Probably been covered before, but for you guys and gals who play live often, and at a high level, how often do you make mistakes while playing? I'm talking about anything from just a missed or wrong note to playing the wrong song or even having a brain dump and forgetting how to play a song. Let's hear it.
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Playing live and making mistakes
- Thread starter Mata Leao
- Start date
I usually make a mistake or two per gig.
What's great is that they're in real time.
Once you make them, the song keeps going. They're gone forever.
In the studio they're forever
What's great is that they're in real time.
Once you make them, the song keeps going. They're gone forever.
In the studio they're forever
Sometimes I clam so much that I feel I should bring a loaf of sourdough! 
God yes!! The trick is just make it unnoticable. Usually a cromatic walk to the right note will do it.
You can't go wrong pedaling on the 5th of the root till brain fart fades. Try a 16th note run down from a couple octaves above the root, and stop when you fumble on the right note. When all else fails, laugh!
You can't go wrong pedaling on the 5th of the root till brain fart fades. Try a 16th note run down from a couple octaves above the root, and stop when you fumble on the right note. When all else fails, laugh!
Try a slide into the correct note.
Once is a mistake, twice is Jazz. 
Just keep playing as if nothing happened. I have seen major bands have the rare trainwreck, it happens at all levels.
We are humans, not machines (heck, even machines screw up from time to time!)
There is an old axiom that states; An amateur practices until he gets it right, a professional practices until he never gets it wrong.
The important thing to remember is that while every dedicated musician works hard to raise their "ceiling", professionals work just as hard on raising their "floor". This is so that when the inevitable bad gig happens it is still perceived by the audience as being a very good performance.
Just keep playing as if nothing happened. I have seen major bands have the rare trainwreck, it happens at all levels.
We are humans, not machines (heck, even machines screw up from time to time!)
There is an old axiom that states; An amateur practices until he gets it right, a professional practices until he never gets it wrong.
The important thing to remember is that while every dedicated musician works hard to raise their "ceiling", professionals work just as hard on raising their "floor". This is so that when the inevitable bad gig happens it is still perceived by the audience as being a very good performance.
I make multiple mistakes (missed notes, wrong notes, flubbed notes). Sometimes I play the wrong pattern (then repeat it) makes it sound intentional.
I stopped being concerned years ago; playing a good show is all that really matters.
I stopped being concerned years ago; playing a good show is all that really matters.
"When you make a mistake, play it again the second time round. People will think you meant it" . Best advice ive ever had from a muso friend. It really fekks with the musicians in the house watching.
Plenty. Most are tiny. Some are gigantic. But I strive for perfection.
On a good night, which is usual, no clams. On a bad night, sometimes I can't find my a$$ with a map and a flashlight.
Small mistakes are pretty common. Not frequent, but common. Note mistakes aren't often as critical as time mistakes.
Having a brain dump, in my experience - usually reserved for those who don't practice enough to be sharp, or those who indulge in drugs/alcohol as part of their routine. Nerves can also play a part.
- Oct 7, 2000
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- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
I average 1 per set on good days.
Just stumbled across a video the other night I didn’t know existed, where I’m messing up majorly in one song. I’d post it, but I don’t wanna
. It’s original al material, so would be tough to tell anyhow. Or at least I like to think that.
Just stumbled across a video the other night I didn’t know existed, where I’m messing up majorly in one song. I’d post it, but I don’t wanna
. It’s original al material, so would be tough to tell anyhow. Or at least I like to think that.
If you are playing the same set day after day in a controlled show it’s not so tough, as long as you don’t disengage your brain. There will always be subtle little goofs, but you can cover them up pretty easy.
Stay consistent and engaged in what you are doing. That’s the key for my playing. Certain bands and players can step out and explore better than others. Just know your limits.
Stay consistent and engaged in what you are doing. That’s the key for my playing. Certain bands and players can step out and explore better than others. Just know your limits.
It happens. In my band, we call it jazzin' it up.
I mostly run on autopilot these days, but when I mess up, sometimes it's epic. Ever drive the wrong way on a one-way street, and wonder why all the cars are parked in the wrong direction? We play "White Rabbit," which has a long drum/bass intro. I started it in the wrong key, sure that I was right. At first one of the guitarists just gave me stink-eye, then the other guitarist mouthed to me from the far end of the stage "Wrong key!" and I still didn't get it. Finally the first guitarist got in my face and said "F#!" and finally, finally I got the message. Now: Because the intro is just drum and bass, getting the key right was no big deal. The big deal for me was being so sure I was right when I was totally wrong.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
I think it is rare that ANY musician gets through a night perfect. The key is not to make them noticable, and move on. You will notice mistakes others won't, and harping on them only highlights them.
The ONLY way to screw up is with supreme confidence.
EdwardofHuncote
I Still Dream of Jeannie
- Aug 21, 2013
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As of New Year's Eve, I've been playing bass in bands for 30 years. (my first paying gig was a New Year's Eve party in 1987-88) In that time over thousands of shows, I've played exactly 3 error-free sets. I make mistakes on virtually every song... most are so small that only I know about them, but well... there they are.
There's always next weekend to do better.
There's always next weekend to do better.
