Never, Ever Apologise For Your Performance

“Never say sorry. If you have to apologise for what you have done on stage then you shouldn’t be up on stage in the first place”.

That was one of the first pieces of advice that I received after my very first solo performance. I can’t remember who said it to me but I am forever in their debt.

Performing songwriters who say sorry about their performance on stage is a real pet peeve of mine. Just picture this

I’m in the audience listening to a songwriter give their all. At the end of their performance they say something like “whoops, sorry about that”.

By saying sorry about their performance they’ve just ruined a special moment for me. Unfortunately this happens a lot, even with experienced performers who should know better.

I dont know why I feel that way when it happens but, I do know that it is an unnecessary and unprofessional thing to be do.

We have all heard the phrase “you only get one chance at a first impression” before but it’s so very true. The last thing you want to do is put off your audience by proving to them that you’ve no confidence in your performance.

Here are three reasons why you never apologise on stage:

1. It’s not the mistake you make but how you get out of it.
I have made some gigantic mistakes in my time performing but a great test of a true professional is the way that they get themselves out of a mistake.

Audiences love it when a performer takes something like a mistake and turns it around to their advantage.

2. More often than not, the audience wouldn’t notice the mistake anyway.
As you are playing your own music, the audience has no point of reference as to how your song should sound. Any mistake that you make could sound like part of the song to someone who has never heard it before.

Unless you are playing to an audience of finnecky musicians you don’t have anything to worry about. By saying sorry you have bought the un-noticable mistake to the audiences attention.

How silly is that?

3. It doesnt promote a healthy attitude towards making a mistake.
We are human beings and therefore we will make mistakes. A lot of great ideas come from mistakes and little glitches here and there.

Embrace your mistakes, learn from them and laugh it off, or at least smile. The audience will be right there supporting you every step of the way.

Just remember, if you become agitated and/or overtly nervous because mistakes have been made on stage, guess what your audience will also feel?

The same as what you’re feeling. Not an impression that you want to leave the crowd with.

Until next time, happy writing,

Corey Stewart
Singer/Songwriter/Musician

Keywords: songwriting, songwriter, songwriting tip, songwriting help, songwriting blog, songwriting idea, songwriting resource, corey stewart

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Friday, April 4th, 2008 Performing Songwriter

2 Comments to Never, Ever Apologise For Your Performance

Dr. Tom Bibey says:

April 6, 2008 at 8:14 am

I am a Doc and play bluegrass mandolin.

When I taught my kids to play I told ‘em if you made a mistake on stage it was like neurosurgery- just don’t say oops.

Dr. Tom Bibey

drtombibey.wordpress.com

sanoittaja says:

April 11, 2008 at 3:49 am

Many times little mistakes makes the performance more real. At least they can see you are not doing playback It’ allso gives the audience reason to feel sympathy and may make the performance very special to someone. it’s allso fun! -if it doesn’t happen all the time.