Getting my name out

[jh20sjr]

I am fifteen and I've been playing the piano for over ten years. I am ready to get noticed, and no one will notice me. I have played classical forever, but that is not exactly what I want to do with my piano career. I am hoping that by posting the message, someone from a record deal or something of that nature can find me and be willing to give me a chance, despite the fact that I am only fifteen years old. Please help me. If you aren't someone in the record business, but you know people and have connections, please let me know. I am very tired of playing just to play, and have no one hear me. I have been the Top Talent with the highest Guild Score in my division for the past 4 years. Also, I have won the Maryland Concerto Competition for the GLMTA twice, and have gotten three 2nd places, and two 3rd places. I have participated in numerous competitions in my state, including the Laurel Solo Competition (which I received first place in this year), Henri Carol, Piano Olympics with Alexander Peskanov, and many more things. Please, someone help me out, and help me get noticed.

[Colette]

Relax, you're only 15! You know, there are other ways to get noticed, and this way probably isn't the best.  I'm not sure what genre of music you want to concentrate on if not classical, but  here are a few things that might help you get noticed from where you're at now:
1. Start from the top. It's great that you've won some competitions, but if you want to take your playing (and your all important resume) farther, stay away from regional, very small competitions. They can be even more corrupt and self serving than some high power, well established ones. Larger scale, international competitions with broad repertoire reqiurements are worth entering if only to get more experience, and to highten your chances of being in the spotlight.
2. If you feel you are ready, and have a good amount of substantal works under your belt, you might want your teacher to contact an agent or manager. The magazine Musical America (in bookstores and libraries) has vast agent listings (as well as comprehensive competition listings). Despite what people think, it's not always a bad thing to be proactive and take the straightforward approach in the musical world. Discuss with your teacher the possibility of calling up a local listing and explaining what you have to offer. It might result in an audtion. Agents love young talent. The worst that can happen is that he/she might say  no.
3. Perform at any and all chances you get, even if it's just at student recitals. And, if you have the means, rent out a cheap space to give a full scale concert, or a debut if you will.
5. Attend masterclasses ( for a small fee at conservatories, music schools, etc.) with teachers other than your own, and make contact with other musicians in chamber groups, so that  you can perform more.
4 Talk to your piano teacher openly about your problem. Teachers usually have the best advice, understanding and sympathy for such matters.
5. The main thing is, you have so much time to get noticed that you shouldn't rush anything. It will just make you frustrated and hate the piano (the worst possible thing). You are at the perfect age for entering so many "young artist" type competitions, doing concerts, attending masterclasses...etc. So don't worry. If you don't want to embark on a classical career, (you seem a little bored with playing only classical) it's a whole other ballgame, so if you haven't already, explore other pianistic genres, there are so many. But while you're deciding, listen to the great piano masters, find a composer(s) that you adore, and take joy in simply making music, not so much playing for the sake of competitive progress. You'll be happier if you do.
Good luck!

[jh20sjr]

Thank you so much for your advice. I have always had this feeling that it was early, but I feel that I'm ready. The problem is, that if I tell my piano teacher, she'll want me to do classical. All she will let me do in her studio is classical. But I want to branch out farther than that, into some jazz and R&B...I love the style of music that Alicia Keys and Brian McKnight play, it's the exact kind of piano that I would be interested in pursuing. However, I can't sing for anything ()....But I have tried to take advantage of whatever I can, as far as competitions. I have done state fairs, county fairs, and won places in them. I just don't want to do classical things, because I've been doing them for so long...But thank you so much for the advice!

[Mandy]

I agree with Ludwig.  Don't Rush!  You have so much time to figure everything out, and while this might seem like a good idea the moment, you may not realize all of the implications that come with being a professional performer.  I don't mean to say that you are not certain that this is something you are ready for, but enjoy your time at high school and just enjoy being 15, it won't last long!  If this is what you want to do, you should try getting in contact with someone who is a professional and see what their experience has been.  It would probably be beneficial, and you might be able to meet some people who would make good connections to help you get started.  

In terms of getting a recording contract, well, I know many people, many profs at my university who have been trying for years to get them and they don't come easily!!!  I don't know alot about how you would go about getting one, but I would guess that you would need some kind of major endorsement from someone in the business-also not easy to get-and probably some kind of major competition experience to get your name out there.

Good luck!

[ludwig]

I agree with Ludwig.

Thanks Mandy, although I didn't post anything :p but you're right, I agree with Colette too. There is no rush to get out there and start making contracts and records, unless that's all you want to do and live off it. What is your aim anyways, you said that you wanted to be heard. Do you mean to be a classical  concert pianist, perhaps a new hybrid pianist who does a bit of all music, jazz, soul music, or a composer of a variety of music which you could perform and record for a career. There are so many possibilities in the future and in time you'll discover what you like to do and be. Although I must say that being a pianist is not an easy career option, unless you are very talented and have a special quality as a musician that seeks public interest. If you've got those qualities, I'm sure you'll get noticed. Perform at every chance you've got, enter yourself in competitions, maybe you could think of the international scene if it helps, also participate in musical activities in the styles you like. If your teacher isn't open to jazz, blues, rock, or any interest in music you have other than classical, perhaps you could get a gig together, and make something of those interests. Anyways, goodluck with all that. Let us know how you get on.

[jh20sjr]

See, therein lies the problem. I do compete in every competition available, but they are all classical competitions, and that is not what I am interested in. I am just forced to do them for my piano teacher. I would love to compose my own variety of music, as well as doing soul music. That would definitely be the road I would choose. But I don't know any competitions to enter that would allow me to showcase my abilities other than classical. Any ideas?

[ludwig]

well, its like anything, if you want to acheive something, you've got to have work behind it first. Just like a "classical" pianist, if you want to be a successful performer, you've got to have a wide range of repetoire and great practice and work behind it. I'm sure that in you have built up skills, repetoire, experience to become a pianist, you can do the same and start building up presentable works either you composed or want to perform.

If you want to compose non-classical music, I suggest maybe you get lessons from a composer or song writer, maybe just a working experience, and see it first hand at how they do it, build up your song collection, be into the whole technology composing and editing thing, be clear what you want to acheive, set goals and work your way up. It isn't a easy process, like your piano playing skills, and I suppose it will take several years before you start presenting your work and, so you could start looking into it now, even though you are young, so take it easy. Remember that it isn't easy and there are many composers and non-classical performers out there who also dreams of "making it."

Also, if you want to become a performer of non-classical music, then you could start to play at some places, such as getting a band or a group together, join your local jazz community, I have one in my area, don't know about yours, but you could start to perform at school functions, finding out some things about back-up gigs and community functions where you could present your group etc...I reckon you'll have to get out there and do the work rather than letting a producer or a music talent agency find you, this could mean starting from a not so idealistic place. You'd be surprised at how many places needs a piano accompanist for their musical, jazz ensemble, playing at a bar/club/restaurant etc... Goodluck.

[Colette]

I think Ludwig has some really good ideas. It seems to me that you are trying really hard to please your piano teacher. Being "forced" into anything is not good. Have you considered possibly finding a new teacher, one who is not only trained to teach classical music, but other areas that you're interested in? That might solve the competition issue right away.  There are some jazz/composition compeitions if you are interested in entering them. They are harder to find, but not impossible. I've often seen them when looking for classical competitions. Again, look up Musical America for listings.

[Mandy]

oops, sorry....I meant Colette!!, I had just read something by Ludwig, and was still thinking about it!!now I can say I agree with both Ludwig and Colette- you should never be forced to do anything you don't want to do.  You should not be out there trying to impress anyone but yourself-and any piano teacher who would force you into competitions is not doing a very good job.  He/she should recognize that you want to pursue other styles of music and should be able to help guide you in that direction.  Try to find some other students who are also interested in the music you are, and start learning the music you are interested in.  Like others have said, I would get yourself a new teacher-one who will help you acheive your goals rather than forcing you into something you don't want to do.  Does your high school have a jazz band?  Maybe you could play with them?  If they already have a pianist, maybe you could split the job, or play just a few songs with them to get the experience.