repertoires for cafa

[onemanband]

I am about to get a pianist job in Cafa bar . I've never had  experience in doing so. I am not sure what kind of pieces are suitable  in this particular occasion!

Any suggestion with a list of repertoires in Cafa Bar?

[donjuan]

I have seen pianists lke you in bars and cafes.  I hope you can improvise freely...
Hold off on any pieces louder than f.
Use lots of pleasant harmonies...avoid too many diminished chords or minor chords.
Play only classical music like Chopin Nocturnes or walzes.  Do anything that is easy listening. Maybe try some jazz... 

Im not sure what kind of set up you have...do you play while people are eating?  Is there a set time announced when you will be performing?

If you play while the people are eating and socializing, dont play with too much dynamic range..The people should hear what their friends are talking about over the music.

Congratulations on the job.  I would love a job like that! how did you get it?

donjuan

[bernhard]

One word: Muzak!

This may dismay you. On the other hand there is some good quality muzak out there (he he ):

Satie  - Gymnopedies and Gnossienes.
Debussy – La fille aus cheveux de lin, Arabesque no. 1, Clair de lune, Reverie
Chopin – Nocturnes & Waltzes, Fantasie Impromptu
Mendelssohn – Songs without words no. 1, no. 18  & no. 25.    
Field Nocturnes
Myers – Cavatina
Grieg – Arietta
Schumann – Reverie, Strange lands, Drei Stucklein (op. 99 no. 1), Schlummerlied (op. 124 no. 16)
Liszt – Consolations, Liebestraum
Bach prelude 1 of the WTC1
Beethoven 1st movement of moonlight, 2nd movement of Pathetique, Fur Elise
Schubert Impromptus Op, 90 no. 3 and op, 142 no. 2 (without the f and ffs).
MacDowell – To a wild rose
Standards like “As time goes by”, Cole Porter, etc.

You can also try Ludovico Einaudi. His music is a big hit at the UK at the moment. It is just ideal for this sort of environment.

You get the idea.

All of those of course played softly and without too much dynamics, In short: Background music.

Best wishes,
Bernhard