Journal EntriespreviousnextNote: Background images in December 2002 and January 2003 journal entries are selected from Frances Ku's collection of her original watercolours. |
Bon Journal
A variety of music
Catering to listeners is somewhat similar to catering to drinkers or eaters. The menu should contain what would satisfy their thirst or hunger.
There are those who eat for the sake of satisfying their hunger. There are those who eat to taste and enjoy. The latter ones will tell others about how good or bad the food is.
I don't think everyone who sits at the bar or waits in the hotel lobby listens to my music. If I play something annoying, I can probably cause a negative reaction. Background music is meant to be in the background.
But people have ears. And I do notice the pace at which people walk when they are listen actively to my music. They slow down and walk at a snail's pace toward and around the piano. They make eye contact. If they like the music, they stay.
It's unfortunate when nonlisteners sit next to the piano. They talk above my music and compete for its attention. It's even worse when they smoke and talk. Maybe I should mark the table: "For active listeners and nonsmokers only."
A variety of music, just like a variety of dishes on a dinner menu, is my strategy. I prepare known and recognisable music such as film themes, pop songs, golden oldies, and popular classics. I interweave the known numbers with unknown new age pieces, jazz, blues, and my own compositions. I vary the tempo so it's not always slow. I vary the style so it's not always ascending arpeggios. After awhile, I will know which ones are "sure things." Just like tiramisu and carpaccio are expected at posh Italian restaurants, posh hotels should have certain background music. So far the contenders are Gershwin and Pachelbel.
