 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: wjk
Date: 2002-12-28 21:44
I'm preparing for a solo clarinet gig at a local nursing home. Any suggestions for pieces to perform-- I'm thinking along the lines of "standards." Thanks!
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2002-12-28 22:12
Standards from the 40's would be good. The Big Band era, and World War II played major roles in the lives of anyone 65 or older.
I'll be seeing you in Apple Blossom Time
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
I'll Be Looking at the Moon but I'll be Seeing You
Glenn Miller
Benny Goodman
Dorsey
Etc., etc.
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Author: jean
Date: 2002-12-28 22:31
There are a number of standards out there that include cds you play along with. Cole Porter, George Gershwin, and a Broadway book come to mind. I have also seen books of big band, swing, Latin favorites out there.
I played at the other end of the spectrum....my son's daycare.
Jean
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Author: jenna
Date: 2002-12-29 03:00
I like the suggestions for pieces with a CD to accompany... I have a Gershwin book w/ CD that is fairly easy, has a nice accompaniment, and lots of catchy, recognizable tunes.
Maybe a nice Big Band book with some sort of CD to play with... will give you a nice variety of old Benny, Artie, Glenn Miller, and Dorsey numbers. Don't know if such a book technically exists, but its worth a look. It doesn't seem like it could be that unheard of. Could be plenty enjoyable for you, too.
Perhaps some patriotic things, as well. I know a lot of the older people I know enjoy hearing a nice rendition of "When the Saints Go Marching In" (even though I get sick and tired of playing it over and over).
Just some random thoughts...
Good Luck,
jenna
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Author: Willie
Date: 2002-12-29 05:02
One song, "Shine on Harvest Moon" is an old standard that goes WAY back, but was popular at gigs and parties clear up into the early '70s. Play that one and don't be surprized if you have some old folks start singing along. "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree" is another goodie among the rest home crowd.
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2002-12-29 13:14
There's been a great deal of research into how music affects the emotions and brain development. These suggestions given above are excellent. Even for those who aren't mentally aware of their surroundings, music can for a few minutes bring them back to reality because of the deep emotional response that human beings (and animals for that matter) have to music that they knew and loved in their youth. There is one experience in the book "The Mozart Effect" of a visit of musicians to a nursing home. A daughter of one patient took her mother to the room where the performance would take place. Now, this mother hadn't recognized anyone in the family for quite some time and was close to death. But when the band played a certain song that the Mom had always sung to her children, she suddenly recongnized her daughter sitting beside her. The daughter said that those few minutes were so precious to her, a memory she could carry with her after her Mom's passing.
John McDermott writes in the liner notes to his "When I Grow Too Old To Dream" CD, that this song "is one of the most requested songs we performed". It's written by Sigmund Romberg and Oscar Hammerstein.
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-12-29 13:24
Very touching and appropriate comments,Brenda. Just last week I played with a group at two nursing homes. Be prepared for overly warm temperatures so dress cool and bring your tuner as you will need to pull all the joints. Most of these folks will have lived through the Depression and WWII so that's your program clue. Personally I think solo will be difficult and suggest trying to get one or more others to join you.
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Author: MC
Date: 2002-12-29 16:16
I play in a woodwind trio that does regular nursing home gigs. All of the tunes mentioned previously are good choices. We usually try to throw in a few short classical pieces as well, and always manage to sneak in one or two of our personal favorites (maybe a movement or two from the Ibert Cinq Pieces, for example). The interesting thing about playing in nursing homes is that you never know who will be in the audience. It's not at all unusual for a resident to come up to us after a performance and say, "Oh, I just loved hearing the first movement from the [fill in a major work for trio here] trio. I remember playing that in [fill in major recital hall here], and..." Well, you get the idea...
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Author: howard miner
Date: 2002-12-29 17:26
Many should recognize the songs in the "30s and 40s Swing and sweet, Fake book" which has 250 songs. This is available from:
American Music Caravan
6809 5th St. NW
Washington DC 20012-1905
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Author: Anonymous
Date: 2002-12-29 17:39
Phantom of the Opera, or other "hits" that they recognize. Sometimes, it doesn't matter how you play, but as long as you play. It puts a smile on their faces.
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Author: Laura
Date: 2002-12-29 18:33
The people love to hear songs pertaining to their heritage.
Where I've played, they loved to hum and sing along to Irish songs (Sailors Hornpipe, Londonderry Air) Russian tunes, American (Dixie, Swanee River, Oh Susanna,....), etc. They even loved the famous piano concertos and symphony versions. Try a variety of stuff. Someone told me that the piece I played was too fast (only 16th notes here) and she wanted to hear something slower and more melodic.
No modern stuff definately, unless it is melodic.
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Author: Hans
Date: 2002-12-29 20:08
I agree with Jenna; the CD accompaniments would work well. There are many of these available now with plenty of variety: a full orchestra with strings; swing quartet, etc. I have at least 10 of them and have used them to make a CD of myself playing with the CD accompaniment of my favorites. If you need to order them, I can look up their publishers for you if you like.
Hans
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Author: Pam
Date: 2002-12-29 20:18
I would say to keep things pretty bright and peppy because if you play anything that is fairly slow and goes on for a while, you may have people falling asleep while you play. (I've seen it happen!) Tunes they might recognize are good.
My mother in law who is 80 and in a nursing home loves polka. She about dances right out of her wheelchair when I noodle around with the clarinet polka for her.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2002-12-29 22:07
The nursing home gigs are wonderful and so much appreciated. I often found that I got the flu two days after the gig, probably because of an inadequate ventillation system that recycled a lot of germs. Good luck!
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Author: Carol Dutcher
Date: 2002-12-30 03:59
I took my clarinet when I went to visit a friend in a rest home. He used to play jazz piano in Berkeley. I played Stardust, After You've Gone, Do Nothing Til you Hear From Me, and on and on, didn't really stop between songs, just kept on playing as I thought of them. A little lady in the room across the hall yelled out, "Play On. Play On." It was a very good feeling.
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Author: Roger R
Date: 2002-12-30 04:28
I've been playing 'solo' Clarinet in nursing homes on a weekly basis for the last two years--- that said, all the oldies from the 20's 30's & 40's are the ones they like to sing along with, but stick to the chorus, forget about the verses unless it is very well known.And throw in some Irish tunes --- always play 'When Irish Eyes Are Smiling"
Don't just go and play for them, involve them by talking about the song and asking question, eg. who sang this one? and what show was this on from? etc.
Encourage them to sing along with you and adjust your tempo to their singing. A big aid is to have song sheets with the words in large letters (eyesight is a problem)as hand outs to encourage singing.
And as suggested above the occasional bit of 'classy' stuff is ok, but not too long or too much.
If you email me I can scan the list I work from for you ---
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Author: Eileen
Date: 2002-12-30 20:14
I just played with a woodwind quintet at a hospital ward. They handed out song sheets for a Christmas song sing-along which went over well. If you're still within the 12 days of Christmas zone, perhaps that might be a good idea. We also played some classical music. Afterwards, the recreation coordinator asked for cards because 2 of the nurses were interested in hiring us to play at their weddings. So you might want to bring some cards if you're looking for some incidental business or other gigs.
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