wavingarms
Graham Dickie
Home
About
Services
More
FAQ
Contact
Links
Home
c Pictures by intangibleARTS
About
ABOUT ME
You can find me in Argyll, on the West Coast of Scotland, but you get no prizes for doing so! Music has always been my 'long and winding road' of escape! I have a demanding and responsible day job, but have found that making music is the best way to ensure I enjoy life!I have been an accompanist, and occasional musical director, for amateur productions of musicals including My Fair Lady, Brigadoon, Fiddler on the Roof, Kiss Me Kate, Guys and Dolls and Anything Goes. Frequently this involves the teaching of choral parts to singers and rehearsal with soloists. Part of this work has led to the development of 'concert parties' and other smaller ensemble engagements.I have been an official and designated accompanist at several music festivals across a range of classes, from choirs, children's choirs, adult and children's solos to ensembles.I have wide experience with weddings, and celebrations, and indeed with sadder commemorations, and have played a range of organs from electric to pipe in a variety of settings, in addition to piano.I especially enjoy providing the background music for an evenings entertainment, be it a dinner, a Christmas meal or a charity casino night!I have worked with a wide variety of ages, ability and experience: from young children to 'not so young' adults, from non-music-reading to competent sight readers, from beginners to experienced performers.I have played a few instruments in my time, but have always returned to the piano, and consider practice to be part of the winding down from the rest of life. Good music has that effect!
Services
Weddings & Ceremonies
Dinners & Events
Accompanist
Do you need someone to play for that special day, to accompany a soloist, or play for guests before, during or after the reception?Is there a special ceremony that would be enhanced by some live, background music, or the accompaning of singing: a renewal of vows or an anniversary perhaps?
Live music, from the piano, can always set a wonderful tone for an event, be it a special celebration meal, an evening of quiet dining or as background to a buffet.Why not make your hotel, restaurant, club or group's important night, a special night with a pianist.
Do you have to perform but have no one play for you?I have played for singers, wood wind, brass and other muscians across a range of amateur settings. Perhaps you have a choir or chorus in need of a sympathetic and flexible accompanist?
More services
More
Rehearsal
Anything Else?
Marilyn Monroe!
Do you need someone to help you practise those songs, or that piece? Do you want help to understand and learn the music you have to perform?Perhaps your group or choir needs someone to lead a rehearsal, teach the parts, and encourage you?Maybe there's an exam or festival piece that needs that little bit of extra time and work.
Don't hestitate to contact me if you have a musical need you think I can help with.Remember, whatever it is, I love music, and I want you to love the experience of music too. There's no request to small or simple.Click below to contact me
Does you event need a Marilyn moment? I work with Unmistakably Marilyn, a Marilyn Monroe look-alike and tribute artiste.Take a moment to visit her site, and discover how a visit from Marilyn can make that event special.(click below to open in a new window)www.unmistakablymarilyn.co.uk
FAQ
FAQ
1. How much do you charge?That depends on what you want, where, and for how long? Contact me via the 'Contact' tab and let me know what you have in mind. A quick email will receive a prompt reply. As with any fees, they reflect the time for preperation, the length and nature of the event, and the necessary travel and subsistance if appropriate.2. Do you need a piano?Not necessarily! I use a Kurzweil SP2XS digital stage piano, which I can bring. It was chosen for the quality of it's grand piano sound. Though no substitute for a Steinway, it is enjoyable to play and to listen to! 3. What if I want a special piece of music, but don't have a copy?You might not even know the full details! But, don't worry, I can usually track down music, and even suggest peices if you need advice.4. What style do you play?I'd like to think that I play in the style appropriate for the piece I'm playing! But, I know what you mean. I tend to avoid 'classical music' at less formal events, prefering music from stage and screen, old and new. It is a joy to play those beautifully crafted songs from the 30s, 40s and 50s, but if I have the music, and it suits a solo piano style, I can and will play it.5. Can we dance or sing to your playing?I never know quite how to answer this one! Many have, and I have greatly enjoyed playing for them. There is something magical about the moment when a room starts singing along. Indeed, I would be more than delighted to lead an evening of "Songs From The Shows" etc.However, I'm not a disco, and don't use drum or keyboards instrument effects. I am a pianist with a piano. It works. Trust me!6. Why 'wavingarms'?I cant remember a time when I didnt! I grew up pretending to conduct, and to this day I find it hard not to react to music!Hear the music, and the fingers, and hands, and arms start to move to beat, to feel, to embrace the sounds. There is a deeper significance, but that's for me to know! What's life without a mystery or two!6. I've seen pictures of you, but what's with the dark glasses?I thought it looked cool!On a serious note, a few years back I finally got an answer to a problem I had faced with my reading since the beginning. I hadn't realised that what I saw, was not the same as others saw. As I read, text, and music, would 'bend' past, and if I moved my eyes away, I couldn't find my original place. This made reading music interesting, especially if playing from a score with many staves! It didn't do anything positive for my sight reading either!It turns out that I have Meares-Irlen Syndrome, and it's not that unusual. I use tinted lenses when reading or playing piano, and that stabalizes the text and reduces glare. You can find out more at http://www.dyslexiasw.com/advice/all-about-dyslexia/meares-irlen-syndrome .7. Which Graham DIckie are you?A little bit of confusion is caused by there being two Graham Dickies based in the West of Scotland, involved in musical theatre and piano accomanying! One of them was trained in the RSAMD and you will find references to his professional work in any google search. It needs to be said that I am not he! He's probably very glad of that!8. Is there something else?If you haven't had your question answered, then there is a good chance that someone else is asking it as well. Please let me know what you want to know, so that I can include it for everyone. Click to get your question answered.
Contact
Contact Me
For any enquiryplease complete this formand click send.or contact me throughEmail: waving.arms_virgin.net
Links
Article 1
Article 2
Article 3
Page 4
Article 1
Unmistakably Marilyn
As expained earlier, I work with Unmistakably Marilyn, a Marilyn Monroe look-alike and tribute artiste. Her work is varied, from private parties to charity events, switching on a town's Christmas lights to entertaining at dinners and auctions.You can see her website by clicking on the lips!www.unmistakablymarilyn.co.uk
Article 2
wavingarms - the blog
I like the unusual, the uncharted, the forgotten, the wallflowers of music. I dont discover them. I stumble on what is often known to others, but new to me. I don't always understand them, and sometimes, on reflection, they dont stand many playings, but for that moment...I started writing notes about composers in a notebook, with pretty bubbles and links and colour etc.. Well, I forget who is who, and which piece I thought Id look at next! So, I realised that I might as well hold it in a blog. At least, I will know where to find it all.So, this blog is my musical journal for an unstructured tour through some new musical geography. New to me that is, and maybe to you too.If you enjoy it- let me know. If you can add to it, do.You will find it at the link below:http://wavingarms.wordpress.com/
Article 3
Crear
"Crear, space to create, is an inspirational working space with accommodation on the west coast of Scotland, connecting individuals and organisations across the arts worldwide through innovative residencies and collaborations. The studio and rehearsal space, with accommodation for up to 11 people, provides a unique resource to hire for special occasions and celebrations, holidays and retreats, arts and business." It is also home to the only piano that I would like to marry! A very, very fine Steinway. You would love to get married or have your celebration there, and I would love to play for you!Click below to visit their website: www.crear.co.uk
Page 4
Naked Opera was created to present classical music in imaginative ways for 21st century audiences, without diluting the excellence of the product. We felt that although the music industry was generally very well marketed, the exception was the classical sector. We believe that too many people still think of classical music as "not for me", when in fact it can speak to everyone - it's exciting, it's passionate, it's emotional, it moves you as no other art form can.My collegues in Naked Opera, have wow-ed audiences, fully clothed, and come with special recommendation. If you think you don't like opera, try this!Click below to visit their website: www.nakedopera.com
