Paying Gigs

[florentin]

Where do you guys play and get payed? What are some options for an average piano player like myself? My repertoire includes Bach Inventions, a couple of Mozart pieces, a Beethoven, some Clementi, other similar stuff.

What are some places I can play and maybe get some pay?

[orlandopiano]

Where do you guys play and get payed? What are some options for an average piano player like myself? My repertoire includes Bach Inventions, a couple of Mozart pieces, a Beethoven, some Clementi, other similar stuff.

What are some places I can play and maybe get some pay?

Shopping malls are always looking for a pianist to play Christmas music during the holiday season. All the ones I've seen near me play straight from the music.

[alzado]

Some of us -- such as myself! -- play so badly that perhaps they would pay us NOT to play !

I am not sure that serious classical music is much in demand.  The other member suggested piano music.  Yes.  A good suggestion.

Also, what are called "old standards."  Stardust, Blue Moon, So Rare, Autumn Leaves . . . the lounge piano repertoire.

Wish you luck--  If you find out anything, please come back and let us know.

[florentin]

oh come on, there's gotta be places that pay for live piano music

[brahmsian]

Shopping malls
Hotels
Swanky restaurants
Parties
Business functions
Carnegie Hall

I think the key is to get your name out there....

Put up ads advertising yourself as a pianist, maybe someone will see it and call you. 

[celticqt]

What are some places I can play and maybe get some pay?

If you're willing to accompany people, there are lots of opportunities.  The public schools in my area are desperate for accompanists for their choirs/festivals.  (And they pay great.)  The key is to get to know someone who knows a lot of people who can help get your name around.  For me this was my teacher.

[florentin]

oh, accompanying sounds great.

Can you give me some examples of pay for something like that?

[celticqt]

Well, I am sure it depends somewhat on where you live (NYC would be more expensive than Podunk, Kansas).  I am in a major metropolitan area and the going rates are about $20/hour for rehearsals and between $50-75 for the actual concert.