Playing Piano: But Can You Make A Living At It?
Plenty of people make a living as professional musicians. Granted, very few of them are touring as top-billed soloists.
If that’s your dream, well – give it your best shot. You could be the one, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Realize, though, that it takes a high degree of natural talent, plus years and years of devoting your life to your art. And, let’s face it, there’s also an element of luck – of being at the right place at the right time. (Of course, if you haven’t prepared to take advantage of that lucky break – then you won’t.)
However, you can make a living as a pianist in many other ways besides soloing. Here are a few of them.
Ensemble Musician. A pianist can make a living on stage without being the soloist. Keyboard artists are in demand for ensemble work, whether classical or contemporary.
If classical music is what you love, then you might find yourself playing with chamber ensembles, or in some orchestral performances. If you prefer contemporary music, you could tickle the ivories in a jazz ensemble, or rock, pop, or country band.
Studio Musician. A studio musician is someone who plays for television shows, ads, radio, or cinema soundtracks. A studio pianist might play alone or in an ensemble. Unlike those who make their living performing live onstage, the studio musicians are normally heard but not seen. Yet their services are valuable: We all know how much is added to the emotional impact of these media by a good musical soundtrack.
Freelance Performer. These are pianists who play for weddings and other events, or who provide enjoyable music in non-concert venues – places like upscale stores or restaurants.
While it may be possible to do this kind of work full-time, probably most of these performers have other jobs. Perhaps they work as piano teachers, piano tuners, or studio performers, and these freelance opportunities help them supplement their income.
Accompanist. A good accompanist is worth his or her weight in gold. (Unfortunately, this is just a figure of speech.)
An accompanist is a pianist who plays the supporting parts for a soloist, a choir, or a dance studio. As such, the accompanist is absolutely crucial to a good rehearsal and an excellent performance. The best soloists and choir directors realize this, and treat their accompanist with great respect.
Though you must have mastered your instrument in order to be a good accompanist, not every good player is a good accompanist. (See my earlier post on choir accompanists for more about this specialty.)
Private Piano Teacher. You can make a living as a piano teacher.
However, as with the accompanist, while you must be an excellent pianist yourself in order to become a piano teacher, not every good pianist has what it takes to be a good piano teacher.
To make your living as a piano teacher, you must really love the teaching aspect, since that’s what you’ll spend the majority of your time doing. You’ve got to love kids, and be able to tolerate beginning-level playing. You must be able to see the students’ potential – not what they are today, but what they could be – and help them reach it.
Music Educator – College or University. Another possibility is to become a college professor.
Of course, you must first be willing and able to obtain advanced degrees in music. Again, like the soloist, you must give up years of your young adulthood to achieve your PhD in piano pedagogy before you can become a professor.
And, like the private piano teacher, you must also love the teaching aspect. You won’t be dealing with beginning students, but you must be able to motivate and encourage your advanced students to advance still further.
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As you see, there are many opportunities for a pianist to make a living, beyond soloing. The work may not be as steady or lucrative as, say, becoming an accountant. But if you know that office work isn’t for you, and you simply love to play piano, you certainly can make a living at it.
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