"The secret is to carry on regardless and not stop or draw attention to any mistakes"

One trick I learned early on - and how I sometimes managed to 'fake' my way as a child into a 'special prize' at Eisteddfords.... :-)

My dad and I were once playing at an old folks home, doing some old piano/violin duet thing that had some Scottish tunes with 'violin bagpipes' bits, when I lost my place, so 'vamped' until the top of the next page... afterwards he was confused as to whether to be mad at me about 'playing the wrong notes' or praise me for keeping strict rhythm and staying up with him....

:-)

A while ago, I accidentally grabbed the wrong bunch of Bass keys on the piano accordion - didn't get far when I realised that the noise was even worse than usual :-) - so just stopped and said "Well, I certainly stuffed THAT up, now how about I just start again with the RIGHT notes this time?" ... :-) and started again...

They still applauded at the end of my routine - not sure whether it was for that, or just the fact that I was leaving the stage....