I remembered something from band.

[Jack]

(I thought it would never happen)

I was just playing Do, Lord (I don't have to use fingerings!) and I messed up in the beginning and I remembered something my old band teacher told us. He said that it's not ok to mess up, but if you do, it's a lot better to screw up the beginning because your audience will remember the end. Thankfully, I didn't have an audience.

[Duckrasta]

Hi Cranberry

[Cori]

*grinning* Makes sense, Cranberry!

Though, I reckon botching the middle is the best option of a bad bunch. A rough beginning and no-one will listen to the rest. Terrible ending - like you say - everyone remembers That. No standing ovation! But a bad middle might well be got away with.

Now, ideally, there's no bad at all ...

[Lorenzo]

Because the glass is half empty?

Like band, like life. Except as one gets older,
it's the beginning that comes back to mind,
again and again, like stars or memories
appearing and disappearing, rising above
the horizon of this inner landscape to give us light,
and slowly sinking beneath the darkness of the west..
so take some promises along, and a song.

[FJohnSharp]

Another piece of band advice:

If you're going to mess up, do it loud. Most people will think it was intentional. But if you're tentative, everyone will know.

[Jack]

I've learned when I screw something up (all the time), not to stop what you're doing, look up at people and see if they noticed. Because even if they didn't, if you do that they will.

[fatveg]

Reminds me of the old T. Beecham quote: "Gentlemen, we must start together, and end together. the audience doesn't give a damn about what happens inbetween."

[Jo C]

My old junior orchestra conductor always told us whenever you make a mistake, to glare at the person next to you!