Hi All, this is an interesting subject.  Unlike arranging player piano
rolls (which you can do at your leisure), performing in public and
staying mentally alert is a whole different thing.

As many times as I have played at "Big Nose Kate's Saloon" and many
other places, I still find myself very self-conscious at first.  Playing
for hire is different than just playing for fun -- it can be very
grueling and downright boring as the night drags on.  Also, swinging
your hands on several fast numbers for five hours is work; your back,
wrist and many things hurt!

What always worked well for me is to have a couple of mild drinks (like
draft beer) before I play, just to "loosen" up, then no more than one
drink per hour while on break.  The last thing you want to do is get
"buzzed" or you will start to miss notes and get sloppy.

I am the kind of pianist who can look away and still play.  I like to
talk and joke with the patrons over the microphone (especially the
pretty ladies) while looking back and forth and checking out what's
going on.

Another fun thing I like to do: I keep two wooden train whistles in the
piano bench and I ask for two female volunteers to come to the stage to
play them.  I then instruct one lady to blow the whistle when I say the
word "train" and the other lady to blow the other one when I say the
word "whistle" while I am singing and playing the Johnny Cash tune
"Folsom Prison Blues".

What usually happens is both of the ladies get confused and I pick up
the tempo.  This simple thing usually gets gales of laughter from the
patrons!  Some of the remarks I make are rather suggestive, so I won't
repeat them here.

I have always considered Victor Borge the master of making someone
laugh during a piano performance.  Anyway, that is how I "stay alert"
while playing the piano.

Andy Taylor
Tempola Music Rolls