I was at a wedding on Saturday and was asked to play a piece at the reception. The original plan was to accomany a young girl singing, but we didn't have too much time to rehearse and so, in the end, we decided that we'd both do solo pieces. I kicked off the procedings by attempting to play Le Onde as I know the bride likes this piece and I can just about play it with my eyes shut so thought it was an easy option.

This was a very "musical" wedding as most of the grooms friends / family were musicians, but the level of backround noise was just unbelievable. I just couldn't concentrate and started making mistakes so I played half way through and realised that I was at a point where I could just play a D major arpegion and the piece would sound finished so I could get off the stage before things really went wrong. The Best Man then stood up and said there really had to be more hush for Kirsty's song. The noise level went down a bit, but people were still talking and it really put her off.

It was a very nice wedding but I was amazed by how difficult it is to play in that environment. I had originally thought it would be less formal than playing in the church but I honestly ended up thinking I would have prefered playing in the Church where it would have at least been quiet!

Just as we were leaving one of the groom's friends came up to me and sympathised - she said that she was on the verge of standing up and shouting "shut up and listen!!!".

The thing is, and I don't mean to be rude, a wedding reception is not a concert hall.. What did they expect, a reverential silence?

It is nearly as bad in church when trying to play before the service, or during the signing of the register, but at least the music is supposed to have a liturgical role and the gathered faithful are supposed to be sober - something you can't guarantee at the reception!

Yes - I think there might have been issues of sobriety amongst some of the guests!

People pretty much always talk when one is playing at weddings - it's just part of deal - nothing personal! I actually rather like playing in that sort of situation - you can just do what you like and fiddle around with the tunes etc. There are usually a few people who are listening and appreciating what you are doing

I found out afterwards that there were a few appreciative people, in fact I was invited to come and play at a session in a folk club (despite not playing folk music) as a fiddle player who had heard me play said that he'd like to hear the piece properly!! He promised silence during the performance!

I really struggle to play against background noise though!!!

Funny you should say that - I've never really considered that could be a problem... I guess as I am primarily an accompanist, I am almost always playing against some sort of background "noise" Playing over people talking doesn't bother me either

It was a good do then StuMac??
Seriously though, what a shame you were so bothered by the noise.
I have to say like Carol, it doesn't bother me at all, because I always have such loud tinnitus that I think I could play through anything. Not sure whether that's good or bad
Wasn't htere a similar thread earlier this year from the lady who lives in France. She was really fed-up.
Good luck at the Folk Evening.
Bev.

I actually feel less nervous playing while people are talking around me. I don't feel so much in the spotlight that way!

I'm quite happy to play when people arn't listening - just busk through a few bits!!