5d • General discussion
Live Music or Music Program?
What's the difference between 'live music' and a 'music program'?
I've discovered that the main difference is engagement. I see myself advertised as both when I visit senior communities. However, I don't know which role I'll play until I see the room full of residents. For me, 'Live Music' falls under the category of background performer. It's the kind of show where I'm not the 'main event' and something else is going on in conjunction with the music. Holiday party, dinnertime, happy hour...live music is primarily just playing the songs and singing as a compliment to an existing program or celebration.
A 'music program', the kind of show I mostly do, is part music part storytelling. This kind of show has residents sitting in rows right in front of me and I'm the main attraction. They watch me setup and talk with them and tell jokes and maybe do a little juggling. Residents listen to me greet everyone coming in and slowly start playing a few chords and begin introducing myself and setting the tone for the whole show. The 'program' part is about sharing a part of myself through a story or a joke. It can also teach our audience a thing or two about music or about life. The 'program' can be both musical and entertaining. Example , (I'm playing You Are My Sunshine) "My grandfather smoked a pack of camel cigarettes a day and even smoked while he played guitar. When I was a kid I asked him if I wanted to pick guitar do I need to pick up smoking?"...Usually I'll get a laugh...
Sometimes we need to be in the room and observe the setup and the audience before we determine what kind of show it's going to be regardless of how the community advertises us. When you play for seniors, what kind of show is your favorite to do?
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Live Music or Music Program?
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