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TIPS: ADVENTURES IN THE PIANO BAR
In his decades-long career entertaining audiences and accompanying singers, Dan Ruskin rarely knew a day when he wasn’t playing the piano. When a friend remarked that Dan should share his knowledge of everything he knew about piano rooms, the idea for TIPS was born. This created the go-to guide for what happens in a piano bar, from singers and players to servers and customers. It’s about getting the job, to working the audiences and even how to “run the joint.”
In TIPS, readers are taken back to a fascinating history of America’s love for singing in groups; interwoven with delightful sidebars of the author’s unique experience playing in dives and glamorous rooms across the country.
But there’s more. Dan had a transcript of an audio interview about his career that was to be aired on the Voice of America with journalist Robin Rupli. The interview about growing up in in Buffalo with his brother, comedian Mark Russell, evolving into one of the Washington’s most prominent pianists dovetailed with his advice about the piano bar business. It includes never before heard stories about working alongside some of the giants in music and the entertainment industry as well as politicians, the Rockettes and even a mobster or two.
A hybrid book of advice, humor and adventure, TIPS is a must-read for working musicians, their customers and fans of piano rooms who will enjoy being taken behind the scenes of an art form now centuries old.
In TIPS, readers are taken back to a fascinating history of America’s love for singing in groups; interwoven with delightful sidebars of the author’s unique experience playing in dives and glamorous rooms across the country.
But there’s more. Dan had a transcript of an audio interview about his career that was to be aired on the Voice of America with journalist Robin Rupli. The interview about growing up in in Buffalo with his brother, comedian Mark Russell, evolving into one of the Washington’s most prominent pianists dovetailed with his advice about the piano bar business. It includes never before heard stories about working alongside some of the giants in music and the entertainment industry as well as politicians, the Rockettes and even a mobster or two.
A hybrid book of advice, humor and adventure, TIPS is a must-read for working musicians, their customers and fans of piano rooms who will enjoy being taken behind the scenes of an art form now centuries old.
137 pages, Hardcover
Published May 8, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 25, 2024
I can say that since I opened this book "TIPS: ADVENTURES IN THE PIANO BAR" by Dan Ruskin, I immersed myself in a vibrant universe, through the author's experiences on stage. One of the aspects that I enjoyed most about the book was its ability to capture the magic of live music. The prose is definitely so beautiful that it transported me to that moment of emotion shared by the artist and I felt part of the audience of the work. Ruskin not only recounts his own experiences, but also offers valuable lessons on how to navigate this unpredictable world. The author gives advice on hospitality and the importance of active listening which completely connects with me. With this book, I learned that every performance is a conversation, and that mutual attention between artist and audience can transform an ordinary performance into something extraordinary. I recommend this book for music lovers to get the inspiration they may be looking for.
October 1, 2024
A Memoir and Guide to Piano Bar Mastery...
"TIPS: Adventures in the Piano Bar" by Dan Ruskin offers a captivating glimpse into the world of a seasoned piano bar entertainer. Drawing from his illustrious career at venues like the Mayflower Hotel, Ruskin skillfully blends memoir with practical advice, immersing readers in a live performer's vibrant, unpredictable life. With humor and candid storytelling, he reflects on the unique magic of live music, contrasting it with the dominance of recorded sound. He laments how the latter has lessened our appreciation for live performances.
Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, Ruskin provides valuable tips for aspiring piano bar musicians, emphasizing the importance of hospitality and respect for the music and fellow performers. His thoughtful reflections, paired with practical guidance, make this book an essential read for anyone interested in live entertainment or seeking a deeper understanding of the art of performance.
"TIPS: Adventures in the Piano Bar" by Dan Ruskin offers a captivating glimpse into the world of a seasoned piano bar entertainer. Drawing from his illustrious career at venues like the Mayflower Hotel, Ruskin skillfully blends memoir with practical advice, immersing readers in a live performer's vibrant, unpredictable life. With humor and candid storytelling, he reflects on the unique magic of live music, contrasting it with the dominance of recorded sound. He laments how the latter has lessened our appreciation for live performances.
Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, Ruskin provides valuable tips for aspiring piano bar musicians, emphasizing the importance of hospitality and respect for the music and fellow performers. His thoughtful reflections, paired with practical guidance, make this book an essential read for anyone interested in live entertainment or seeking a deeper understanding of the art of performance.
September 28, 2024
This book is a gem for live music lovers. From the beginning, I felt captivated by the experiences of the author, a pianist who takes you through his musical adventures with captivating sincerity. Playing the piano since I was a child has allowed me to connect deeply with the sensations he describes. Additionally, the author offers powerful reflections on how recorded music has transformed the way we enjoy concerts, making us value those unique and ephemeral experiences even more.
Through each page, I was transported to those special moments that feel so rare today. I would without a doubt suggest it to anyone who values music as an art form and wishes to have a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a musician. I loved it!
Through each page, I was transported to those special moments that feel so rare today. I would without a doubt suggest it to anyone who values music as an art form and wishes to have a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a musician. I loved it!
September 28, 2024
Piano Bars always interest me. A piano bar is always a good place for a date, and I have always wondered how people run these places and where they found this piano player. I was never a fan of singing the piano, man. The tips from the piano player are very insightful if someone wants to work as a piano player. It was funny that I always laughed about the stories told in a bar; it sounded so sincere that the piano man laughed at my story. Dan's stories are exciting and entertaining, sounding like something a grandpa or uncle would tell. Dan made being a piano player a fun and exciting profession.
September 27, 2024
Nice read!
More than just a book of advice, ''Tips: Adventures In The Piano Bar'' is a book filled with interesting anecdotes and practical lessons about music and business written by Dan Ruskin, an experienced composer, comedian, and pianist. With humor, this author immerses us in this extraordinary world, in which it is not easy to succeed but with effort and advice from an experienced musician, it can be achieved. This book is engaging with valuable information for anyone interested in entrepreneurship. I am sure you will enjoy this book as much as I did, even if you are not in the music business you will be delighted by the stories this author has to share.
More than just a book of advice, ''Tips: Adventures In The Piano Bar'' is a book filled with interesting anecdotes and practical lessons about music and business written by Dan Ruskin, an experienced composer, comedian, and pianist. With humor, this author immerses us in this extraordinary world, in which it is not easy to succeed but with effort and advice from an experienced musician, it can be achieved. This book is engaging with valuable information for anyone interested in entrepreneurship. I am sure you will enjoy this book as much as I did, even if you are not in the music business you will be delighted by the stories this author has to share.
September 28, 2024
There was one idea that stuck with me since I read this book. It says that piano performances go far beyond just playing music; the key, and the most important thing, is to create a memorable experience for everyone in the audience.
The book has very good tips and also the personal stories are very entertaining and very insightful.
There are many interesting things in the book; it talks about how live music is evolving while living in the age of technology, leading this to his idea of live performances and making it an experience.
To sum up, it is a really interesting and also engaging read.
The book has very good tips and also the personal stories are very entertaining and very insightful.
There are many interesting things in the book; it talks about how live music is evolving while living in the age of technology, leading this to his idea of live performances and making it an experience.
To sum up, it is a really interesting and also engaging read.
September 28, 2024
Dan Ruskin opened up his heart and exposed us to his tender memoir, loaded with personal experiences and life lessons.
He beautifully embedded photographs in the book, allowing us to feel closer to all the people mentioned. The narrative includes a lot of different resources, such as question and answers, quotations, and pieces of advice for performers; and the fact that the author used a conversational style to write this book, makes it an appealing narrative to enjoy whether we are into piano or not so much.
The main core of the book lies in the idea that musicians do not only have to be good in what they do, but they also need charisma and personal skills.
He beautifully embedded photographs in the book, allowing us to feel closer to all the people mentioned. The narrative includes a lot of different resources, such as question and answers, quotations, and pieces of advice for performers; and the fact that the author used a conversational style to write this book, makes it an appealing narrative to enjoy whether we are into piano or not so much.
The main core of the book lies in the idea that musicians do not only have to be good in what they do, but they also need charisma and personal skills.
September 29, 2024
Enjoyable!
TIPS: Adventures In The Piano Bar by Dan Ruskin is a book in which the author gathers all his experiences of the author and offers them to the readers to learn from them. The author's love for his profession is detailed throughout the plot and I really could connect with him.
I think it is a good read for anyone who wants to be a musician because it has a lot of information, anecdotes and advice that can be useful. I really liked that the author highlights the best of each worker around him and how much he learned from each of them. It is a nice and inspirational story and I recommend it!
TIPS: Adventures In The Piano Bar by Dan Ruskin is a book in which the author gathers all his experiences of the author and offers them to the readers to learn from them. The author's love for his profession is detailed throughout the plot and I really could connect with him.
I think it is a good read for anyone who wants to be a musician because it has a lot of information, anecdotes and advice that can be useful. I really liked that the author highlights the best of each worker around him and how much he learned from each of them. It is a nice and inspirational story and I recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews