Need help selecting which songs to play for Tonight

[jonathyk]

Well someone called me today and just asked me to play for people while they eat dinner and I have no idea which songs to play. A little advice would be nice. Something that sounds simple and nice. I am currently working on Rachmaninoff stuff so practicing for tonight wouldnt be that bad. nothing too hard though =D

[pianistimo]

print out a bunch of sightreadable stuff off of pianostreet and just 'wing it.'  also, some singable stuff is always nice.  play lightly and enjoy yourself.  don't try to do a professional piano recital - noone is listening that closely and they want to hear themselves talk.

[jonathyk]

Yea I've been getting that idea thanks for the reply. only 2 things are comming to thought Canon in D and Chopin's Nocturne, opus 9 no 2 Eb Major

[mike_lang]

Try some jazz standards - you can just improv stuff also.  Maybe sneak in some light ragtime.  Dinner music is not complicated - keep in light and "backgroundy".

Michael

[pianowelsh]

Chopin waltzes and Grieg lyric pieces, schumann album for young selections etc. Light shout pieces that you can loop and play with different expression. should be tuneful and not too dark - keep it simple because you may get folk come over and talk to you whilst you play and you will be expected to keep playing and maintain sort of conversation/show interest. 

[pianistimo]

how did it go? 

[jason2711]

some chopin preludes, nocturnes and waltzes, 2nd movements from beethoven sonatas, and most things by debussy and faure are good for this sort of occasion.  Some of liszts shorter works (eg the consolations) can be very nice

depending on high brow the dinner is, you may wish to stick in some popular tunes people are more likely to recognise.  Personally, I dislike the arrangements I have of them, but many of the punters like them, so I put in enough without me getting annoyed at them