Another video … I'm playing "Can't Help Falling In Love". I played a shorter version than I usually do.



Jim

Jim, this one demands vocals. Good job with the instrumental, but this particular song is for the ladies, and they want vocals.

Gary

Ditto Gary ......

Not with my froggy throat! :-) Agreed that this one is great with vox - when my band (duo/trio) plays it, it gets vocals - just haven't recorded that …

Jim

Nice work, Jim...I enjoyed your other tunes as well. I play all instrumentals myself.

I have sent you an email to the address in your profile.

Ian

Very nice playing!

Very nice! I think this tune works good as an instrumental. It all depends on your audience and the mood that you wish to create.

Hi - thanks for the various comments! Yes, when I play 'solo' it's all instrumental. I usually get very good reception to my music from audiences, even w/o vocals. I love to play for singers too (just not myself as the singer!) :-)

Thanks again - I'll try to make a few more videos/recordings ...

-Jim

How about possibly a small video of your next instrumental gig...? being a singer/player myself..I'd be interested in the audiences reaction to an instrumental show.

Certainly, I've been playing mainly instrumental music most of my career and the response has been usually very good...but, and that's a big BUT...it depends on the venue and, more importantly, the choice of music and the quality of the arrangements (and your styles).

I believe pulling off an all instrumental gig successfully is even harder than with a vocalist/player, so when it happens, there's a wonderful feeling of accomplishment being able to do it all with just you and your instrument of choice, be it an arranger, solo piano or organ (pipe included).

I rely a lot on solo instrument emulations (like Tenor Sax or Jazz Trumpet...my favorites), and I spend an extraordinary amount of time on style editing, and, I try to create arrangements that draw in the listener...it's harder when you don't have voice and lyrics to create the emotion intended by the songwriter, but, as I said earlier, the feeling of satisfaction when everything gels, makes the hard work and preparation all worthwhile.

Ian

Hmm, not sure if I could easily do a video recording at a gig; maybe I could do an audio-only recording more easily (?) I just know that I keep getting called back to play at many of the places I play, and plenty of people come up after a performance to say they liked the music, etc. Of course, the up-beat tunes get the bigger response it seems- the most applause - but I know that some people like mellow / quiet tunes from time to time too … so I usually mix in a slow one then a few more upbeat then another slower one,e tc.

Since I don't sing, instrumental is kind of my only option … I have been doing solo (instrumental) gigs for ~20+ years or so. I've been doing band type gigs (with vocals) even longer, but if I do a solo gig, since I don't sing, instrumental is what I have to present . . .

Sorry to those that prefer a song I posted to be with vocals; I'm just sharing some videos as others have … I enjoy watching (and hearing) others play too, it's great to have a forum for sharing a wide variety of music styles and playing styles!

Jim

it is similar in my case, I normally don't sing either. There are pieces that really show your playing skills and other pieces which don't demand very much beyond correct chords and a slow melody maybe with some decorative tones around. This one is one of the latter. It doesn't really show your skills, and with the romantic melody it makes more of a difference whether it is sung or not. So, I keep those songs in my repertoire, they are just not too useful as a demo for prospects to show your skills.

Yes, agreed that slower tunes are not as much "showing off skills"; I keep them in the repertoire since audiences like to hear them as well as the more sophistocated (and/or more upbeat) tunes. I guess it's also a "skill" to play a ballad well without over-playing it ...

Thanks for the comments and conversations ... that's what the forum is all about! :-)

Jim