New Gig: Restaurant Mandolinist

[DataNick]

Cafe Community!

I just got hired on a trial basis to be a solo mandolinist playing music in an Italian restaurant in my town. I've got a pretty good idea of what songs are going on my list, but I'm also curious to hear of any of your experiences/advice you don't mind sharing.

I start Friday night (tomorrow) and I'm stoked...gonna get out the ole bow-tie and vest with dress slacks, white shirt get-up, etc. Looks to be a fun way to earn some needed extra $$ for 2 hours each Fri/Sat.

I should add that I'll be un-accompanied, and either roving or sitting somewhere playing quietly.

[FLATROCK HILL]

Sounds like fun for you Nick! Maybe you can work up a yodeling B.G. version of O Sole Mio.

Or how about a slow, romantic, candlelit-tableside rendition of Rawhide!

[DataNick]

Thanks FLATROCK!

Should be a fun, relaxing way to earn a few extra $$, a plate of Italian cuisine,
and work on my chops at the same time!

[Tezzerh]

O Sole Mio and Return to Sorrento, of course. And how about The Entertainer and Never on a Sunday?

[Cobalt]

A long time ago I used to play as part of a duo in an Italian restaurant.
We used to start with "O Sole Mio" but for some reason everyone used to start singing "Just one Cornetto". That and "Santa Lucia" were really it, the rest of the material was just songs or tunes which were not too boisterous for the intimate restaurant atmosphere. Though we had late-night customers who were a bit more noisy, so it was a case of going with the flow.

Hope it goes well for you anyway.

[Timbofood]

You can probably make things up and no one will "know". Anyway, a plate of something delicious after a little mandolin playing will be a nice evening. A nice caprese salad, a glass of something nice. Relaxed diners, relaxed mandolinist, good sleep for all those nights.
Congratulations on a nice little gig!

[DataNick]

I confess I don't know "O Sole Mio" nor had considered it; I'll have to do a quick cram on it tonite!

Thanks guys for the responses!

[DataNick]

You can probably make things up and no one will "know"...Congratulations on a nice little gig!

Thanks Tim!

That's what I did on the spot for my "audition" last night; typical pentatonic in a minor chord progression type of thing...worked well!

[Mark Wilson]

Do you have a bowlback? That and lots of tremolo sounds about right.

[Timbofood]

I confess I don't know "O Sole Mio" nor had considered it; I'll have to do a quick cram on it tonite!

Thanks guys for the responses!

Think, Elvis-"It's Now or Never" and make sure you don't swivel the hips too much!

[djeffcoat]

Add "That's Amore"!

[wildpikr]

Nick,

Check out 'The Mandolin Tribute to Andrea Bocelli'...might get some more ideas...

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...andrea+bocelli

[smokin]

try listening to the hot frittattas group from america. some great italian mandolin tunes suitable for solo mandolin.

[Paul Merlo]

you should learn "Funiculi Funicula". It's a classic "hey I recognize that song" and you can play it over and over until the tip bucket strapped to your belt is full. Play it every 48 minutes, or when most of the tables have new patrons.

[DavidKOS]

I confess I don't know "O Sole Mio" nor had considered it; I'll have to do a quick cram on it tonite!

Thanks guys for the responses!

That's a need to know tune.

I've done many similar gigs.

I'd also suggest:

C'e la luna
Santa Lucia
Funiculi Funicula
any Godfather theme or waltz, there are at least 3 different tunes used
Mala Femina
several Tarantella including the famous Wedding one

some of the Ballo Liscio music

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...et-music/page9

like Speranze Perdute
http://www.vitrifolk.be/partitions/p...dute-Valse.pdf

lots and lots of others!

[DataNick]

Wow Guys!

Tremendous big THANK YOU to everyone who has responded.
This is a perfect example of the Cafe at its best!

I've got a lot of YouTube homework to do tonite...LOL! "That's Amore" I kinda know, I do know
"The Godfather" theme, the rest I'll have to work out...Excellent suggestions!!!

[DavidKOS]

One other tune I get good response from is not Italian, but sounds great on mandolin - "Lara's Theme" from Dr. Zhivago.

Also "Never on Sunday" and Zorba, Greek tunes that people know and like.

[DataNick]

Do you have a bowlback? That and lots of tremolo sounds about right.

You MAS-enabler you...LOL! Hmmm....which bowlback should I be looking to add to my stable...LOL!

Actually, I plan on using my Flatiron Performer; because it's an 'A' model which is probably more familiar in this setting; and it's not all distressed like all get out per my F5L...it will look nicer!

[farmerjones]

Sounds like a sweet gig. Best of luck to you!

Rat Pack Stuff:
I left My Heart in San Francisco
Foggy London Town
Please be Kind
That's Why the Lady is a Tramp
Everybody Loves Somebody
When You're Smiling
As Time Goes Bye

Trying to think of some slower Jazz tunes;
Girl With the Flaxen Hair
Loose Walk
Stormy Weather
How High the Moon
It Had to Be You
Tea forTwo

Nobody in the last two generations know any of this stuff, so you can make stuff up to fill in what you don't know.


I'd just go to an Oval Hole A model. Like an old Vega, or a Snakehead, or an Allright.

[Londy]

Cafe Community!

I just got hired on a trial basis to be a solo mandolinist playing music in an Italian restaurant in my town. I've got a pretty good idea of what songs are going on my list, but I'm also curious to hear of any of your experiences/advice you don't mind sharing.

I start Friday night (tomorrow) and I'm stoked...gonna get out the ole bow-tie and vest with dress slacks, white shirt get-up, etc. Looks to be a fun way to earn some needed extra $$ for 2 hours each Fri/Sat.

I should add that I'll be un-accompanied, and either roving or sitting somewhere playing quietly.

First of all a congratulations is in order for your paid gig! Nice job. Just don't forget to have a contract once you get hired for specific length of time. I'd stick with traditional Italian as it is likely expected.

[mandopops]

Yes, Congrats on the gig.
All of the above tunes are great. Just think Pop, not exclusively "Italian'. People will recognize a Beatle tune and smile. The Movie themes mentioned, all good. Also, Theme from Romeo & Juliet, aka 'A Time for Us", Godfather Theme & Waltz. Opera tunes go over well,"la Donna Mobile" etc.. When my partner and I would busk thru Little Italy in NY, way back, "Mala Femma" would really bring out the coins. Also, Arrivadarri Roma", another big hit. "Momma" would get a whole table singing, you can really schmaltz it up. "Cia Cia, Bambino" another little swinger.
Memories really flooding back, now. I wish I could join you.
Joe B

[Tezzerh]

Think, Elvis-"It's Now or Never" (for O Sole Mio) and make sure you don't swivel the hips too much!

And for Return to Sorrento, think Elvis "So My Darling Please Surrender"

With all these suggestions, DataNick, you'll be playing until 3am!

[Ky Slim]

Lonesome Moonlight Waltz ..

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

Wow fun gig Nice. Good luck and have fun. Maybe you can even sneak in a little Jerusalem Ridge once in a while

[Paul Kotapish]

Don't limit yourself to the top-ten American-Italian faves and movie themes. There are hundreds of great Italian mandolin tunes easily available out there.

Here's a thread with some useful info: http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...music-on-mando

Check out some recordings by mandolin ensembles featuring that repertoire. Several bay-area groups influenced by some of the great Italian mandolinists who lived in the area--Rudy Cippola, Ricardo Tunzi, Tony Flores, et al--are worth exploring. If you can find recordings by any of those original guys, get them, but the "younger" groups are worth hearing, too, and readily accessible. And there's tons of stuff out there from Italy, too.

The Hot Fritatas were already mentioned above, but see also:

Zighi Baci has some great books and recordings of traditional Italian stuff: http://www.zighibaci.com/

Lots of stuff here: http://www.brucezweig.com/

Duo Pizzicato has a very nice recording out and sound samples on their site: http://www.duopizzicato.com/store/

Paul & Emily play Italian tunes on mandolin and guitar: http://www.rhythmrangellers.com/p/paul-emily.html (NOTE: the sound clips on this page seem to all launch simultaneously, so pause all and then listen one at a time)

Lots on YouTube, too.

Have fun.