Build a Community like a Piano Man

Posted on February 25th, 2009 by Geno and currently 3 commenting.

To call me an evangelist for Couple SweptAway in Negril, Jamaica is an understatement. My last visit – my third – was the best experience I’ve had yet. The staff, the food, the resort… awesome. But the highlight for me and the folks I traveled with was spending a couple of evenings with Ultimate Chocolate the Piano Man at The SweptAway Piano Bar. “Ulti,” as the repeaters call him, is a celebrity for his piano playing skills and the skill he has at getting the entire bar involved each night. I don’t envy Ulti, because every night a new cast of characters fill the bar and it’s his job to get everyone involved. But I witnessed magic as Ulti brought together people from Switzerland, Germany, Spain, England, Canada, Quebec and the U.S. of A. Singing songs from Van Halen to The Beatles. Being a community guy, I had to grab a napkin, and sketch out his work:

#1 CHOOSE YOUR INSTRUMENT
Find the most authentic instrument to facilitate participation to build your community – in this case a grand piano will do just fine.

#2 HAVE A PLAN
When you have to build a community every night, it pays to have a plan that puts everyone on the same page. A book of lyrics is the Piano Man’s plan.

#3 PARTICIPATION THROUGH INTRODUCTIONS
The Piano Man knows that his community is a collection of people that are new to each other. But the magic of music will bring them together. So the Piano Man passes the mike, breaks the ice and levels the playing field. It let’s everyone know who’s in the house. The TOOL here is the mike, and getting people taking first makes it easier to participate.

#4 CHANGE THE KEY
Not everyone has a great singing voice, but this shouldn’t stop the participation. The Piano Man pays close attention to each individual voice, changing the key of the music to support an individual’s voice. Everyone wants to feel like a rockstar, the Piano Man knows this very well.

#5 TAKING REQUESTS
The Piano Man has a plan – but not a script. Encouraging people to share the music they’re passionate about brings people together.

#6 THE DEFINING MOMENT
Cheap Trick had its Budakon, the Piano Man has to have great timing to bring the entire community together for that ONE SONG. One night it might be Sweet Caroline, the next night it might be Piano Man. The key is paying close attention to the audience and bringing the collection of strangers into a community.

#7 ALWAYS SAY THANK YOU
The Piano Man knows that if you had fun, you’ll be back. And hopefully you’ll bring a friend next time. The Piano Man finishes thanking you for making the night special.

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