Good Music For Wedding Receptions
An anonymous quote states: Good music doesn’t have an expiration date.
When I think about performing at wedding and corporate receptions, I sometimes ponder how I actually go about selecting my repertoire; from the choosing of the music, to adapting it for piano, to recording it on YouTube and finally to playing it in the public realm.
What is good?
It’s often necessary to do my research into what music the internet considers ‘classic’ and which music various age profiles are tuning in to. The problem with this is that there is more music in the world than I can ever possibly hope to learn by heart. The search for ‘good music’, whatever that is, is exhausting and so I simply turn to how my own two ears guide me.
Sometimes a certain song or soundtrack just ‘feels’ good and I jump on it when I discover or rediscover it. Other times, it’s a case of performing a recommended piece of music by an artist or from a film that I’ve had no previous exposure to; in these instances the music will grow on me, showing me that first impressions aren’t entirely dependable either. So here, I’d say it’s a combination of exploration and intuition.
Connecting with the audience
Another conundrum in the effort to provide an evening’s entertainment is reaching everybody through the piano, regardless of their age or musical preferences. I see the solution to this as practicing a simple philosophy: if I can perform just one song that each person in the room knows and loves, then they’ll feel connected to the piano. Performing in a wide variety of musical genres with no discrimination against the eras over which they’re spread is the obvious remedy to this one. A long-winded way of saying to keep an open mind!
Adapting the music for piano
The final consideration which I, as an instrumental pianist, must contend with is how to interpret a rock song, a piece of swing or a movie soundtrack on the piano. I do think that the piano is one of the few instruments with the dynamic power and simultaneous subtlety through which to assimilate a vast array of music. My approach tends to encompass taking the basic melody of the music, layering a flowing left hand underneath it and incorporating some of the original’s unique characteristics where I can and adding my own slight improvisations where I cannot.
The result of this strategy is, hopefully, a selection of music which the clientele view as appropriate, varied and satisfying.
Get in touch!
Paul is an instrument pianist specialising in performing music at your wedding ceremony and/or for your drinks reception. He is only too happy to guide your through the process of sorting out music on your wedding day and, if you get in touch today, you can be sure of a speedy response. He looks forward to hearing from you.
