HOW TO GET GIGS
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How to get gigs as a solo piano player

piano

Getting gigs as a solo musician can be hard. The music industry can be very competitive and this can be especially true for soloists, due to their high numbers.

That said, there is also great demand for solo musicians like pianists to appear at private functions, as well as some other unique opportunities that aren’t available to full bands. Here is our handy guide to getting more gigs as a piano player…

If you’re looking for a piano player for an event, take a look at the “Pianists & Keyboardists” section of lastminutemusicians.com

Before you get started

Before you go out hunting for gigs, there are a few things you are going to need to maximise your potential bookings…

Recordings

A good set of recordings (spanning all of the genres you work in) will be essential listening for anyone who is considering hiring you.

A producer or studio will be able to do this for you but, as you are a solo musician, it may be just as cost effective to record yourself using software like Logic or Pro Tools (learning the basics of these will be a great skill to have later in your career).

logic recording

EPK

If you’re applying to any agencies, then you’ll need a good press kit. This should contain things like your biography, basic information and press quotes.

If you need help creating a good one, check out our guest blog on EPKs for our friends over at Ditto Music.

2 x 45 minute sets of material (minimum)

The basic requirement for most venues (or agencies) is to have at least two sets of material that add up to about 45 minutes. Of course, you’re going to want some extra songs for options and encores and some agencies will want the option to offer hour long sets as well.

For some ideas on crafting a great set list, read this LMM blog.

Professional equipment

The advantage of being a pianist is that, often, your instrument will be provided for you! If you’re playing in hotels or restaurants, they may well have a grand or upright piano waiting for you. That said, the tuning may not be guaranteed, so it’s usually best to bring a back up keyboard.

Other places will require you to bring your own equipment, so a professional rig is a must – Keyboards, amp and possibly a PA if you’re planning to offer vocals or play to bigger crowds.

Web presence

A website and social media really is a must nowadays. Both can be very helpful getting gigs! A website is a brilliant place to direct new potential clients to.

social network
If you’re looking to maximise your social media presence, read these LMM blogs on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

What types of gigs should I go after?

Birthdays, anniversaries and functions

Private functions can be a great source of gigs for solo piano players. This can be anything from high-class black tie birthdays in private members clubs to the back room of pubs on a Friday night.

Make sure your website is up to date, and take a stack of business cards to any shows you have. You can start of playing at friends and family events and then hopefully go from there!

“Cocktail” piano and background/atmospheric music

Keyboardists and Pianists can always get extra gigs by playing “cocktail piano” in bars, restaurants and hotels.

Live background music is still very much sought after in classy inner city establishments, and can be particularly lucrative at providing gigs at times that you wouldn’t conventionally be playing, weeknights and Sunday afternoons, for example.

There are several different ways to go about securing these gigs. The most straightforward way is to approach a venue directly.

If they are a hotel or restaurant, ask to speak to the manger or whoever deals with live entertainment. You can always email instead, but this may have more variable results.

They may say that they have an existing contract with a live music agency, in which case you will have to apply (and possibly audition) for them. Venues like this will generally expect an instrumental mix of Jazz and Pop, but will usually provide a Piano and possibly a small PA system.

Restaurant piano

Weddings (drinks reception)

Many happy couples choose to add a touch of class to their wedding drinks by having a piano player in the background of their drinks reception. These gigs can be particularly lucrative, financially. Weddings tend to have a much better budget in place and so you should charge accordingly.

If you are looking to get more gigs at weddings, you may be interested in reading this LMM blog

Weddings (evening entertainment)

If a couple have space or volume restrictions (or can’t afford a full band) they may want a soloist to perform at their evening reception as well. If this is the case, they will probably want a more upbeat mix of pop covers (and probably want you to sing as well, if this is something you offer).

Once you have played at your first few weddings you will probably find you start to get referrals for other events, but agencies and directories like Last Minute Musicians can also help you secure wedding shows. Striking up a good working relationship with wedding planners can also help.

coffee piano
If you are looking to perform at more weddings, you may want to consider playing at a wedding fair. Check out this LMM blog for more information on the pros and cons of wedding fairs.

Corporate events

Quite possibly some of the best earners for solo piano players are high-end corporate events. This can be everything from product launches to sales conferences. Quite often, company directors will look to impress clients and entertain staff by having you play at drinks gatherings or over dinner.

Don’t forget, if you want more gigs as a piano player, look at joining Lastminutemusicians.com

Do you have any other tips for soon-to-be professional piano players? Post them in the comments below…

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