Hi Arranger Forum,

I've been playing keyboards since I was 13 years old (I'm now 45). I'm a hobbyist and I play by ear. I taught myself guitar chords and fake it with my right hand. I'm not terribly talented but it's not too difficult to make my X-1 sound good.

For the last several years I've been telling myself that I'm going to find someone who sings and donate some time playing at nursing homes. Actually "donating some time" sound a little too altruistic as I'm sure I will have a blast doing this. I've now found a good singer and I have no more excuses. I have a few questions for the good people on this forum:

1) For those of you that have done this before, what type of songs do older folks like to listen to? How should the set be mixed with regards to types of music such as patriotic, hymms, big band and so on?

2) How long should we play/sing for?

3) How do sing-a-long songs go over?

4) Someone who had done this before once said to keep the arrangements simple. Does this mean I shouldn't use the arranger function (chords/bass/drums) very often?

5) I need to buy a powered mixer. I would like something that sounds great amplifying a keyboard and vocals. Portability is also critical. Do I need 2 speakers? Can I achieve what I've listed on a budget of about $500?

6) Here's an X-1 question. I know how to save a single registration. Is there a way to load a group of single registrations so that you can access them quickly?

7)Any other suggestions you have are appreciated. I respect your opinion!

Thanks in advance for your help.

Bob W.

Hi Bob,
I have not played in "Nursing Homes", I saw this thread and read what you want to do , and I just want to say that I think it`s GREAT that you care enough about our Senior`s to play for them. I`m sure that any music you play will be welcome.
O-BTW, Welcome to our family and the best corner of the web, the people here are "super" and we all help each other !!
jedi

Bob...
You will find a discussion about this on a thread here called How do you start...? dated 7/29/02.
That should help get you started.
Eddie

Bob,
The speakers in the X1 are powerful enough to handle many of the senior centers and nursing homes that you will encounter, but if you desire more coverage, or just flat-out LIKE more coverage .... you'll only need a small powered speaker. The JBL eon10 is pretty good - it's light and small and has a good sound. There are others in the $200-400 range that all sound great and are very portable.

Older folks are being inundated with the music of the 1920's and they respond very well to a wide variety. They love to be entertained and you should be aware that keeping the tempos (NOT the volume) up will prouce a better result. They fall asleep if you don't keep it moving pretty good. 50's rock & roll goes over GREAT with the senior set - they love the Chuck Berry, Chubby Checker, Elvis .... anything that makes them tap their fingers of move their feet.

Don't be too concerned with the lack of attention - some of them have long, lonely days and they don't have a lot to look forward to, so even when a performer shows up - they may be half-hearted about sitting still for an hour.

Most crowds fizzle at about an hour. Anymore is overkill. I do at least 45 minutes and mostly hour shows.

Sing-a-longs are great, but don't single out any one person - make the crowd all get into it as a unit. It ties the room together more that way.

The arranger can only help you sound better - use it to enhance your own style, or not - the choice is yours, but there is NO protocal. These folks love the big bands and if you can sound convincing .... you'll bring them right back to "the day" when they were all young. These jobs are a WIN - WIN situation.

And remember - they're not "Old" people .... they are "seasoned" citizens !

Eddie's reference to the other string is good. Uncle Dave's comments are "right on", as usual.
You can check out what I'm doing here: http://donnymason.tripod.com/hayridesunshineshow/index.html
DonM

Jedi - Thanks for the kind words.

B Sharp - Appreciate you pointing out the other thread...great info there.

Uncle Dave - Thanks very much for your great advice...very helpful!

Don M - You're obviously doing some great stuff...thanks for sharing.

Bob W.

Bob ordered a Peavey Escort 2000 from me Friday. This is a 150watt stereo mixer with digital reverb, 4 mic channels, 2 stereo channels, two speakers with a 10" and a horn, two speaker stands, 1 mic with cable and everything packs into one suitcase type case with two wheels and a handle to transport. I sell alot of these to keyboard players/singers. It's around $500.00 and a very good value with great sound. I'm sure Bob will like this. You should have it by the end of the week!
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California

Let me add that just Quality playing and singing alone won't cut it when your on the Senior circuit. ENTERTAINING is the key here, I'm talking about a good Repoir with the audience "Shtick" if you will to keep the Flow going, you also have to be ready to have material to compliment certain "Themes" eg: Hawaiian, Country Western, 50's, 60's, Big Band, Senior Proms, etc. Do it right before you get started and your reputation will carry you through.

Good Luck

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 08-18-2002).]