Flute music to perform at classy restaurants?

Question

I've been playing the flute for 7 years now and I plan on majoring in music performance in college. As a summer job that would give me opportunities to perform in public, I thought I'd apply to some of the fancier restaurants in my town and ask if they would like a musician. Before I do that, though, I'll need a variety of different works. I thought I'd use some pop music, classical favorites, modern pieces, and genres like that to perform.

I was thinking about Carnivale di Venezia (Carnival of Venice) by Briccialdi/Delorenzo, Syrinx by Debussy, Three Preludes for Unaccompanied Flute by Muczynski, Suite in A Minor by Telemann, and some songs from James Galway's CDs "The Wind Beneath My Wings" and "The Very Best of James Galway." I plan to learn those by ear.

Two questions: Is this enough? I don't really think it is, so if not, what else might be good choices? Preferably, they would have no piano accompaniment, because I won't have one, unless I can find someone.

Thanks!

Answer 1

remember, when playing a dinner gig like this, you're not the entertainment. This is background music. You'd not want to pick a bunch of concert soloist type pieces (Syrinx, CofVenice) because those require the diners to pay attention to you and that sort of music will exhaust you after about an hour - these gigs are usually 3 hours.

If you can find another flutist or a clarinetist - the old duet books by Rubank (you can find these on eBay often - http://cgi.ebay.com/Selected-Duets-for-Flute-Volume-1-Rubank-Educational_W0QQitemZ170148254124QQihZ007QQcategoryZ378QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem) are ideal for this sort of gig. I've used those solo and just played the top part too. There are a couple flute books and a couple flute+clarinet books.

If you can find a pianist who wants to do it - then doing jazz/pop would be good too. You can use any standards fake book for that sort of thing but you need a pianist who does changes and not a classical pianist. Add a drummer and a bass and you've got a jazz trio to play with. The Bolling suites are awesome for this instrumentation and people at fine dinner really dig that music. If you're more classically minded - a WW quartet (fl, cl, ob, bsn) will accomplish this too. It's easier for a group to get a gig like this than for a soloist unless you play piano.

Typically, you need 15-17 short tunes per 45 minute set; playing classics (sonatas), you can do about 5-7 works per 45 minutes. You should have 3 sets if you're doing jazz/pop but you can repeat tunes every hour if you need to.

No matter where you're playing - these are formal dress gigs. You need to dress that part and have some biz cards. This is the best source of wedding gigs. Weddings pay very well.

Don't learn this "on the job" - go play in a park somewhere for the passers-by as practice before you get to the gig so you can work out details without risking a gig (and your reputation). Check with the city you live in first - my town requires a license to play in a park that costs $50. If you're any good - you can make gas money out in a public place. ☺

Answer 2

you've got some great choices already--

If they don't have piano, I'd explore as many unaccompanied options as possible....in addition to the Mucynski, Syrinx, add the Bach A minor partita.

Not sure what's on the best of James Galway CD....but I'd make sure to have Danny Boy and Claire de Lune covered--I always get asked to play those! Maybe also "The Girl w/the Flaxen Hair"--Debussy

Good luck

Answer 3

do jazz! i've played fute for 3 years(since 6th grade) and i have played at places like the furniture market,nice restaurants,ect. jazz works the best. just go to a music store and get a fake book.if you don't know what that is, then ask the people that work there.they will get one for you. but it will probably be for piano,but you can still play it. hope i helped!

Answer 4

His music is beautiful. I have been a fan for years now. Its amazing what he can do with a metal pipe with some holes in it LOL. I dont think he tours anymore but his music is still available on CD.

Answer 5

I would also add Flight of the Bumblebee (a personal favourite). I'll keep thinking, though. This is a tough question, and it'd be easier if you had a pianist to perform with you.