[R_Edward]

I'm exactly the same way. I have a weekly gig that occasionally gets recorded and thrown up on the web. I hate watching the video, because whenever I do, all I hear are my own mistakes. People tell me it sounded great, and I think, "Sure, to someone with no musical training, maybe."

It never occurs to me to realize that "someone with no musical training" describes easily 80% of the audience. Maybe more.

[ChuckMcM]

I'd like to leave you with something my music teacher told me. There are no mistakes.

"Music comes from inside of you, and through thought and motion you set it free into the air around you. When you are true to the music, whether you are tone deaf or have perfect pitch, the musician hears your song that is uniquely yours and yours alone. If you want a perfect note for note reproduction of a song, buy a tape recorder."

It really helped me let go of some my perfectionist tendencies and just let the music out.

[colomon]

Even those with no musical training will probably disregard your mistakes if the overall performance is good.

Example: My favorite Irish traditional duo is Peter Horan and Fred Finn (both RIP, alas). They were legendary for the tightness of their unison playing. There is a great video [1] of them from 1982, when they had been playing together for 25 years. At the 1:05 mark, Peter (the flute player) switches to the next reel, and Fred doesn't. The result is complete musical chaos ... and then, at 1:07, Fred finds the tune, and they suddenly are both in perfect sync again.

Now, this sort of screw-up is almost the worst mistake a competent Irish duo could make. But hell, for me if anything it makes this video stand out in a positive way. Seeing the fumble and recovery is endearing.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0CTHmQ2Jus