What do you play when other people are around?

[jeremy3220]

I'm talking about people in general, not your band buddies, like at a party and someone hands you a guitar, what do you play? (the 'do you like your own singing voice' thread got me thinking so I started this one)
Also, how well is it received?

I have to bust out the bluegrass flatpicking type stuff if anything.

I've picked up on what kind of music catches people's ear (other than familiar tunes). Country blues is blah to the average person unless it's the harder stuff like Son House or RJ. Same thing for most fingerstyle unless you travel up the neck or it has an interesting(foreign) sound to them. A surprising one that gets people to listen is bluegrass; I guess because it's loud, up tempo, lots of notes, and they probably aren't used to hearing it right in front of them.

I was at a party a few weeks ago and me and a friend were handing a guitar back and forth, I was playing my usual stuff and he wasn't playing anything overly technical but was proficient and could sing well. A guy who didn't play guitar(but listens to rap  ) was hanging out and not paying much attention. A 3rd guitar player shows up and starts wanking some on the minor pentatonic scale up the neck and non-player guy announces 'So you're the real deal, huh! '  That was eye opening in a way. He was really musically ignorant to have thought nothing of ragtime guitar picking but then be impressed by a few licks up the neck. I imagine he isn't too different from many people who listen to only mainstream music. I'm done venting 

As much as I wished they did, country blues instrumentals do not get the ladies.

[Blue in VT]

As much as I wished they did, country blues instrumentals do not get the ladies.

Good thing I'm married then... ...cause thats all I know how to play!!! 

I know for a fact that just about everyone out there...especially non players...would rather hear the same friggin tunes that they can here on the classic rock station any day of he week... ...and you know what...I just can't stand listening to those same tunes again and again....turn on the radio if you want to hear those I'll play something that speaks to me....and thats the Blues....

Hope I don't get divorced or I'm gonna have to start working on some Jack Johnson tunes...



Blue

[ducktrapper]

Beatles, Band, Stones, Dylan, Young, Prine, you know, the usual suspects. One or two of my own if someone asks.   

[Mr_LV19E]

The CD player.

[Blue in VT]

The CD player.

too funny

Blue

[G Man]

Apparently I'm a hermit, or maybe just a father of two young children, because I can't remember the last time I even had the opportunity to play around other people.

[Caleb]

For some reason I have found that playing 'Here Comes the Sun' is a sure fire way to get folks attention.  Something about that intro capoed way up there.   I've also found that doing a simple blues shuffle will turn a head or two, for the most part....it just _sounds_ cool and it's fun music.  I would imagine that country blues or ragtime might be interesting to some, but to most it would probably seem too old or simply too foriegn.  Another great song to play for the masses is Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah', played like Jeff Buckley did.  The melody is just too beautiful to ignore.  

Side note:  I've got a buddy who's really good at Travis-style, but it seems lost on most folks when he plays it.  I've also seen that over the years if one can play _fast_ they will be seen as the better player in the eyes of most.  Popular music has ruined most folks perception of what is "good".  As a culture, we are not brought up to think all that deeply about these things, but we think more in the immediate.  In othe words, _soul_ is lost on most folks.  I stopped trying to impress others with my music years and years ago.  

Great thread.

[woody b]

Stairway,  Smoke on the Water,  and Freebird

[Mr_LV19E]

I stopped trying to impress others with my music years and years ago.  
Great thread.

creature, I don't know you personally and I could be totally wrong, and I'm sure if I am you will let me know. But based on the things I've seen you write on this forum I don't think your concerned with impressing others, music or otherwise. BTW I don't think thats a bad thing. You seem very confident about your beliefs and are very deep in your feelings about whatever the subject may be. I am not saying I agree with everything you say, I am saying I agree that you have the right to your opinion as do I and anyone else. Thats what I like about this forum, everyones got an opinion and they're free to share it. You are definitely not afraid to jump in the fire or even ignite one occasionally. My hats off to you.

I agree that 'Here Comes The Sun' is a good tune to play for others, it's one I have gotton pretty good at. I haven't played for others very many times since I took up guitar again but I used to enjoy it. I just am not at that comfort level yet. Of course I don't drink as much as I used to either, maybe that has something to do with it. I'm just at a point where I am too critical of myself because I don't feel I am as good as I used to be even though I probably am. It's kind of a nervous issue, when I play alone I don't have anyone to impress and the juices flow, I impress myself. But when I get in front of people my muscles tense, I try too hard, I forget lyrics and the fun factor goes out the window. I don't remember it being that way 20 yrs ago when I played in front of people.Oh well maybe soon I will be a Freebird.

I have listened to many members recordings and there is a lot of talent here. You all keep up the good work and be proud of your accomplishments. I have nothing but admiration for all of you.
         

[Caleb]

creature, I don't know you personally and I could be totally wrong, and I'm sure if I am you will let me know. But based on the things I've seen you write on this forum I don't think your concerned with impressing others, music or otherwise. BTW I don't think thats a bad thing. You seem very confident about your beliefs and are very deep in your feelings about whatever the subject may be. I am not saying I agree with everything you say, I am saying I agree that you have the right to your opinion as do I and anyone else. Thats what I like about this forum, everyones got an opinion and they're free to share it. You are definitely not afraid to jump in the fire or even ignite one occasionally. My hats off to you.

Hey, thanks for the kind words.  In reality, most of the feathers that I ruffle here would not get ruffled if we were all sitting around with our guitars, drinking a nice cup of coffee (or ale) and possibly enjoying a pipe or cigar together.  There are certain things that get lost in the translation of a thought to a written post and then to the other side of the screen; that's where the confusion comes in sometimes.  I won't claim to not be opinionated, because I am...and I'd venture to say that most folks who take the time to write on a message board are somewhat so themselves. The folks who aren't very opinionated just read the threads and don't participate. 

At any rate, I believe this is one of the best forums on the net and I enjoy the people here and the discussions. 

And now, to address your troulbes about playing infront of others:  When I play infront of others (which I don't do much anymore) I try to keep the rule of the 3 C's:  Calm, Comfortable, and Confident.   Staying calm is obviously a must, being comfortable with the tune is also a must...I NEVER wing a song or take too many risks, those things are for when you play alone.  Confidence is alsmost more important than talent, IMO.  I'm not talking about being cocky, but just being sure you can play it and that you are playing well.  Somewhere in all of this the goal becomes less about trying to get others to think you're a great player and more about trying to make great music that makes you feel great about making it. To me music is joyful, and when the joy is gone something is wrong. 

I'd venture to guess that you are probably way better than you think you are as well.  Most folks are.  Look at it this way:  if you can play an instrument with any skill at all, you can do something that the vast majority of the people on this planet cannot do (that includes most who've ever lived on this planet). That doesn't make us "better" than others...and I don't believe that musicians or artists are "special", but it is a unique gifting that is worthy of being taken seriously and being done with excellence. 

Focus on the 3 C's and seek out joyful music that makes you glad to be alive.  That is contagious and it WILL move others. 

[Mr_LV19E]

Focus on the 3 C's and seek out joyful music that makes you glad to be alive.  That is contagious and it WILL move others. 

Hey thanks creature, I'll try to focus on the three C's and try not to sing the blues. 

[jeremy3220]

"I just am not at that comfort level yet"

I know this thread started out talking about music that wins people over but if you are wanting to share your art you really have to forget about pleasing your audience; unless in some complex way that is part of your art  I won't hesitate to subject someone to the torment of folk music on the guitar or stereo, no one is safe! I think one ought to just do their thing, and it's not up to them to decide what the audience will like; cause like I said the audience doesn't matter unless they are part of the art. I think thats why I like Dylan so much, because he cares so little about mine and the rest of his fans' opinions. So take the mindset of an artist and not a caterer.

...unless you're picking up chicks, then abandon the art ship and cater away 

[Mr_LV19E]

...unless you're picking up chicks, then abandon the art ship and cater away 

The only kind of chicks I can pick up anymore are the small furry kind, old back you know.

[Wondermutt]

In the past when people came to visit and heard that I can play the piano, I was always embarrased that I couldn't sit down and play a tune because I did not have the music in front of me.  Now that I am learning guitar I want to avoid that problem. 
Right now, I mostly play classical on my CG but but I am learning on my Larrivee to play John Denver's "Leaving on a Jet Plane" fingerstyle.  No singing by me, but everyone should recognize the tune and might start singing themselves.
For those that are not comfortable playing for others, playing songs that most people do not know might be better as they won't know if you make a mistake! ha ha

[Mr_LV19E]

For those that are not comfortable playing for others, playing songs that most people do not know might be better as they won't know if you make a mistake! ha ha

Very good point.

[flaggerphil]

Usually I'll play "Mr. Bo Jangles" or "City of New Orleans", something like that.  It usually gets well received no matter what the age.

[Chacho]

Anything by the Beatles. U2 comes in handy.  Early Dave Matthews.  "Wonderwall" is always a fun sing-along... if you can take everyone imitating Liam Gallagher's braying delivery. 

[harptech]

I spend most of my time playing the "texas troubadour" type stuff... Guy Clark, Jerry Jeff Walker, Robert Earl Keen, maybe a little Steve Earle, etc... I find it to be mostly positive, good story type stuff. I add a little blues, (MJH, Lightnin' Hopkins type songs) and a few solo harmonica/vocal songs to round out a set. Seems to get a real good reception when people hear it.

I've been playing solo at open mics for about 2 years and find that I can hold the interest of people from the teens to the older crowd pretty well with this type of music. I am just getting into hosting an acoustic music night at a local coffee shop, the owner is really into what I'm doing and wants to promote it enough to allow me to have a "Bill and a few close friends" type night...

-Bill

[tuffythepug]

Well I picked up the guitar rather late in life so I'm well past the "impressing the ladies" stage.  I really dont' intentionally try to impress anyone for that matter.  When asked to "play something" I will normally play something original with emphasis on the song rather than the singer / player.  If they are expecting showmanship or fancy licks they are going to be dissapointed. 

One thing I have done occassionally, (others probably do this one as well) is to take the guitar and quickly tune to an open D or G and play some 12 bar bottleneck blues.  If I don't have a slide handy I will use a beer bottle instead.   This is often-times something that people are not used to hearing or seeing and provides a visual surprise as well as a unique sound.

[aaronjnoone]

I like to learn unexpected songs and whip them out on people when they think they're being funny. Example: You have an acoustic guitar in your hands, some dude says 'Hey, know any Jamiroquai?', sarcastically, his buddies chuckle. You ask if he's serious, he says 'Absolutely'. Then you proceed to play Jamiroquai's 'Virtual insanity' in it's entirety. I've learned some funny stuff so I can surprise people. I learned the Bluegrass version of 'Gin & Juice', which is totally hilarious. 'Dead or alive' by Bon Jovi, 'Here I go again' by Whitesnake, mixed in the 'The Joker' by Steve Miller, that one is fun. They are expecting you to play James Taylor or John Denver, but what they don't expect at all is for you to whip out some 'Tainted love', followed by Incubus, immediately followed by 'Tiny Dancer'.