Top 24 How To Perform At A Bar 5992 Good Rating This Answer

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Contents

How do I start performing at a bar?

How To Get Music Gigs At Restaurants

Present Them With A Set List That’s Matched To The Venue.
Consider Whether You Need To Bring Gear To The Restaurant.
Bring Samples Of Your Repertoire.
Dress Well, Show Up On Time & Be A Professional.
Understand Your Value & Charge What You’re Worth.

How do you sing at a bar?

How to Sing in a Bar/Pub…and why

Be prepared with your voice. Practice singing every day. …
Be prepared with your songs. …
Be prepared with a standard. …
Be prepared to tell the real piano player the name of your song and the key in which you sing it. …
Be prepared to sing Karaoke songs.

How do you play music in a bar?

To legally play music at your bar, you need commercial music licensing from a PRO. Another option is to subscribe to a commercial streaming service like Pandora for Business. The streaming service then pays your PRO fees. Streaming services are about $30 a month, but there are restrictions.

How do you get booked for gigs?

Approach the Venue

To get a gig directly with a venue, call to find out who is in charge of booking bands and send them your promo package. The venue may tell you when to contact that person again. If not, give them about a week, and follow up by phone or email. Keep trying until you get an answer.

How do I find gigs?

How to get gigs

Promote your band. …
Book shows. …
Perform, record and develop your musicality. …
Look after your health. …
Go on to higher education. …
Promote yourself online. …
Keep on top of what’s popular. …
Read up on the musicians’ lifestyle.

Can you sing without playing an instrument?

Will learning an instrument make you a better singer? The short answer is no; your child doesn’t have to learn an instrument or know how to play one well before they start to practice singing. Many talented singers didn’t learn to play an instrument before singing.

Why are bar chords so hard?

BARRE CHORD The Barre chord is obviously the use of the index finger across the entire set of strings. The reason this is difficult is due to the tension of the string from the nut to the first fret… it’s the hardest place of the fretboard. Play the E CHORD with your bottom three fingers of your fretting hand.

What do you play at a bar?

Best Bar Games in 2020

Pool. Billiards, or Pool, is a classic bar game that encourages customers to get up and socialize a bit, maybe even get a little competitive. …
Dice Games. …
Air Hockey. …
Bingo. …
Shuffleboard. …
Skeeball. …
Cornhole. …
Cards Against Humanity.

How many bar chords are there?

There are five main bar chord shapes you can play, E Shape, A Shape, C Shape, D Shape and G Shape.

What music can I play without a Licence?

Can I play any music without violating copyright laws? Yes, you can play public domain music. The term “public domain” refers to songs that are not protected by intellectual property laws such as copyright. Works in the public domain may be used freely without the permission of the former copyright owner.

What music should I play in a bar?

Here are a few of the top songs people never get tired of hearing in bars:

‘Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey.
‘Living on a Prayer’ by Bon Jovi.
‘Friends in Low Places’ by Garth Brooks.
‘Hit Me With Your Best Shot’ by Pat Benatar.
‘Raise Your Glass’ by Pink.
‘Closing Time’ by Semisonic.
‘Pour Some Sugar on Me’ by Def Leppard.

Do I need a license for live music?

A licence is not required to stage a performance of live music, or the playing of recorded music if: it takes place between 8am and 11PM; and. it takes place at an alcohol on-licensed premises; and. the audience is no more than 500 people.

What should a beginner pub order?

Gin & Tonic or Vodka & Soda: For many, this is a good starter drink. Order a well spirit (whiskey, rum, gin, vodka, etc) with club soda or tonic water. The formula is basically liquor and a fizzy drink.

What is the point of going to a bar?

Getting to relax is possibly among the most significant factors for people going to a bar. Many merely want to meet with friends, wind down alone, or observe their environment to free themselves of any worries. They only want to catch a break and breathe, and sometimes the alcohol is but a perk.

What time do you usually go to the bar?

What time do you people go out/come home from bars/pubs/clubs in your country? In the USA it’s usually going out around 9pm-11pm and staying out until 2am for most places (maybe 4am in big cities like NYC) but most Americans don’t really see the morning sunrise like in other countries I’ve been to (Japan, Spain).

How to pick up a girl in a bar in 4 steps

How To Get Music Gigs At Restaurants – Music Industry How To

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Summary of article content: Articles about How To Get Music Gigs At Restaurants – Music Industry How To Getting And Performing Gigs … Of course, some bars and restaurants have an obvious schtick; a piano bar, a blues bar, a coffeehouse, etc. …
Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for How To Get Music Gigs At Restaurants – Music Industry How To Getting And Performing Gigs … Of course, some bars and restaurants have an obvious schtick; a piano bar, a blues bar, a coffeehouse, etc.
Table of Contents:

Making Yourself Appealing To Restaurants

How To Apply To Play At A Restaurant

How To Choose Songs For Your Set List

Approaching Restaurants That Don’t “Do Music”

Have Fun & Entertain! Ways To Get Restaurant Gigs For Musicians Conclusion

Post navigation

How To Get Music Gigs At Restaurants

Playing gigs at restaurants is yet another way musicians and artists can make extra money with their musical abilities.

I started playing lounge piano type gigs when I was 17, and still do it today. It supplemented my income while I was in university, and it supplemented my diet as well – I always work a free meal into the deal!

Generally, you’ll be leaning heavily on covers when you play restaurants. That’s usually what restaurants want, and it is usually what patrons want to hear. That said, it’s totally possible to sneak originals in throughout the set to fill things out and play songs you care about.

Getting restaurant gigs can be tricky, as most of the good ones have a rotating crew of musicians who don’t like to give up their weekly gig.

In this guide, I’ll take you through how to present yourself as an appealing option for a restaurant, how to apply at a restaurant, what kinds of songs to play, and how to approach restaurants that don’t usually book musicians.

But first, if it’s your aim to do music professionally, you’ll want to check out our free ebook while it’s still available: Free eBook: Discover how real independent musicians like you are making $4,077 – $22,573+ monthly via Youtube, let me know where to send the details: Name* Email* Subscribe

Making Yourself Appealing To Restaurants

Different restaurants want different things. A divey blues bar probably doesn’t want Justin Bieber covers, but Justin Bieber covers totally have a place given the right environment.

To get the gig, you need to have an idea of what the restaurant is after, and present yourself as such. Here are some things to consider:

Present Them With A Set List That’s Matched To The Venue

At this point, you don’t have the gig yet. All you have is a set list.

You can usually figure out what kind of music a restaurant wants by just being in the restaurant and observing the clientele. Some places appeal to an older crowd who would love hearing some classic rock and folk.

Other places appeal to a young, working, drinking crowd. The “popular kids”, so to speak. These restaurants probably want more modern covers, sung by someone who would fit in at their bar.

Of course, some bars and restaurants have an obvious schtick; a piano bar, a blues bar, a coffeehouse, etc. That makes it easy to know how to tailor your set.

When you are approaching a restaurant, bring them a set list that appeals to their demographic. In my opinion, you don’t need to know every song on the list, because you don’t have the gig yet.

If you get the gig, definitely go learn some of those songs.

Consider Whether You Need To Bring Gear To The Restaurant

Some restaurants/bars have regular live music, and thus have a small PA system, mics, stands, and cables.

Others expect you to bring all your own gear. Consider going and checking out the place before applying there. That way, you’ll know if you need to bring gear.

Having gear is certainly an asset, but I don’t think it’s standard to have to bring your own PA, so don’t worry about it if you don’t have that option.

If you do have gear, mention it!

Bring Samples Of Your Repertoire

You may have a full promo package for your original act, but do you have a promo pack for your cover gigs? It may seem crazy, but it definitely helps if you do.

It doesn’t need to be complicated, but it should include:

A couple of live videos (can be very simple) of you playing songs from your repertoire.

Some references and a brief, simple resume of your playing history.

A couple copies of your set list.

Your social media handles.

If it’s being emailed, include a couple promo pictures for use on social media.

They may want you to email this information, but just in case they prefer physical copies, put a couple packages in a manila envelope and have them ready.

It’s probably also worth giving away a copy of your original music (so long as it’s not super crass or rude) and maybe even throwing in a T-shirt if you feel comfortable doing so.

Dress Well, Show Up On Time & Be A Professional

You certainly don’t have to wear a suit and tie (in fact, you probably shouldn’t, that’s a weird vibe) but you should look nice and presentable. Nobody wants a disheveled looking, guitar wielding musician throwing off the ambiance in their bar.

It goes without saying, but showing up on time (or early) sets a good precedent for future gigs.

In case you’re going in without an appointment, always go to restaurants when they are not busy. For most places, this is between 2 PM to 4:30 PM.

If you go in to a restaurant in the middle of their lunch rush, they probably won’t give you the time of day.

Understand Your Value & Charge What You’re Worth

Don’t undersell yourself. If you have a great personality and a great set list, you can offer an amazing upgrade to the ambiance of a restaurant.

Play up the fact that if people are enjoying the music, they’ll probably stay for more drinks and food (which is often true).

If you take requests or are good at winging songs, let them know that as well. These are all great ways for the restaurant to make their money back off of you.

How To Apply To Play At A Restaurant

Most restaurants that have live music regularly have somebody working there that organizes the music every week. You can reach out to another artist that plays at that location, and request the organizer’s contact information.

Alternatively, just call the restaurants and ask to speak to whoever books the music. Some places prefer doing everything over email, which is fine. If you can do it in person or over the phone, that’s always preferable, as it gives the conversation a more personal touch.

Then, make an appointment to meet that person, and meet up.

Sometimes, you can simply walk into the restaurant and apply to play right then and there. In fact, this is how most restaurants are used to hiring servers and other staff, so it’s nothing to be afraid of.

Some places may ask you to play a song (which is always nerve wracking), so bring your guitar, or just bring some quality live video on a decent screen, like a laptop.

How To Choose Songs For Your Set List

Choosing songs is hard.

I had the experience recently of picking out some new tunes to play at restaurant gigs, learning them, playing them and have them flop.

All of the songs were great songs, and I performed them as well as any other song, but they still flopped. Why? They were too slow, sad, and unrecognizable.

I basically just picked some songs that I liked, and for whatever reason, they were all downers. They were mostly by popular artists, but it was all B-sides, so nobody knew them.

If you’re stuck for songs, here are some tips for picking a great set list:

If you’re just getting started, pick simple, catchy, popular songs . It can be awesome to work up a cover tune that is challenging and impressive sounding, because the crowd will appreciate it. When you start, keep it simple, and you’ll have more fun.

. It can be awesome to work up a cover tune that is challenging and impressive sounding, because the crowd will appreciate it. When you start, keep it simple, and you’ll have more fun. Always go for the more popular songs . If you’re dying to play a Tom Petty song, play a popular one. If you have a less popular Tom Petty song in mind, learn two: the popular one and the less popular one, and play them back to back. This keeps the audience engaged.

. If you’re dying to play a Tom Petty song, play a popular one. If you have a less popular Tom Petty song in mind, learn two: the popular one and the less popular one, and play them back to back. This keeps the audience engaged. Play songs that you can sing easily and well . You voice is what most people care about. Make sure you’re singing in a healthy key. This will make you sound better, and it will also save your voice. You may be playing two to three sets, so it’s important to take care of your voice!

. You voice is what most people care about. Make sure you’re singing in a healthy key. This will make you sound better, and it will also save your voice. You may be playing two to three sets, so it’s important to take care of your voice! Go out and listen to other background singers . What are they doing? What songs do they play that everyone likes? You can usually tell just by looking around the room.

. What are they doing? What songs do they play that everyone likes? You can usually tell just by looking around the room. Consider which songs everyone expects you to know. It’s annoying, but it’s probably smart to know at least one John Denver song, because it’s guaranteed to be requested by a Baby Boomer!

Once you develop your first set list, you should be consistently adding to it. This keeps things interesting for you, the staff, and any repeat customers.

If you perform well, you’ll soon have people coming back every time you’re playing.

One of the best way to please repeat customers is by taking requests. If you don’t know the songs people ask for, write them down and learn them.

If it’s a hard song, just learn a chunk of it. The customers will love it, and the owners will love you for pleasing the customers like that.

Approaching Restaurants That Don’t “Do Music”

Most restaurants don’t do music, and for some, that’s the right move. The restaurant might be super small or just not have the right vibe.

That said, there are many, many places that don’t book musicians simply because they’ve never thought about it, or are too overwhelmed to start down that track. This gives you an opportunity to generate a gig for yourself.

I have a good friend who now plays four restaurant gigs every week, and makes great money. He achieved this by approaching places that don’t usually have music, and convincing them that their business is improved by live music.

Here’s how he did it:

Start Playing For Less Money, With An Agreement To Increase The Pay If The Night Goes Well

When approaching a new restaurant, he would usually play for half his normal rate, just to show them what live music could do for them.

Of course, he’s a very talented performer and he had a great set list. His set list was so good that he could usually read the crowd and literally have them stay for extra drinks, just to hear him play.

If it works, the restaurant will happily have you back regularly and pay whatever rate you ask for.

Make It Easy For Them

If the restaurant does not have a PA, and you have a small, portable system, just use that. You can eventually charge more for bringing your own sound, and they’ll be happy to have avoided buying gear.

Have a suggested format and a suggested day for your gig. Know in advance if you want to play two or three sets, what day works best, and already have a rate/budget made out for the gig.

Approach The Restaurant As One Would With Any Other Service

Just send an email, call them, or show up in person. Ask to speak to management about the potential for live music in the restaurant.

Gather References & Support For Your Show

My friend was so successful getting gigs partially because he had glowing references from other restaurants.

He was also very smart, and got the other restaurants to provide him with sales reports that showed increased sales on nights he was playing.

There is no better way to convince a restauranteur of having live music than proving they’ll sell more food and drinks.

Bring Out A Few Tables Of Friends

When you’re just starting, do some light promotion for the show.

You obviously don’t want to promote a restaurant gig as though you were doing a headlining CD release, but a quick post on social media and a few texts to friends will be helpful.

If you can bring out a couple tables the first few times you play, the restaurant will at least have made enough money on you to pay your rate, and they’ll be very happy for it.

Have Fun & Entertain! Ways To Get Restaurant Gigs For Musicians Conclusion

Playing background gigs is different from playing original gigs. You are there to entertain and keep people happy.

At times, this can be discouraging, but don’t let it get you down, just have fun with it.

If you’ve ever seen a great entertainer play a restaurant show, you’ll know how much fun it can be for the audience.

Try to emulate that, and have fun working on your performance skills.

Also take comfort knowing that every show you play does make you better. You’ll gradually get better at talking to crowds, singing to unreceptive crowds, and reading a crowd’s desires.

These are all critical skills, and they are only developed through practice!

How To Get Music Gigs At Restaurants

Playing gigs at restaurants is yet another way musicians and artists can make extra money with their musical abilities.

I started playing lounge piano type gigs when I was 17, and still do it today. It supplemented my income while I was in university, and it supplemented my diet as well – I always work a free meal into the deal!

Generally, you’ll be leaning heavily on covers when you play restaurants. That’s usually what restaurants want, and it is usually what patrons want to hear. That said, it’s totally possible to sneak originals in throughout the set to fill things out and play songs you care about.

Getting restaurant gigs can be tricky, as most of the good ones have a rotating crew of musicians who don’t like to give up their weekly gig.

In this guide, I’ll take you through how to present yourself as an appealing option for a restaurant, how to apply at a restaurant, what kinds of songs to play, and how to approach restaurants that don’t usually book musicians.

But first, if it’s your aim to do music professionally, you’ll want to check out our free ebook while it’s still available: Free eBook: Discover how real independent musicians like you are making $4,077 – $22,573+ monthly via Youtube, let me know where to send the details: Name* Email* Subscribe

Making Yourself Appealing To Restaurants

Different restaurants want different things. A divey blues bar probably doesn’t want Justin Bieber covers, but Justin Bieber covers totally have a place given the right environment.

To get the gig, you need to have an idea of what the restaurant is after, and present yourself as such. Here are some things to consider:

Present Them With A Set List That’s Matched To The Venue

At this point, you don’t have the gig yet. All you have is a set list.

You can usually figure out what kind of music a restaurant wants by just being in the restaurant and observing the clientele. Some places appeal to an older crowd who would love hearing some classic rock and folk.

Other places appeal to a young, working, drinking crowd. The “popular kids”, so to speak. These restaurants probably want more modern covers, sung by someone who would fit in at their bar.

Of course, some bars and restaurants have an obvious schtick; a piano bar, a blues bar, a coffeehouse, etc. That makes it easy to know how to tailor your set.

When you are approaching a restaurant, bring them a set list that appeals to their demographic. In my opinion, you don’t need to know every song on the list, because you don’t have the gig yet.

If you get the gig, definitely go learn some of those songs.

Consider Whether You Need To Bring Gear To The Restaurant

Some restaurants/bars have regular live music, and thus have a small PA system, mics, stands, and cables.

Others expect you to bring all your own gear. Consider going and checking out the place before applying there. That way, you’ll know if you need to bring gear.

Having gear is certainly an asset, but I don’t think it’s standard to have to bring your own PA, so don’t worry about it if you don’t have that option.

If you do have gear, mention it!

Bring Samples Of Your Repertoire

You may have a full promo package for your original act, but do you have a promo pack for your cover gigs? It may seem crazy, but it definitely helps if you do.

It doesn’t need to be complicated, but it should include:

A couple of live videos (can be very simple) of you playing songs from your repertoire.

Some references and a brief, simple resume of your playing history.

A couple copies of your set list.

Your social media handles.

If it’s being emailed, include a couple promo pictures for use on social media.

They may want you to email this information, but just in case they prefer physical copies, put a couple packages in a manila envelope and have them ready.

It’s probably also worth giving away a copy of your original music (so long as it’s not super crass or rude) and maybe even throwing in a T-shirt if you feel comfortable doing so.

Dress Well, Show Up On Time & Be A Professional

You certainly don’t have to wear a suit and tie (in fact, you probably shouldn’t, that’s a weird vibe) but you should look nice and presentable. Nobody wants a disheveled looking, guitar wielding musician throwing off the ambiance in their bar.

It goes without saying, but showing up on time (or early) sets a good precedent for future gigs.

In case you’re going in without an appointment, always go to restaurants when they are not busy. For most places, this is between 2 PM to 4:30 PM.

If you go in to a restaurant in the middle of their lunch rush, they probably won’t give you the time of day.

Understand Your Value & Charge What You’re Worth

Don’t undersell yourself. If you have a great personality and a great set list, you can offer an amazing upgrade to the ambiance of a restaurant.

Play up the fact that if people are enjoying the music, they’ll probably stay for more drinks and food (which is often true).

If you take requests or are good at winging songs, let them know that as well. These are all great ways for the restaurant to make their money back off of you.

How To Apply To Play At A Restaurant

Most restaurants that have live music regularly have somebody working there that organizes the music every week. You can reach out to another artist that plays at that location, and request the organizer’s contact information.

Alternatively, just call the restaurants and ask to speak to whoever books the music. Some places prefer doing everything over email, which is fine. If you can do it in person or over the phone, that’s always preferable, as it gives the conversation a more personal touch.

Then, make an appointment to meet that person, and meet up.

Sometimes, you can simply walk into the restaurant and apply to play right then and there. In fact, this is how most restaurants are used to hiring servers and other staff, so it’s nothing to be afraid of.

Some places may ask you to play a song (which is always nerve wracking), so bring your guitar, or just bring some quality live video on a decent screen, like a laptop.

How To Choose Songs For Your Set List

Choosing songs is hard.

I had the experience recently of picking out some new tunes to play at restaurant gigs, learning them, playing them and have them flop.

All of the songs were great songs, and I performed them as well as any other song, but they still flopped. Why? They were too slow, sad, and unrecognizable.

I basically just picked some songs that I liked, and for whatever reason, they were all downers. They were mostly by popular artists, but it was all B-sides, so nobody knew them.

If you’re stuck for songs, here are some tips for picking a great set list:

If you’re just getting started, pick simple, catchy, popular songs . It can be awesome to work up a cover tune that is challenging and impressive sounding, because the crowd will appreciate it. When you start, keep it simple, and you’ll have more fun.

. It can be awesome to work up a cover tune that is challenging and impressive sounding, because the crowd will appreciate it. When you start, keep it simple, and you’ll have more fun. Always go for the more popular songs . If you’re dying to play a Tom Petty song, play a popular one. If you have a less popular Tom Petty song in mind, learn two: the popular one and the less popular one, and play them back to back. This keeps the audience engaged.

. If you’re dying to play a Tom Petty song, play a popular one. If you have a less popular Tom Petty song in mind, learn two: the popular one and the less popular one, and play them back to back. This keeps the audience engaged. Play songs that you can sing easily and well . You voice is what most people care about. Make sure you’re singing in a healthy key. This will make you sound better, and it will also save your voice. You may be playing two to three sets, so it’s important to take care of your voice!

. You voice is what most people care about. Make sure you’re singing in a healthy key. This will make you sound better, and it will also save your voice. You may be playing two to three sets, so it’s important to take care of your voice! Go out and listen to other background singers . What are they doing? What songs do they play that everyone likes? You can usually tell just by looking around the room.

. What are they doing? What songs do they play that everyone likes? You can usually tell just by looking around the room. Consider which songs everyone expects you to know. It’s annoying, but it’s probably smart to know at least one John Denver song, because it’s guaranteed to be requested by a Baby Boomer!

Once you develop your first set list, you should be consistently adding to it. This keeps things interesting for you, the staff, and any repeat customers.

If you perform well, you’ll soon have people coming back every time you’re playing.

One of the best way to please repeat customers is by taking requests. If you don’t know the songs people ask for, write them down and learn them.

If it’s a hard song, just learn a chunk of it. The customers will love it, and the owners will love you for pleasing the customers like that.

Approaching Restaurants That Don’t “Do Music”

Most restaurants don’t do music, and for some, that’s the right move. The restaurant might be super small or just not have the right vibe.

That said, there are many, many places that don’t book musicians simply because they’ve never thought about it, or are too overwhelmed to start down that track. This gives you an opportunity to generate a gig for yourself.

I have a good friend who now plays four restaurant gigs every week, and makes great money. He achieved this by approaching places that don’t usually have music, and convincing them that their business is improved by live music.

Here’s how he did it:

Start Playing For Less Money, With An Agreement To Increase The Pay If The Night Goes Well

When approaching a new restaurant, he would usually play for half his normal rate, just to show them what live music could do for them.

Of course, he’s a very talented performer and he had a great set list. His set list was so good that he could usually read the crowd and literally have them stay for extra drinks, just to hear him play.

If it works, the restaurant will happily have you back regularly and pay whatever rate you ask for.

Make It Easy For Them

If the restaurant does not have a PA, and you have a small, portable system, just use that. You can eventually charge more for bringing your own sound, and they’ll be happy to have avoided buying gear.

Have a suggested format and a suggested day for your gig. Know in advance if you want to play two or three sets, what day works best, and already have a rate/budget made out for the gig.

Approach The Restaurant As One Would With Any Other Service

Just send an email, call them, or show up in person. Ask to speak to management about the potential for live music in the restaurant.

Gather References & Support For Your Show

My friend was so successful getting gigs partially because he had glowing references from other restaurants.

He was also very smart, and got the other restaurants to provide him with sales reports that showed increased sales on nights he was playing.

There is no better way to convince a restauranteur of having live music than proving they’ll sell more food and drinks.

Bring Out A Few Tables Of Friends

When you’re just starting, do some light promotion for the show.

You obviously don’t want to promote a restaurant gig as though you were doing a headlining CD release, but a quick post on social media and a few texts to friends will be helpful.

If you can bring out a couple tables the first few times you play, the restaurant will at least have made enough money on you to pay your rate, and they’ll be very happy for it.

Have Fun & Entertain! Ways To Get Restaurant Gigs For Musicians Conclusion

Playing background gigs is different from playing original gigs. You are there to entertain and keep people happy.

At times, this can be discouraging, but don’t let it get you down, just have fun with it.

If you’ve ever seen a great entertainer play a restaurant show, you’ll know how much fun it can be for the audience.

Try to emulate that, and have fun working on your performance skills.

Also take comfort knowing that every show you play does make you better. You’ll gradually get better at talking to crowds, singing to unreceptive crowds, and reading a crowd’s desires.

These are all critical skills, and they are only developed through practice!

Kate’s Voice » How to Sing in a Bar

It’s Saint Paddy’s day and I thought it was a good time to resurrect an earlier post as my gift to all pub crawlers. There’s nothing worse than someone singing at a bar who has no idea what they are doing. In an effort to contribute to the masses in honor of my Irish heritage, here you go.

Years ago, I was sitting in a bar on the Champs Elysee, listening to a great jazz group and enjoying a glass of wine. Because they were playing a lot of songs from the Great American Songbook, we struck up a conversation with the piano player. He was a real piano player, with a great sense of style and the songs he played from the Great American Songbook were quite wonderful but he spoke mostly French. That was a struggle, but it was fun and after awhile, he figured out I was a singer and asked if I’d like to sing something from the Great American Songbook. That’s when I got nervous.

Now, really, that doesn’t make any sense. I am a singer and have been singing all my life, but as a classical singer, I wasn’t really prepared to sing in a bar! I didn’t even know the best songs for singing in a bar! For years, the only experience I had with piano bar songs was when I sang opera in a piano bar, and I am sure those songs were not among the most popular piano bar songs! So I have determined that the reason I got nervous was the same reason I get nervous in other situations: A lack of preparation.

Since then, I have learned a lot of songs that are perfect for singing in a piano bar, and know the best songs for singing in a bar, and even the best karaoke songs. So here’s how to sing in a bar with a real piano player, how to find the best songs for singing in a bar, what are the most popular piano bar songs, and the difference between karaoke songs and piano bar songs and the Great American Songbook.

1. Be prepared with your voice. Practice singing every day. Take lessons or a voice class if you like. That would certainly help.

2. Be prepared with your songs. First place to start is by picking songs you like to sing and practicing them. Next, you can find discussions on line about what songs are best to sing in a bar, and even what songs are best to sing when you are intoxicated…always good to be prepared with that one!! Most people agree that the best songs to sing in a piano bar are standards. however, not everyone agrees on what a standard is!!! For an Irish standard, check out this list, “Whiskey in the Jar,” and “The Irish Rover” are the top two picks.

3. Be prepared with a standard. For a more in-depth look at what a standard is, try the Great American Songbook. That is really every song written in America, but tradition dictates that it points to songs written between 1920 and 1960, more than anything else. Other standards are whatever people are singing in the bars you visit and almost any famous song!!

4. Be prepared to tell the real piano player the name of your song and the key in which you sing it. Singing live in a piano bar is not the same as singing Karaoke songs!

5. Be prepared to sing Karaoke songs. Listen to a top forty station on the radio or to an oldies station. Find the songs that you like and learn them just like the artist on the radio. Then join the crowd at a Karaoke bar and have fun!! Singing Karaoke songs gives you practice with your voice and in front of others who are drinking, which is important!!

In general, singing in a bar is all about sharing your gift with others. People who study singing or sing professionally are often nervous about singing in front of others when they are not prepared because what they sound like matters more to them than it does to others. Chances are, if you have an interest in singing, you have a gift to share. Enjoy it!

Related posts and links:

Top Ten Irish Pub Songs

Digital Downloads of Irish Music

So you have finished reading the how to perform at a bar topic article, if you find this article useful, please share it. Thank you very much. See more: how to get music gigs at restaurants, how much should i charge for a gig, how to book a gig at a bar, restaurants looking for musicians near me, how much do restaurants pay musicians, how to become a pub singer, having live music at your bar, where can i perform my music

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