Saxophones Playing at Old people’s home

[jazzdoh]

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?

Me for one.

 

[mizmar]

Careless Whisper?

 

[jazzdoh]

Careless Whisper?

Both are good tunes but are not for me, nor Pink Panther.

 

[Ghr9204]

A variety of genres is good. Paul @Punchysax has old jazz on his mind and it's a first time, so he'll be able to get his feet wet, develop his approach.

And remember, there is quite a bit of variety with pre 1960's jazz. One wants to sound his best, may not be practical at this point due to shortness of time to do others suggested, but can add to his repertoire with practise for the next time.

I look at it as a journey, have fun doing it, he'll know how to better it the next go around.

 

[Tuppertn]

Yeah, 65 isn't that old. Back in their teen years these folks would have been listening to 70's rock and disco. You might get a better crowd reaction to some Bee Gees or Joni Mitchell tunes. Paul Desmond did a beautiful version of Song to a Seagull.

Oh...Simon and Garfunkel. They'll swoon for some Bridge Over Troubled Water.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Yeah, 65 isn't that old. Back in their teen years these folks would have been listening to 70's rock and disco.

75 it’d be Beach Boys, Beatles and the Supremes

85 be Bill Haley, Fats Domino, Elvis

 

[Targa]

75 it’d be Beach Boys, Beatles and the Supremes

Or Captain Beefheart and Frank Zappa

 

[cappers]

Dynah-Moe Humm ?

 

[Ghr9204]

Dynah-Moe Humm ?

In the 1950's - 1960's, there was Dinah Shore. She didn't hum, she sang. 😉

 

[Pete Thomas]

Or Captain Beefheart and Frank Zappa

Yeh that was me but I’m not as old as 75.

 

[Colin the Bear]

I don't think you can go far wrong with standards.

 

[Wade Cornell]

If the object is to entertain these folks then it's a good idea to be catering to their taste. That's not likely to be jazz standards, however it can be the tunes themselves without "embellishment". I've played a number of times in retirement homes with a band that plays mostly Hot Club Django style music. The tunes are mostly dancable rather than "intellectual". I would have prefered to play more relevant stuff, but the "audience" seemd to enjoy it and a few actually danced.

Almost anything can be appreciated, however many studies have shown that people with extreme mental difficulties will recognize and even sing along when a tune they know is played. Ballads and 1950s Rock tunes or even later are likely to be ideal. I'd definitely avoid trying to show off one's improvisation skills on jazz standards... unless (somehow) all of those people were retired jazz musicians it will have no relevance.

 

[Pete Thomas]

however it can be the tunes themselves without "embellishment".

Agreed. I would be tempted, if playing the older standards, to get them singing along so maybe have lyrics printed out.

I do have very vivid memories of my mother very demented but singing her heart out. It was more the good old singalongs songs like It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie and Waltzing Matilda rather than jazz standards.

 

[Ghr9204]

I've found that although the staff does their best to keep these older people occupied with their various games, crafts, activities, etc. Overall they actually look forward to something different and refreshing, a real live musician bringing them something better than just listening to the radio, player or TV.

So, I am sure that Paul @Punchysax will do fine. And as I said previously, he can take the various suggestions here as well as his impressions / feedback there, and improve things as time goes on.

It is not a Britain / Ireland / America / France / etc. Got's Talent show. 😉

 

[Pete Thomas]

a real live musician bringing them something better than just listening to the radio, player or TV.

Yes I agree, the change from routine is in some cases as useful as the added value of the music.

 

[Vlad]

A Charlie Cairolli type saxophone act would go down well i'd think, custard pie anyone? 😉

 

[MikeMorrell]

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

All good responses so far.

IMHO, it depends a lot on how wide and flexible your 'repertoire' is is terms of playing and also backing tracks.
My initial suggestion is 2 x 25 minute sets with a short break. But my main tip is to discuss this with the staff first. A short break might mean that the staff can refresh the coffee/tea cups and biscuits in the break without disturbing the 'engagement' of the audience while you're playing. It also gives the audience a short break to 'switch off' their concentration on the music. And it also enables you to talk to various members of the audience about how they're enjoying the music and (perhaps) what they'd like to hear more/less of in the 2nd half. But staff might prefer that you keep playing for the hour (in relation to other car/lunch schedules, etc.).

My Big Band has played a couple of times in 'care homes'. And as others have pointed out, care home - with often associated 'sheltered' (independent) - residents are often different in terms of the audiences you might expect. And each audience is not homogenous. Care home (and 'sheltered' (independent)) residents vary widely in terms of their age, education, mental capabilities and interests.

As many others have already said, a common misconception is to overestimate the age -and underestimate the 'musical history' of people in care homes. Anyone aged 90 would have spent his/her teenage years in the 1950's: the age of rock 'n roll. The average age of care home residents is 85. All would have experienced the years from the 1960's onwards. The misconception is that because people are 'old', they can relate the 'Big Band Sound' from the 1930's - 1950's to their own experience. Perhaps they can, via the radio and record that their parents played.

My Big Band doesn't have a specific 'repertoire' for care homes. So we generally just play what we normally play. But I've personally found that talking to individual members of the audience during the 'break' meant a lot to them and to me.

So I would encourage you to interact as much as possible with your audience. Prior to, during and after your performance(s).
Form my limited experience, care home residents always appreciate a 'performance' as a break from their usual routine. Some may appreciate your musical talent. But, from my experience, all will appreciate your personal interaction with members of the audience. It's the difference between 'performing' and showing real personal interest.

FWIW, I can imagine someone during the break asking you to play a tune that you vaguely remember, have never played and has no backing track. And that you then explain this to the audience, adding that it will take you a couple of minutes to figure out the notes. And then you play the requested tune solo (without backing) and with a few mistakes.
It might be your worst 'performance' but your very best 'audience engagement' (and appreciation)!

 

[lydian]

I think it's ok to play whatever genre you excel at and enjoy. If you do it well, the audience will enjoy it too, even if it's not from an era they grew up in. After all, people still enjoy classical even though everyone from that era is long dead. I've played everything from 1920s trad jazz to modern pop, and the retirement home audience still digs it because I try to make it fun and interesting.

As far as logistics go, I'd plan 15-17 tunes for an hour, no break, and some talking between tunes. The backing tracks all have a known duration, so you can easily add them all up plus a minute between each if you plan to speak, 15-30 seconds if you don't.

 

[turf3]

Yeah, 65 isn't that old. Back in their teen years these folks would have been listening to 70's rock and disco. You might get a better crowd reaction to some Bee Gees or Joni Mitchell tunes. Paul Desmond did a beautiful version of Song to a Seagull.

Oh...Simon and Garfunkel. They'll swoon for some Bridge Over Troubled Water.

There won't be many 65 year olds in the assisted living community. They're the ones coming there to play.

The group I play with ranges in age from 50 to 72 or so.

We play and sing songs from 1930 to 1970 or so. Try to pick familiar ones, but we insert a few less familiar ones.

 

[ESJohn]

When I played The Holy City at church a few years ago, I received some courteous applause, a "good job" comment from our organist and a few other compliments after the service. The nicest thing was that later in the week, I received a very nice card from a widow of the congregation whose late husband had sang that solo for many years at Easter. She remarked to me that my playing brought back such memories that she had to step out to regain her composure. I knew at that point that the experience was something that someone needed. It didn't matter too much if everyone else had forgotten it later on.
My expectation is that you will do the same for at least one person in your audience. You will be providing a great service!