Anina
How do you train to become a professional pianist, like the kind that play at weddings?
Hi! My name is Anina and I'm a high school senior interning at CareerVillage. It's always been my mother's dream for me to be the one playing Canon in D during a wedding. It made me wonder what the process is to becoming a wedding musician. Do you need to have any kind of certificate or schooling? #music #piano
4 answers
Paul A Coulter
Paul A’s Answer
Play awesomely at a few weddings, do it entertainingly and referrals should flow.
My question to you is this your dream or your mothers dream? If you aren't taking piano lesson already and loving it chances aren't it isn't your path or passion.
If you are playing and enjoying it, options are teaching students, teaching music in a school, community musical activities, church musician, etc
Play, Play, Play consider 10,000 hours of practice. Just being funny! :-)
I used to take piano lessons when I was a lot younger, but I only loved to learn playing after I stopped being forced to practice. Now, my fingers get a little twitchy when I haven't practiced for a few days. I personally think it'd be pretty cool to play at a big event like a wedding, and if it was easy enough to do then I'd be happy to make my mom happy, if that makes sense. I don't think it's my path, per say, but I definitely love music. Thank you for the advice!
Anina
Andra Kahn
Andra’s Answer
If your goal is to perform a specific piece at a wedding practice that piece as much as you can and practice it in different environments and on different pianos if available.
Don't just practice your piece alone but practice it in front of family and others often; you will get use to playing in front of a crowd and relying more on your instinct and ability to play through the piece properly.
Start recording each of your sessions that you play your piece so you can hear back what you sound like, and at the same time listen to professional piano pieces of it on youtube to hear different styles on how the piece is played. The combination of those will turn into your own unique performance at the end.
If you can bring your own piano or electric piano to the wedding that might be best because you are use to your own equipment, practice, rehearse, and execute and you will do great.
Sammy Davenport
Sammy’s Answer
I agree with the other comments. Also, be outgoing and friendly, show up early to all engagements, dress appropriately, return phone calls/emails/texts promptly. Basically act like the professional that you want to become from the very first job.
Elizabeth Christopher
Elizabeth’s Answer
Hi. You need to become the best pianist you can be through study, practice, and discipline so that your goal is not just to play Pachelbel, but to play well - all composers. Someone's wedding is a very special day and you need to be at a professional level to play for weddings. Also, make sure that this is YOUR dream, not just your mother's. :)