Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)

Subject: Folklore: shoot the rest of em.
From: tuggy mac
Date: 26 Sep 03 - 05:54 AM

If you had the chance to filter out the crap from a singeround music session at your localby this i mean singers musicians and the talkers whilst peaople are trying to listen or the prat who dosent swith his mobile phone off! You decide and add your own. which three musical instruments would you marry together ,and sitting there with a musical 12 bore who would you waste?

Cheers tuggy mac.

Subject: RE: Folklore: shoot the rest of em.
From: tuggy mac
Date: 26 Sep 03 - 06:16 AM

Ill start it with the talkers who dont bring an instrument and can be heard over the players.

Subject: RE: Folklore: shoot the rest of em.
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 26 Sep 03 - 06:59 AM

I'd start with the musos who are rude enought to talk when anyone sings!

Subject: RE: Folklore: shoot the rest of em.
From: tuggy mac
Date: 26 Sep 03 - 12:02 PM

i agree!

Subject: RE: Folklore: shoot the rest of em.
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Sep 03 - 01:13 PM

The accordian player who doesn't know session rules.

Subject: RE: Folklore: shoot the rest of em.
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 26 Sep 03 - 01:18 PM

People who don't appreciate that we all sang or played for the first time and many of us weren't much good but more importantly people who offer violence.

Subject: RE: Folklore: shoot the rest of em.
From: Ebbie
Date: 26 Sep 03 - 01:27 PM

In the weekly singaround I conduct I often say clearly: "OK-we've got one going. 'Singer', what you got?" That has always worked.

When a buzz of conversation starts around the room between songs I sometimes do a WAH wah WAH wah on a couple of high notes and when everyone looks my way, I'll say something like: "Back to music?"

Once in a great while I have asked a couple of people to take their conversation into the other room. I remember only one time when it offended someone- but then he was a frequent offender... Hasn't done it since.

Once in awhile either I or someone else will remnd the group to back off on guitars while someone with a quiet voice is singing. And when that hasn't worked I ask the quiet voiced one to move midway into the ring so everyone can hear.

The only thing that rattles me is when guitars are beating away and the players aren't listening to anyone or anything. You can get three different rhythms going that way. I haven't figured out yet how to handle that one.

Subject: RE: Folklore: shoot the rest of em.
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 26 Sep 03 - 04:29 PM

People who aren't playing anything, but hog the seats in the middle of the music while musicians are struggling to play standing.

Subject: RE: Folklore: shoot the rest of em.
From: Charley Noble
Date: 26 Sep 03 - 05:47 PM

I'm absolutely against shootin' such people in and around the song circle. The aggressive stringed instrument players can be delt with by wire clippers, a bucket of water for the smokers, cayenne pepper for the talkers, but I confess I don't know what to do with the concertina players? Maybe I'll just join in with them, in F#.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Folklore: shoot the rest of em.
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 26 Sep 03 - 06:01 PM

Give 'em a firm squeeze...

Subject: RE: Folklore: shoot the rest of em.
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 26 Sep 03 - 08:21 PM

McGrath's comment

"People who aren't playing anything, but hog the seats in the middle of the music while musicians are struggling to play standing."

Most especially if they can't play any instrument at all.

The most obnoxious criticism I've had (about any instrument I play) is from those who do not play that instrument. If sufficiently pissed off, and in the right mood, I am not above physically offering the instrument to them and saying something like "Go ahead - I always like to take lessons from a master on the instrument". Related to this, usually the more instruments a person plays the more tolerant I have found them to any other instrument. But of course, some people are just natural "gentle-folks".


I got others, but that's enough for now...

Robin
Multi-instrumentalist, but not a know-all (Really!)

Subject: RE: Folklore: shoot the rest of em.
From: LadyJean
Date: 26 Sep 03 - 09:54 PM

There was a woman who used to come to the Smokey City Folk Festivals with her two horrible children named, so help me God! Rueben and Rachel! The screamed, they shouted, they cried, they screeched nursery school songs, at the top of their little lungs, while their mother sat there, completely oblivious. She barely noticed the little monsters existed. I haven't seen Rueben or Rachel in years. The little nightmares must be grown now, unless someone had mercy on us all and drowned them.

Subject: RE: Folklore: shoot the rest of em.
From: Bert
Date: 26 Sep 03 - 11:03 PM

I'd take the wire clippers to those guitar players (it's always guitar players) who jump in out of turn in a circle.

Subject: RE: Folklore: shoot the rest of em.
From: Willie-O
Date: 27 Sep 03 - 08:00 AM

Why are there so many threads about negative aspects of sessions?

Sessions are fun, musical, and social. That's why we have 'em.

As for annoyances, pretty much everyone except me and thee can be annoying sometimes. And I'm not so sure about thee.

But seriously, the "problems" are the same the world over. Whatever is distracting your attention from the music. Invariably, someone who is not as developed in musicianship (not the same as playing ability) as the person who is annoyed.

W-O
Hey, I'm going to meet Jerry Holland this morning, he's coming to do a workshop at our fiddle orchestra rehearsal. Whoops, thread creep.
How annoying. Must be my insufficiently developed threadianship.

Subject: RE: Folklore: shoot the rest of em.
From: tuggy mac
Date: 27 Sep 03 - 10:47 AM

You lost me after sessions !few! Sorry matey.Too many big words!

All the best tuggy mac.

Subject: RE: Folklore: shoot the rest of em.
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 27 Sep 03 - 11:19 AM

Yeah the instrumentalists who either talk when someone's singing -- or else walk away, en mass. And the doodlers who have to be playing something tuneless even if nothing else is temporarily going on so the singer can't find a note or hear the intro.

Linn

Subject: RE: Folklore: shoot the rest of em.
From: tuggy mac
Date: 28 Sep 03 - 05:14 AM

I agree entirely lin! and the instrument tuners whilst peaopl are playing.And how about the prat who decides he will play the fruit machine(badit) whilst the jammers sare in full flow.

Cheers tuggy mac.

Subject: RE: Folklore: shoot the rest of em.
From: Noreen
Date: 28 Sep 03 - 03:38 PM

tuggy mac, is there anything you like about sessions and music?

I may be wrong, but I think all the threads you have started have been critical and negative.

I prefer to focus on the enjoyable.

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: GUEST,Peter from Essex
Date: 28 Sep 03 - 06:20 PM

The OP says "singaround at your local"

If the session is in a bar then other customers have as much right to make noise as you have to sing or play. If you can't hack it then hire the function room and only admit those who obey your rules.

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: Snuffy
Date: 28 Sep 03 - 06:31 PM

Got it in one, Peter

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: GUEST,mink
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 04:06 AM

Sorry - gotta vent my spleen here.

Recently I encountered The Oaf - an Oaf both personally & musically. Probably THE most annoying session-attender in the world.

Sang LONG songs very monotonously, wanted (& sometimes succeeded) to do 2 in a row where everyone else was doing only one, criticised another musician for not playing the song as per CD (!!!!), joined in out of tune on tin whistle with other people's songs, joined in out of tune with himself too, started a political argument, talked VERY loudly over other people's songs, percussed AND handed out implements of percussion, knowingly repeated a song someone had done earlier in the evening - how do such people surive?

I can only assume he is new to the scene & a little over-enthusiastic & under-ettiquetted. Anyway - I'd not shoot the bugger, because he'd only enjoy the attention.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Ah - feel better now .

cheers

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: Pied Piper
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 05:51 AM

If you can't sing or play with enough commitment and pathos to win the punters attention, don't blame them it's your problem.

TTFN
PP

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: GUEST,minky
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 06:04 AM

Bollox Pied P - Sometimes it doesn't matter how well you are singing/playing - if people are busy chatting & don't want to listen then they won't. I don't think we need to feel that is our failing! Its just one of those things & is part & parcel of singing in pubs.
BUT - it is still very rude for any musician to talk LOUDLY through someone elses' performance, irrespective of quality.

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: Pied Piper
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 06:34 AM

In a Pub people have the right to listen or not listen, as is there wish. If you can't stand the heat get out of the Kitchen. Maybe find yourself a nice cosy back room with a door you can shut against the masses and some 50 something lapsed socialists to stare and tut tut when someone is showing insufficient respect to the "Artists".
But wait a minute, its already been done; they're called Folk Clubs.

TTFN
PP

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: Mr Happy
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 06:44 AM

pp agree,

all the sesshes i go to are in pubs- usually the lounge.

my own sesh is one of these & after all it is a PUBLIC house, so other customers have just as much right to speak or anything else as the musos & siners doing their stuff.

if any of the customers is excessively noisy or disruptive, cheerful charlie, the barman slings 'em out.

also if, as pp says, the ongoing entertainment is worth listening to,then people will shut up & listen.

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: GUEST,minkest
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 07:01 AM

PP - I'd rather just get rid of the rude wankers that expect me to listen to their songs & then talk ostentatiously over mine. And its not because I'm no good - I am good, so there! The general pub locals are of course welcome to do whatever they generally do - within reason. And its always appreciated if the regulars do react favourably. Its usually obvious if a pub as a whole don't really want us there & we will go elsewhere without getting unduly up our own arses about it.
And no I don't want to sit in a folk club full of 50 something lapsed socialists - but that's just too true an image for comfort isn't it?
Well it is around where I live anyway.

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: GUEST,Mick
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 07:07 AM

Pied Piper you're a bit of a prat aren't you?

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 08:00 AM

I'm always a bit annoyed by the singer who forgets the words of a song when they're nearly at the end, and who therefore starts a new song from the beginning - I think that after the second verse they should have to wait until the next time round.

I do agree that in a pub singaround, you have to be prepared to put up with some noise, but I often wonder why some people (usually non-performers) will take great pains to grab a seat in the middle of the bar and then natter through the whole proceedings. The couple of times when I've asked has usually got a reply along the lines of "I like listening to Folk Singing" - pity they don't make it easier for the rest of the audience to enjoy the same thing. The thing that annoys me most though, is the person who talks loudly when they're standing right next to the person singing - couldn't they wait until "the spot" has passed on to someone further away or perhaps move further away themselves for the duration of the song.

As far as people talking when I'm singing, that's my problem. In some cases I can put it down to the wrong choice of song for the moment. I do have a fairly powerful voice and I can make it very difficult for anyone to carry on with a conversation in my vicinity - on the other hand I might move myself to somewhere easier to sing. I also have several comic songs in my repertoire which allow me to direct the odd line or verse at members of the audience and it can often be quite fun to choose someone who is being rather noisy. I must admit that I do a lot of pub singing outside of the security blanket of a singaround and so perhaps I've learnt how to manage an audience better than many singers.

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: smallpiper
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 08:03 AM

I'm with PP on this one and I don't think he's a prat. I avoid singarounds but don't mind mixed sessions. What amuses me here are the number of people complaining about musos talking when someone is singing - Have you ever been to a mixed session and noticed how quiet everyone is when people are singing and how noisy the singers are when someone is playing? That is my experince of sessions (not all singers are like that but the majority, in my experience, are. For example I was playing a slow air at Otley and some singer types came barging in talking over the top of my playing and even banged into me, one of them then had the cheek to have a go at someone who was very quietly moving a guitar case and making room for someone to sit down while this git was singing!) That's my pet hate - i.e. people who don't respect others.

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 08:15 AM

Anyone who stands next to Dave Bryant when he's simnging and carries on a conversation must have a bloody loud voice, that's all!

One loud conversation have spoil the enjoyment of a whole bunch of people, the same way one person smoking in a stuffy room can do the same for a whole roomful of people who aren't smoking.

That's not the same as saying that regulars who aren't part of a session should have to shut up - there's a balance in all things.

Toning down the over noisy talker should preferably be done by the people with him (it's always "him"), rather by the people in the session. Or the bartender.

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 08:28 AM

A word of caution here ... I've said this elsewher, but it bears repeating: DON'T cut guitar strings with wire cutters -- they are hardened steel,and wil ruin the edge of the blades; always use the notch in the side of a pair of pliers.

Steve

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 08:50 AM

Yes Steve, and you should be careful - the tensioned strings ehen cut can whip around and take out your eyes..
:-)
Robin

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: GUEST,alexis
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 09:06 AM

My worst experience (and very nearly my last because of it)was at a singaround at Holmfirth Folk Festival a few years ago. I got relieved of £4 at the bar to get into a side room with nowhere to sit or stand that wasn't in front of singers, had to endure some t**t standing next to me singing all the choruses half a tone flat and people shushing whenever anyone even took a swig of their beer.(if my memory serves me right, it was being run by someone from Shoddy Doggie) I tend to go with Pied Piper in that when I was growing up and drinking in Cornwall, in you were any good, people listened.
Alex

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: Rapparee
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 09:19 AM

'Twasn't a singaround, but a performance by Seamus Kennedy. The table in front of us (we were there first, by the way) smoked (nonsmoking area) and chattered loudly throughout the first half of Seamus's set, obviously enjoying some sort of reunion. We had to leave at the break, as the smoke was getting to our friend (allergy).

Worse, the talkers criticized the music when they bothered to talk of it, complaining that it wasn't rock!

But I wouldn't shoot 'em. Too messy and too quick. I'd gag them and lock them in a room filled with off-key accordion music, varied with violin (not fiddle!) music played by beginning violin players and out-of-tune piobrachs.

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 09:32 AM

Sessions in a pub are just that, so you can and should, expect people to be noisy. Many go to their pub so they can have a conversation, a contest of the dart or suchlike. Don't forget that many people these days have only known the 'Sound of Musak' and live acoustic music, voice or instrument or both, is not something they meet every day, so invariably they will tend to do what we all do and try to talk over the 'Musak'. In a club on the other hand, why do people still want to talk over people porforming? I suggest to anyone who thinks that's OK to try doing it in the auditorium at a West End play, or during an Opera! If people have paid money, then they should expect to be able to hear whoever is performing. Would any of you do it if Martin Carthy were performing? Don't knock Folk Clubs and brand them all as (and I quote from an earlier post) "a nice cosy back room with a door you can shut against the masses and some 50 something lapsed socialists to stare and tut tut when someone is showing insufficient respect to the "Artists".

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: Fay
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 09:43 AM

I have a minor dislike of those people who go sssshhhh all the way through the first two or so verses of an unaccompanied song in an effort to make everyone else shut up and listen. If they wanted to hear it, why make such an irritating sound which often also embarrasses the singer. The rest of the people will either quieten down when they hear whats going on, or not. If you must do something, eye contact is less obtrusive and more effective.

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 09:51 AM

as a singer who doesn't play an instrument _ I notice that even though this thread is specifically titled "singaround disturbances" there is still an incredible amount of mention and talk about instruments and those who *don't* play.

SING-around. SING-around....gee - don't you think for a SINGararound those who don't play instruments could be excused that petty little lack?

Singers *ARE* musicians too!

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: Mr Happy
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 10:11 AM

GUEST,MMario,

have a peek at the first post in this thead, the originator mentions,

'singeround music session'.

There's not always enough space in the titling box to describe a topic fully.

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: VIN
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 10:25 AM

Well said, John Barden. I go to a pub session (don't play or sing there meself) and expect some noise, especially when ther'e a darts match goin on in the tap room.

With organised clubs and singarounds/sessions i think its basically down to good manners and a bit of tolerance and basic common sense. If you want to talk while someone's singing/playing then go outside the room. Otherwise, i reckon its just being ignorant.

I kind of agree with you too Fay re the loud ssssshhhhh-ing thing, that can be irritating. I used to go listening to the Halle orchestra quite a lot and in those concerts if someone is rustling a sweet wrapper or whispering loudly during quiet pieces, you get what we nick-named the 'Halle stare' which can be quite effective. A modicum of chat can be tolerable in folk clubs and singing/playing sessions and most people usually do quiten down....but occasionally some don't. I don't think being intollerant or ignorant to others is some kind of 'right' to be practiced!

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 10:29 AM

Some years ago, I got up to sing in a strange place. Shortly into the song, I could hear some whuspered conversation (ot wasn't bothering me, in fact) and someone went "Sh!" quite loudly: so I stopped singing and apologised, which got a good laugh, and the talkers stopped talking: everyone happy.

I well remember Alex Campbell interrupting himself in mid-story to say, "look, I don't mind you talking when I'm singing, but if you talk when I'm talking...!" He brought the house down, of course.

If it's bothering you (and you're sufficiently heckle-proof), it's worth a humorous attempt to shut them up: "shall I wait until you've finished?" or "your converstion is more interesting than my song, let's listen to that instead!" -- or maybe try being rude. It's important to be confident you can get the last word. Long ago, a young guitarist was trying to sing songs and tell jokes, and not very well; a man kept heckiling him, until he said, "come up here, if you can do better!" ... and he did, and he could ... and Little and Large was (were?) born, and the world was never quiote the same again.

Steve

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 10:29 AM

"Sushing" is a drag, and it can be worse than the talking. Either eye contact and a wave of the hands, or if the occasion demands it, maybe a bellowed "Shut the **** up would you!!"

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 10:33 AM

I also tend to prefer well run mixed sessions, but without any control they will usually get taken over by the instrumentalists (notice that I didn't say musicians MMario).

I think that an ideal ratio is about one instrumental spot to at least two songs. This is because most instrumental sets tend to consist of two or more tunes and can even "chain", as many players use another person's B tune for their A tune. Also on the whole players will all tend to join in together so they don't have to wait for a full cycle to have another go (OK I know that singers can join in choruses).

I think that for many tunes in an instrumental session, it doesn't matter if people talk over them, but would agree that certain players/tunes could do with a "bit of hush". Singers on the other hand are not just making music, they are also presenting lyrics which need to be listened to in a more focussed way if the song is to be fully apreciated. I hate singing a song as a form of Muzac - if no-one's listening to the word, i feel that I'm wasting my time.

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: smallpiper
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 06:58 PM

Surley if it dosn't matter if people talk over tunes then it really dosn't matter if people talk over songs then does it. Hell most of us are born with a voice but non of us are born instrumentalists we have to learn to do that and work bloody hard at it too (I am not saying that vocalists don't also have to work hard before you start having a go at me, just that instrumentalists (muzo's as I prefer to call them) have to work harder)and respect is a two way street.

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 07:07 PM

But it doesn't make that much difference when you're playing if there's a bit of noise in the background - I mean it doesn't normally put you off or spoil the enjoyment (unless there are chairs flying through the air), so long as you can huddle closer to the others playing and hear them. The listeners lose out, rather than the players. I've heard superb ensemble playing in situations where you can't hear yourself speak and have to order drinks by sign language.

But with singing it's different, if you're singing against a racket, you can't hear yourself (though that's where the oft-derided finger behind the ear comes into its own)- or it turns into a shouting competition, and that can wreck your voice.

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: smallpiper
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 07:14 PM

I play smallpipes which are quite quiet and I struggle to hear myself playing in noisy situations, others may be able to hear me as the sound is projected away from me but I can't hear myself which is a situation that pisses me off. I expect and tollerate limited background noise so why shouldn't singers - at least they can increase their volume, I can't, unless I swap to GHB's in which case no one will be able to hear themselves! There is no excuse for what comes down to simple rudness either on the part of the talkers, singers or muzo's. Tolerate it or go sing or play somewhere else.

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: GUEST,Guest Folkie
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 07:15 PM

Every other week it seems that a bitter and accusatory thread starts wingeing about manners at singarounds/playarounds. I get worried that the musical community is its own worst enemy in setting up rules of behaviour that the rest of the world have to guess at.

Our sessions ought to be welcoming and inclusive - one of the advantages in pub singing/playing is that it carries the tradition back to the public - great.

There is a place for concerts and closed clubs to preach to the converted; playing in public areas, whether pubs or street corners, is guaranteed to suffer from noise and movement that would not happen in a private environment.

Why does this surprise anyone? I feel that the hush that comes over a pub with a particularly good performance is worth the hazard of pub work.

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: GUEST,SeaKing
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 07:52 PM

Up to a point the prat who doesn't switch off his mobile phone- honest mistakes can happen, but both barrels for the ignoramus who then proceeeds to engage in a loud conversation on the wretched thing without leaving the room.

Can't leave out the dear landlord / barmaid either who can't wait between songs to ring the bell and yell "Last orders PLEASE Ladies and GentleMEN".    Vin has it spot on "its basically down to good manners and a bit of tolerance and basic common sense". Covers it all.

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: AliUK
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 10:23 PM

When the noise levels at a club I was running a few years ago, got above the acceptable level...do you know what I did....got a p.a. system installed for the sessions and the peoplke were amped. Everybody heard and people couldn´t natter.

Subject: RE: sincere apologies.
From: tuggy mac
Date: 29 Sep 03 - 11:54 PM

My sincere apologies to everyone on the choice of words to my queerie!

i am new to the internet and obviously too old to learn new tricks .I did not mean to cause offence,And i can see how my lousy choice of words could offend, I only meant by musical 12 bore, a very loud instrument.and by waste i meant drown out.I have obviously watched too much t v. I am a softy at heart and would not hurt a fly. i would not wish harm on any one,I should have asked what anoys you the most .but i frased it all wrong. Could someone please tell me how to remove my original question/thread?
I think its someone called joe offer!I f your reading this Joe offer,would you please erase it.? i have had enough of this pc. and at the end of the week give it a new home with my grand kids.

---

Well, there's some nastiness in the thread, but also some good information. I don't think the thread should be deleted.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Shoot the rest of em (singaround disturbances)
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 30 Sep 03 - 02:05 AM

I'm with the Pied Piper. In a bona fide folk club, or previously arranged session, the guy [or guyess] running the show does the right thing in requesting order for a performer. In a pub? I've done more than most with the squeezebox in a corner of many a bar. I have always played along and pleased myself, till folks [as they always do] start taking an interest, and subsequently play FOR them. This usually lasts till the barman calls "time"---or some uppity half-or-three-quarter-sozzled would-be m.c. bawls "order for the singer!" That is my signal for laying the "box' aside. Most guys [and guyesses...] go into a public bar to drink, socialise and enjoy themselves in their chosen way. It may be that a music maker is right up their alley. In the odd case, the music may get right up their nose[!]. That, however, has happened to me only once in my long mediocre career. If the volume is such that it does not interfere with conversation, most folks are happy to have a melody in the background. Those who are attracted to the musician will gather round and get involved.