(This the third in a 5-part series on the business and art of piano bars and piano entertainment)
Osmosis
The final step in you research for the ultimate repertoire is to go out and listen to as many solo performers as possible. They do not necessarily have to be piano bars but a few of these are recommended because, of course, that is the medium that you are seeking to perform in. Jot down, discreetly, songs that really turn on the audience and watch the method of delivery. For example:
- Does the performer use a short anecdote to introduce some songs?
- Are there humorous quips and tunes that are used to embellish some sets, a al Victor Borge.
- Does the player use medleys, using say Elton John or Ray Charles songs, to great effect?
- Also, talk to the performer during a break. There are very few people who would not give advice to a person who is trying to break into the market. Their opinion is greatly valued on a wide variety of topics ranging from song choices to club and lounge prospects.
Build the Act
Now that the groundwork has been done it is time to build your act from the pieces you have assembled in your fact-finding tour. When you have your show ready enough for human consumption invite some people over for a Sunday afternoon recital. Treat it as an impromptu gathering to take the stuffiness out of the air and, most of all, have fun with it.
Do it again the next week but run a tape recorder off your board with an isolated mike at the back of the room to pick up comments. You’d be surprised at how much is learned from playing the tape back and listening to your front room audience’s response.
- Promo: Promotion material is an another important step. Pictures can be either black and white or color glossies, preferably with a keyboard setting to set you apart from the others in an agency file or the drawer of a club manager.
- Pictures: In the kit start your biography with the last band or project and go back about ten years ( if you are that old!) listing the highlites. Remember, this is not your life history so write like you were the one who was to receive it.
- References: List three (3) good references who know you to be a good player and a competent professional; that is, someone who shows up on time and gives his or her best effort; a club owner who knows you from your band performances is a good reference.
- Songlist: Your list should have the names of the artist who made the song popular opposite the song title. This package can be placed into a clear plastic folder with the picture facing out or, for a dollar a kit, can be bound with a plastic coil at a photocopy place.
- Video: Don’t get your brother to do this. There are numerous places to get this done. Try to get a cub manager to let you play for one night for free and have someone video it for you. You want to get the right backdrop and setting. And make sure you get a small crowd to show up just so the video can get a quick shot of them. A good cameraman can make crowd look bigger than it actually is.
Next: Getting in front people and more promo
Stumble it!