Saxophones Playing at Old people’s home

[Punchysax]

Evening,
I have been asked to play at a local old people’s home for a coffee morning for a hour. It’s for ages 65 up. The question is how many songs should I aim for and how long ie a hour straight of 2 , 25 minute sets with a short break.

I will be playing old Jazz ballads.
Thank you Paul

 

[Dr G]

Evening,
I have been asked to play at a local old people’s home for a coffee morning for a hour. It’s for ages 65 up. The question is how many songs should I aim for and how long ie a hour straight of 2 , 25 minute sets with a short break.

I will be playing old Jazz ballads.
Thank you Paul

Read the room, Paul. If your audience is just starting to grow at 20 minutes in, it would be a shame to take a break if you don't need it. An hour isn't that long for a set, so I suggest you plan for that. Keep some water on hand and take sips every so often to give yourself a breather. Make eye contact every once in a while and make (brief) small talk if it comes comfortably for you.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Play short phrases. A deep intake of breath for a long phrase may result in ammonia burns. Be prepared for random events as the alzheimer sufferers go walkabout with or without clothes. Try not to be distracted by random vocal events. Just some of the things that have happened while performing.

There isn't a standard "old folks home". They're all different. Sheltered housing. Retirement villages. Care homes. All very different.

Have a word with "Matron" and follow her guidance.

 

[Ghr9204]

I have been asked to play at a local old people’s home for a coffee morning for a hour. It’s for ages 65 up. The question is how many songs should I aim for and how long ie a hour straight of 2 , 25 minute sets with a short break. I will be playing old Jazz ballads.

Hi, Paul. Are you using say, standard mp3's or similar as your backing band? Or, does someone accompany you? I'm approaching it with your own sound system:

Figuring on an hour straight, with each song running roughly 2.5 minutes with a 1 to 2 minute break between to set up for the next song is say 4 minutes per song divided by 60 minutes gives you 15 songs. This is figuring that each backing track normally accounts for 1st time through, the melody, 2nd & 3rd time (a few include an additional solo) doing improv solos, 4th (or 5th) time back to melody and ending.

If it is 2 hours, then (for me at least), about 50 - 55 minutes straight play with a 10 minute break (use restroom, rehydrate yourself, smoke a cig (if you do). Then do the next hour. I use my own portable 15 inch portable powered speaker with wheels and telescoping handle, with a small netbook as my MP3 player. May carry a microphone if required. The microphone can come in handy, allows them to open and close your play without them having to set up their sound system. (Not always, but sometimes and depends on the home.)

Also I have learned to bring a backup horn with me, doesn't have to be the same one. For example, if I bring a tenor, then my sop is a backup. If the bari, then the alto. (Although I have mixed Eb and Bb instruments, because I carry both parts.) It is amazing how something silly can happen with your primary horn. A pad oddly decided to pop loose. Neck cork for an odd reason decided to fail for no apparent reason. A cork bumper decided its time for freedom, messing your keywork. On an older horn, even had a soldered post break loose from its solder. A late rehearsal elsewhere a night or more ago, and you just realised you left your neckstrap on the nightstand. An extra instrument saved me.

And, don't be surprised if some of the senior couples start dancing in front of you, if they are enjoying the music.

Good luck.

 

[Jeanette]

Some great advice above, also be prepared for it to be very warm.

When we did a gig in a care home the most distracting things were the toy cats and babies some residents held.

Jx

 

[Nick Wyver]

65 up? Old jazz ballads? I’m 72. I’d walk out.

 

[Vetinari]

If you have an older member of your group please help them get their sax from car into the home

 

[Targa]

Play Largo and Forte.

 

[jazzdoh]

Jazz ballards are ok but try to put in some classic pop and rock and roll too.
Don't be put out if some also fall to sleep, it happens.

 

[thomsax]

15-20 minutes (4-5 songs) is more than enough. Then walk to another room ... . Less is more. I used to talk to my friend about this. He was singing and playing guitarr on care homes. No amps, microphones .... just an acustic guitarr and the human voice.

 

[Ghr9204]

15-20 minutes (4-5 songs) is more than enough. Then walk to another room ... . Less is more. I used to talk to my friend about this. He was singing and playing guitarr on care homes. No amps, microphones .... just an acustic guitarr and the human voice.

Depends on the home. I did it stationary in one spot.

I did it once a week at a different nursing home for an hour for several years before Covid. (Our town had 4.) The methodology several posts above is how I did it.

Their Activities Coordinator set up me up in the dining room. I used my 15 in. portable powered speaker and netbook with my mp3 backing tracks, music sheets on my portable stand. They did not mind my moderate playing loud because those patients who could not come could hear me in their rooms. I alternated my SATB's each week.

For a time I played in the dining hall of a large assisted living facility. (Nursing care not needed, meals and lodging provided.) There was enough clear floor space that a few couples would even dance especially with a good boogey beat.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I will be playing old Jazz ballads.

65 up? Old jazz ballads? I’m 72. I’d walk out.

Jazz ballards are ok but try to put in some classic pop and rock and roll too.

Unless you know otherwise I also think it may be good to be prepared with other genres. I think Nick makes a good point. But hopefully they will be grateful for having live music anyway, but I think even better if you can engage them with something more relevant to what (I imagine) most will be into. I haven't done any of those things but have spent a lot of time visiting my mother in care homes, and jazz isn't something that would immediately spring to mind for that age group - if I wanted to really engage them. An hour can be a long time.

 

[jazzdoh]

Unless you know otherwise I also think it may be good to be prepared with other genres. I think Nick makes a good point. But hopefully they will be grateful for having live music anyway, but I think even better if you can engage them with something more relevant to what (I imagine) most will be into. I haven't done any of those things but have spent a lot of time visiting my mother in care homes, and jazz isn't something that would immediately spring to mind for that age group - if I wanted to really engage them. An hour can be a long time.

I agree Pete, Jazz would not be the first genre I would play in this scenario but there's a lot of tunes of the 30s and 40s that the care home generation would know and enjoy along with soul,pop and rock of the 70s and 80s and modern stuff too.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Visiting Nan.

View: https://youtu.be/rPhtmUbvMHA?si=5-AujhviTewL-d-Z

 

[Nick Wyver]

Not suggesting anything by this, but most of the 65 or so year olds that I know were into punk. 😳

 

[Vlad]

Not suggesting anything by this, but most of the 65 or so year olds that I know were into punk. 😳

That sounds about right, cue 'oh bondage up yours' ( X-ray Spex)

 

[BUMNOTE]

Not suggesting anything by this, but most of the 65 or so year olds that I know were into punk. 😳

Yes I agree,I am 69 and I am still into my ska,reggae,motown,stax Atlantic,and still attend northern soul nights,including all nighters!!!

 

[Punchysax]

Was going to use my own backing tracks through my Fishman speaker , however someone mentioned just to play the tunes with no backing music ? But thought their prefer the live horn with backing music

 

[turf3]

I've done these quite a few times. Always in a small group, fixed location (activity room or similar). They may say "65 and up" but it's more like "85 and up". An hour is plenty. Do a bit of talking, introduce the tunes. I'd recommend backing tracks. Keep your volume down. Dress for hot weather, because it will be HOT indoors. Anything that can generate singalongs or dancing (moderate!) is recommended. It's not about what you like to play it's about what they like to hear.

 

[mizmar]

Not suggesting anything by this, but most of the 65 or so year olds that I know were into punk. 😳

Least we forget; Baker Street is 45 years old, so if you where about 20 when it came out...
... What sax player doesn't like doing Baker Street?