What do you play if someone asks to play something for them?

[Timon]

Hopefully the situation warrants Jimmy Buffett’s, Let’s Get Drunk...

In reality I don’t play out or when we have company in.

[Fruitloop]

Lagrima and Adelita by Tarrega, not too challenging but very musical and impressive. I suffer from the same "mindblock" as many others when asked to play something, I just can't think of anything. It's good to have some set pieces to start with. After I get going everything kind of opens up and I'm able to remember my pieces again.

[Westy]

Last time I played for some family members they turned it into a game of guess this song which pissed me right off. I auppose they were impressed that I could play well enough for them to recognise the songs I played but I learnt a good lesson at the time.

That is people who can't play an instrument don't appreciate the effort that goes into learning to play one.

[SteveHung]

I usually try to play something the listener would enjoy, so it would depend on the music taste of the person.

[tanglewoodtree]

oddly, i often play something that i'm working on as it is fresh in my head and i like playing new stuff. not the best strategy to impress however.

[Don W]

A Raymond Gonzalez arrangement "Broom of the Cowenknowes" an old Scottish folk song...reletively easy...very sweet celtic piece for fingerstyle solo guitar.

[pekes]

Here Comes the Sun
Harvest Moon
Who'll Stop the Rain
I'm Over You
Classical Gas

all are 'go to' favourites - I have more, but Here Comes the Sun is always well-received.

[ewalling]

Anarchy in the UK!


No, seriously, it's probably going to be one of Sister Kate, Glory of Love, or The Entertainer. Truth be told, it's quite a while since anyone asked!

[Prizen]

Originally Posted by buddyhu

I play dead.

excellent!

[RedJoker]

Originally Posted by Westy

Last time I played for some family members they turned it into a game of guess this song which pissed me right off. I auppose they were impressed that I could play well enough for them to recognise the songs I played but I learnt a good lesson at the time.

That is people who can't play an instrument don't appreciate the effort that goes into learning to play one.

As a beginner, I get this a lot. So then I tell them right away what I'm playing and tell them that it's something that I'm working on and am not quite there yet.

Originally Posted by tanglewoodtree

oddly, i often play something that i'm working on as it is fresh in my head and i like playing new stuff. not the best strategy to impress however.

It usually works out as good as I can hope with my limited skills....

[Toby Walker]

I ask to see the contract.

[Luke_]

The tuning song?