playing songs for grandpa

[60's Bluesman]

well this is a odd thread i realize but my grandma has asked me to come play my bass for my dying grandpa and idk what to play him. i wanna play him something he would know but i need to learn it ahead of time so i can make it sound good. hes 79 years old from northern ohio, hes a retired mechanic and a korea war vet...hes a very simple man but hes a great guy. ive never hear him talk about music before so i dont have the slightest clue what he would like and i dont wanna ask him what he wants to hear beforehand cuz i want to surprise him. any thoughts?

[frankenjazz]

ask your grandma she probobly knows what he likes

[kesslari]

Originally Posted by frankenjazz

ask your grandma she probobly knows what he likes

Yep. Or your folks, if your grandma's not available.

I'd go a step further, based on a conversation I had with a woman who plays at hospices and hospitals for terminal and very sick people - think about (again, asking is OK) what he needs at the time?
For example, if he's in a lot of pain, something mellow that will calm him and help him rest is good. If he's not in a lot of pain but is low energy, something that would connect and make him "feel happy" and would have a bit of excitement to it.
Music is a powerful healing tool.

[cat_saltnpepper]

just did nursing home gig or should I say 'old folk's home'. it was for st. patty's day so we mixed lots of bluegrass/country-western + irish traditional music.

[MalcolmAmos]

I play nursing homes. We play the old classic 50 year old songs. Things they listened to as young adults. The main thing they enjoy is having someone - that cares - come entertain them for an hour. Anything you play will be appreciated. He just wants to see you and will be proud of anything you do.

Square dancing was big in the Mid-West 50 years ago if they square danced ask your Grandmother for a song title. Look it up and good luck. That or a gospel tune.

Good luck doing an unaccompanied melody - you are going to have to sing the vocal part.

[60's Bluesman]

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

...That or a gospel tune.

Good luck doing an unaccompanied melody - you are going to have to sing the vocal part.

well im have a hard time playing and singing at the same time, do you have any gospel songs you can recomend. the only reglious song i know is nearer my god to thee (in the movie titanic its the last song the band plays) thats not exactly a pick me up song

[oldrookie]

Rock of Ages.

Classic hymn with real meaning.

[60's Bluesman]

ill check that out rookie, any others?

[Papazita]

Originally Posted by 60's Bluesman

...hes...from northern ohio...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha6roJfoGjc

All you should need.

[60's Bluesman]

Originally Posted by Papazita

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha6roJfoGjc

All you should need.

haha nice

[Drop-the-One]

If you guys are close, or your family's close...

... a couple songs is cool, and just moving around the neck. Whatever you do at that time, you do.

I made my lil' brother (gr.5-ish) stop crying just doing that. Messing with chords and lines and such.

[jazzciggarette]

learn some louis jordan tunes. He was huge back then... Caledonia comes to mind as a relatively easy one.. but jordon has a tonne of great classics (aint nobody here but us chickens, is you is or is you aint my baby etc).

[MalcolmAmos]

These gospel songs are in our gig book, I've listed the addresses for some fake chord on each you can get treble clef from lead sheet music - Google should be able to pull up lead sheet on most of these or visit your church and look in the hymnal.

Just a Closer Walk http://www.worshiparchive.com/song/j...walk-with-thee
In the Garden http://www.guitaretab.com/h/hymnal/184628.html
This World is not my home http://www.classic-country-song-lyri...icschords.html
Unclouded Day http://www.classic-country-song-lyri...icschords.html
I saw the light http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/..._light_crd.htm
I'll Fly Away http://www.cowboylyrics.com/tabs/kra...away-4610.html
Amazing Grace http://www.cowboylyrics.com/tabs/tra...race-1437.html
He Touched Me http://www.higherpraise.com/lyrics/a...azing1224.html

We close each gig with one or two of these.

Good luck.

[lunarpollen]

My grandfather is a Korean War vet too. The songs he most quickly recognizes are stuff that was still in jukeboxes back then. Glenn Miller's "Chattenooga Choo Choo," stuff from the Andrews Sisters, etc. Iconic songs of the previous decade that remained in people's memories.

[AnchorHoy]

Sounds like Grandma would be the best source, but lacking any useful guidance from her........

Hank Williams Sr. was pretty big around that time frame, in certain circles at least. Three chord tunes and not too hard to sing

[Stumbo]

Originally Posted by 60's Bluesman

well this is a odd thread i realize but my grandma has asked me to come play my bass for my dying grandpa

I think he just wants to see you, mostly. What you play isn't that important. Play what you like. I think he'll be happy just seeing you play. Maybe he wanted to play at one time and is happy listening to you carrying on.

Best to you and your family.
Stumbo

[60's Bluesman]

Originally Posted by Stumbo

I think he just wants to see you, mostly. What you play isn't that important. Play what you like. I think he'll be happy just seeing you play. Maybe he wanted to play at one time and is happy listening to you carrying on.

Best to you and your family.
Stumbo

thank you stumbo, guess i never thought of it like that

[hrodbert696]

Originally Posted by Stumbo

I think he just wants to see you, mostly. What you play isn't that important. Play what you like. I think he'll be happy just seeing you play. Maybe he wanted to play at one time and is happy listening to you carrying on.

Best to you and your family.
Stumbo

+1.

Still, he probably doesn't want to hear thrash metal or punk or anything.

+1 also to everyone who said to ask grandma or your own folks what he likes - is he a jazz guy? blues? classical? country?

Seems like most people's tastes get formed in their teen years, so if he's 79, you're talking the forties - swing bands, Frank Sinatra and Glenn Miller, maybe the fifties and some early Elvis/Chuck Berry/Bill Haley kinds of things. Hymns if he's religious. Seems like everyone loves Amazing Grace no matter what.

[McHaven]

My grandpa is all about Glen Miller, early Sinatra, and other Big Band swing stuff. His favorite song is "Stardust". I've been trying to work out a good solo arrangement of that for years.