Questions about Accompanying Performers

[invictious]

ok, let's get straight to the point.

I am the accompanist, and let's say, the main performer is a singer or a cellist.

What happens if the performer suddenly messes up? e.g. skips a bar or just forgets everything?

[Kassaa]

Would be logical to me if you just played on, so they always have a base to start on. You also have the sheet music in front of you, so when it goes completely wrong you can always tell them where to start.

[pianistimo]

the main performer is the one who should cue you what to do.  it should be worked out ahead of time.  i once kept on going during a performance - thinking that is what the performer wanted me to do - so she could continue.  but she had not majored in performance and was upset that i did not stop!  apparently when she looked at me - she meant for me to stop and start again with her.  it's usually not the first choice to completely stop - but the main performer is the 'god' in this case.  you should do whatever they tell you to do.  but, work it out ahead of the performance.

i think being flexible with performers that are amateurs is much better than holding them to a standard with professionals.  let them do whatever they want.  with a professional - you keep on going, as kassaa said, and hope that they will just 'clip in' again without anyone noticing.

[Bob]

The accompanist follows the performer.

The accompanist should make the performer look as good as possible.  If the performer messes up, the accompanist should cover it up so the audience doesn't notice.

If the performer skips a bar, you follow along and hide it if you can.

It depends how bad the mistake is.  If it's a memorized piece and they forget it, there's not much you can do.  Play a little concluding section I guess.

[pianistimo]

that's very sweet to think of, bob.  to play a concluding section.  it's hard if they are right in the middle of the development - but not impossible.  i mean, when i think about this one girl right now (a violinist) - she was so embarrassed and i really didn't know what to do and hoped she would come in again.  but, the longer she stood there, and the longer i played - the worse it got.  so i stopped.  but, if i had played a conclusion - it might have been better for her?  i think so!

[quantum]

For a singer, telling them the first few words of the part they forgot is probably enough for them to get back on their feet. 

For an instrumentalist, maybe name some notes, or play a selection of their part on the piano.  You only need a bit to jog their memory. 

Just going on and hoping they will catch up isn't wise.  You have to help them.  Remember your performance is a partnership, chamber music, you help each other to sound good. 

[pianistimo]

good points!  and, in a worst case - having a concluding section isn't a bad idea!

[Bob]

I was thinking tonic chord.  Don't leave it sounding up in the air.

(Or play do-re-do-mi, and do an 'old-time' tremelo on the mi.  That will help lift the performer's depressed spirits greatly while entertaining the audience.)