500 Wedding Ideas
How do I get a job playing piano at a country club or weddings?
I'm 13 years old and I've heard of kids my age getting jobs playing at country clubs and weddings and stuff like that. I practice 2 hours a day and have been playing for 8 years. I play piano whenever I see one. In a store, at family parties, my parents' work parties, anything. What else can I do to get people to notice me and get a job?
Public Comments
- First of all, you cannot play anywhere that alcohol is served - that is the law in most states. Second, there are THOUSANDS of professionals ahead on you on this one - contacts, business literature, CDs, etc. I own a business in NY that provides small ensemble for EXACTLY what you are talking about - and even in a GOOD economy, it is not easy - you need a rep, credentials, an ENORMOUS repertoire, and you have to hustle - just for openers. If someone hires you because you are REALLY REALLY CHEAP, or they know your Mom and Dad - that that will be a one-off - but YOU, at your age, cannot depend on this for steady income. Why should they hire you, when there are SO MANY pros around? You can work towards this for the future - get a degree in music, work your way up through the ranks - and then see how it works out for you - but NOW? Not likely.
- what a negative first answer! Okay, so here's the deal: 1: You need to play a variety of music that is good for the type of gathering you're playing for. (For example, a traditional wedding will need some light classical and/or easy listening music with rolling chords and arpeggios and sing-along melodies). Someone else might want specific songs to which you will need to be able to read (given plenty of warning so you can prepare) and/or improvise (no warning at all) an accompaniment while someone sings, or fake a tune with melody (as a solo). 2: You need an 'in'. This means you need to start somewhere, playing for a friend, or a friend of a friend. Sit in with someone who is already playing a job and help out (play duets or solos when he or she is on break). This does two things: a) It gets you in the door and gaining experience. b) It gets you noticed by other people there (the hosts and the guests). My wife and I played a duet at a wedding for a friend of my sister (she on piano playing solos, and then playing chords while I soloed melodies on the guitar. Then, when we played pieces like trumpet tunes, she would play the 'orchestra' on the piano while I played trumpet on a keyboard. For this situation, we were required only to play background music while guests mingled and ate snacks. So, we prepared (and practised) light classical music. AND, while we were on breaks, people asked us "if we were free for this date" or "if we did "bar mitzvahs." BAM! We were 'in!' Good luck!
