Playing nursing home gigs

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: M.Ted
Date: 23 Sep 02 - 12:33 PM

I don't mean to offend you, Marion, but I know that you are just starting out, and am concerned that you might get sidetracked by taking on too much, and especially too much that is totally new--

For quite a number of years, I played mostly Balkan, Scandinavian, and Russian music(the odd time signatures, 7/8, 9/8, 11/16, and even 15/16 and 25/16, are favored in Balkan folk music, particularly dance music)--there are quite a few folks who come on to the International Folk Music scene wanting to learn to play everything at the same time, and ending up getting nowhere--

I am not opposed to doing ethnic stuff at all, just in keeping it from getting away from you. If you add the odd song to your own repertoire as the need presents itself, over time, you will accumulate a rather formidable arsenal--

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 23 Sep 02 - 09:12 PM

I don't believe anybody has mentioned one of the most important things to know when dealing with the really old, and that is to slow down your speech somewhat when you talk to them. Doing that is probably more important than anything.

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 23 Sep 02 - 11:54 PM

Good point, leeneia. Also, lower the pitch of your voice when speaking to most people with hearing impairment. This is as important as, or sometimes more important than, talking louder.

I also find that when I am speaking to a group of folks with hearing aids, it's best not to use the mic or at least not to stand too close to it, because the amplifier tends to make your speech harder for them to decipher.

(One thing I wish staff and guests would do, when trying to talk with one resident while an activity is going on for the group, is to talk close to their ear instead of standing 2 feet or more away and shouting.)

Genie

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: GUEST,Marion
Date: 27 Sep 02 - 05:30 PM

We're cool, Ted. Actually I called the Macedonian place to see if they were averse to songs in 4/4 or 3/4, and it turned out they were averse to paying for music in any time signature. So that's no longer my number one priority.

Next questions:

1. What are the best Italian songs? The ones that have already been brought to my attention are O Sole Mio, Return to Sorrento, Santa Lucia, and Volare.

2. About taking requests: how do you generally receive requests in a nursing home concert? I assume, Genie, that you generally play one set straight without a break. Do people sometimes approach you between songs with a request, or shout one out between songs? Or do you sometimes ask if there are any requests in the middle of the show and see what gets called out? Or do the audience ask staff to pass requests on to you?

Marion

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 28 Sep 02 - 01:48 AM

Thanks for the additional tips, Genie. I'll especially remember the one about standing closer rather than shouting.

What is the advantage of talking lower? Wouldn't that depend on the pitch of my natural voice and the nature of the hearer's loss?

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Sep 02 - 03:38 PM

Links to Klezmer and Ladino music:

CLICK TO KLEZ THREAD.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 30 Sep 02 - 09:06 PM

Marion, Among the Italian speakers at the homes where I play, I find that "Oe, Mari!" is very popular, as is "Luna Mezz'o Mare!." I have also had requests for La Spagnola. "Ciribiribin" and "Funiculi! Funicula!" have also been popular in the US in the earlier part of the 20th C.

At Christmas time, try "Gesu Bambino" and/or "Dormi O Bel Bambin'."

Re requests, they usually yell them out in the middle of whatever song I'm doing. (Just kidding -- that only happens occasionally.)
People often do spontaneously call out requests. I usually honor them, but not necessarily right at that time, unless it fits in with the overall structure of the program. (E.g., I don't like to do several slow songs in a row.) In a general sing-along, I usually do ask for requests from time to time throughout the program.

leneeia, of course individuals' hearing losses will vary, but according to those who work with the hearing impaired elderly, losses at high frequencies are more common, and generally folks can hear the human voice better at the lower ranges than at the higher.

It's also true that some hearing aids make the wearers hypersensitive to high-pitched noises, so that talking loud (or singing) at a high pitch tends to hurt their ears.

Genie

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: Ferrara
Date: 02 Oct 02 - 11:56 AM

Good suggestions on the Italian songs, Marion and Genie. I suspect that someone who doesn't feel comfortable with singing them in Italian could still make their audience very happy just by singing them in the English versions. They will respond to the tune I suspect.

I have gotten very good response from mixed audiences (only one or two Italians....) by singing a bilingual version of Santa Lucia. Since you're supposed to repeat each part of the song (verse and chorus) twice, I sing each part first in English, then in Italian.

When I sang for a group of 70s-plus folks at the Jewish Community Center, they really wanted to hear songs in various European languages. It didn't matter how "well" I did them, they were just happy to hear the songs. I put down my instruments and just sang everything I could think of: Russian, French, Spanish, German, I think that was the extent of my repertoire. (They didn't ask for Italian, alas.) And I added Hava Nagila, my only Hebrew song. That was a bunch of happy people. They had FUN.

You know, it occurs to me that one thing that made that performance so successful, was that the audience felt they were in control. I was willing to set aside my prepared program and follow their suggestions. Something to think about....

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: M.Ted
Date: 02 Oct 02 - 06:00 PM

The best thing about the Neopolitan songs is, in addition to being big hits with the old Italians--many of them have been popular with the general audiences as well(Where would Dean Martin, Al Martino, Jerry Vale, Perry Como, Connie Francis, Jimmy Roselli have been without that material--
A couple that haven't been mentioned are Innamorata, Return to Me (Ritorni Me) and Al Di La. We always used to play Anema E Core whenever someone wanted something Italian, also Eh, Cumpari, which is a great sing-a-long--here is a link with lyrics and midis(to learn the melody) of a bunch of Neopolitan songs, with a lot of Spanish ones thrown in, which are also handy--http://members.xoom.virgilio.it/cesaretto/cancionero/na_0003.html

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: Marion
Date: 03 Oct 02 - 04:25 PM

Thanks for the Italian suggestions.

Ciao, Marion

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 03 Oct 02 - 09:22 PM

Also, Marion, the Italian-American folks will love songs like "That's Amore," "Arrividerci, Roma," "From The Vine Came The Grape," "Tico Ti, Tico Te," "Isle Of Capri," "Domani," "Tell Me That You Love Me Tonight" and other pop hits from the 1950s (by The Gaylords, Perry Como, Dean Martin, etc.). For many of these songs, the popular version in the US was in English with a few Italian phrases thrown in.

One of my favorites from the '50s was "The Little Shoemaker," sung by The Gaylords in both English and Italian.

Check out Louis Prima records, too, for great versions of "Angelina," "E Cumpari," "Luna Mezz'o Mare," and "Oe, Mari!" among others. (Worth listening to even if you don't sing 'em!)

Genie

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: Marion
Date: 04 Oct 02 - 04:20 PM

Had an oddish conversation today with an AD who booked me for a "Mexican" party; not that her residents are predominantly Mexican, that's just the theme for the week's party. I said sure, I can do a few songs in Spanish. She said, "They don't need to be in Spanish... just Mexican." I said, "Well, I could do La Bamba, Los Colores, La Cucharacha, South of the Border..." and she said, "How about O Sole Mio?"


Rita, (the real Rita, not me making fun of Genie): I found an Allan Sherman greatest hits CD. Besides Harvey and Sheila and Hello Muddah, are there any others that you would especially recommend?


Ted, I tried your link from three posts above and got something strange - just a small search form repeated a few dozens times to fill the page. Is there a mistake in your link?

Marion

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 04 Oct 02 - 10:12 PM

Actually, Marion, I think O Sole Mio has been translated into Spanish and is sung in Mexico and/or other Spanish-speaking countries.  When I've sung it (in Italian) around Hispanic folks, they have sometimes launched into their Spanish version.  On the other hand, some folks can't tell Spanish from Italian from Portugese.

Funny thing happened to me today, and I don't know if the fact that I was playing at a retirement home health care center is relevant.  I met the new AD, having been booked by her predecessor (and, yes, they were not expecting me, since the old AD had not left word of the booking when she 'moved upstairs' a week or two ago).  I did the program on a different floor than before, so I was new to everyone.  The program went very well and I was invited back.
When I got home, I looked in the mirror and saw a big glob of dark chocolate on the tip of my nose.  (I had eaten a partially melted chocolate nutrition bar in the car en route, and I got it on my face but thought I had got it all off.)    The funny thing is that nobody looked at me funny or said anything to me about it before, during, or after the program, even though I was standing right next to some of them from time to time!  (Did they think it might be a birthmark or mole and not want to risk offending me?)   Would folks at a bar or coffeehouse have acted differently?  Dunno.   Anyway it looked pretty silly to me!

Genie

PS, re Allan Sherman, how about "Cockeyed And Muscle-Bound Molly Malone?"

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Oct 02 - 11:22 PM

I think folks in those places have mastered the art of taking people as they find 'em, Genie.

~S~

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 05 Oct 02 - 07:26 AM

Prob'ly, Sooz. But picture it: the next time someone in the retirement community of San Diego asks someone if they know Jeanene Pratt, they'll say, "You know, the guitar lady with the big brown wart on the end of her nose!" ;-)

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: M.Ted
Date: 05 Oct 02 - 01:48 PM

The link goes to the page for aneme e core when I hit it, go to the bottom and you can either link to songs alphabetically, or go the home page--http://members.xoom.virgilio.it/cesaretto/index.html--

I tried the link above and it worked for me--

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 08 Oct 02 - 03:10 AM

This afternoon I was doing my usual room-to-room music therapy visits at a local rehab/care center.  The AD asked me if I would play "Sweet Hour Of Prayer" for "the lady" in a particular room, because "she is not doing well and would really like to hear it."  As I approached the bed of this thin, frail-looking woman and tried to help her adjust the bed so that she could sit up comfortably, she suddenly looked up and said, "Are you Jeanene?"  I said yes, thinking she had probably known me from another nursing home.  Then she said, "It's me -- Anita ____ ... .   I'm dying of cancer."

My jaw dropped open as I said, "Oh, my, Anita!  I was just thinking about you a day or two ago and wondering how you were doing!"

I had known she had been diagnosed with cancer, over 12 years ago, and while I was relieved to learn she was still alive. I was very saddened to hear how sick she was.  She had lost a lot of weight and I had not recognized her after about 12 years and without her glasses on.

We talked a little, though I soon had to move on to other rooms, and my singing the hymn seemed to comfort her a lot.  Then I sang "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" (my choice) for her nearly deaf roommate -- largely because I figured Anita would appreciate it, even if the roommate could not hear it well.  I gotta tell you, folks, I barely made it through the second verse!  But my friend's eyes lit up when she heard that song, and she said something to the effect that that was one of her favorites.  We were able to reconnect, and I plan to go back and see her "on my own time" later this week.

Afterwards, I was able to talk to the AD about Anita, what a remarkably strong and compassionate and spiritual person she was, how long she had overshot the doctors' "death sentence" of over a decade ago, and how she had told me, even today (just before I left her room) that she wasn't throwing in the towel yet (despite being on "hospice" status).  We talked a little about things the care center could do to at least not work at counter purposes to Anita's desire to visualize healing and focus on the positive.

I tell you this story to illustrate several things:

¥  You never know who you may run into in a convalescent home.  Folks of all ages may be there, short- or long-term, due to illness, injury, hospice needs, etc.  Don't be too surprised if you end up being able to sing for special friends from time to time.
¥  Hearing special hymns, special favorites of any genre, can mean so much to people who are dying, recuperating, or just living long-term in nursing-type residences.  Sometimes you may wonder if your music is appreciated, but just when you begin to question why you are doing this sort of thing, something happens to remind you why.
¥  Singing and playing in "nursing homes" may allow you, by the way you treat the residents, to help remind staff members not to underestimate or write off the patients/residents.  (Not all of them do, of course, but some do.)   You can contribute to the resident's care plan via the connections you establish or already have with them.

Anyway, my work "got to me" today in an especially personal way.

Genie

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 08 Oct 02 - 03:18 AM

I neglected to mention in the post above that Anita and I had been friends from about 1988 through 1992, in the context of a personal-growth-oriented organization, but we had not seen each other since the early '90s.

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: GUEST,Dirty Old Git
Date: 08 Oct 02 - 12:02 PM

Gor Blimee they've left the room with the computer in, unlocked again - b*****ks they've blocked off all the f***ing porno sites Perhaps I could make my own, if I could only work out how this webcam thing works. Nah -the lead's not long to reach Big Brenda's key'ole.

You all seem to be talking abaht languages - I don't recommend it - the first time they stopped me doing a gig, they blamed it on me language. I wouldn't mind but all me songs are in good ole East London English !

Mind you I wouldn't mind a coupla them foreign girls doin a gig - like that french Bardot chick or that Itie lolla-whatsit bird with the big knockers. Big Brenda talks funny sometimes, but thats only when she hasn't got 'er teeth in - mind you she's got bigger knockers than Gina thingummybob - it's jus' that 'ers 'ang down rather than stickin' out.

I 'ave trouble 'earing sometime - but I find that the ackoustics makes a difference - so any of you young tarts - remember that I hear much better in my bedroom - so wot abaht a sort of private gig special for me.

I also like birds what do requests, but matron always 'as me dragged of to my room when I asks 'em "Do yer know - you 'ave a lovely bum miss ?" - it was a popular one when I was younger.

Finally, I agree wiv that WYSIWYG bird (she must be foreign wiv a monika like that) coz I always believe in takin' wimmen as I find 'em - bending over the fridge - asleep on the lawn - feeding the goldfish.....

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 08 Oct 02 - 01:03 PM

Hey, D. O. G, are you the geezer that used to come up to me during a sing-along and offer his right hand to shake, and then when I took it, try to grab my boob with the left? How've ya been, ol' buddy?

Laughing Genie

¤;-D

(Or are you the one that kept dropping his drawers in the activity room during music sessions?)

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: Marion
Date: 09 Oct 02 - 02:29 AM

M.Ted, now that I'm trying it on a different computer, your links work for me. Thanks.

And thanks for the story, Genie.

I've mentioned my parents' hymnsings a number of times - at one point my father made a recording of himself singing the songs that they did most often at these hymnsings - I don't remember exactly what the purpose of this tape was at the time. But the use that we eventually found for it was when my father was dying himself - we put the tape on a lot in the hospital where he was in a coma, though of course I did the singing when I was there. Rather fitting, I thought. As a matter of fact my father went out to lead a hymnsing on the last day that he was conscious; I've learned a thing or two from him about the power of music as gift and ministry.

Love, Marion

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 09 Oct 02 - 10:27 PM

Another related thread: music therapy

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Oct 02 - 11:48 PM

Refreshing this thread in response to a new thread asking for lists of what folks play at nursing homes.

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 22 Oct 02 - 08:28 PM

A sad follow-up about my friend Anita (about 5 posts above). She slipped out of her alert, communicative state within 36 hours and passed away two days after my visit with her. I had not had the chance to go back and visit her on my own time as I had planned.

I guess I could feel discouraged since my music, coupled with all the medical help she was getting, was no match for her cancer. But, of course, I know better than to expect such miraculous effects. I am just grateful that I was able to be there with her in what turned out to be among the last few hours when she was quite clearly able to recognize me and appreciate hearing her special hymns. My happening to be scheduled for room to room music in that particular care center on that particular, very important, day may have been a coincidence. Then again, maybe not.

Genie

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: GUEST,Marion
Date: 05 Feb 03 - 03:09 PM

What are the must-do songs for Valentine's Day parties at nursing homes?

Marion

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: Frankham
Date: 05 Feb 03 - 06:02 PM

Marion,

My wife and I do a lot of asssisted living and nursing home facilities. One of the most important things you can do as well as playing for them is talk to them. If you can, get them to talk a little about themselves.

Mics get in the way. If you can, stand close to them and sing or play at them, looking them right in the eye and smile.

You can even kid them a little if you do it in good taste.

Tell 'em who you are and what you like to do and if you have kids, are married or ?. They want to know who you are.

Tell 'em stories about the songs or about yourself..interesting things.

Pick songs that are accessible and that you feel comfortable with. We've been playing music from the 20's and 30's for a while now (I'm an old jazz buff) and we've lived with it for a while. No reason you can't start working it up though.

Folk songs, dance tunes, 20's, 30's early 40's....if you can get 'em singing or dancing, then you're in.

One caveat, be careful that you know really well or have a connection with ethnic material. If you are Jewish, OK if you've got some material that you have had in your family. Get the word pronunciation right if you sing 'em.

It's one of the most rewarding performance situations that you'll ever find because you are probably not aware of the good your are doing. It's considerable.

Song material? Accessible. If you can take a request, helpful.
Lively, upbeat, positive tunes are best. Most older people can't stand what they are playing on the radio these days.

Reader's Digest song material was a good suggestion. They have stories about the songs in there.

This is not just another gig. These are very special people and they are in need of being treated accordingly.

Frank

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 05 Feb 03 - 07:53 PM

Marion, last night I was playing at one of the two Assisted Living sections of a retirement complex in Salem, OR, doing mostly stuff that was written before 1955, or at least before 1970, when one of the ladies (75 to 85-ish) asked me if I knew the one about "the world not turning." Turns out she wanted the Travis Tritt song about 9-11-01, "Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning?" Another woman requested a Garth Brooks song, and the country songs they wanted tended to be from the Hank Williams - Patsy Cline era.

I'm getting more and more requests these days for songs by Elvis, Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, newer Broadway Musicals, PP & M, Kingston Trio, etc. The folks still love Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Tin Pan Alley songs, and even Stephen Foster, plus the old cowboy songs, but the gap between my age (and tastes) and theirs is narrowing each year.

BTW, I have sung Jed Marum's "Letter From Lilac Acres" for a couple of assisted living facilities and a convalescent/nursing home, and the folks LOVED it!!

If the song is pretty enough and you do it well (and the style isn't too foreign to them), they seem to appreciate most any song.

Genie

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: GUEST,Marion
Date: 05 Feb 03 - 08:34 PM

Thanks Frank and Genie.

I'm planning on using Jed's "Look Ahead Tommy" (from his other CD) for my St. Patrick's shows - I guess we'll be getting him a whole new set of groupies!

Marion

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: Marion
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 02:08 PM

So what are the must-do songs for Mothers' Day, and Fathers' Day?

Marion

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: denise:^)
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 04:51 PM

Let me second the posting 'way back up at the top about finding out what a facility wants you to do.

We were playing at a place that had both an assisted living wing, and a convalescent wing. We had gone through a 'booking agent,' (a guy who set himself up with a bunch of nursing homes, etc., and then was skimming the top off of everyone's pay when he 'set up' the gigs...I guess that's what an agent IS, but it really seemed extraneous, in this instance!)--
Anyway, we had gone through this 'booking agent,' and he said that these folks wanted a program of fiddle tunes, etc., like we'd play for a contra dance. I was a bit surprised at this, but thought, "Well, there *could* be an "Old Contra Dancers Home" out there..."

My partner had to call the facility for some reason or other, the day of the gig, and, over the phone, one of the employees said, "Oh, they just can't WAIT for your sing-along..."
Yipe!
This necessitated a quick side-trip, after work, to pick up the autoharp (which is what I sing with--not the piano, which is what I play at dances...) and a couple of appropriate songbooks.

In the course of the conversation, my partner had also learned that this particular facility wanted NOTHING with religious content. No "Amazing Grace," no "What a Friend We Have in Jesus,"--not even "Simple Gifts!" ("Oh!" I thought; "It's not the "Old Contra Dancers' Home--it's the "Old Atheists' Home!") Anyway, we did a bunch of sing-along songs, sang a few for them to listen to, and played a few fiddle tunes (one being "Maggie," which we started out slowly--and they sang to our playing!--and then sped up to dance speed, which they loved!)

So--*do* ask what they want/need/enjoy/expect. They may not be right on target with their residents, but it might keep you from making a MAJOR faux pas!!

...and avoid those agents, if you can...

Denise:^)

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: GUEST,Dirty Old Git
Date: 30 Apr 03 - 08:47 AM

We gets too many religers songs hear already ever since Matron became a born-again christian. Mindyer the vicar isn't too impressed with the way that Big Bertha and Loose Liz both shout out "F***ing Hallelujah" after every thing he says.

We have this nun wot keeps turning up and asking if she can help anyone. Now thats a habit I wouldn't 'alf mind gettin inter. I keep bashing the light bulbs in me room until they stops working, then I gets her to stand on the stepladder an change it. As I tell er, I as ter keep lying on the floor while she does it coz of me dizzy spells - sexy little knickers she wears.
She was telling us that she was a Bride of Christ the other day. Big Bertha said she didn't wanna get married nor anyfing, but that he was welcome to a bit on the side if he fancied it. Sister Virtue was shocked and said that Christ wouldn't do nuffin like that, and Loose Liz said that if he woz hitched to every nun in the world, then he was a mega-time bigamist.

I usta go to the communion services, but they gives yer such a tiny sip of wine that I don't bother anymore.

Genie - that geezer couldna been me - I go strait for the pussie every time. Gor though - I wish yould come and do a gig for me - I like that costume wot you wore in last year's mudcat calendar. Me and big Bertha sent an entry in for this years calendar, but they never used it. It were of a song title - "Oh wot a beauty, I've never seen one as big as that before".

Oh hell here comes Matron - I can ear ere singing Amazing Grace, bye.

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: GUEST,Marion
Date: 05 May 03 - 01:54 PM

Thanks for the thoughts, Denise, and glad to hear you didn't succumb to SARS, Dirty Old Git.

It occurred to me that a good thing to do for Mother's or Father's Day would be to sing a song you learned from Mom or Dad, and explain that in the intro.

Do you think Will the Circle be Unbroken would be appropriate for Mother's Day?

Maybe I should aim to learn Boy Named Sue for Father's Day, eh?

Marion

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Apr 12 - 10:39 AM

I play accordion and sing at day centres to nursing homes; mainly 19 century songs thru 1960s. I have only got 3 shows left and I have a break in the summertime from May to August and then we decide what goes in the next set. One of the favourites, that they'd like to hear again, is my cousin Ian singing 'My Old Man's A Dustman' by Lonnie Donegan. The Friday gig don't find it funny but I like the words. 'I've Got A Lovely Bunch Of Coconuts' was just too long. The 3 replacements are 'Round Scotland Tour' which is a medley of Scots songs, a Scots slower set of tunes known as Scots country songs and Moon River as well. The last two gigs are both afternoons. I would like to do 'Aura Lee' but the only problem is that most folks know it as 'Love Me Tender'!

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 25 Apr 12 - 05:27 PM

I don't do gigs, but I got an excellent piece of advice from an aunt once. When talking to the very elderly, TALK SLOW. You don't have to make it obvious, but slowing down 10% will make them much more comfortable with you.

Same for English speakers with a different dialect.

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 26 Apr 12 - 02:17 AM

Leenia, that's an important point.

On a related note, it's usually more important to speak in a lower vocal range, when talking to people with hearing deficits, than to talk LOUDLY.
A lot of problems many people, especially older people, have with understanding words, is high frequency hearing loss.

So talk more slowly and in a deeper voice. That will help a lot.

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: cptsnapper
Date: 26 Apr 12 - 05:42 AM

For anyone in Britain who's doing sort of gig for older people two possible sources of material have come to mind, The News Chronicle Song Book and Songs of the British Islands, the latter having been released by Brewhouse Records. It may be possible to see if your local library has either in stock.

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 26 Apr 12 - 06:47 AM

We played to a nursing home in Purley a few years ago at Christmas, to be greeted by one old dear in the room who repeated "do shut up - what a terrible noise". Apparently she always chanted that to visiting entertainers!!

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 26 Apr 12 - 10:11 AM

Thanks for the additional tip about using a low voice, Genie.

Bonzo, I hope they took the old 'dear' someplace else.

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 26 Apr 12 - 01:49 PM

I think a couple of nurses moved her to the back of the room. We did find out from one of the less gaga residents that they are all forced to attend entertainment, which perhaps is not the kindest thing to do.

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 26 Apr 12 - 08:34 PM

Just a few months apart a while back - at least within the same year - I had these two experiences when doing music in nursing/convalescent/rehabilitation centers:

1) I played and sang for a man who was in a coma and had shown absolutely no sign of response to anything for the previous 6 months or more, and after I played and sang softly for him at his bedside, he squeezed my hand. The nurses and aides were amazed and thrilled1

2) I played at the bedside of another, seemingly non-responsive, old woman, who gazed at me as I serenaded her, seeming to be touched and enthralled by my music.   
As I leaned towards her, upon finishing the song, she looked right into my eyes and said,""Get the hell out of here!"


It's best to avoid easy stereotypes and overgeneralizations about the elderly, the infirm, or the mentally challenged.

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 27 Apr 12 - 06:14 AM

Last year at the home my mum went to occasionally for Respite Care, the residents got most upset at the fact that the songs the visiting musicians were playing were (with the exception of 2 or 3 people from my mum's generation...she was then 94) songs from their parents' generation.

I think the current crop would be looking to hear songs along the lines of:

Johnny B Goode
Unchained Melody
Rock Around The Clock
Only You
At The Hop

etc.

Give it a few years and they'll be requesting Dylan, Neil Young, Stones, etc, numbers.

:-)

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 27 Apr 12 - 09:23 PM

Actually, I've been getting requests at assisted living, nursing/rehab centers, and retirement homes for years for songs by Kenny Rogers, The Beatles, Peter Paul & Mary, Chuck Berry, Elvis, Vince Gill, Reba McIntyre, B B King, John Denver, Simon & Garfunkel, Johnny Cash, and many other recording artists from the '60s & '70s.   

I do get requests for songs that were popular in the '20s, '30s, & '40s a lot (even if some of those songs were written or collected decades earlier) , but it's really for the "standards" from those eras -- the songs that have been played and maybe recorded by musicians across a number of decades.   

And it is important to be aware of the often wide range of both ages and levels of cognitive functioning that you'll find in many "nursing homes."

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: Stringsinger
Date: 28 Apr 12 - 01:45 PM

1. Get the people to talk about themselves through the music.
2. Find the music that gets them to respond.
3. Talk to them, don't just sit there and play.
4. Remember that they are not just "nursing home people" but they
    are live human beings, each with their own story to tell. Many have wisdom that   is ignored by our commercialized and youth-oriented market society.

5. Learn songs of their generation. That triggers their memory circuits.

Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jun 12 - 12:57 PM

You should check out a career in RN.