accompaniement work

[cziffra]

At the moment i'm working through quite a demanding list with my piano teacher, and i was wondering if i should hire myself out as an accompaniest for all the eisteddfods coming up this year.  I will be totally inundated with requests, and i know it would not be sensible to expect easy pieces, or even pieces that i get a long time to learn.

I was wondering if the rewards for working with other musician's like this, and even the chances for learning and development with having such a busy schedule and learning so much music quickly and with responsibilities, will outweigh the pressures and the hours. 

It seems so sensible an idea, but it is also intimidating.

I would very much appreciate any comments from anyone who has done accompaniement work, or is extremely busy with multiple engagements, for example.

Thanks

[whynot]

Well, no one's jumped in here, so I will!  I wish more pianists collaborated with other musicians, for lots of reasons, but largely because it awakens or heightens awareness and listening, and the two of you can imitate and inspire one another.  That's the ideal scenario, which is often not how accompanying works.  But I won't vent here about the perils of accompanying--which are legion, as any long-time accompanist can tell you.  Rather, since you are deciding about how to use a specific amount of time at a very busy time in your life, I would guess the two big factors are how well you sightread and
whether you've done accompanying or chamber music before.  I'm thinking from your post that you haven't accompanied much before--which is fine, just an aspect of the situation.  If you're not used to thinking about the other person, more specifically about the other person's problems and needs, that can be a big distraction.  Which is okay if you sightread quite well and are comfortable giving most of your attention to the other musician.  But if you like lots of time to learn notes, or you don't like looking away from your own part and reading the other person's part every measure or so, you might find all that to take up a lot of time.  Precious practice time!  Good luck, whatever you decide.

[pianowelsh]

Go for it!!!!

[pianonut]

i have found the most satisfaction from chorale accompaniment.  there you have higher standards, sometimes, because you are not dealing with one on one (where brawls occur over how to interpret something - just kidding about the brawl - but what if you cannot agree - and the singer really gets on your nerves or isn't particulary pleasant to listen to).  with master chorales, you get to learn (yourself) what is expected in a higher level of performance for vocalists (and the director ususally expects the details to be worked out in a specific way).  everyone works together to make a musical session productive, and you may be able to perform the works (or even just hear them - if you are a section accompanist) live.

[pianobabe56]

Personally, I LOVE to accompany! It is so much fun for me- I get to work with other musicians, study different types of music, and I get performing experience without too much pressure from being the center of attention. It's all-in-all an amazing experience, and one of my favorite parts of being a pianist!

[Bartolomeo]

I have recently started accompanying a choir on a regular basis.  I find that it's good for me, musically, because there's a constant need to learn new music, play it well, and move on.  Many of the numbers I am asked to play have a substantial role for piano.  You do have to be able to learn new pieces quickly, and as with other serious engagements you have to show up.