Re: Drawing the line

[AGREENBA <AGREENBA...>]

I have said and maintain the line be drawn like so:

1) If you CAN play these requests, this becomes at least a consideration, but 
not unless you begin by stating "yes, this band can indeed play this."
2) If you can and don't wish to play these tunes, then you say so. "We CAN 
play this but we choose not to. We are this kind of band and provide "X" and 
this is what we are choosing to promote. We are a band that plays Jewish 
music very well, the best. C'est tout. If the client says he/she wants just 
one of those and overall it keeps the tone of the simkhe the way you see it 
and can enjoy, perhaps agree to one. 
3) If the client asks for a Chopin Nocturn and you are not classical 
musicians enough to either arrange the piece or if the pianist of the band 
isn't of that ilk to provide a quality performance being strictly a gig 
pianist then the band shouldn't be putting themselves out there to ruin the 
piece for either musicians or guests just to get the gig and seemingly making 
the client satisfied that they've accomplished their mission. 
4) O,r in a case of not having proper instrumentation for a request (e.g., 
the client asks for either the likes of the Chopin or Eine Kleine Nacht Musik 
when you have only a clarinet and piano hired then I find nothing wrong with 
being honest and saying that the client shouldn't want to hear such a tune 
given who they have, who they've called.  They should be looking to us for 
expert help because often the client only has that CD of Greatest Wedding 
Hits from which to choose.  We're the experts...
5) Finally, although I and the rest of my band prefers playing an entire 
simkhe filled with freylekhs, horas, bulgars, sirbas and kolomeykis for 4 
hours, I find nothing wrong with providing some of these tunes if you enjoy 
doing it. I personally don't abhor such requests as much as others. My own 
mishegos, perhaps. What can I say...I love the electric slide, dancing to it, 
that is, so I personally can't ignore that it's pure damned fun. 

adrianne

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