with a smile, a laugh, or a gesture, and show that you are human and humble. This will help you to relax, recover, and connect with your audience, who will appreciate your honesty and authenticity.

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Christina Bishop

Student at Oakland Community College, Cartoonist and Tuba Player
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Learn to improvise and build off of the mistake, because sometimes a mistake can teach you something good about how you play as a musician. As a tuba player directors got after me for using vibrato which became a later benefit for solos and blending. When you strive for perfection you are what tubist and teacher Arnold Jacobs calls, "Overanalyzing" which hurts good musicians rather than teaches them skills with the mistake.

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2 Keep going and improvise

The second step to handle mistakes during a live performance is to keep going and improvise. Don't stop, apologize, or restart the song, unless it is absolutely necessary. This will only disrupt the flow and the mood of the performance, and draw more attention to the mistake. Instead, keep playing or singing, and try to adjust your timing, pitch, or harmony to match the rest of the band or the backing track. You can also use your creativity and skills to turn the mistake into an opportunity, by adding some variation, embellishment, or humor to the song.

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Douglas Adair

President at ORS Interactive, Inc.
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Try not to get hung up by the Opera Singer’s Syndrome of obsessing over a couple small mistakes that may not have even been detected by most in the audience. On the other hand, if you blow it big time, stop and apologize, and then restart your performance.

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3 Learn and improve

The third step to handle mistakes during a live performance is to learn and improve from them. Don't dwell on them, or let them ruin your confidence, or discourage you from performing again. Instead, review your performance, and identify what caused the mistake, and how you can prevent or minimize it in the future. You can also ask for feedback from your bandmates, your coach, or your fans, and use their suggestions to improve your technique, practice, or preparation.

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4 Communicate and cooperate

The fourth step to handle mistakes during a live performance is to communicate and cooperate with your bandmates, your crew, or your venue staff. Don't ignore them, or argue with them, or blame them for the mistake. Instead, talk to them, and listen to them, and work together to solve the problem, or to cover up the mistake. You can also use signals, cues, or codes to alert them of any issues, or to coordinate your actions. This will help you to maintain a good relationship and a smooth performance.

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5 Be prepared and flexible

The fifth step to handle mistakes during a live performance is to be prepared and flexible. Don't rely on luck, or assume that everything will go as planned, or that you will perform perfectly. Instead, anticipate potential problems, and have backup plans, or alternative solutions, or contingency measures. You can also practice different scenarios, or simulate different conditions, or rehearse different songs. This will help you to be ready and adaptable to any situation.

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6 Have fun and enjoy

The sixth and final step to handle mistakes during a live performance is to have fun and enjoy. Don't stress over them, or let them overshadow your achievements, or your passion. Instead, focus on the positive aspects, and the overall experience, and the joy of performing. You can also celebrate your successes, and appreciate your fans, and reward yourself. This will help you to stay motivated and inspired, and to grow as a musician.

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Mike Wilkinson

Piano consultant @ Saint John’s Music | Songwriting Diploma piano teacher
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I am not much for performing myself, but when I have to I always make it a joke if something goes wrong. It’s in how we handle the mistake. I will always keep going during a performance, but at the end of it I will make light of it and say something like, ‘yeah maybe 101 times through instead of 100 for next time’. Just have fun, I’d you’re having fun the audience will too.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What is the best way to handle mistakes during a live performance?

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1 Accept and acknowledge

2 Keep going and improvise

3 Learn and improve

4 Communicate and cooperate

5 Be prepared and flexible

6 Have fun and enjoy

7 Here’s what else to consider

Music Industry

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