Thread: I'm going to have my 'first' performance and I need some help?

So, I just got invited to play piano during this important dinner at some restaurant. I'm no professional pianist, some of the people attending to the meeting happen to know me so they decided to pick me. Obviously I'm scared but I couldn't say no because I have to start somewhere right? Especialy because the only time I performed to an audience I forgot the entire thing and embarassed myself in front of everyone. I really need to learn how to play in front of people.

Unfortunately I don't have much time to prepare, so I wanted to ask if any of you know simple and well kown musical pieces that sound good? What kind of music would you like to listen during a dinner?

The only pieces I got completely ready yet are: Fur Elise (obvious one is obvious), Moonlight sontata first movement and Canon in D.

I would get bored to death if pianist in restaurant would play those pieces you mentioned.

What about some light and tuneful waltzes?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s74ADnILDI0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WpDH5zbhIk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGoke7G68dc

Originally Posted by Aramis

I would get bored to death if pianist in restaurant would play those pieces you mentioned.

What about some light and tuneful waltzes?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s74ADnILDI0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WpDH5zbhIk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGoke7G68dc

Me too. But I thought they were popular ones that the general public knew, and maybe keep them a bit interested.

Thank you for those links I really wanted to prepare a chopin waltz but I wasn't sure which one. I'll search for the sheets of those pieces and see if it's worth it considering I don't have much time.

There is no right answer to this question. It's all about suitability to the situation. If it's anything like DJ'ing (which I think it is), then the best scenario is to have a large repertoire so that you can react to the audience.

The safe option would be soft, unintrusive jazz. I'm no expert on jazz so I can't describe it better, but I hope you know what I mean.

Aramis's walzes are also a good choice.

Don't pick pieces that are too laden with emotion - it can make for a very stressful soundtrack to a meal. Moonlight sonata is perhaps too dramatic and dark, but should be ok if you put it amongst other, more light hearted and less-demanding pieces (EDIT: I mean, demanding for the listener).

In past experiences of venues with pianos in restaurants, the piano keys can be very greasy. so I always take along something to clean them with. Even the most upscale restaurants had greasy keys , in fact, they were the worst ones.

Originally Posted by Ignis Fatuus

There is no right answer to this question. It's all about suitability to the situation. If it's anything like DJ'ing (which I think it is), then the best scenario is to have a large repertoire so that you can react to the audience.

The safe option would be soft, unintrusive jazz. I'm no expert on jazz so I can't describe it better, but I hope you know what I mean.

Aramis's walzes are also a good choice.

Don't pick pieces that are too laden with emotion - it can make for a very stressful soundtrack to a meal. Moonlight sonata is perhaps too dramatic and dark, but should be ok if you put it amongst other, more light hearted and less-demanding pieces (EDIT: I mean, demanding for the listener).

Oh Jazz isn't a very good idea for me because I know nothing about it actualy I never even played jazz before I'm clueless.
Yes I understand about moonlight. It might be too dramatic, its a shame really because it's my favourite of the 3 . I still have much to think about it.

Originally Posted by Krummhorn

In past experiences of venues with pianos in restaurants, the piano keys can be very greasy. so I always take along something to clean them with. Even the most upscale restaurants had greasy keys , in fact, they were the worst ones.

Haha thanks for the tip

You should replace Moonlight Sonata with the second movement from the Pathetique (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2nG1bt7IBM). Quite popular, very beautiful and less soporific.

Also if everyone's just sitting around drinking coffee or whatever, a lot of Erik Satie's music would be a nice choice (and it's all relatively simple as well).

Originally Posted by Praine

You should replace Moonlight Sonata with the second movement from the Pathetique (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2nG1bt7IBM). Quite popular, very beautiful and less soporific.

Also if everyone's just sitting around drinking coffee or whatever, a lot of Erik Satie's music would be a nice choice (and it's all relatively simple as well).

Oh thank you so much! I almost forgot that I actualy started to learn that same movement some time ago. That really is a great idea I should go back to work on it.

And Erik Satie might be a good idea. I remember playing his Gymnopédie no.1 when I was little. I might still have the sheets somewhere.

How about Dvoraks Humoresque.. the famous one!

Dont play fur elise

Originally Posted by emiellucifuge

Dont play fur elise

Yes I forgot the mention this. If they are old enough to have children, they may already be sick of this one.

Fur Elise is out. No no no no.

Scarlatti is your friend...

Graeme

As long as the music keeps flowing it's fine. It's important to play only pieces that you either know, or know you can get yourself out of a spell if needed. My advice regarding to stage fright is start studying. Now. All the time.

Play 2 pieces you know well at the beginning and end of each set. other then that, it's unlikely anybody will really listen to you.


As people said, Fur Elize (Let's call it a Bagatelle shall we?) is horrible. It's so cliché even clichés get curling toes when they hear it.


More simple tunes:

Le Petit Negre, Debussy
Kinderszenen (Particularly the first, second and last), Schumann
Two-part inventions, Bach
Mikrocosmos (first few books, if you want something slightly modern), Bartok
Nocturne Op9 n2, Chopin.

Me too.

My dining fantasy is that some unassuming geek will come up to sit by the piano, and thrash out Alexander Scriabin's Piano Sonatas from start to end, including the Black Mass, and the mad professor's hair flailing around like Medusa's hairdo with all the emotional ecstasy written in the music.

Btw - maybe have a few improvised 'pop' songs you can pull out on piano and surprise them, to liven it up? Most diners will just ignore the music, unless it is downright terrible, or if you start wielding keystrokes for 'Three Blind Mice' out. Chill and enjoy