LearnJazzPiano.com archives: So I've got my first Solo Piano gig!!!

nate_smith -- 09/17/2007, 18:49:35 -- #37129

So i've got my first solo piano gig, and I was wondering what types of songs would be appropriate...I was starting to plan my set list here what i got so far. Not in any order: Almost Like Being In Love My Funny Valentine Fly Me to The Moon Wee Small Hours of the Morning Just Friends Autumn Leaves Summertime I'm Glad there Is You What else do you think would be good, I'm not sure. Anyway thank, Nate

jazz jasper -- 09/17/2007, 19:04:56 -- #37129

Anything, if its a solo piano gig like a recital then you need to be picky and arrange them maybe, but if its background music just open a book full of standards and go! But to get started here are a few I used to play added to your list above. Georgia on my mind Lets fall in love The lady is a tramp They can't take that away from me Take the 'A' train Blue Bossa Corcavado Girl from Impanima I get a kick out of you Blue moon Moonriver Have you met miss jones A foggy day Bye bye blackbird Its only a paper moon Cheek to cheek Ive got you under my skin Cry me a river If I were a bell I got rhythm And stick a blues head in somewhere. Jazz

Mike -- 09/17/2007, 23:29:19 -- #37129

depends some on where your solo gig is... the age range of the audience.  If the clientle is older then you can stick completly to the American Songbook... ie all the standards.  But if there will be some younger people and that these days means peple 45 and under you should try to have some Billy Joel, Elton John etc tunes together as well,  If there will be people younger than that .....  which it never hurts to play a tune or two for the staff (waitresses, bartenders etc.)  It helps to play a tune or two that is on the Charts... playing on the Radio now.

jmkarns -- 09/18/2007, 09:43:22 -- #37129

Monk is popular with the 30-40 crowd these days (his CD is selling at Starbucks).  Blue Monk or Misterioso maybe.

jmkarns -- 09/18/2007, 09:46:57 -- #37129

What venue is it?  Is the money good?  Piano provided?

knotty -- 09/18/2007, 10:01:56 -- #37129

Hey Nate, just wanna say congrats on the gig. Best of luck, and I hope you'll get many more!

Scot -- 09/18/2007, 11:54:54 -- #37129

There hardly isn't a tune you can't play on a solo gig, the idea is not to worry about what music is appropriate, just make sure you play the music you select appropriately for the gig. I play everything from James Taylor to John Coltrane to Pink Floyd, and it all works. Good job on getting your gig- keep it up!

nate_smith -- 09/18/2007, 19:29:24 -- #37129

Thanks Guys!!!!!!!! I'm pretty excited I got the gig through a friends and it pays okay...but who cares it pay!!! Anyway, I've got some tunes to put together.

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