What if the venue doesn't
have a piano?
No problem. I provide a top quality, digital piano
and sound system which can even be played outside
as required. The digital piano can also be moved around
within a venue taking around twenty minutes to set
up.
Does a digital piano sound
as good as a proper piano?
It does depend on the quality of the proper piano
that you are comparing. A digital piano is nearly
always better than the piano you will find at a venue.
Digital pianos are modelled ('sampled') on the very
best grand pianos available and replicate both the
sound and the action.
You can hear the quality of the instrument by listening
or downloading the music on this site.
Does
a digital piano look like a normal piano?
No, but it does look presentable. Please look under
photos.
Do you just play jazz numbers?
For wedding receptions the
most popular repertoire is a wide and varied choice
of popular music interspersed with jazz standards.
For wedding ceremonies, I can
advise and suggest examples of suitable music to enhance
the occasion, which usually includes something from
the 'classical' repertoire.
How much space do you need?
A solo pianist, using the digital piano, can fit into
the tiniest of spaces - a space of 1 metre X 1.5 metres
being more than adequate.
As a duo (piano and bass or piano and vocals) an
additional 1 square metre would be needed which brings
the performance area needed up to a minimal 1 metre
X 2.5 metres.
Space for extra musicians takes a little more working
out!
Will it be noisy if we
have a drummer in the line up?
No, the drummers I work with are skilled jazz drummers
and capable of playing very quietly. They are also
masters of playing with brushes, ideal for background
music. The jazz drum kit is smaller than that of a
rock drummer and produces a much quieter sound.
What happens when you take
a break?
This isn't usually a problem as I usually have a
CD player or MP3 player with me which I can plug into
one of my compact PA systems.
Can
you send us a playlist?
I don't usually work from a playlist. I prefer to
pick the songs I am going to play at the time of the
performance. This enables me to select material that
matches the mood and the ambience of the event.
You can see a list of songs I play on the repertoire
pages.
Do you need some sort of
cover if you are playing outside?
Protection from the elements is vital. The heat from
the sun can be very harmful to electronic equipment
and a sudden downpour could be disastrous. I can provide
a gazebo for outside protection which is more than
adequate for most situations.
Is it necessary to meet
up with you before the event?
This isn't necessary as everything can easily be
arranged via email or telephone. However, if one of
the guests is to sing then ideally it would be good
to run through the music prior to the day.
Can you play disco type
dance music?
Solo piano is not ideally suited to this type of
music..... but, one increasingly popular option is
to plug your own selected dance music via your Ipod
into the powerful sound system for an hour at the
end of the evening. (This option is only available
as an additional extra for evening events.)
How do I secure the booking?
After your quote and presuming that you have decided
to go ahead with the booking, you will receive an
email confirming the following information:
The type of event (wedding, engagemant party, corporate
dinner etc.)
The date of the event
The address of the venue including postcode
The line up (piano and bass, solo piano etc.)
A start time and a finish time
A contact number
On the day emergency contact number (best man's mobile
or similar)
Dress code (lounge suit, black tie, tails etc.)
Any other requirements (music for ceremony, gazebo,
microphone for speeches, etc.)
I will send you email confirmation. The booking is
then secured.
Is all your electrical
equipment PAT tested ?
Yes,
the current certificate expires April 2013.
Do you have public liability
insurance?
Yes, this is arranged through the Musicians Union
and provides £10m cover.
So, how Much Will It Cost?
Fees start from £250 (for solo piano) plus
travel, payable on the day. Please contact me for
a quote.
How would you like to be
paid?
Cash or a cheque on the day is fine if you are hiring
me as a solo pianist . However, if there are other
musicians, cash is preferable as this enables everyone
to be paid straight away rather than making them wait
for the cheque to clear before paying them individually.