Setting the Tone

One of the key ingredients to any good party has to be the musical selection. Often, I feel that this aspect of the planning is overlooked or just thrown together at the last minute. Every party that I host has a preselected background track that is put together to create a specific ambiance. Over my years of hosting, I've come to realize that the auditory accessory can dictate the very way the evening progresses... similar to how various types of music can effect a consumer's buying habits in a retail environment. For example: if you are interested in attracting/keeping guests that are interested in conversation other than superficial chatter, a background track including the works of George Winston and Jim Brickman will do wonders. The light piano music bores or puts to sleep those that can't keep up meaty discussions and will leave the guests you desired. To slant the party in another direction, you could play Diana Krall or Jack Johnson. The bottom line is this: keep in mind what kind of a get-together you are planning and the kind of guests you want, then choose the music accordingly.