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30 Jul 02 - 05:47 PM (#757152) Subject: Playing nursing home gigs From: Marion Hi all. There's been a lot of great discussion in Getting nursing home gigs about the business side of playing for the seniors' market. I hope in this thread to look at the performance side. I expect I'll have specific questions later, but for now the general question is: what makes a good nursing home show? What are the skills needed to do well in this niche market? I'd also be interested in repertoire suggestions, general or specific. Actually, if I listed the songs that my band on I are currently working up, would anybody be willing to critique the playlist? Thanks, Marion |
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30 Jul 02 - 06:31 PM (#757170) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: BH I am not a performer---but I once had an experience in a "senior retirement" hotel. The anecdote might be of interest. Quite a few years ago while visiting my late mother I noticed that in the afternoons the people just seemed to sit around a lot and stare out at the world. They seemed animated when the "weekly" performer (sing a long sort of thing---and oldies) appeared--also when the daily excersiser was there. Knowing that my mother had kept for all the years the annual tapes I sent her of an annual concert I produced then I thought how nice it would be if we set up the "rec" room one afternoon and I would introduce the program and they might listen---it was a disaster. They were not there 5 minutes and they sure became animated--fighting over people sitting in other people's chairs, this is not part of our routine, why can't we sit and watch the card players, etc; It almost got physical. The point is, I suppose, that in these facilities people like their routines---and if appearances become a regular occurence it works. And--it has to involve them. Bill Hahn |
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30 Jul 02 - 06:51 PM (#757185) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: GUEST,greg stephens Well, the obvious stories centre round people dying while you're performing. It's only happened to me once so far. |
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30 Jul 02 - 07:42 PM (#757219) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Bullfrog Jones Oh come now, Greg. You must have died more than once!*BG* @@ (~~) |
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30 Jul 02 - 10:47 PM (#757271) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie Marion, feel free to PM me your playlist and I'd be glad to give you feedback on it -- FWIW. Bill H., you've hit an important nail on the head -- seniors in nursing and, to a somewhat lesser extent, do tend to be protective of their routines. (It's against most state laws, for instance, to interfere with Bingo.) If they have a customary way of arranging the chairs, you may run into some strong resistance if you try to set them up differently. Do ask the activity director of the facility about the tastes and other preferences of their residences. They very well may be wrong (e.g., telling you the residents want "songs from the 40s and 50s," when the residents perpetually ask for "Let Me Call You Sweetheart," "Bicycle Built For Two," and "My Blue Heaven"-- all from earlier eras), but it beats winging it, until you've had more experience with these populations. Involving the residents is very important. This may mean singing the same song several times in a session, playing it much slower than you normally would, and/or (when possible) calling out the words to the next line (as is often done in "On Top Of Old Smokey.") (Pete Seeger is a great role model for this.) Use amplification if your instrument and voice are not really loud. In most nursing homes, there will be other 'voices' upstaging you, otherwise (ice-making machines, folks setting up the dining room, a leaf blower outside the window, overhead announcements, and staff talking as though there were no activity going on). Wireless lapel mics are especially good. If the facility does not have big print song books, you may want to put together some of your own. (I'll fax you some of mine if you PM me a fax number.) If they don't have rhythm instruments, you may want to buy a few egg shakers (or talk the activity director into making some for the residents) for folks to use while you play. Also, unless the residents are at advanced stages of Alzheimer's, they will appreciate humor. Parodies of the sort that are done around scouts campfires are great (but skip the "I'm looking over my dead dog rover" type of sick humor). I'd also keep the songs about growing old to a minimum. Many performers go into senior facilities armed with "Silver Threads Among The Gold," "Sunrise, Sunset," "Get Up And Go," "Love, Me," "Hello In There," and a slew of other songs about aging. Generally, one or two of those per session is plenty. Enough from me for now. What do you other folks suggest? Genie |
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31 Jul 02 - 12:08 AM (#757312) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Marion Great to see you, Genie. I'll post our songlist here, so that anyone wandering through can comment. This isn't a playlist (i.e, it's not in playing order or geared to a certain amount of time) but rather a list of songs we chose to start with. We plan to choose more once we've observed what kind of songs are working best. Piano solos: The Entertainer, Moonlight Sonata, Fur Elise Fiddle tunes: Maple Sugar, Redwing, St.Anne's Reel, Red-Haired Boy, Westphalia Waltz, miscellaneous reels and jigs Folk songs: Danny Boy, Loch Lomond, When You and I Were Young Maggie, Swanee River, Wild Rover, Dixie Country/Gospel: Keep On the Sunny Side, I Saw the Light, Amazing Grace, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, Battle Hymn of the Republic Pop: Bicycle Built for Two, Tennessee Waltz, Good Old Summertime, I Want A Girl, The Band Played On, Let Me Call You Sweetheart, Five Foot Two, Side By Side, Long Way to Tipperary, Too Ra Loo Ra, Can't Help Falling In Love, In the Ghetto, Are You Lonesome Tonight, When You're Smiling Showtunes: Eidelweiss, Old Man River, You'll Never Walk Alone, When I Fall in Love, Climb Every Mountain, When You Wish Upon a Star, Bring Him Home, Oh What A Beautiful Morning Miscellaneous: O Sole Mio, Ave Maria, America the Beautiful |
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31 Jul 02 - 12:39 AM (#757328) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie Great list, Marion. I've observed that if it's an instrumental and you do it well, you can play just about any style (with the possible exception of John Cage or some really far out bebop). A good classical number or two will always appeal to a lot of the residents, too. The only songs on your list that I think most nursing home residents won't be really familiar with are Wild Rover, In The Ghetto, and Bring Him Home. But that's fine. There are always a few residents who get tired of hearing Let Me Call You Sweetheart all the time, and most folks are interested in hearing a 'new' song or two within a set. (Besides, there's sure to be at least one Elvis fan there, and they'll love In The Ghetto!) And Wild Rover is fun, even if it's not one the residents have heard before. Anything else you can add that was really popular in the 1920s, '30s, and '40s will probably go over very well, whether it was written in the 18th C., 19th C., or later. BTW, you didn't mention "You Are My Sunshine." You should know that if you don't have that in your repertoire (preferably all the verses), you'll get a ticket from the sing-along cops. Genie |
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31 Jul 02 - 12:51 AM (#757331) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie Marion, This thread is about sing-along songs from the '20s and '30s. click here Genie |
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31 Jul 02 - 09:53 AM (#757513) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: pavane Agreed - the show tunes go down well. (A lot of the show tunes are actually OLDER than their shows!) Anything from the 1960s back to the music hall era. The UK song list would be slightly different, of course, and well-known Welsh-language songs (e.g. Sospan Fach)are often requested here in Wales. Watch out for songs like 'That'll be the day (that I die!)' My wife always takes a spare mic & lead and gets them to sing along. Keep the PA volume low.
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31 Jul 02 - 06:50 PM (#757755) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: BH Genie: what a wonderful point you make in agreement about "routines" not being upset---and the chair placement. Exactly what transpired. I must say, however, I never thought that people would sing the likes of Silver Threads, Hello In There, and such---but perhaps you are wise to make note of it. My guess is that this has to be the hardest type of performing to do. Bill |
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01 Aug 02 - 02:27 AM (#757939) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: musicmick My experience with nursing home audiences suggests this list of concensus favorites. 1 God Bless America 2 You Are My Sunshine 3 Side By Side 4 Toora Loora Loora 5 Let The Rest Of The World Go By/ Smile The While (I do them as a medley) 6 When The Saints Go Marching In In extreme old age, the mind tends to recall the songs of childhood. So, even though, your audience might have heard Elvis in their twenties, they are more likely to respond to the standards they learned in grade school. |
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01 Aug 02 - 02:30 AM (#757940) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Marion Regarding songs about aging: I've found that older people like to hear "When You and I Were Young, Maggie". I don't understand what you mean though, Pavane, about avoiding songs about death. I would have thought that seniors are more in touch with death than the general population; have you gotten bad feedback about this? (Not that I would want to play American Pie, it's a little too young a song, but I don't intend to avoid death as a subject.) Genie: I've told you about my mother's hymnsings; often I go with her to fill in for her singing partner, and she plays the piano. Part of my job as the singer is to keep an eye on what's going on with the songbooks, and if someone's having trouble finding the page I go closer to them to tell them the page number, or trade books with them so they have it already open to the right page. Now, I gather from what you've said that you work alone. Do you accompany yourself, and if so, how do you handle helping people with the songbooks? It seems like it would be impossible to do if you're a lone pianist, and quite awkward if you're a guitarist. On a related note, if the facility you go to does have songbooks, do you use them or your own? And thanks for your offer of faxing materials, but we have access to a word processor and can make our own. One more little thing; the last time I went fiddling at a nursing home, I noticed that the singing-along in one particular lobby was of exceptionally high quality. I mentioned this to a staffworker who said, "Don't you know, that was Maureen Forrester..." who I've since learned is a world-renowned classical/opera singer. Now I'm shy about going back to that part of the building! Marion |
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01 Aug 02 - 04:11 AM (#757956) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie Marion, there are several versions of "Maggie," and some versions/verses dwell on how old and grey we are and how near the end, while others dwell more on how "you're as fair as you were." I don't avoid death (like "...the grave will decay you and turn you to dust/ Not one boy in a hundred a poor girl can trust..."), but I don't focus on it as a theme, either. I tend to save "Maggie" for Irish theme programs and for grandparents' day and maybe Valentine's programs, or I sing a short version. I don't usually use songbooks for groups that can't handle them readily without help--unless there are staff present to help. They can be very useful in assisted living and independent retirement homes, where they're used just like a hymnal is in church (only with much bigger print). For Alzheimer's patients they're often a lot more of a distracton than a help. (Folks get so busy looking for the song that they forget that they already know the words to "Let Me Call You Sweetheart.") As for faxing already formatted materials, I offer that option to anyone interested, not because you can't make your own, but because the formatting can be very time consuming,* and it seems a shame for everyone to have to "reinvent the wheel." I'd be glad to swap lyric sheets with anyone who's interested -- i.e., I'll show you mine if you show me yours. *G* Re 'competing' with Maureen Forrester, I should mention that I end up being compared with the whole Boeing Chorus in Seattle (and I understand they're excellent!). Also, some of my audience members used to play with bands such as Tommy Dorsey, Kay Kyser, Glen Miller, etc., and others were concert pianists, opera singers, etc. Genie * My current songbooks are infinitely better than the ones I first made up. I've learned never to print lyrics in all capitals, because that decreases legibility, and I've discovered some fonts that are measureably easier to read than others. I have also done a lot of research into getting lyrics and author credits right, rather than just making it up from memory, as I did at first.
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01 Aug 02 - 04:13 AM (#757957) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Mudlark My Bonnie is good for sing-along, also the I been working on the Railroad/Dinah song, and Coming Round the Mountain. For nostalgia, My Blue Heaven, Let the Rest of the World Go By. |
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01 Aug 02 - 04:20 AM (#757962) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie When short term memory deficits set in, folks tend eventually to recall little except from early childhood, so if my clients are over 90, I try to use songs that either are simple or would have been learned when they were children. (Note: It's not all that unusual for some of them to remember all the verses to hymns that they learned as youngsters.) Younger audiences (75 to 90-ish) and folks with significantly less cognitive impairment tend to know the words to a lot of songs they sang as teenagers or young adults and often are especially partial to the tunes from their courtship days. (Don't forget that in most nursing homes, there's about a 15 to 20 year age spread even within the "main" population. Some were 'weaned' on turn-of-the-century songs and others on songs from the roaring twenties.) If a song is very catchy, energizes folks, and has an easy chorus, it doesn't matter too much how old it is. (See the list at the bottom.) Here are some examples of songs I find go over very well as sing-alongs for various types of facilities. Alzheimer's facilities: My Bonnie Assisted Living facilties Always Both Memory Impaired and Assisted Living sing-alongs: Oh, What A Beautiful Morning! La Bamba |
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01 Aug 02 - 04:29 AM (#757967) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie * (from the above post) -- If it's a Jewish home, of course, I skip the "Jesus" songs, and if I think the group is of mixed faiths, I tend to use more sect-neutral songs such as "Amazing Grace." |
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01 Aug 02 - 04:38 AM (#757971) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: shankmac NEVER sing Andy M. Stewart's Rambling Rover. I did once and about half way through the second verse I recalled that the third verse was If your bent with artheritus, and your bowls have got collitus and you've galloping bollockitus and your thinking its time you died. |
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01 Aug 02 - 04:46 AM (#757973) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie Just for the heck of it, I checked the DT to see which songs it contains that I'd be likely to do at a nursing home or assisted living facility. Here's what I came up with for "A." (Boldface means I probably already do it for these folks sometimes.) Abdul Abulbul Amir |
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01 Aug 02 - 10:19 AM (#758110) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: GUEST,maryrrf I've done a few assisted living facility gigs and quite enjoyed them. The residents were for the most part not in bad shape, mind you. These were all in March so the theme was Irish. I must admit I did weed out "death and aging" songs - figured it was just better that way! |
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01 Aug 02 - 06:38 PM (#758369) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: BH Genie: Your lists above are impressive. Not that I want to be in facility---but if I have to let them know you to book you---I'll make a reservation. Bill |
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01 Aug 02 - 09:03 PM (#758440) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie Bill, come on over and sing with me and the old folks any time! *G* One thing I forgot to mention is that most senior facilities run at least 6 women to 1 man, and a lot of the "senior top 40" are songs that women usually request. The men are more likely to request old "cowboy" and country/western songs. Typical male requests include: But in assisted and independent living facilities, there are always a lot of residents, male and female, who will request semi-classical and international standards such as: not to mention jazz/pop classics such as: and Broadway/movie tunes such as: "Folk" songs that I've found are very popular in senior residences ( at least in the Pacific Northwest) include: These are just some of the songs that seem always to work as part of my playlists for various nursing, A. L., and retirement homes. Let me stress, though, that if your specialty is Irish jigs, bluegrass, old time swing music, sea chanteys, etc., the folks will probably love to hear some of that --either an occasional whole program of that genre or more frequently as a portion of a more varied program. Except for folks with advanced Alzheimer's, they do get tired of hearing nothing but the same songs all the time. Also, I'm sure that the lists will be different for different parts of the US and different countries/regions. Genie PS, Shankmac, if you're at a place with a lot of disoriented residents who haven't quite come to terms with the reality that they live here now, don't sing "Detroit City." It's a great, popular sing-along, but when you get to the "I wanna go home" part, you'll have some folks get really upset, as it triggers the request that they make to the staff umpteen times a day. |
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02 Aug 02 - 12:09 AM (#758512) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Marion Thanks for the lists, Genie, that's great. For what it's worth, I'm in Toronto. When I get home I'll see if either of my bandmates have ready access to a fax machine. That reminds me of another tip: if you're making a songbook, you can number the songs or number the pages, but NOT BOTH! I was once at a singalong for seniors where both were numbered, and it created a problem for just about every song. A wireless lapel mic - would that do a decent job of picking up a guitar worn on a strap, as well as the singing voice? Oh, and while I'd feel comfortable singing Will the Circle be Unbroken and other death-themed songs (in moderation, naturally), I don't think I'd be comfortable singing children's songs like Old Macdonald. It just wouldn't feel respectful to me to sing them for adults, even if they're happy to hear them - although I know, Genie, that you don't mean to be patronizing. (Maybe this is a carryover from my day job working with people with learning disabilities - sometimes it seems like I'm the only staffperson who calls them men and women instead of boys and girls.) Marion |
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02 Aug 02 - 12:56 AM (#758534) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Ferrara Here are some songs that I have used for various audiences from about 50 to 90. I've tried to delete duplicates. They are in order by the instrument I use for them, not very helpful to anyone but me I'm afraid.... Rita
Mockingbird Hill |
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02 Aug 02 - 01:02 AM (#758538) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie Yeah, Marion, I learned that same lesson about song #s and page #s when I put my first book together, too! My wireless lapel mic (before it went belly up) did pick up my voice and my guitar pretty well. But wireless mics are tricky; in some rooms they give you terrible feedback. Occasionally, I'd have so much trouble getting mine adjusted properly in a room that the residents would be pretty disgruntled before I even started. (That feedback can be really uncomfortable for folks with hearing aids!)<BR> ------------- Marion, I don't do Old MacDonald, and other children's songs unless there are children present or it's a facility for folks with advanced Alzheimer's. A lot of folks in Asst. Lvg. communities would be insulted if you did "My Bonnie" and "Clementine," too. You can easily tell by the reaction of the group whether it's appropriate. I do songs like Doggie In The Window (as a bark along song), Old MacDonald (with the best sound effects I can muster), etc., because they engage the residents in these Alzheimer's units more than just about any other songs do, as well as getting them to really laugh. For the most part, they are laughing at/with ME --especially when I do my "attack Chihuahua" imitation at the end of Doggie In The Window. These songs get the residents, the staff, the family visitors, etc., ALL laughing. And the residents request these songs, too. I can often get the Alzheimer's folks to sing along more readily than anyone else, because they're often less self-consious. They may sing along on the choruses of La Bamba and Proud Mary, too, and dance around while I'm singing. But often their memory impairment is so severe that they can't remember the words to Let Me Call You Sweetheart, Take Me Out To The Ball Game, and other senior citizen favorites. As Mike pointed out above, there comes a point in advanced age/dementia at which about all that is remembered is what was learned in early childhood. It is folks at this stage for whom it is most appropriate to do "children's songs" -- the ones from their childhood days (not "The Barney Song." I'm with you, though, on not patronizing these folks. I sometimes rub some staffers the wrong way by speaking to the residents the way I would any other adult, instead of cooing to them as to an infant. Here's a story that illustrates that there may be more going on upstairs than some younger folks may assume. At one Alzheimer's unit, we regularly did "Old MacDonald," and I would add the very politically incorrect verse: |
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02 Aug 02 - 02:53 PM (#758881) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie Just connecting the threads. |
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03 Aug 02 - 12:44 AM (#759119) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie Marion, A couple more points re doing "children's songs" for adults: ¥ Many, if not most, "children's songs" were NOT such when they were introduced. "Doggie In The Window," "Mairzy Doats," "Three Little Fishes," "My Bonnie," "Playmate," "Shortnin' Bread," etc. were popular music for young adults or teenagers when they were new. I'm not sure about "Old MacDonald," but that, too, may have been an adult novelty song a few decades ago. ¥ I believe it was the Mills Brothers who had a swinging medley, in about the 1930s, of "Jesus Loves Me" and other "children's" gospel songs. Then there was Ella Fitzgerald's "A Tisket, A Tasket" that topped the charts in the same era. ¥ I have often participated, as an adult, in sing-alongs at camps and informal settings where simple, silly rounds and other songs were done. I didn't stop doing "She'll Be Comin' 'Round The Mountain" when I became an adult. My rule is simply this: if my audience "gets into" the song, it's not demeaning to them to use it. (Not surprisingly, the folks most insulted by having you do "baby songs" are kids of about age 8 to 12. They're "too grown up" for that stuff.) |
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03 Aug 02 - 02:36 AM (#759139) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Marion Genie, I just remembered this old thread that I started: Musical "ethics"; bad performance OK?" Man, that seems like a long time ago. Marion |
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08 Aug 02 - 11:21 AM (#761920) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: GUEST,Marion Genie, you list a song called "Georgia". Is that the same as "Georgia on My Mind", which I've found in some oldies books? Also, you or somebody mentioned a song called "Glory of Love". Is that the one where the chorus goes "I am the man who will fight for your honour, I'll be the hero that you're dreaming of, we'll live forever, knowing forever that we did it all for the glory of love"? I thought that was an 80's song. Thanks, Marion |
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08 Aug 02 - 02:53 PM (#762034) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie Yes, Marion, Hoagy Carmichael co-wrote the song. I thought the title was just "Georgia," but I'll check. Anyway, this is the song that Ray Charles does so beautifully ("...just an old sweet song keeps Georgia on my mind.") Re "The Glory Of Love," I think you will find the lyrics and chords to that song in a thread that's in today's Filter. If it's not there, just do a Filter search using "Glory of Love." It's a 1920s song that has become a standard. I'm familiar with the 1980s song you mentioned, too. (Wasn't it the theme song for "The Karate Kid II?") I'm not sure if that's the exact title for that song, but there are lots of songs that share titles with other songs. Genie |
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15 Aug 02 - 11:02 AM (#765840) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Marion Can anyone offer a top 10 list of Jewish songs for seniors? Also, Genie mentioned somewhere above "anything by Johnny Cash." I've been thinking of learning Boy Named Sue - do you think it would fit the bill. I'm a little concerned that people might not get the joke if it's sung by a woman, unless they're already familiar with it. Thanks, Marion |
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15 Aug 02 - 12:25 PM (#765909) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie Folks who are Jewish will, no doubt, have a slightly different list (and a bigger one) than mine, but I've been playing and singing regularly at several Jewish homes for about 10 years. Here are a few that I find are real favorites (and that I also know): Hebrew (Israeli): Yiddish Ladino Russian Spanish* English -- much the same list as in other senior homes, with special preference for songs by Irving Berlin (except "White Christmas" and "Easter Parade"), Al Jolson, and the Gershwins, and songs from musicals, especially "Fiddler On The Roof" and "Hello, Dolly!" Always One difference I notice between the Jewish homes and a lot of others is that country/western and "cowboy" songs are not as popular in the Jewish homes (though "Red River Valley" and "Home On The Range" are reasonably popular in both). *Many Jewish residents with Ladino roots like to hear familiar Spanish songs, in addition to Ladino songs. "Besame Mucho" was very popular, with English words, in the US in the 1930s or 1940s, as were "Amapola" (WWII era) and "La Cucaracha." The song "Spanish Eyes" also gets requested frequently in the Jewish retirement homes where I play. |
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15 Aug 02 - 12:43 PM (#765927) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie I DO get requests from time to time -- more often than you might expect -- to sing "Boy Named Sue!" I haven't bothered to learn it, tough, for precisely the reason you mentioned. I just don't think the "joke works" when a woman sings the song. |
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15 Aug 02 - 12:45 PM (#765931) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie I DO get requests from time to time -- more often than you might expect -- to sing "Boy Named Sue!" I haven't bothered to learn it, tough, for precisely the reason you mentioned. I just don't think the "joke works" when a woman sings the song. |
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15 Aug 02 - 03:16 PM (#766042) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Marion Thanks for the Jewish list, Genie. Do you take the same songbook to Jewish facilities as to others? If so, does it have Christian songs, and if so, have you ever found that to be an issue? Marion |
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15 Aug 02 - 04:51 PM (#766098) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie Marion, I seldom sing religious songs at Jewish homes (except for the few listed above, which are not strongly "theologically loaded"). Popular Passover or Hanukkah or Purim songs are OK, and songs about freedom, peace and brotherhood, but not being Jewish, I feel it would show a lot of chutzpah for me to sing the "more sacred" songs. Most of my songbooks don't have sectarian songs in them (though a few songs--like America The Beautiful--refer to "God"). Unless the residents request a hymn (e.g., Amazing Grace), the only "religious" songs from the Christian tradition that I sing in Jewish homes tend to be the old spirituals like "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," and "Michael, Row The Boat Ashore." Many of these songs are based on scriptures shared by Judaism and Christianity (e.g., "Joshua Fit The Battle Of Jericho") and many have the quest for freedom from bondage/persecution as a theme (e.g., "Go Down, Moses," "Wade In The Water," etc.). I use these around Passover especially -- as well as the Carter Family's "Little Moses." I really suggest asking the facility's activity director for guidelines. Some facilities have mainly Eshkanazi (sp?) Jews from Russia and northern Europe, some have a lot of Sephardic Jews from Spain, Yugoslavia, etc., some have about half and half, etc. (One place in Seattle has warned me not to sing Yiddish songs unless I do an equal number of Ladino songs, to keep peace among the residents, who are split about 50/50.) Some facilities are much more open to hearing music from non-Jewish traditions, including Christmas songs. (One place in California the residents requested "Silent Night" and "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town. At another facility in Seattle you'll get a lot of flack if you sing "Jingle Bell-- which has nothing to do with Christmas at all.) A lot depends on the residents. A lot also depends on whether the staff takes the attitude of avoiding any and all complaints. (If you have one resident out of 300 who gets upset at "Jingle Bells," do you ban the song?) Kinda funny story in this regard: |
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20 Aug 02 - 07:19 PM (#768800) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Marion Thanks for the answers. I guess if you're getting requests for Boy Named Sue, people must want to hear a woman singing it... maybe I'll try learning it and imitating Johnny Cash's phrasing and spoken asides - sort of an impersonation act. Might be fun. Marion |
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18 Sep 02 - 03:06 PM (#786886) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: GUEST,Marion A couple of questions: 1. What are good songs for a Halloween party at a stroke survivors' day program? 2. In my research into homes, day programs, and community centres that serve seniors, I've been surprised by the high percentage which are oriented to specific ethnic groups. Most common in Toronto is Jewish, then Chinese, then maybe Italian, but there are dozens of others. I'm already learning some Jewish songs - and I can imagine trying to develop some Chinese repertoire as well, just because there are so many Chinese venues. But I'm not sure how (or if) I should be approaching places titled Macedonian, Afghan, or Philippino... (a few I've gotten addresses for so far). I don't think I can learn a respectable repertoire in each of these languages. Do you think there would be interest in a standard English program? Thanks, Marion
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19 Sep 02 - 01:35 AM (#787243) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Ferrara Marion, 1. For the Halloween session: Do you know "The Ghost of Anne Boleyn?" Words are in the DT as ANNE BOLEYN, if you know the tune. Another is "Mrs. Revoon." Don't think that's in the DT but it may be. My spouse, Bill D, sings it. Perfect for Halloween. Maybe "The Cat Came Back," or "The Body in the Bag," any good cat song. How about "The Long Black Veil"? Actually you need some upbeat ghost songs but offhand I can't think of any.... Oh, yes, how about "The Unfortunate Miss Bailey?" That's somewhat well known because the Kingston Trio did it, and it's upbeat and funny. 2. Another category of songs that go over extremely well with Jewish audiences, is anything by Allan Sherman, who wrote parodies of folk songs with a Jewish twist. They are hilarious. My own favorite, which goes over extremely well, is "Harvey and Sheila," to the tune of "Hava Nagila." Only trouble is, it takes a while to learn. I've been singing it since I was lucky enough to hear it 20 years ago... Went right out and found the record. Allen Sherman's biggest hit was "Hello Mudda, Hello Fadda," this is popular with audiences of all types. Well, for that matter, so is "Harvey & Sheila." The guy was a genius IMHO. 3. Regarding the ethnic retirement homes, would it help just to phone or visit the AD and see what they think? Just a suggestion.... Rita |
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19 Sep 02 - 04:50 AM (#787292) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: GUEST,Dirty Old Git Everytime I try to do a gig in the nursing home they sedate me and lock me in my room. Last time I struggled and three big nurses sat on me - I enjoyed that - perhaps I'll try it again. |
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19 Sep 02 - 04:51 AM (#787293) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: GUEST,Dirty Old Git |
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19 Sep 02 - 04:58 AM (#787297) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: GUEST,Dirty Old Git Sorry about the previous one - I had a premature ejaculation. I just wondered if there are any ladies out there who would like to play Doctors and Nurses type gigs with me - that is when they let me have female visitors again - big Brenda's allegations were all a tissue of lies. |
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19 Sep 02 - 03:31 PM (#787647) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: M.Ted Marion-- My, my, we have to keep an eye on you! Maybe you can learn the Jewish songs. but my money says you'll never get a Chinese set together! As to the Macedonian tunes, I have a very nice book of traditional Macedonian ballads, transliterated from the Cyrillic, with translations of the verses as well--you'll have to learn to play in 7, 9, and 15 though, and ditch the guitar and fiddle for a tambura, or(if you want to be modern) a squeezebox-- But seriously, it is very hard work indeed to learn a new repertoire, in a whole new language(and a whole new genre)--It isn't worth the trouble to do it for one gig--especially since the real ethnic singers will always know a lot more material, and likely know it better--stick to the music that you love the most, and find places to play it--then, like Genie, you can pick up additional material, over time! PS Seems to me that Toronto used to have a great ethnic music festival--does it still? That would be the time to hear Macedonian, Chinese and other music, and perhaps find someone who would be willing to teach you some of the most popular tunes-- |
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19 Sep 02 - 04:25 PM (#787687) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie LOL, Dirty Ol' Git!
A few songs that pertain to aging or death but which I find are often requested by residents of assisted living, retirement, and nursing homes, are:
¥ The Memory Song (See thread in the forum. I've introduced this to quite a few seniors -- especially the ones in their 70s and 80s who are beginning to notice their memory is not what it used to be--, and they love it and request it thereafter.) ¥ September Song (very popular with seniors)
Rita, I think it's great to have a song or two from "the old country" to do for folks who came here from another culture. If you do instrumentals, that's a great help, since you can playt the melodies and don't have to learn to sing in Chinese or whatever. Singing a few is also nice, but generally, I think folks would rather hear someone from another country sing a song well in English than hear them butcher the pronunciation on a dozen songs in their native language. Genie |
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19 Sep 02 - 05:14 PM (#787730) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: M.Ted Genie, Do you do half Sephardic and half Yiddish? I'd sure like to know more about the Sephardic stuff! |
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19 Sep 02 - 07:01 PM (#787811) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie Ted, I know only 2 Ladino songs by heart, but I have sheet music to a couple of others. I need to learn more. (I also know a few songs in Spanish that are popular with Sephardic Jewish seniors, and I can throw one or two of them in PRN, but they'd really like to hear the "old" songs in Ladino.) Look for "Ladino" in the forum. There's at least one thread that has links to some websites for Ladino songs. |
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21 Sep 02 - 04:26 PM (#788643) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Marion Ted, I think you'll find that you're further ahead betting on what I can do than what I can't. I took a year of Chinese in college, so I don't find it that intimidating a prospect (I even remember one song by heart from that class). Also, I'm not considering trying to learn vast numbers of songs in any foreign language, just maybe 4 or 5 to mix into a regular set. I agree with you about the inadvisability of studying Macedonian music when there is such a small market for it - but a little Hebrew, a little Chinese, a little Italian might open several doors. I also agree with you that the real ethnic singers will always be able to do more and better in foreign languages. However, in university I studied three languages that are very seldom learned by Canadian Anglos (Arabic and Turkish as well as Mandarin) and one thing I noticed is that when I used these languages people were very surprised and delighted to hear an Anglo saying anything at all in them, no matter how basic. So maybe that will work in my favour a little. Rita, I agree with you that I wouldn't try to learn a foreign language song just from the transliteration, so I'm taking advantage of Toronto's great library system with its CD collection. And doing some of the songs as instrumentals is another good idea that I hadn't thought of. Cheers, Marion Ah, I can't help asking: what did you mean, Ted, by "you'll have to learn to play in 7, 9, and 15 though"? Is that some kind of time signature? |
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21 Sep 02 - 04:54 PM (#788663) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: M.Ted You didn't study Chinese music for a year though, and there is more to performing music than simply learning the words--Maybe you know one song, but can you play it? And you you sing it in the the proper voice? I do agree that nothing melts the ice more better than a few words in the old native language, but you have to have a few well selected, polished, and professional sets of music to back it up--best to work up the music that you know best, and save the rest for later--
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21 Sep 02 - 05:06 PM (#788669) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Marion Can I sing and play it like a native? No. Can I sing and play it in such way that people will enjoy it? I think so. Marion |
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22 Sep 02 - 03:00 PM (#789101) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Marion Ted, upon rereading I find that I'm basically in agreement with you - it is my plan to concentrate totally on developing and promoting a good English show first. Possibly sometime in the future I'll look into more niches within the seniors' market, but I'm not hurried or committed to learning any Chinese songs. I think the way you expressed it just rubbed me the wrong way. But seriously, what is playing in 7, 9, and 15? Marion |
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22 Sep 02 - 09:49 PM (#789279) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie Marion, I think the idea of singing in a language that you've studied is great, especially if some of the residents in the places you play have that as their native language. I sing quite a few songs in German, Italian, Yiddish, Spanish, and French because those are all languages that I've either studied or languages thatI've been exposed to a lot and are related to the ones I have studied. I also sing a lot in Hebrew, because I play at Jewish homes a lot, and the residents and staff sing with me, so I get to hear the language, too. I learned "Ja, Vi Elsker Detta Landet" because I had a regular gig at The Norse Home in Seattle. (I studied a Norwegian language book a bit and had some of the residents sing the song with me so I could hear how it sounds.) If there are residents whose first language is something other than English, they will usually be delighted to have you try to sing in that language, even if you don't do it very well. (They can be very helpful in correcting your pronunciation, too. *G*) But, as has been said, one or two of these per visit is plenty. Genie
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23 Sep 02 - 12:33 PM (#789644) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: M.Ted 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--
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23 Sep 02 - 09:12 PM (#789964) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: GUEST,leeneia 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. |
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23 Sep 02 - 11:54 PM (#790028) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie 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 |
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27 Sep 02 - 05:30 PM (#792627) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: GUEST,Marion 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 |
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28 Sep 02 - 01:48 AM (#792828) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: GUEST,leeneia 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? |
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30 Sep 02 - 03:38 PM (#794193) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: wysiwyg Links to Klezmer and Ladino music: CLICK TO KLEZ THREAD. ~Susan |
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30 Sep 02 - 09:06 PM (#794481) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie 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 |
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02 Oct 02 - 11:56 AM (#795516) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Ferrara 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.... |
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02 Oct 02 - 06:00 PM (#795810) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: M.Ted 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 |
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03 Oct 02 - 04:25 PM (#796368) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Marion Thanks for the Italian suggestions. Ciao, Marion |
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03 Oct 02 - 09:22 PM (#796513) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie 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 |
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04 Oct 02 - 04:20 PM (#797031) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Marion 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 |
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04 Oct 02 - 10:12 PM (#797173) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie 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. Genie PS, re Allan Sherman, how about "Cockeyed And Muscle-Bound Molly Malone?" |
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04 Oct 02 - 11:22 PM (#797205) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: wysiwyg I think folks in those places have mastered the art of taking people as they find 'em, Genie. ~S~ |
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05 Oct 02 - 07:26 AM (#797302) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie 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!" ;-) |
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05 Oct 02 - 01:48 PM (#797480) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: M.Ted 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-- |
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08 Oct 02 - 03:10 AM (#798715) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie 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. Anyway, my work "got to me" today in an especially personal way. Genie |
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08 Oct 02 - 03:18 AM (#798717) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie 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. |
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08 Oct 02 - 12:02 PM (#798955) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: GUEST,Dirty Old Git 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..... |
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08 Oct 02 - 01:03 PM (#798999) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie 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?) |
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09 Oct 02 - 02:29 AM (#799343) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Marion 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 |
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09 Oct 02 - 10:27 PM (#800051) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie Another related thread: music therapy |
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14 Oct 02 - 11:48 PM (#803256) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: GUEST Refreshing this thread in response to a new thread asking for lists of what folks play at nursing homes. |
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22 Oct 02 - 08:28 PM (#808943) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie 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 |
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05 Feb 03 - 03:09 PM (#883353) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: GUEST,Marion What are the must-do songs for Valentine's Day parties at nursing homes? Marion |
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05 Feb 03 - 06:02 PM (#883512) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Frankham 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 |
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05 Feb 03 - 07:53 PM (#883592) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie 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 |
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05 Feb 03 - 08:34 PM (#883608) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: GUEST,Marion 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 |
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29 Apr 03 - 02:08 PM (#942920) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Marion So what are the must-do songs for Mothers' Day, and Fathers' Day? Marion |
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29 Apr 03 - 04:51 PM (#943052) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: denise:^) 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:^) |
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30 Apr 03 - 08:47 AM (#943445) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: GUEST,Dirty Old Git 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. |
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05 May 03 - 01:54 PM (#946330) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: GUEST,Marion 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 |
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25 Apr 12 - 10:39 AM (#3343073) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: GUEST 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'! |
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25 Apr 12 - 05:27 PM (#3343251) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: GUEST,leeneia 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. |
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26 Apr 12 - 02:17 AM (#3343386) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie 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. |
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26 Apr 12 - 05:42 AM (#3343431) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: cptsnapper 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. |
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26 Apr 12 - 06:47 AM (#3343446) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Bonzo3legs 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!! |
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26 Apr 12 - 10:11 AM (#3343520) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: GUEST,leeneia Thanks for the additional tip about using a low voice, Genie. Bonzo, I hope they took the old 'dear' someplace else. |
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26 Apr 12 - 01:49 PM (#3343625) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Bonzo3legs 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. |
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26 Apr 12 - 08:34 PM (#3343804) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie 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. |
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27 Apr 12 - 06:14 AM (#3343924) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Rob Naylor 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. :-) |
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27 Apr 12 - 09:23 PM (#3344235) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Genie 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." |
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28 Apr 12 - 01:45 PM (#3344501) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: Stringsinger 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. |
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26 Jun 12 - 12:57 PM (#3368246) Subject: RE: Playing nursing home gigs From: GUEST You should check out a career in RN. |