Mxyzptik
Well-known member
So, I am looking for your collective wisdom of a list of guiding principles to use in constructing an entertaining set.
I will start by saying that I have a repertoire of about 20 songs that I can do start to finish by memory including knowing the lyrics. My public playing is limited to friends and family at gatherings or the local senior centre or continuing care facility. I play a Collings low G tenor nicely enhanced by the effects of a Yamaha THR5A amp, my singing is OK (not terrible) and I have a deep voice.
Without listing the whole thing, my song lists consists of 4 or 5 songs from the Great American Songbook, a couple of folk songs, a couple of movie songs, 2 of my favorite hymns, a couple of lullabye's, an obligatory Kristoferson tune as well as a Dylan tune, a couple of pop tunes and a cover of James Hill's Man with a Love Song.
I suspect off the top of my head that I can assume that ;
-you mix up the tunes with varying tempos as well time time signature
- like many, I gravite to the key of C ( ease) and where my voice will go but I do have some in other keys so..... mix ' em up ?
But what else can you do to make your set more interesting ?
How long should it be ?
When do you hit 'em with your best song , right off the get go or in the first 3 or 4 ?
When is your novelty song appropriate ?
What about the ones where folks may song-along ?
What do you leave them with for your last song ?
I certainly don't know near enough to take requests but at least once of offered to try and learn a song for next time when asked.
I am hopeful this may generate a little discussion.
I will start by saying that I have a repertoire of about 20 songs that I can do start to finish by memory including knowing the lyrics. My public playing is limited to friends and family at gatherings or the local senior centre or continuing care facility. I play a Collings low G tenor nicely enhanced by the effects of a Yamaha THR5A amp, my singing is OK (not terrible) and I have a deep voice.
Without listing the whole thing, my song lists consists of 4 or 5 songs from the Great American Songbook, a couple of folk songs, a couple of movie songs, 2 of my favorite hymns, a couple of lullabye's, an obligatory Kristoferson tune as well as a Dylan tune, a couple of pop tunes and a cover of James Hill's Man with a Love Song.
I suspect off the top of my head that I can assume that ;
-you mix up the tunes with varying tempos as well time time signature
- like many, I gravite to the key of C ( ease) and where my voice will go but I do have some in other keys so..... mix ' em up ?
But what else can you do to make your set more interesting ?
How long should it be ?
When do you hit 'em with your best song , right off the get go or in the first 3 or 4 ?
When is your novelty song appropriate ?
What about the ones where folks may song-along ?
What do you leave them with for your last song ?
I certainly don't know near enough to take requests but at least once of offered to try and learn a song for next time when asked.
I am hopeful this may generate a little discussion.
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