What should I do if I make a mistake during an audition?
Keep going and stay in tempo. Panels expect small slips and care far more about how you recover than about one wrong note. Do not stop, wince, or restart unless asked. A confident continuation tells the panel you can perform, while visibly reacting to a mistake draws attention to it and often triggers a second one.
One slip almost never costs the seat; breaking character does. Practice playing through mistakes so recovery is automatic, not a decision you make in panic. Build restart points into memorized pieces so a stumble costs only a beat. The goal is musical momentum, not flawlessness.
Common questions
- Will one wrong note cost me the audition?
- Almost never. Panels distinguish a one-off slip from a recurring problem. Composure matters more.
- Should I apologize or restart?
- No, unless the panel asks. Keep playing in tempo and let the music carry on.