OAP / Elderly / Seniors - Wurli acceptable?

[ACCORDIONMAN]

Looking for opinions please. To explain, I perform in Care Homes / Nursing homes to people aged 75 - 100. Obviously a 'piano' sound is a classic, instantly relatable sound for this audience.

Do you think a Wurlitzer sound also has that instantly relatable quality for people in this age range too?

It certainly is an objectively 'nice' sound, and when mixed with some occasional drawbar organ I feel it has a certain nostalgic quality. But would be interested to hear other's options. Many thanks

[Tasten-Bert]

Hmm, may I start from a different perspective? My business experience is marketing for worldwide known brands in the sweets-, the toys- and the music market. You can do lots of market research with interviews asking people hey, what do you think? and often get unsure, subjective answers. Give them 5 dollars in their hands, allow them to buy chocolate in a supermarket and watch what they are buying, this is what brings best results. So back to your question: Just try it and watch the audience.

Cheers from Germany

[ACCORDIONMAN]

Hmm, may I start from a different perspective? My business experience is marketing for worldwide known brands in the sweets-, the toys- and the music market. You can do lots of market research with interviews asking people hey, what do you think? and often get unsure, subjective answers. Give them 5 dollars in their hands, allow them to buy chocolate in a supermarket and watch what they are buying, this is what brings best results. So back to your question: Just try it and watch the audience.

Cheers from Germany

Thankyou for this. Yes I suppose it makes a lot of sense. I'm also probably 'over thinking' this! Perhaps I just need to do more gigs with this set up and see what works. Appreciate your input!

[FZiegler]

I'm in a care home almost every week performing sunday service. Our music man mostly chose a pipe organ sound to fit the 'event'. Sometimes, it was a piano sound, sometimes a pop solo entertainer auto-accompany synth sound (including strings juice and the like). There were no complaints. Unfortunately, the instrument is broken now, so we only have YT videos for music accompaniment. A lot of elderly are thankful for everything. Yesterday, I happened to hear a conversation saying: Hopefully, we'll get something to eat - no matter what.

Sounds a bit bizarre, but what I want to say: Music and being there for them matters more than the sound style - if they're familiar with it or not. Of course, older people may enjoy things they know from their youth. But then: Most of them were young when rockabilly got into the world. They are persons who grew up in the 20th century - even if it was the first half, it wasn't 19th century. There's only the problem that music styles quickly diverted and some will be used to country or folk music, some to classical, pop, rock etc. music. It will not be classsical music for the majority, though. So I'd say: Just let it groove and swing! You will certainly find a way to pick up their consumer habits and please their moods. And get into relation with them. What counts most: Don't take them for idiots but reasonable persons - if they still can express that or not. And last thing but not least: Enjoy and have fun!

Long answer short: I'd pick EP sounds, maybe from the 50/60ies up to the 80ies if I had to choose - together with AP for some music. And why not an accordion from time to time.

[WannitBBBad]

Looking for opinions please. To explain, I perform in Care Homes / Nursing homes to people aged 75 - 100. Obviously a 'piano' sound is a classic, instantly relatable sound for this audience.
Do you think a Wurlitzer sound also has that instantly relatable quality for people in this age range too?
It certainly is an objectively 'nice' sound, and when mixed with some occasional drawbar organ I feel it has a certain nostalgic quality. But would be interested to hear other's options. Many thanks

First, thank you for bringing music to those in the care homes. To your question - yes, I believe the Wurlitzer (and Rhodes) have a place among music from their era - especially the "youngsters" in their 70s. When I read your post I immediately thought of popular instrumentals from the 60s. I remember learning "Love is Blue" which, among other instruments, has strings and a distinctive harpsichord in it - you could have both with your Electro 5. Good luck to you and thanks again.

[JayDee]

In my humble opinion, it wouldn't be so much which piano, electric or otherwise, it would be your choice of tunes. Old folks, and I'm getting there post haste, like tunes from their youth. Learn some standards and early rock and roll and pop and you're golden.

*Good call on Love is Blue. That song went to #1 in the US 54 years ago! Eurovision song 4th place 1967. Only French Artist (Paul Mariat) to hit #1 in the US until Daft Punk 2017

[cphollis]

I think it's more about how you use the sound vs. the sound itself.
For example, wurli + clean reverb + EQ + play in upper registers = nice, bell-like tones that will be instantly recognizable in context.
Don't hit hard, don't use effects, etc. BTW, the upright piano collection works quite nicely for this purpose -- instantly evokes memories.

[harmonizer]

Some of the early pop/rock songs that used Wurli or EP came out in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Some of these songs were hard rock, but others were ballads or pop songs that were very pretty. Some of these folks in the retirement home may associate "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" with when they fell in love with their spouse.

[ACCORDIONMAN]

Some of the early pop/rock songs that used Wurli or EP came out in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Some of these songs were hard rock, but others were ballads or pop songs that were very pretty. Some of these folks in the retirement home may associate "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" with when they fell in love with their spouse.

That's a good point. Sometimes the songs I play really draw out serious emotion from the residents. It can be quite unpredictable. Thanks for the reminder of that song - and EP classic!

[ACCORDIONMAN]

I remember learning "Love is Blue" which, among other instruments, has strings and a distinctive harpsichord in it - you could have both with your Electro 5. Good luck to you and thanks again.

Thanks for your reply on this - I'm going to have a listen to this song now