Written by Ted Goslin
When a client first calls us for a gig, we have our set list of criteria to discuss. Those usually include date, time, fee, location and set list. Most of the time, client’s hiring for backyard parties are lax on the set list, and prefer to trust the musician to adjust to the crowd naturally. Of course, this is easier said than done.
It takes true skill to read the crowd, adjust songs accordingly, and have enough tunes to do the job. Here are some tips on how to read a crowd and adjust accordingly:
1. Prep for the Audience- Learn as much from your client as you can prior to downbeat. Whether it’s seniors looking for the classics or a kids birthday party where Disney tunes are mandatory, you should know the general age and cultural style of the audience when setting up the gig.
2. Encourage and listen for requests- Should someone approach you with a specific song request, try to either play that song or another song by that same artist if possible and use that as a guide unless another request comes in for a different genre. In other words, go with the flow when a guest asks for it. The flip side is to make sure no song request or genre conflicts with the client’s directive, such as playing country when the client wanted ONLY Reggae and Soca.
3. Improvising- If a request comes up from the client for a song you’ve never played and they are fine with you struggling through it, try to take a short break prior to playing it to figure it out and see if it’s possible. If not, politely tell the client you don’t know that song. Just don’t agree to play it until you’re certain.
4. Ending the set- Should the musical requests vary so much that it’s out of your range to finish a set with an exciting rendition of their favorite song, try transitioning to a style closer to your own but not too far from theirs. For instance, if they want modern pop music like Katy Perry, use the closest thing you have, like the Beatles to end the set. It ain’t perfect, but it’s better than hitting them with Pan in A Minor out of nowhere.
