i am not sure i put the right words in the subject, but i'd like to know what do you do when you are hired to perform at some event?

for instance, how's your wedding program looks like? what are your moments in your show at such type of performance?
at a dance afternoon, what do you do beside playing dance music?

how do you interact with the people? telling jokes? asking them to come in front, say something?

maybe the topic was already brought up before, but i can not remember...

please share your way of doing it...

Two different crowds, two different shows.

I'm sure Donny will agree... Reading the crowd you have is far more important than some preset system.

This topic will have as many treatments as posters. For me, here's my "hafta do" list:
1.Produce a roomfilling, entertaining musical experience that will satisfy the client and please most, if not all of their guests.
2.Get my check and go home.

What Diki and Dave said. Just entertain them--that's what the paid us to do.

Cheers,

Gary

------------------
Travlin' Easy

Exactly Diki....
no two gigs are Ever the same....
the audience dictates the performance always as you go along!

I try to remember lyrics and chords. Try to remember not to pick my nose on stage.
Seriously, as others have said, you must read the audience, try to find out what they really want, and then MAKE THEM BEND TO YOUR WILL!
No, really seriously, in most places they want to hear songs they know or remember and can dance to. The beat and tempo of the song must be accurate, the rest of the performance can be really personalized the way you want.
You can look at the ages of the audience and usually guess what era their musical favorites are from.
After all these years, I've pretty much learned what will work in most situations.
I do play some instrumentals but they are almost always songs that were HITS as instrumentals, such as Last Date, Dr. Zhivago, Yakity Sax, Tuff, Wonderland By Night, Honky Tonk, Tequila, etc.
Almost all my work is done by using styles and playing right-hand fills and solos, while using both feet to activate sustain, vocal harmony, fills, breaks. As an added bonus, I've found it is difficult to pick your nose when all of your appendages are busy.
DonM

can you share some experiences? of course you need to adapt and to read the audience, but in practice, what do you do (also beside playing/singing songs)? and i am not interested in presets anyway...
how did your last performance go for instance?

[This message has been edited by adimatis (edited 03-12-2008).]

Although I can read....I personally NEVER use any fake books, charts, or any music whatsoever on stage it really holds me back from performing in the manner I want too & shows much better stage presence........
it might sound crazy but I was taught to play with a BLINDFOLD ON as a great exercise to play & sing without looking at the keys or reading music/lyrics.....this will Definitely help anyone once you start doing it song by song, day after day try it sometime....
being a slave to the charts is a big hindrance for a OMB that can be overcome with much practice for sure.....plus it allows your music to breath and gives you the ability to ad-lib, & improvise which makes for some really fantastic sounding musical playing it your way!!
Good Luck

I do hundreds of songs completely from memory, chords and words. I have perhaps another thousand digital charts with lyrics and chord changes, at my fingertips for those reque$t$.
I have all of them on my PC, my laptop, my PSRS900 and SD5.
As for the latest performance, that was last night. It was rather uneventful with small but steady flow of diners/dancers. I start with a middle of the road song. Last night it was "I Can Help". Then I will so a slow 6/8 ballad. I think it was "Can't Help Falling In Love". Then I had a couple of requests; one for "Wonderful Tonight" and one for "#@%&! Brown-eyed Girl". Then a Happy Birthday (I usually always do that several times a night. I've even written a special birthday song for the club I play in.}
After that, it went something like: Fly Me To The Moon, Suzie Q, Spanish Eyes, That's All Right Now Mama, Margaritaville, He Stopped Loving Her Today, Can't You See, San Francisco, Sweet Home Alabama--maybe not exactly in that order.
Most were requests. I took a break after about an hour and a half. I try to time that so that I'm on stage when people are leaving so that can't sneak out and not leave me a tip!
Later I had a reque$t for Cajun music, so I did Jole Blon, Don't Mess With My Toot-toot, Diggy-liggy Li, and Big Mamou.
Later some "ballroom" types came in and I did Misty, Begin The Beguine and Shake, Rattle and Roll (Big band style).
As it cleared out and only a few regulars were there I experimented some, jamming with the Riff feature on the SD5. Some of the Riff styles progressions work really great, some have a their own agenda!
This was a night when I did only a few Country songs. They are usually a larger part of my evening, because a lot of our clientele is older people and/or wealthy Texans in town for the casinos.
They are filming a lot of movies here now. One night last week Michael Douglas and Oliver Stone were guests.
Tonight, it might be totally different. I hope so; I love the variety. One night I did every Hank Williams song I could think of, and that's a lot!
As far as talking to the audience, sometimes I do it more than others--depends on the feel of the night, whether I know anybody, whether they are paying attention or talking, etc.
I have the obligatory arsenal of one-liners and jokes. (I'm taking a short break, because I don't want to short anything out, but I'm warning you I'm coming right back.)
(If there's a song you'd like to hear just . . . keep it to yourself/NO I mean let me know what it is, I probably don't know it anyway.)
(Are you folks from Texas? I thought so. You can always tell a Texan, just can't tell them very much). You know, corny junk. They love it.
DonM

yeah, that kind of experiences...
thanks!

I have posted one of the songs from last night. There are lots of mistakes, but you can hear the SD5, the harmonizer and one of the Riffs.
This is a direct link to it: www.donmasonmusic.com/CantYouSee.mp3
DonM

DonM, DNJ and a lot of other entertainers on this forum play the same songs, pretty much enjoy the same experiences, and overall, we have a lot of fun doing what we do. I no longer do weddings unless both the bride and groom are over 55 years of age, but this was my decission. In fact, I just turned down two wedding jobs and told the folks that called to call a DJ. The bridal party in both cases were under 21 years of age.

Like anyone else that has been in this business for more than a couple of weeks, I've had my share of jobs that I would consider less than optimal. In those instances I did what any pro entertainer would do--keep things upbeat, keep the atmosphere positive, smile a lot, get my check and get the hell out of there. That's the nature of this business, especially if you perform for a living. If you don't do this for a living you can do anything you want!

Good Luck,

Gary

------------------
Travlin' Easy

Definition of a successful gig:

You show up
They show up
You play
They have fun
You have fun
They pay you
You go home

Eddie

before "you go home" is better to have "they ask you to come back next time".

so, nobody else wants to share their experiences?

You've got to deliver, and what's required changes not only according to the croud but the venue and sometimes the instrumentation.

My jobs include latin instrumentals on a Brazilian guitar only, a trio with guitar, single arranger jobs, an arranger and up to three additional keyboards, work with a B-3, Rhodes and drummer, work with a C-1 and Electro, drummer and guitar, group work on keyboard, upright, fretted or fretless bass, guitar and everything in between. The most satisfying job is with a guitar and sax. The guitar player is a great player and singer. He covers 1/2 the vocals and I do the rest.
He's an any style, any key kind of dude, so it's easy.

Every job is different. The ones I also enjoy now are me on keys and jazz guitar, my son on upright and electric bass and my grandson on drums.

We're not great yet, but we sure are LOUD!
Delivering what the audience wants, when they want it for a liveable price is the challenge.

R.

[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 03-17-2008).]

In business you never reveal your secrets....Professional music is no different.....I'm surprised you even got this many responses so far. What we do took years of trial & error & paid our dues....think before you speak or you might be sitting home more then your gigging in the future.

DNJ

Oh my brotha'...........

I'm sure everyone is on different levels here musically, vocally etc....Pros and amateurs alike....(And I'm sure some think they are better than they actually are)....

So maybe he just wants a little help....

And actually I agree with you ...I don't divulge my "secret" singing practice schedule...But it may not work for others like my voice responds to it....

And even though I may agree with you ....
I WOULDN'T SAY IT!!!!

I don't feel the question was inappropriate....rather your response

Steve Altonian
http://www.soundclick.com/stevealtonian




[This message has been edited by Steve A (edited 03-17-2008).]

Steve........I will help anyone to a certain degree...I will also voice my opinions as they are just that "mine"
this topic has been covered many times ..just do a search on performing or entertaining etc, etc, ...
but business is business & if you want to stay in business you have to be discrete. There are many ways to improve your so called performance techniques just seek an absorb its all "out there" for the taking if you have the perseverance & ability to learn. Doing it the "easy way" doesn't sit well with people who have paid there dues in the trenches. I will always help people to a certain degree if they are sincere.
But if anyone wants to leave their
"Door Open" don't be surprised if something is missing when you return

donny...

you did not mean that, right?

do you have the feeling i am trying to get your secrets? or anyone's else? i get it, you think i am just about to enter this "OMB showbiz" thing, and i am after an easy start?

i've been doing this long enough, over 15 years. i performed for all kind of people, events, purposes, by myself or togheter with some other fellows. i actually started when romania was not even democratic, that is before 1989... i was a young guy doing something that not many even tried... i had my share of "trial & error & paid" probably more than alot of our friends on this forum, and i did learn how to do some things, at least in my part of the world.

i guess i just wanted to have some of your oppinions - no intention to steel ideas. they most likely wouldnt work in here anyway...

so, my friend donny, dont be upset with my topic. i appreciate your feedback. also the other's. this might have been just informative.

adimatis..........

Maybe I came across a bit too harsh....but my experiences here have been better to be very defensive rather then sorry.I was not directing my statements at you but in a general business sense. I would be glad to speak with you in private if you'd like email me onemanband52@yahoo.com
Different countries would certainly require different musical traits & styles but some tings are mostly the same on stage.
Please dont take my post personally.

Best Regards

Don, yoiu sound as good as ever ! That Ketron should be GLAD to be in your hands! It sounds great. Wonderful sax sound, guitar, drums .... it's all great.

Russ ... You are one EXTREMELY lucky SOB !!! ... GOOD FOR YOU !!!
t.

Don ... I have to DISagree with UD ...

I think you sound even BETTER than ever, if that's possible ...

I am not a big CW fan, but if I lived in your area I would be a regular at your gig !!! ...
I could just picture the crowd country swing dancing to your playing and singing ...

you CERTAINLY are a master of your craft and your kb ...

gotta love it ...
t.

Don is THE man !
Great RH fills...
Tasty vocals......
Wide repertoire.....
I'm just glad he lives/works over 1000 miles away from Phily !

Wow, I appreciate the kind words guys.
Dave first turned me on to Ketron, then Solton, some years back.
At his suggestion, I drove to Dallas to see one, and ended up bringing it home. I got back about 4 p.m. and had a job at 8:00. I called Dave and he said, "Hey, it's so easy to play, just take it on to work and figure it out on the job."
Maybe that's the one time I got BAD advice from Uncle Dave! Not about the keyboard, but it was a LONG night trying to figure out that thing on the fly. Before I left the house I had found how to call up styles and sounds, and I thought it would be pretty easy.
However, the styles weren't always what I expected them to be when I started them. Many times that night, I just started playing a style, listened to it for a few seconds and thought of a song that would fit. It was pretty ragged, but I got through it.
I would never have attempted that ordinarily but it was a Monday night and I knew there would only be a handful of friends there anyway.
Needless to say, that was the last time I was THAT unprepared for a job.
I plan to post a few more songs pretty soon, so be prepared for more punishment!
DonM

[This message has been edited by Lucky2Bhere (edited 03-19-2008).]

that's all very true!
thanks for sharing!

for my type of playing/singing for example, probably is a good idea to interact alot with the audience. usually i play song with a christian message. maybe doesnt make alot of sense for american culture, but in here there is quite a big difference between christian and non-christian songs. so, doing this type of music, my jobs are quite different than most of the OMB guys from my area. a (almost) totally different aproach.

anyway, an interesting way to interact seems to be the karaoke moments. it's NOT something i enjoy very much, but the audience. and usually, i try to pick up people that i am pretty sure do not have a very accurate musical ear, so the funny is guarantee!
on the other hand, another good idea is to invite people that do sing very well to share their songs. this also work very good.

Keep 'em coming, Don ...
t.

Donny, I can't imagine what any of us could share that would come back to bite us in the a**. To me, that sort of reeks of either insecurity or a bit of an ego.

That's just me, however, and I'm not suggesting that my opinion is right or that your approach is wrong.

I even give "walk-in" musicians the name and number of the person in charge of booking where I'm working and wish them well when they try to book a job. If they're better than me, they deserve the work. If they're not, they won't get it.

As I've gotten older, I take great pride in the times I've been counted on as a mentor, and vicariously enjoy the success of some of those I've helped along the way.

My musical life has been richer and easier with the assistance of Ray Brown, Ella, "Pearlie Mae", Herb Ellis, and many others who gave a kind word or serious advice to "the kid".

That, in great part, is what's so cool about the business.


Russ

Donny, I hope you know that this was not a personal complaint or criticism, just my opinion.

I know you've mentored a WHOLE LOT of people around here in an unselfish way.

Regards,


Russ



[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 03-18-2008).]

Russ no offense taken at all.....I was just making my opinion aware to the forum. This world today isn't like when we were coming up in the business Russ as you know you have to be careful at every turn & proceed with awareness & caution when it involves business dealings at any level. Although helping people musically that are either better or worse is of no consequence, but a public forum is not the way to go about it.

Best Regards

double post sorry

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 03-18-2008).]

DonM

Nice job on the keys.. Very nice for a live performance.. Enjoyed the listen..