Liquid Strings

Pride of Britain was a fun event. Our quartet was appreciated by the guests, with Sir Michael Caine apparently raving about how good we were, Cat Deeley saying we were brilliant and Bruce Forsyth calling Katie great after he asked her to play 'I got rhythm' in B flat and without a pause, she did exactly that.

The main reason why everyone could hear us is because the sound people at ITV put contact microphones on our instruments. This is worth noting if you are planning an event. If you are having a sit down dinnner in a large space and you book an acoustic string quartet for the event, they will be seen by many, but only heard by those close to the table (unless no one talks to each other or drinks any wine!). I have provided musicians for many events and suggested providing a sound engineer and PA system as well - but people have thought it too much hassle and extra expense. Then they've been disappointed at how much could be heard. In a small event, with no more than 20 - 30 guests, usually the string quartet will be heard perfectly well.

Otherwise, it is worth considering amplification of some kind. This is even more the case with medieval musicians, whose authentic medieval instruments sound beautiful, but very soft at times. Although at least here, they can wander around tables 'minstrel style' and still be heard like this. A string quartet for hire cannot do this. They have to stay close to one another to play in time and see/hear each other.

Anyway, we are now working towards some private screenings of the new James Bond film, with a string duo playing Bond tunes in the pre screening drinks, a medieval themed party in Knightsbridge and many other interesting and fun projects.