What Jewish songs do you know. If you use a Yamaha keyboard, what styles do you use for them?

I'm Jewish, but I didn't grow up in a religious household. Sometimes, I perform at nursing/retirement homes in Chicago's North Suburbs, and they tell me I don't play enough Jewish songs.

I can play

Bei Mir Beist Du Schon: BigBandFast1
Those Were The Days: Custom Style
Hava Nagila: Custom Style
Shalom Aleichem: Custom Style

Does anyone play "If I Were a Rich Man" on a Yamaha? If so, what style do you use? How do you deal with the changes in tempo of the song?

"Sunrise, Sunset" is a little too slow tempo for my music programs. I like to keep things peppy.

Beakybird

Larry,

Download gig disk #1 and you'll find the style I use--it's perfect. You'll find it at http://psrtutorial.com/Files/GD_gary.html

Gary

[This message has been edited by travlin'easy (edited 09-11-2004).]

Larry,

here is a few that you might know:

To life, to life, l'chayim (from Fiddler on the roof)

Aidishe mama (8 beat)
Yosel, Yosel (swing)

Rozhenkes mit mandelach (waltz)
Sim shalom (waltz)

Yismechu ha shomayim (polka)
Ose shalom (polka)

I don't know the Yamaha styles (I use Roland), but hope these help. Let me know if you want more.

Shana tova,
Alex

• David Melech Yisrael
• Hevenu Shalom Alechem
• Oufen Pripertchik
• Lomir Aleh
• Shema Yisrael (Carlebach)
• Od avinu Chai! (Carlebach)
• Yerushalayim (Carlebach)
• Apple dipped in honey (that's a Rosh Hashana song - Rosh Hashana is this Thursday - Friday)

You might want to try some Israeli songs as well.
• Yerushalayim shel zahav
• Hatikvah
• Al kol Eleh

I could list you another three hundred, but you're not going to know the song by knowing its name! Your best bet would be to buy a Jewish music book - but unfortunately I can't recommend anything because even though I perform regularly, I (*very embbarrassed*) can't read.

All my styles are custom - I very rarely use the presets when I perform.

I find the best way to perform "If I were a rich man" is with just piano (with a touch of strings perhaps).

Gary - your link doesn't work! Please repost it. Thanks!

Shana Tovah to everyone!
Chony

Hi Larry (Beaky),

I suggest you get this book:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0933676697/ref%3Dnosim/theharrynilsso we/103-9189878-7876606

Scott

Not bad Scott! Have you ever done a Jewish event?

That book does seem to have the basics and more.

Chony, yes, believe it or not, have played for a few bar mitzvahs & jewish wedding weddings over the years, and this Jewish Fakebook really came in handy. I actually had guests convinced that I must be part Jewish. - Scott

Thank you everyone. Gary, I can't find anything Jewish on Gig Disk #1.

I'll order the Jewish Fake Book this weekend.

Beakybird

Hi,
at Amazon there was no song list but there: http://www.musicroom.com/se/ID_No/019910/details.html
A good tip.

------------------
Regards
RF

Larry,

I just emailed you the style file, however, it was not in .zip format so I don't know if AOL will block it or not. If you did not get it, let me know and I'll zip it. It's on gig disk #1 and listed as Rich Man

Enjoy,

Gary

I have this fake book, and it have a lot of things... the arrangments are basics, but you can add some of yours...
I play a lot of jewish parties, but I have the Ketron SD1, and I play a lot more new hassidiks, israelies and oriental songs than
traditional ones...

Chana tova (happy good year) to everyone from france...

Same here Dan. I actually rarely play the traditional songs. I generally play for younger crouds and they are into the faster and/or beatier styles like Hassidic and Horra.

Where do you get your styles from?

(PS: Beaky: However in an old age home they want to hear traditional songs - don't try horras there!)

[This message has been edited by chony (edited 09-14-2004).]

My old foks love the horras. (and polkas)They clap along or dance, if they're able to !

I've played at a Jewish wedding and also at folk dancing. I have 3 books 2 are like fake books related to Israeli folk dancing and one is a Yiddish song book. I use a 2 beat mostly country for styles and that seems to work for most of the upbeat type songs. The wedding I played the piano.
I was also just in a production of Fiddler on the Roof in the spring at a local university (I played the Rabbi) so I was playing songs from the show as well.
You could stop at a music store and see if they have any Jewish or Israeli music. There are a lot of books out there. If you can't find anything I can send you some of what I have that might get you started. I can write down which styles I use for each song. There are also numerous Midi files on the web where the music can be printed from Midi.
L'Shanah Tovah - Have a Sweet and Happy New Year!
- Brian