Gary, neither would my children but we are musicians and our children have learned to respect us. When my Dad played piano I became angry if there were people talking while he played; it’s the way I was brought up.

Sadly we are not the norm. Just dealing with you on this forum tells me you are about respect. The members on this forum respect you and so do I. It starts with the father and then down to the children.

John C.

Thanks John, I really appreciate that.

Gary

Donny.....this is not what the post was about, but......let's have an understanding here. I've been playing music full time to an audience probably for longer than you've been alive. Do you actually think I don't know what I'm doing?

I play the piano for the morning group because that's what both the AD and the audience wants me to do.

I play the accordion for the afternoon group for the same reason……that's what both the AD and the audience wants me to do.

Both groups just want to sit and listen to their favorite old songs.

Did you honestly think that the the only way to entertain an audience is to put on some kind of a Motown show or ramp up your act with the Stones.

Audiences come in all kinds of flavors, shapes and sizes. A good musician can switch back and forth between presentations.

FYI.....I spice up the piano and accordion performances with songs like William Tell Overture, Tico Tico, Brazil, Dizzy Fingers, etc (so they DON‘T fall asleep). Attached is a short demo of me playing the beginning of Dizzy Fingers.

Looking forward to hearing your PA900 demo.

Mark

Thanks, guys, for an incredible number of eclectic comments. I've been carrying this situation in my mind for quite a while now. I'm glad I reached out to the group. I don't feel like it's just my imagination. You all have variations on the same theme….enough to make me feel not alone with it.

So “the times, they are a-changing” means that “when in Rome, do as the Romans do?”

But doing it for the paycheck, is NOT the primary reason we do what we do. Many of us entertain for altruistic reasons and not economic greed. That’s another way of saying we’re trying to make the world a better place to live in through our music. At least, that’s what motivated me when I first started

Rosetree posted...

Why Americans hate instrumental music

It’s a long read, but I read it 2x. It pretty much spells out what’s happening in society today, not just in music but in every-day life.

So....musically speaking, I have to do some deep thinking now about how to “adjust” to today’s indifferent, inattentive and increasingly rude world we live in. Musicians get hit the hardest.......we're deeply sensitive people!

MARK

Mark you’re not alone, times are changing for all of us. I remember my guitar teacher Joe Genile, he was an artist. His style of playing, his arrangements, he was one of the best I have ever heard. He worked with Morton Downey. (spelling?) During the war they made him a caption in special services because of his guitar playing. Greek, Italian, classical, show tunes, he did it all; and without music.

Joe played weddings, anniversaries, parties, Joe did it all. After a while my band booked more jobs than he did, and I wasn’t half the musician that he was. Times were changing and it was time to move over. I was younger and so was my music. I stepped up and he had to step down; this is life as sad as it might be. My time has also here; I must step down.

But the story does not end here for senior musicians – as long as we have it in us we will still perform. We may have fewer choices but if we honest with ourselves we can hold onto some of what we had.. There is no way I can play and sing Blue Suede Shoes and sound good to a younger audience. And there is no way I can play and sing country music like Don. But what I can do I do well. Now to find the people who like my music; there are fewer of them but they are still there.

Mark, more than most I can appreciate your playing, it’s good. My dad was an above average piano player, you reminded me of him. Thank you.

John C.

I, too have been around long enough to see the transition between tuxes and what people wear today. I've seen jam sessions degenerate from a function of learning and respect to a chance for anyone with an instrument to play with a band.

Since I play dining rooms and patio's mostly, my challenge is people who come up to me in mid-tune and want to talk for 3 minutes...sometimes even thru a vocal.

Women come up and want to lay a big old smooch on my cheek mid-tune (now that can either be good or really bad LOL).
Sadly, politeness and appreciation are often forgotten.

Part of the problem around here was the availability of restaurant/bar licenses. Now, anyone who claims 50% of sales and at least 75 seats can get a very cheap bar license. Before, you had to pay market price for one of a limited number of licenses...usually, more than $75,000.00.

Now, every little restaurant has a microphone and what seems like 100's of kids competing for a $50.00 a night job.

In these places, cheap music is part of the background. No money, respect or appreciation.


Russ