I'm starting to gear up for the coming wedding season. Weddings can be a lot of fun, but they can also be a big pain. I always welcome special requests and I try to say Yes to every one. But the last two years have been a major challenge. It seems that the brides are scouring YouTube looking for music that hasn't been played at any wedding they've heard of. It's a 21st century version of "Stump the Band". They just want something different.
Some music just doesn't translate to solo guitar well. At least not by me. I've played (or more properly stated - hacked my way through) 3 different songs by Led Zeppelin in the last few years. I won't make that mistake a fourth time.
Last year a bride asked for the "Concierto de Aranjuez" as her recessional. This is a three movement, 20 minute piece of concert music that also requires an orchestra. I was able to find a suitable substitute and everyone was happy. Before anyone mutters the phrase "Bride-zilla", I must confess that I've never had that issue. However, many brides have a pretty clear idea of what they would like their weddings to be like.
In the midst of all my grumbling, they also introduce me to some popular songs that I probably wouldn't listen to normally. Many of these songs have lovely melodies. Although arranging them for solo guitar can be a challenge, the result is often a lovely piece of music. There are times that I don't understand their choices until I get there, and then I'm stunned by their vision and how well the music works.
I may sound silly, but I get a lot of inspiration from many of the "how-to" shows on TV. They almost always have problems to solve and a deadline to meet. It doesn't matter if they are baking a cake, remodeling a home, or building a hot rod. It takes skill, talent, and a vision. It also takes an outstanding work ethic. I find these shows to be motivating as my own deadlines loom closer.
To be sure I'm something of a traditionalist. Typically my preference would lean toward "Here Comes the Bride" instead of many of the choices they make. But I'm a contractor and my artistic choices are limited to theirs. But if I do it right, that's more than sufficient.