On Practice: Building a Repertoire
By Daniel Roest
As a gigging guitarist, I entertain at special events and a variety of settings. I'm paid well for providing casually elegant ambiance, and how I do it has a lot to do with the choices I make during the event. If it's seating music at a wedding, I'll play Bach, Scarlatti, Sor, Tárrega, etc. to set an appropriate mood. By contrast, the hour immediately following the ceremony needs lighter fare to keep the celebratory energy flowing. That means tunes from Brazil, Spain, the U.S., bouncy English and Italian Renaissance dances, a few pop and jazz covers. How do you build a repertoire spanning centuries and continents? One piece at a time, of course. But just bear in mind that a treasury of music is available, and people respond best to variety. You will find gems awaiting your touch, and something for any mood.
