Ive been playing nursing homes with bands for 6 or 7 months now. I have set up a date to do a solo show < I want to play all kinds of different tunes, Italian, blegrass, gospel polkas etc. > I plan on playing mandolin & singing about 1/2 and playing piano about 1/2 and telling some clean jokes in between. anyone else doing solo acts have any tip do or donts ? Wish me luck !!
Kenneth Froman
Kenneth, I do not do solo mando shows so I can't offer any new advice, but I know this question has come up before. You might want to do a quick search for some other threads on the subject.
Chip
Kenneth,
Hey man I've done some solo gigs...basically background music at a fancy restaurant. Mainly classical and all instrumental (you do Not want to hear ME sing!!!) I did sneak a few things like "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" and "The Flintstones." Those always made people smile.
Playing nursing homes is a very worth while gig...some of those folks are so forgotten...
PeacE
Brian
Oh and I forgot to mention "amazing grace" went over VERY well one time when I played it at a nursing home.
PeacE
Brian
After too many solo gigs for too little $ at coffee houses, I quit on that completely and now do nothing *but* "seniors" places. #It's a LOT more rewarding. #Several things I'd suggest ...
1) Don't just blow into the place, play and blast out again. #Arrive an hour ahead and set up, then make the rounds and say "hello" to folks as they come in. #Most of them are not only starved for entertainment, they're starved for contact with the outside world. #It doesn't have to be much, just a simple "Thank you for coming" or "I hope you enjoy my show." #Get around and thank them at the end of the set, too. #You'll be surprised at how many of them want to tell you their mother played piano or their father played banjo or whatever, or in some cases that they themselves played before their arthritis set in. #A month ago, an elderly lady left the room and returned with a guitar case balanced precariously on the handles of her walker. #She asked me if I could play her guitar for her because she thought I could do justice to it while she couldn't any more. #When I opened the case ... a Gibson L-00 that she said her late husband gave her new in 1932! #You can't *buy* moments like that.
2) Do a few numbers they'll know, but make sure you like them. #People are always telling me to do "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" or "Bicycle Built For Two" or "The Daring Young Man on the Flying "Trapaze" ... but I *hate* those songs so I don't do them. #What's the point of singing them something familiar while gritting my teeth the whole time? #But I have a few I do like ("Georgia on My Mind" and "Frankie and Johnny" are two examples) and when I do them, the whole room sings along ... some of them are only singing to themselves, but they're singing. #So have fun and get 'em involved with you!
3) Also do some numbers that you really like that they *won't* know! #3/4 of my act is composed of things that will help them reach back into the past to a different way of life they can remember. #Train songs work really well for that, because most of these folks probably traveled by train -- rather than jet -- for most of their lives. #Other good themes are the old home place, parents (e.g. "I Wonder How the Old Folks Are at Home") and lost love. #Almost anything by Norman Blake, Jimmie Rodgers or The Carter Family works really well. #Even though the songs might be a little obscure, they have a sound and a feel that will bring back memories for most of these folks.
If I think of anything else, I'll drop back in and add it.
Don Smith
This is a very good thread. #My teacher and I have been on the fence on whether or not to some shows at nursing homes/hospitals,because I didn't know if I was ready to perform in public or not. #After reading the last reply and especially reading point #1, I have do make time to do this. #To be able to brighten any ones day is worth a little embarresment on my part.
You got time to breathe, you got time for music.
The bluegrass band that I play with used to go play for my grandmother every Christmas. We would play gospel music along with some bluegrass, and she absolutely loved it. She passed away just before last Christmas, and so many people told us just how much our playing meant to her. Last night at practice, it was suggested that we should start playing some of the local nursing homes, and I hope we will follow up on that idea. It could be a great blessing for everyone.
Do you do classical duo style Kenneth? If so, look into Pettine's Duo Primer. It's a little hard to find, but I know there is a copy in The Ohio State University's music library (I know, I donated it and the rest of the method). There are a number of arrangements of then-popular tunes as wholly functional solos, accompaniment and all.
I have played many different audiences over the years,both solo and with a group. What I find that most brings pleasure to me, is when the audience participates(singing, clapping, tapping feet, nodding heads, smiles.
It seems to me that when performing for captive groups,(ie retirement homes, adolescent placements, etc)that it is incumbent on me to place their needs ahead of mine. Which in my mind means playing those songs maybe I don't like as much.
The amazing thing I find is, that when I do those songs and the audience lights up and reacts with pleasure, all of a sudden, my pleasure is multiplied immeasurably and I can emote/play with feeling more than I ever thought and in that moment, all of us perform together. So do not discount those old standards which might not be your first choice. Playing for the elderly is about their enjoyment, providing an escape from a daily routine of boredom and taking them back to a time when they too were loved, wanted, and valued.
Harlan
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