Bring back the piano in pubs...please

Subject: RE: Bring back the piano in pubs...please
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 05:44 AM

Rockhen, what about running it off a car battery? I know they're heavy and it's another thing to lug, but with a mains converter (or whatever you call them) you should be able to get it to talk to your keys and power them up. My partner once made me an external battery-pack out of some rechargeable nickel cadmium batteries (now surpassed by better types) which was smaller and more portable than a car battery, though less powerful. I think he used a mains lead that he got from a car shop or a boat-accessories supplier (it was a long time ago) but it worked.

If people give you a hard time about being "electric" it probably means they're afraid of getting blasted out by amplification. Point out to them politely that you're only going to sing ACOUSTICALLY over the sound coming out of the keyboard's built-in speakers, which in fact can be turned down to a quiet level. They often don't realise this and assume you're going to start hauling out mics & amps & speakers.

This was many years ago, but: I once caught an unbelievably hard time from one of the regulars (not the organiser) in a club where we were the booked guests, for daring to bring in an electronic piano. I hadn't seen anyone so rude and insulting in a long time, much less been the target of it. But after the gig - in which I had sung acoustically over the traditional organ & harmonium voices plus the piano and the harpsichord - he was apologetic and embarrassed.

Play your piano whenever and wherever you can, and enjoy it. The best way to eradicate prejudices is to show, not tell. And the best thing to do with all that music locked up in your piano is to let it free!

Subject: RE: Bring back the piano in pubs...please
From: Rasener
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 05:41 AM

Well Rockhen, you have the choice at Market Rasen Folk Club, Piano or your keyboard using electricity, and I positively encourage your keyboard playing as it is so nice. It adds an extra dimension to the music played all evening. The same applies to Gwenda and Jane who both use their keyboards at MRFC.

Keep music, piano's and keyboards alive.

Subject: RE: Bring back the piano in pubs...please
From: Paul Burke
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 03:28 AM

The pub piano was a wonderful institution. The old ladies sitting on the benches round the wall at the Brit at Irlam's o'th' Height used to sway in time to the songs, forcing us youths (youths were only allowed in the best room) to sway with them.

The piano itself had several keys inoperative or severely out of tune- the regular pianist knew which ones these were, and carefully avoided them. Which made it fun when a stand-in pianist was playing.

Sadly, a couple of years before the dual carriageway swept the lot away, the best room and the gold-watch-and-chain parlour were knocked into one, and the piano disappeared, replaced by a gambling machine.

Subject: RE: Bring back the piano in pubs...please
From: GUEST,J C
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 03:15 AM

Sounds like a great recipe for turning Music into Muzak - if that's what you want.
Aren't bodhrans destructive enough for you?

Subject: RE: Bring back the piano in pubs...please
From: The Shambles
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 01:43 AM

Of course the issue now with having a conventional piano in pub is that is classed as an 'entertainment facility' and is illegal without the pub first applying for Premises Licence entertainment permission from the local authority.

Subject: RE: Bring back the piano in pubs...please
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 10:57 PM

Story time...

At a Sunday afternoon session we used to have in Pensacola, a couple showed up one day, he with fiddle and guitar in hand and she schlepping an electric piano. You could hear the hackles of the acoustic purists rising at the prospect of anything electric being played at our session. (Particularly since several of us had once run an open mike and had been "burned" by letting people play keyboards on the promise that they'd keep it "very acoustic sounding".)

Anyway, the couple introduced themselves and he explained that he was a working fiddler who had a regular gig with an Alabama-based bluegrass band, but that he had grown up playing more traditional tunes, had heard about our session and had decided to drop in and play some music for fun for a change. We took turns leading off tunes and the young lady refrained from playing the piano until it was her husband's turn to lead off, whereupon they launched into a scorching set of Cape Breton reels on fiddle and piano that totally floored everyone there. Most of us had heard Cape Breton style piano accompaniment on records, but it was the first time any of us had actually heard it live, much less gotten to play with someone who could do it. The doubters very quickly got over their doubts, embraced the piano despite its need of electricity and it wound up being the best and most memorable session we had during the two-years we had them at that location.

I guess my point is don't let other people's preconceptions about the instrument influence your willingness to play it in front of them. You know whether or not your playing style is appropriate for the venue and the audience. Just do it and if people have preconceptions, change them.

By the way, the fiddler and pianist at that session were J.P. Cormier and his wife Hilda Chiasson-Cormier, names which meant nothing to us at the time. It was about a year later that things started to click for them and J.P.s rise to the top of the Celtic music pile began.

Subject: RE: Bring back the piano in pubs...please
From: Mrrzy
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 10:16 PM

heh heh heh... if you can't find a piano you can always use an upright organ... heh heh heh (DARFC)...

Subject: RE: Bring back the piano in pubs...please
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 09:26 PM

Personally, I hate the piano in folk music. But for blues it is of course different. However, down here in Kent there is a blind keyboard wizard called Clive Lever (he posts here from time to time as "Wild Rover") and he is always welcome in any folk club or singaround with his keyboards. I know of one and one only (very accomplished) guitarist-singer who objects to Clive joining in with him.

Subject: RE: Bring back the piano in pubs...please
From: Kaleea
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 09:19 PM

An electrified piano is terrific for sessions, especially for pubs! It needs no tuner, takes up less space, & can be used for most all varieties of Music. The first time I ever played in a ceili band it was because I could play "boom chuk" style piano.   The button accordian player loved it cause he said it reminded him of being in a session back home.

As a purist, I stayed away from elec for many years, then when it came time to replace my piano I got an electric one. (gasp--! shock & awe) I don't need no stinking tuner, it can be moved much easier & without me wincing about scratches when it's moved.

Subject: RE: Bring back the piano in pubs...please
From: GUEST,ken again
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 09:12 PM

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00022IBOS/ddsi-20/103-7078744-2375043?dev-t=D3E49ECS9E0KO%26camp=2025%26link_code=xm2

Subject: RE: Bring back the piano in pubs...please
From: GUEST,ken
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 09:09 PM

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00022IBOS/ddsi-20/103-7078744-2375043?de

Subject: RE: Bring back the piano in pubs...please
From: gnomad
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 09:01 PM

Played with proper regard for the room, and other performers, an electric piano is OK by me.

I came to this position about 2 years ago, when I found four visitors bringing one in when I arrived for a regular session, at which I am sometimes the "host". Had I been asked ahead of time I (like most acoustic types) would doubtless have discouraged them, the room gets quite crowded, and is mainly a singaround venue. The foursome had two other, non-electronic, instruments. They had travelled, I'm a softy, I decided to give it a try.

The group turned out to be accomplished musicians. Their contribution to the evening reflected their classical background, but they adapted well to a folky session, keeping the electric piano to the sort of level reached by a real one, and they seemed to enjoy themselves.

I concluded that the electronic piano need not be a pariah, any more than a banjo, accordion, or bodhran should. The crucial bit with all of them is that in the wrong hands they can be awful, just as they can be wonderful when in sympathetic hands.

As for real pianos, I feel they would be unlikely to survive a year in most pubs (certainly not in a condition to be played) and that cost, upkeep, and space considerations probably account for their demise.

Subject: RE: Bring back the piano in pubs...please
From: Rockhen
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 08:51 PM

I agree that our area is lucky to have live music sessions. They are great. I am grateful to those who keep organising them.
In the acoustic nights I go to, there are no mics and no electricity used for the music as it stands at present.
If I could use my piano, I would play it as though it was of the normal non-electric variety. Just as a replacement for the lack of a traditional piano being present. I would not use an amp, just the inbuilt speakers only. The acoustic nights are low volume music so it would be sufficient.
Thanks for your comments. Much appreciated!
I do play keyboard sometimes, plus accordion but I think it is sad that there is very little traditional piano heard these days and would like to just do my bit to keep the poor old instrument being heard in a way other than a classical recital situation. Well...OK I am just being selfish and would like to play my piano in t'pub!

Subject: RE: Bring back the piano in pubs...please
From: Leadfingers
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 08:37 PM

In these enlightened days of PELs you are fortunate to have a pub to have a session in ! But if there IS a suitable power point , I cant see any problem with you having a piano plugged in and running at a sensible level of volume .

Subject: RE: Bring back the piano in pubs...please
From: Peace
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 08:11 PM

"BUT IT NEEDS ELECTRICITY....shock horror!!!! AT an ACOUSTIC NIGHT???? I hear you cry, how dreadful!!!"

The microphoes are electric. Don't worry about it.

Subject: Bring back the piano in pubs...please
From: Rockhen
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 08:01 PM

OK OK! So I know I am probably outnumbered by you hundreds of brilliant guitarists and players of other easily portable instruments...
But...at an acoustic night in our area, there is no piano in the pub.Not unusual and I understand that they are very temperamental instruments to keep in a pub environment. Plus they take up valuable space.
I have a stage piano. It is very neat, unobtrusive and portable. It sounds VERY similar to a traditional piano. It does not sound like a keyboard when on its piano setting. It has weighted keys and can sound very expressive and non plonky...(its true, I swear!) I would really really like to play my piano for one or two songs at the acoustic nights, sometimes. BUT IT NEEDS ELECTRICITY....shock horror!!!! AT an ACOUSTIC NIGHT???? I hear you cry, how dreadful!!!
I don't play loudly when I am singing without a mic because I don't have a particularly strong voice. I would really like to take my piano, just every now and then, sing a nice piano ballad or do a bit of traditional ragtime piano or similar. I don't like playing at the open mics with my piano because I don't like loads of effects putting on it for just piano songs. The acoustic nights are lovely relaxed evenings with less pressure than at open mics.
If there was a piano, (in tune!) in the pub I go to, I would love to play it rather than lugging my stage piano along...but there isn't.
Is there ANYONE out there who can see my point that, although it uses electricity, playing my piano is not quite the same as playing a keyboard with amps etc???
I also play accordion (fairly quietly, honest!) but I really love my piano and would like the chance to add another instrument's sound, just SOMETIMES to the wealth of lovely music that goes on locally.
This thread is not to get at anyone...but can ANYONE see my point of view...I'd play really quietly, honest!!! Should I be allowed to take it, or will it make players of other electric instruments see it as giving them permission to take along their instruments too?
I WOULD like to play my piano just sometimes for my mates to hear and join in with.
If there is no piano in a pub, is taking along a similar instrument and playing it so it sounds virtually the same, really that terrible?!
Keep music live!