A "Theme" Gig

Today I did my first "theme" gig. As in, "Today is Teddy Bear's Picnic Day, could you sing some bear-related songs?"

Of course I said "sure." Then I went home and thought "Well, I know OF a bunch of bear songs...but I don't actually know how to PLAY them."

This was about a month ago.

Cramming time. Now, if I could devote the bulk of my day to learning new songs, not only would I be thrilled, but things like this would be a lot easier. Unfortunately, I do have at least four other jobs currently, so I have to plan very carefully. And, occasionally, cram.

So, I learned them. I learned "Teddy Bear's Picnic," of course, and several more. Most courtesy of Sandy, at the Musicare celebration. Although my personal favorite of the day, "Waltzing with Bears," I learned at a grownup folk music party recently. All went relatively well, judging from people's reaction and the response I got from the store manager. Granted, I always walk away thinking of where there is room for improvement, but I'm working on that. Cause let's face it, focusing on my shortfalls does not lead to confidence in performance.

So, the verdict on doing a "theme" gig? Good. Good for my work in general, since I learned some new songs I can go on and use in other situations. Good for my programs, since I learned I can take a chance and sing a "new" song, provided I work in openings for participation.

That was another thing I figured out in preparing for this gig. Most of these songs were ones that people don't necessarily know, like "Waltzing." So I did something that I've been hearing others do my whole life - I sang the chorus multiple times, leaving out a word here and there that I knew the crowd would remember and be able to fill in. Like I said, I'd heard people do that a hundred thousand times. But this was the first time I actually tried it myself - and the weird thing is, I didn't realize I had heard it done until I tried it while rehearsing. Bizarre. But you know what? It worked!!

PlaySpace, Day 1

Did my first "official" music program at the BCM last Thursday. It started exactly as the first one had - with technical difficulties. See, PlaySpace - the area for 0 to 3 year olds - has a sound system in the "classroom" area. The employees who work there have a key.

And the only people who actually know how to work it are the Music & Movement ladies, who aren't there on Thursdays.

So Rachelle and I fiddled with knobs and switches, and finally we figured out the instructions. I took the battery pack and clipped it to my skirt, which promptly sagged. Oy. I figured out the headset and turned it on, and all systems were go. Time to finish tuning.

The crowd was small, but Rachelle had asked if I wanted more people, and I said things were fine the way they were. It was the first day; a low-pressure situation was fine with me.

And it went fairly well. Most people only stayed for a song or two, but there's a lot to see in PlaySpace, and I was told to expect that. No problem. As always, "Wheels on the Bus" and "If You're Happy" went over big, which they always do with the little bitties. Nothing really fell flat...well, my clever commentary for "Old McDonald" didn't do as well as it did the first time. But if there's one thing I'm learning, it's that a song or a bit can be a big hit one day and go over their heads the next. All depends on the people, I guess, and how they're feeling.

My favorite moment came at the end. I'd done "Hush Little Baby" on the later end of the middle, as usual. It brought a couple folks in, including a pair of grandparents and their granddaughter (I think), who was about 3. The grandma and little girl wandered out somewhere near the end of the next song, but the grandfather stayed. I closed with "Small World," and as always I asked everyone to join in the chorus. The kids remaining were all too little, but the parents sang, at least a little bit.

But the older gentleman sang all the way through, gazing off into space. And he had a lovely voice, deep and rich like my own grandfather's. Maybe that's why this particular moment struck a cord with me. Or maybe it was the honesty of his singing - not for the child accompanying him, not because I asked, but, it seemed, because there was a song to be sung. But it was lovely.

Reader, I hope you will forgive me for so cherishing a moment that didn't involve a child. But one of the things I hope to do through music is bring generations together, help parents and grandparents share songs with their children. And if I can get someone to sing, someone of any age, it will spread. And maybe, just maybe, it's one little step towards bringing back "family music."