Musical Activity Solutions

The Performance

1 - Call to confirm the show and try to be on time. It is a good idea to call and confirm the show just to make sure you are on the schedule and they are expecting you. Also, try to be on time. The residents are often waiting for the entertainer for as long as an hour because it can take that long to get the people into the room.   If there is an unexpected delay, a phone call will at least assure the facility that you are on your way.  These facilities get many last minute cancellations from entertainers, so try not to disappoint them.  Being reliable is an important part of the job.

2 - Greet the residents when you come in. You can talk to them about anything you’d like. You may be their only visitor--ever. The more you can make them feel like you are part of their family, the more your performance will mean to them. If you have equipment to set up, talk to them during the process. They are always interested in what you’re plugging in, or how the tiny contraption (electric piano) makes so much music. I often tell them that this (the setting up) is secret "musicianship stuff" that the audience never gets to see because it happens behind the curtain and that I used to charge extra to let them see this, but now I do it for nothing. They always laugh at this. Try to remember that even though they may not seem cognizant about what is happening, they often are. Talk to them the same way you would any other audience. If they don't understand, it won't matter. But if they do understand, it means a lot to them to be treated like 'regular' people. Tell them jokes, or just talk about how your day is going. Try to remember as many of their names as possible.

3- Introduce the songs. This can be anything from a simple "Here's a song written by George Gershwin" to an elaborate story about the song, where it came from, who performed it, etc. You can use information about the song, a personal story about the song or artist who performed it, or a story of how the song affected someone when you performed it. There are typical introductions and stories that I use that you can reach from the Music Files page or the Favorite Songs page. Feel free to use them, if you'd like, or develop your own. There are many sources of information about the songs from the 20s to 50s. One of the best I've found is Robert Lissauers' Encyclopedia of Popular Music in America, Paragon House, 1991.

4 - Pace the show with lots of up-tempo tunes from the 20s and 30s. These should be the mainstay of your show. Some songs are always hits, such as Ain’t She Sweet and Yes Sir, That’s My Baby.  See the Favorite Songs page for more information. Do two or three up-tempo songs, then a ballad, a waltz, and then something completely different like a classical piece, a country song, or a blues number. They generally love the blues. Remember, the blues started to be generally accepted in the 20s and is a major style of music that our seniors love. (Just don’t overdo it. A few blues numbers each show is usually enough.) Then repeat the process.   Mix it up and keep it lively.  I get requests for For The Good Times and Are You Lonesome Tonight?, but I do them faster than I would if I were playing in a country bar.

5 - The most important thing to remember during the show is to perform every song to the best of your ability. If you pour your heart into the music, they will love both the music you play, as well as you for putting so much energy into making it happen. And, to be honest, I believe this one practice of playing every song as well as you can, regardless of where, or for whom you are playing, can be the difference between being a happy musician and enjoying your profession or being at the whim of all the ups and downs of the entertainment industry. You’ll still have the ups and downs, but you’ll also have the joy of performing your best, all the time.

6 - During the show, many of the folks may not seem to be responding or enjoying the show. I can tell you in the beginning this used to concern me. I've since realized that many people who don't seem to be listening or responding at all are thoroughly enjoying the show. Sometimes it takes a long time for them to start to "come to the surface". I have often witnessed someone who doesn't respond at all for 30 or 40 minutes starting to sing and tap their feet and then tell me how much they enjoyed my performance. [See our Stories page for more illustrations of this fact.] The bottom line here is for you to perform as if they were all paying attention even if they look as if they're not. 

7- Towards the end of the show let them know you’ll be finishing soon. ("Well, I’ve got time for a few more songs..." or "Towards the end of the show, I always like to play ....". I always finish with "my favorite barroom song", Show Me The Way To Go Home.  You can also use Good Night Ladies or Goodnight Sweetheart or any other "saying-goodbye" song.

8 - I use an electric piano because generally the pianos in these facilities are pretty bad and out of tune.  After the show, I lead the residents in a sing-a-long while I'm packing up and it extends the show.  I usually use You Are My Sunshine or Let Me Call You Sweetheart. It helps make the transition from a lively show to whatever is next.

9 - Finally, say goodbye. Try to make eye contact with as many as possible and touch as many as you can. It’s important to leave five minutes at the end of the show just to say goodbye.

If you follow these guidelines, you can make a modest income and bring a lot of joy and happiness to the folks in our society who really need music the most.  It’s a great combination if you can do it.

Good luck. Please feel free to contact me if you'd like to exchange ideas: