Restaurant repertoire

[ponecorleone]

Im goin to try playing in a restaurant for a job but need to build up some repertoire, however, i dont know what sort of music would be required, can anyone help?

my dad seems to think pop but i think nocturnes and waltzes-chopin and stuff like that and the odd flash one

[pianonut]

it seems that it would have to fit the restaurant.  if it's french, or italian vs. something else.  you may want to pair up with a singer (or not).  depends on what the customers like.  one pair that i met brought a list for customers to choose from.  most were just melodic songs, but some were in foreign language (that's always impressive).

[tomclear]

One of my happiest experiences was playing in a restaurant for a couple of years.
 I played the Bach Inventions, skipped around in the WTC, Chopin waltzes,  Mozart
 concerti arranged for 2 pianos (playing both parts--kooky!), Rhapsody in Blue, the Gershwin preludes, Art Tatum transcriptions, all sorts of things--no junk.

 But, the other poster was right: It all depends on your crowd. This was a quality but laid back restaurant run by ex-hippies.  I've played in other situations, less happily, where the owner gave me a list of things to play: As time goes by, I left my heart in SF, Beatles, etc.

[kaff]

I've never played in a restaurant, but as someone who from time to time eats out, I think there are probably some things to avoid.  Unless there are indications to the contrary from the specific restaurant in question, I would have thought you would want to err on the side of repertoire that was non-challenging to listen to, pleasant background music rather than an exciting concert repertoire.  Nothing too loud or too atonal, nothing that sounds like a dirge.  Previous poster's suggestions sound good.  Consider also Debussy, Grieg?

How long do you have to play for in an evening?  If it's hours and hours you might not want stuff that will strain your hands.

Kathryn

[Chrysalis]

debussy ofcourse

[bernhard]

Ludovico Einaudi.

[Skeptopotamus]

definitely prokofiev and corigliano.  throw im some messiaen and ginastera every now and then to keep them on their feet!  Make dinner exciting!!!


short chopin pieces really.  i dunno about a lot of baroque.  rhapsody in blue?  isnt that a bit busy?

[bernhard]

definitely prokofiev and corigliano.  throw im some messiaen and ginastera every now and then to keep them on their feet!  Make dinner exciting!!!


short chopin pieces really.  i dunno about a lot of baroque.  rhapsody in blue?  isnt that a bit busy?

Sorabji and Michael Finissy.

[Sasha42196]

Well, I know what I wouldn't play in a restaurant.....Chopin 2nd sonata

[rebel1ns]

yeah you can't play anything too loud cuz then you'd distract people's conversations, the pieces you play have to be real soft and smooth with jazz-like feel..well at least IMO

[jlh]

Get a jazz fakebook and improv on the chords.  Also some Jim Brickman or Yanni might be good. I wouldn't play anything louder than about mp or you'd risk drawing too much attention to yourself (to be avoided if you're playing BG music). 

It all depends on the type of job and the audience.  Give more details on the restaurant and what your role would be and I bet you'd get better responses.

[berrt]

Sorabji and Michael Finissy.

George Antheil's "Ballet méchanique" would be funny, too. But then, it might be a little problematic with the 16 coupled player pianos, the sirens, cowbells.. and last but not least the 3 airplane engines blowing the meals off the plates.

bye Berrt

[robo1001]

Well, I know what I wouldn't play in a restaurant.....Chopin 2nd sonata

How about Chopin's Revolutionary etude or the 2nd Scherzo 

[jbmajor]

How about Chopin's Revolutionary etude or the 2nd Scherzo 

Yeah, or maybe some Rachmaninoff.   

[musik_man]

George Antheil's "Ballet méchanique" would be funny, too. But then, it might be a little problematic with the 16 coupled player pianos, the sirens, cowbells.. and last but not least the 3 airplane engines blowing the meals off the plates.

bye Berrt

I think if you cut it to two engines it would work.

"I've got a fever, and the only medicine is more cowbell"

[Rach3]

Ligeti has some great, restaurant-friendly etudes. They're very easy.

[Ludwig Van Rachabji]

Ligeti has some great, restaurant-friendly etudes. They're very easy.

Oh yes, the ones marked FFFFFFFF! 


But seriously folks, Godowsky's waltzes are great for restaurants! They love them! Very elegant and pretty, like songs.

[tds]

George Antheil's "Ballet méchanique" would be funny, too. But then, it might be a little problematic with the 16 coupled player pianos, the sirens, cowbells.. and last but not least the 3 airplane engines blowing the meals off the plates.

bye Berrt

watchout! some people might bring a loaded gun, now. tds  ( d'oh, cant find a "blown off brain" emoticon)