Performer’s Nightmare #1: Your guitar string broke mid performance!
Nobody wants to experience a guitar string break in the middle of their performance. Regardless, the audience knows it isn’t your fault if your guitar breaks down. In other words, if you are too concerned and show that the mistake is big, the audience will believe that the error is big, there are people who have broken guitar strings on the biggest stages in the world. They have alternate guitars arranged for that purpose, of course. Keeping an extra guitar in your car can also ensure that you have an alternative ready in case the worst happens. Even if your guitar strings break during a performance, don’t make it a big deal. If you do not make it a big deal, maybe none of them will!
Performer’s Nightmare #2: That irritating mic feedback noise!
Mic feedback is where the congested lines of wires can sometimes create feedback noise. Also, when the Congested lines of wires can sometimes cause mic feedback. When the mixer’s gain is too high, the mic may occasionally produce feedback noise. In addition, if the mic is of lower quality, it may not transmit enough data through the wires to the mixer, which causes feedback noise in all of the cases. This is a sound guy’s problem. You need to have this particular sound card in your press kit or your tech rider, and your sound mixer should be ready at the venue if you are comfortable with this feature. Make sure the organizers know that your own sound is important and that you want the best sound you can get! Occasionally, it may not be possible to avoid it during the sound check. Take a moment to do a sound check and ensure you have taken care of all pre-requisites.
Performer’s Nightmare #3: You accidentally played the wrong chord / note!
Although can’t deny the blame for this one, but trust me, a lot of people in the world have played the wrong chord, or the wrong notes. Even legends like Gary Moore, one of the most distinguished and perfect live performers of all time, have played a note or two out of place. As a beginner, it is possible to make errors in chords or notes. Learn that not every gig is at the Albert Hall or at the O2 Arena. If you play the wrong chord, just move your finger and play the right one. Sometimes, or most of the times, the audience might not even notice it. But go home and practice later.
Performer’s Nightmare #4: Your band played it wrong!
I remember one of our band members playing it incorrectly when I was in the band. Another member gives him a look on stage. This is like announcing to the audience when the mistake happened and who made it. Don’t worry about your mistakes. Take it as it comes. Mistakes can be unwanted, but sometimes, they’re unavoidable. Appear confidence and continue the song from the next bar. The band won’t wait for you to catch up.
Performer’s Nightmare #5: Your guitar pick-up just won’t work!
Your guitar is tuned. You have new strings you have plugged in, your mic is tested, but oh no, you forgot your guitar battery. Sometimes, your pickup might not work at all. Last time, it worked fine. While gigging everyday, traveling with your guitar, in a backpack, the guitar pickup might get disengaged. You should check before the gig if that is the case. Take a look at your guitar. Check whether the pickup is working each time you gig.
Performer’s Nightmare #6: That high note fell just a bit short onstage!
Singing a high note can sometime lead to a wrong note specially in the peaks. So what do you do, when you go off note? Just like the blunders above, this mistake also need to be taken lightly. Keep singing naturally and most people will not even notice. Artists are more aware of their wrongdoing than anyone else, so the same is true of their wrongdoing. The artists are the only ones who can make it more obvious.
Performer’s Nightmare #7: You forgot the lyrics
Now this one is the least encouraged mistake, and every singer must know their words. But who are we kidding, we’ve seen the greatest make mistakes on the biggest stages. If you’re constantly learning new songs, there will be times when you don’t know the lyrics, or you’ll forget a line. This is when you can improvise and come up with your own words. It’s important not to make it appear like it was intentional, especially if it’s a big event. Your mistakes can be covered up if you make subtle improvisations. An experienced performer learns this naturally.