How do you handle a situation where someone comes up to talk to you while you are playing or singing?

And, what about between songs? Do you keep dancers waiting while talking to one person.

Seems I am getting a lot of "chatters" lately and I am not sure how to handle it.
Eddie

how about having a pen and pad handy and ask him,her to write it down and leave it nearby,just a thought,mike

for anyone to interupt you during a song is rude,so you MUST stay in control,maybe before you start you announce that if there are any requests that a pen and pad is handy ,then if anyone does try to approach you ,just say USE THE PAD,and IGNORE him,her,mike

I just talk to them while I'm playing if the song I'm doing allows it....they think your a "DJ" so they come up to talk to ya like they would a DJ.
Anoher reason besides many why I can't use a headset Mic when I perform. If Im busy during a song I just Ignor Them & they'll get the message and stand on the side and WAIT till I can get to them....if not they will get the message and go back to their seat and come back later, or return with a note. Its all part of ENTERTAINING!

I usually just nod and keep singing. Donny's right when he says they think you're a DJ. Some of these people are complete idiots, and as such, they're not aware that your hands are actually touching the keys and that you're singing your heart out. Just goes to prove my father's old adage "Common sense just ain't very common these days."

Cheers,

Gary

I hear ya Gary....hahahaha...

Even Tom Jones just keeps on singing in Vegas in the mist of ladies panties flying at him thruout his show!!
Now thats Concentration...

If it's a dance .... the dancers have top priority. If it's a bar/social setting, then the ones who take the time to communicate with you are the top dog.
Just keep playing ... glance back and forth between the audience and the individual(smiling at both) and see what's on their mind. Usually, they just want to ask for a request, or watch your hands.
(high praise, or skeptisism ... hmmmmm ?)

If people bug you ..... this ain't the business for you. I know, because I've been sort of "out of my game" the last year (due to multiple fractures to the heart) and I have less patience for the crowd then I used to. I know how I WANT to react, but sometimes, I stay withdrawn and out of sorts as a protection device.

Bottom line is: the people is why we get paid.
Talk to 'em,
shmooze 'em,
dance 'em ... whatever they need.
And in between .... you can play music.

Dave is absolutely right ..we are there for them first,and ourselves second..Smoozing is part of the job, this is what makes the people want to come back. If you are not friendly and courteous, you won't last.We need patience when someone approaches us during a performance[even though it is hard for me to play and have a conversation] sometimes we just have to...

Oh Yea..ya want pro advice just read his thread! This is what I've been saying, you gotta play and sing effortlesly just like driving your car and talking to your wife...for practice let somone talk to you while you play at home...take away the music/lyrics sheets also while you do it....or you can always tap your head with one hand while you rub circles around your belly at the same time with the other to improve doing 2 things at once..playing is secondary to Entertaining!

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 11-08-2003).]

I play on a stage so having somebody come up and 'bug' you with trivial mish mash or whatever during a song would be a very rare occurence if at all. They may throw tomatoes but for an actual person to meander on stage would be a definite NO NO. PS: (just kidding about the tomato thing).

Best regards,
Mike

This is a funny topic to me because I for some unknown reason ABSOLUTELY cannot talk and play my accordion at the same time. I've practiced doing it, etc., and nver was able to do it. It throws off my ryhthm.

People would come up to me and tell me stories of accordion players from yesteryear or their relative that still plays for Christmas or whatever the story may be. I can listen just fine but as soon as they ask a question if I try to answer I'll flub the song!

My XD3 has been a LIFESAVER in this aspect! Now when they come up to me I just let the rhythm and bass line play and play chords until they are through. They don't get offended, the audience doesn't get offended because they see me talking the the person which they like, and the dancers don't get offended because the beat never changes and the bass line keeps playing.

Thank you XD3!

Tommy

2 weeks ago I had a young lady come up on stage[on her own] and pole danced our mic stand..I was speechless then, also..

Hmmmmm, funny I DO have to drive my car each time I need to talk to my wife.
(couldn't resist that one )