Post by suzanneflower on Apr 29, 2011 11:40:33 GMT -8
Twice this week I have had those confusing instances, which occasionally happens, where at the time of booking they are quite clear and specific about the type of music they want and when I show up they want something else! 
Fortunately for me I have dealt with this before and was prepared, but it baffles me every time! Personally I am not the sort of musician who can just pull something out of thin air, I need my lead sheets partly because of the volume and variety of music I do, partly because I haven't been playing all that long. My efforts are almost always well received with a lot of repeat business, but I've learned to be accommodating to things like what happened this week to ensure the repeat business.
Instance #1 have worked for them for the past couple years and they booked me every other month for this year. This year as well as the end of last it is for background music for a wine and cheese event, have already done a couple/few - just piano, just background. This time I show up, piano is conspicuously placed and they want me to sing and play sing-a-long music. As luck would have it the majority of the set that I put together passes for such and I proceed.
Instance #2, next day. Asked to provide a couple hours of background music for an event at the time of booking and reiterated twice upon my arrival "quiet background music." So I have arranged the music by key signature so it just flows together and a few songs in as I am transitioning from one piece to another I hear clapping... After that song, a few people again, so I turn and notice a couple/few people at a table near me, but was hearing it from the back of the room. After the next song finishes I turn my attention to the back to the room to find that the person who booked and instructed me to be the one clapping! Do they not know what 'quiet background music' means???
Fortunately for me I have dealt with this before and was prepared, but it baffles me every time! Personally I am not the sort of musician who can just pull something out of thin air, I need my lead sheets partly because of the volume and variety of music I do, partly because I haven't been playing all that long. My efforts are almost always well received with a lot of repeat business, but I've learned to be accommodating to things like what happened this week to ensure the repeat business.
Instance #1 have worked for them for the past couple years and they booked me every other month for this year. This year as well as the end of last it is for background music for a wine and cheese event, have already done a couple/few - just piano, just background. This time I show up, piano is conspicuously placed and they want me to sing and play sing-a-long music. As luck would have it the majority of the set that I put together passes for such and I proceed.
Instance #2, next day. Asked to provide a couple hours of background music for an event at the time of booking and reiterated twice upon my arrival "quiet background music." So I have arranged the music by key signature so it just flows together and a few songs in as I am transitioning from one piece to another I hear clapping... After that song, a few people again, so I turn and notice a couple/few people at a table near me, but was hearing it from the back of the room. After the next song finishes I turn my attention to the back to the room to find that the person who booked and instructed me to be the one clapping! Do they not know what 'quiet background music' means???
