Ad-lib piano accompaniment while singing National Anthem during Soldier's Memorial Service. Is this ok?

2014-06-17T18:02:22-04:00

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?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2014 6:09 PM

2014-06-17T18:09:16-04:00

I think if the piano player and the singer talk about it before the performance, it would be alright. It depends on the person singing though. If they lack experience, then it might be enough to throw them completely off, but if they have been doing it for a while, then it might go well. So, I voted approriate based off you doing it for a while.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jun 17 at 2014 6:09 PM

2014-06-17T18:09:51-04:00

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.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2014 7:23 PM

2014-06-17T19:23:01-04:00

I'd like to vote inappropriate and as long as the family liked it. As a semi professional musician, I would be pissed! It wasn't his gig to do the national anthem, he was being an ass. He didn't communicate with you, he interrupted you. That would be like going to a conference to see a guest speaker and the prior presenter suddenly interrupting and throwing his two cents worth in while the one you wanted to hear is presenting. However, it was at a memorial service, and what was important was the grieving family and them being happy with the memorial service. But as soon as I got my uniform off, I would've taken that pianist to the tree line.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2014 7:32 PM

2014-06-17T19:32:58-04:00

Look at me!!! Over here on the piano!!! I'm the main show!!!

Unless you have practiced it, it was musical disrespect.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Jun 17 at 2014 8:50 PM

2014-06-17T20:50:37-04:00

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!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2014 9:31 PM

2014-06-17T21:31:43-04:00

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.

Response by 1SG Frank Rocha made Jun 17 at 2014 10:15 PM

2014-06-17T22:15:49-04:00

I Think prior coordination and communication on the part of the pianist would have been appropriate. In the absence of that communication it would be inappropriate to interrupt another persons musical performance. The tempo and the timing could be compromised first of all and the performance could have been sabotaged, albeit unintentionally, but sabotaged nonetheless. Good on you for having the wherewithal and improvisational skills to adjust fire and give the audience what the wanted to hear. That said, I feel you were unfairly hi-jacked.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2014 7:51 AM

2014-06-18T07:51:26-04:00

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.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jun 18 at 2014 9:07 AM

2014-06-18T09:07:00-04:00

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.

Response by SSG Keith Evans made Jul 12 at 2014 5:34 PM

2014-07-12T17:34:46-04:00

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.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 12 at 2014 9:35 PM

2014-07-12T21:35:05-04:00

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.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2014 9:58 PM

2014-07-12T21:58:34-04:00

As far as I know there is a specific way the National Anthem is supposed to be played. Not only that but this guy took it upon himself to jump in during your performance, not cool. This is especially true since you mentioned it was for a memorial service. I understand that there are times where it may be alright to jump in and play along but this was certainly not the time. I applaud you for continuing on and doing what you had to do but he crossed the line.

Response by TSgt John Marshall made Jul 14 at 2014 10:02 AM

2014-07-14T10:02:22-04:00

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.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2014 12:59 PM

2014-11-09T12:59:32-05:00

Inappropriate.

Your thread reminds of this this right here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV1RiOFziFU

Leonard Beaty | Facebook

When musicians do to much behind a Singer, this is sooooooooooooooooo funny, please watch, lol, Andre ForbesFollow Leonard Beaty

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2021 9:15 AM

2021-12-27T09:15:18-05:00

Good afternoon guys! I go to music school and I want to buy you a piano at home to play it while I have free time! Parents want to look for something unusual and cool) suggest your ideas!