Posted on Jun 17, 2014
Ad-lib piano accompaniment while singing National Anthem during Soldier's Memorial Service. Is this ok?
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Ok so I sing the National Anthem pretty frequently for ceremonies, balls etc. Today I was asked to sing for a Soldier's memorial. During the entire service there was a piano player there who played before and during the service just kinda as he pleased. It didn't seem inappropriate but more like a civilian funeral service. When I came up to sing, half-way through the first verse he decided to join in. It kinda threw me off because I wasn't expecting it. And it wasn't the standard score. But it forced me to change it up a little bit and kinda slowed it down. I just went with it instead of signaling at him to stop. Afterwards everyone said it sounded great so I guess it was ok, but I couldn't stop thinking about it the entire service hoping that I didn't do something wrong. What do y'all think?
Posted in these groups: 
National Anthem
National Anthem
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 15
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Look at me!!! Over here on the piano!!! I'm the main show!!!
Unless you have practiced it, it was musical disrespect.
Unless you have practiced it, it was musical disrespect.
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I am a musician too, so I understand that it can be fun and exciting ad libbing and riffing with other musicians.....but I draw the line at the National Anthem. That is one song that I think needs to be done "straight" without the artistic embellishments that we too often see at major sporting events. After all, it's not about you and how talented you are when you sing the anthem, it's about paying respect to our nation.
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It is one thing if it was rehearsed or at least discussed before hand. But to just join in, even if it is just any song not just the Anthem, during any event is extremely disrespectful. I hope you brought it up to the pianist afterwards, they need to know that it is not respectful to another musician, especially during the National Anthem during a Memorial Service.
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First, it is rude to just jump in and play with out asking first. Unless it was Elton John, which would have been cool.
Second, the National Anthem is not to be messed with, period.
http://starspangledmusic.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/1942AnthemCode.pdf
FYI: The melody for the National Anthem is from an british drinking song.
Second, the National Anthem is not to be messed with, period.
http://starspangledmusic.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/1942AnthemCode.pdf
FYI: The melody for the National Anthem is from an british drinking song.
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Having some limited experience in music, even I know that you don't join in to a gig and try to take over. Bad taste, period. Even worst considering the circumstances. I am glad, however, that between the two of you, you remained professional enough to pull it off for the family. Not an easy task and Kudos to you!
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Inappropriate.
Your thread reminds of this this right here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV1RiOFziFU
Your thread reminds of this this right here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV1RiOFziFU
When musicians do to much behind a Singer, this is sooooooooooooooooo funny, please watch, lol, Andre ForbesFollow Leonard Beaty
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Absolutely no way should anyone ever try to "jazz up" our Anthem. However, it is a common problem with singers who try to sing every note in their range to get noticed by someone for that "big break" I guess.
Play it or sing it the way it was written and that is it. Period- just like many have stated here already.
One more thing- how on earth could anyone vote that it was "appropriate"? DO you not understand standards? Or is the Anthem a "living and breathing" piece like the Constitution? Ridiculous.
Play it or sing it the way it was written and that is it. Period- just like many have stated here already.
One more thing- how on earth could anyone vote that it was "appropriate"? DO you not understand standards? Or is the Anthem a "living and breathing" piece like the Constitution? Ridiculous.
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You're there to perform the National Anthem and there should be no ad-libbing. The arrangement needs to be agreed upon before hand. As you stated SSG Burns, it threw you off and that could have been an embarrassment to both you and the family.
Personally I believe when it come to performing the National Anthem at a public event, the song should be performed with the traditional arrangement. I'm not into all these different arrangement that you hear at sporting events, etc. by "big name" stars. If one wants go Jimi Hendrix - that's cool - but at your own concert, not someone else's.
Personally I believe when it come to performing the National Anthem at a public event, the song should be performed with the traditional arrangement. I'm not into all these different arrangement that you hear at sporting events, etc. by "big name" stars. If one wants go Jimi Hendrix - that's cool - but at your own concert, not someone else's.
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Not only is it inappropriate, it is against DoD Instructions on the matter, and Army regulation, which stems from Title 36 of the US Code Section 301 and DODI 1005.4. The DODI specifically instructs DoD personnel to only use/perform the DoD arrangement of the Star Spangled Banner.
Specifically for my Air Force Brethren, AFPAM 34-1202 takes it a step further by stating that AF personnel will strictly perform the arrangement and it will not be "jazzed up." Yup, it actually says "jazzed up."
I have seen numerous ceremonies where this is not followed and can only assume that since I am not involved in the planning, they are unaware of the higher instructions.
Now as a professional musician, if that guy did that to me I would have lost my mind after the performance.
Specifically for my Air Force Brethren, AFPAM 34-1202 takes it a step further by stating that AF personnel will strictly perform the arrangement and it will not be "jazzed up." Yup, it actually says "jazzed up."
I have seen numerous ceremonies where this is not followed and can only assume that since I am not involved in the planning, they are unaware of the higher instructions.
Now as a professional musician, if that guy did that to me I would have lost my mind after the performance.
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Bad test on the part of the piano player.
First off, it's a Memorial Service, respect the family and don't do anything to rock the boat.
Second, nothing makes more upset than when some body tries to rewrite the National Anthem. Play it, sing it, whistle it, whatever as written. Nothing more, nothing less.
First off, it's a Memorial Service, respect the family and don't do anything to rock the boat.
Second, nothing makes more upset than when some body tries to rewrite the National Anthem. Play it, sing it, whistle it, whatever as written. Nothing more, nothing less.
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