twocats I think I've got a handle on playing through mistakes because with chamber music you just have to keep going so that you don't throw everyone else off,
Ahh yes, of course!! And certainly, I felt that very strongly this time, playing with the violinist. I hope I can do more of this, because I think it helped me work on those good strategies!
but making faces is a huge problem for me. I hope I can do a better poker face!
You can do it! I would say, the trick is, to start now. And just never, and I mean never, allow yourself to make a face. Even when practicing all by yourself. Especially when practicing all by yourself. Just make it a rule that you always follow.
Also, mistakes will definitely happen and I think I just need to internalize and accept that. I know I'm a bit sloppy and it's always some random mistake in different places.
This is definitely my feeling. There is never going to be a perfect performance, and there will never (or very rarely) be anything close to note-perfect. So the trick, IMO, is to make any mistakes as unobtrusive and unnoticeable as possible.
Making a face makes things very noticeable.