What part-time job did you have while building up your studio?

[jam8086]

Hey all,

When I get out of college, I doubt I will have an instant full supply of students, especially since I will probably live in another area than where my college is, so I wouldn't be able to keep any students that I had while in college.  I'm wondering what other jobs some of you pursued while you were building up your studio.

So far the only thing I can think of is playing in a church...Jobs such as accompanying don't really seem like they would be very effective if you're just doing it while you're building up your studio, because by the time you get enough clients to accompany to make it worthwhile, you would probably have enough students in your studio to be a full time teacher anyway.

Thanks!!!

[pianistimo]

choir accompanying is fun - but demanding.  i was a 'parts' accompanist - but the lady who did the master chorale performances was quite busy and could read all four parts really well together - and the accompaniments quite quickly.  it's an art.  the more you do it - the better you get.  have to start somewhere, right?  i'm a pretty good sight reader - but this lady put the feeling in the first time.  amazing pianist.  anyway- you have to have an attention to detail to pull it off - and yet, there's community college choirs to start with and then work up to the uni level - with also private vocal students galore.

[pianistimo]

there are many part-time music and non music related jobs - but why not get a full time job and teach piano part time on the weekends.  i think you'd come out ahead and not crazy either.  but, if it's what you love - i understand.  sometimes they cancel though - and even though you have contracts - lessons are not as reliable of income as a full time regular job.

[Bob]

I have heard of bookkeeping and arts-related management, like being a part-time theater manager.

There are also school teaching jobs that are not full time.

[maryruth]

I don't think it matters so much WHAT you do, so much as where you do it.  Meaning, think about interem jobs as a source of potential new piano students.  Work around people with kids that want to take piano lessons...the more people the better.  The best way to advertise one's self is with yourself..word of mouth. 

But, then also if you can get church jobs accompanying--even if you don't earn a lot people can hear you play.  (but you better have time to practice unless you can sight read really well!)

And then when you do get a few students make them very aware that you want more students.  Word of mouth (at least around here) is how you get new students.

[ingagroznaya]

Word of mouth is not the greatest help if you'll have no students of your own to recommend you. I think best bet is getting a part time job in a music/piano store.
I'd say it's all depends on which country you are living in.

Advertise aggressively, especially around the beginning of the school year. Winter holidays are also very active time of the year. Advertise. You have to put some money into your business to get any returns.

My own part time job was - VISA. One day I woke up with 00.00 in my bank account, no job on the horizon. I have not worked for several years by that time. VISA and MasterCard works beautifully as a part time "gig", but you have to be as aggressive and as desperate as I was.

[cjp_piano]

Church jobs are good, and accompanying jobs (once people know they can call on you as an accompanist, you will gets lots of calls to sub, fill-in, do recitals, etc.).

I worked in our city's Symphony Orchestra office, that was fun.

It doesn't have to be music related though.  What else do you like and are interested in?  You can work anywhere really, just think of what you would somewhat enjoy =)

Good Luck.

[jlh]

Many uni choirs use scholarship pianists or staff accompanists for their needs, since they don't have to pay extra for their services.  Secondary school choirs are almost ALWAYS looking for accompanists though (my old roommate was a highschool choir director and was always asking for me to accompany either the choirs or also to accompany for auditions and solo/ensemble festivals).  If you know much about singing, you could be a vocal coach for private students as well.

[franz_]

I'm dealing with the same problem. But where do you get your private pupils?
And is playing in u church not totaly different then on a piano? I've never played on an organ before.

[abell88]

And is playing in u church not totaly different then on a piano? I've never played on an organ before.

Not all churches use organs. There are many different worship styles around; some use organ, some piano, some both, some exclusively keyboard...

[penguinlover]

I am a substitute school teacher.  Each district has its own qualifications, but with mine, I just needed a Bachelor's degree, and pass the test (along with FBI checks, blood tests etc.)  Anyway, this job opened a whole new arena to me.   I was able to meet the band directors of the junior high and High school.  When I made myself know the them, I was requested by them to sub for them.  Just think, classrooms filled with potential students!  It was really great when the band director noticed one of my students, and was giving her compliments.  That complimented me.  Then you can get word of mouth references really easy.  And, the best part of being a substitute teacher is you get to work only the days you want, and there is always more than enough days to work, and not enough subs to go around.  You are assured of having as much work as you need, or want.

Along with being a church pianist, being a sub gets me out in the public where people can see me, meet me.  It's a lot better than a business card!