I’m a 65 year old software engineer, and restarted playing about 8 years ago after not playing since my teen years. I am constantly working on new classical repertoire, but also playing a lot of contemporary and pop music. I have no fantasy about becoming a professional concert pianist, but I would like to somehow be connected to the piano and derive some supplemental income from it. I have considered looking into playing lounge piano at local bars and restaurants as I ease into retirement. I do hope however, to derive enough income from this endeavor to supplement my social security income. If I can’t make that work, I may delve into piano repair and tuning, as i have restored and tuned an old upright piano from the 1920’s I inherited from my grandparents. Another avenue I’m considering is operating a venue. I own a small building which I’m considering turning into a venue for bands and artists to play in. There seems to be a lack of affordable venues for bands and artists to perform concerts, so that is another possibility. Just thought I’d mention some additional ways of deriving income from music, outside of becoming a professional concert pianist.
A little outside of the topic but still fully related to the piano is "piano tuner". My personal piano tuner is almost 70 years old and try as he might cannot train or find someone to take over his business when he eventually retires. He's tried multiple times and he says most of his potential students can't pass the rigorous certification test which involves physical strength and the ability to discern musical pitch with high accuracy. The one successful student he trained and passed all the courses was grabbed up by a prominent institute of music located in a big city ! He said the demand is there and you can make a good living doing it but he can't get anyone !
100%. I've taken up tuning my own piano because tuners are expensive and booked. I use the PianoMeter app and it does ok, but there is nothing quite like it when my tuner has just finished it. Just have to fix his unisons and it's magical. I wish i could program the app to follow whatever curve he is shooting for but idk what settings to change.
There is a shortage of piano technicians in most cities in the country. I can attest to this because we offer free tuning for all the pianos we sell to people all around the country. Many piano technicians, rebuilders, and refinishers are older as well. Hopefully, more people will join the trade!
You touched on some of these suggestions. I played for many years as the accompanist in our synagogue (for very good remuneration....) As the music director for an adult theater group I earned nice paychecks, too (and was greatly appreciated!). Years ago, before DJs took over I led various wedding bands every weekend (but playing The Great American Songbook isn't in high demand anymore unfortunately.) Playing 'casuals' in restaurants and bars was lucrative but, since it was generally solo work, it was boring. I taught music for 40 years and enjoyed it greatly....though I didn't get rich doing it! I did sell CDs of my student's performances as a successful fundraiser. My message: Make beautiful music because you need to for yourself!
I moved from production to composing. Release my original music through different platforms. I do have a day job i am not depended any more from piano and that makes me better composer.
I'm glad I found this channel! Pretty much any question I have about the piano has an answer here, and it's very helpful! I hope to become a pianist, but the idea of trying to make money by playing the piano was a daunting one that discouraged me from going down that path. Glad to know there are so many different options to make money! This really eases my stress about going down the music route with my life! :)
Seeing or doing the math with the pool of numbers and statistics is discouraging but that goes for a lot of jobs in the art world and else where. Just have to put your best foot forward and be confident in your work and technique and keep going.
If you’re looking to make a living playing music, you are definitely better off going for piano than most other instruments, especially the guitar. Although, more people attempt learning guitar, the ability to teach guitar is pretty much non-existent any more as most people just look to TH-cam for instruction on the guitar.
Pretty sure there are 1 in 1000 people with any talent or 8 million pianists in the world. The number with practical skills beyond just playing the G minor ballade is maybe 1/10 of that.
That is a great name haha, but doggy tastes and attention spans do vary so much that you would need to group your audience by their demeanor or it could be chaotic - maybe you were just joking but not a terrible idea...owner demeanors otoh...😅😂
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More places to play for money
Churches need pianists! They may want you to learn organ too though, which is extremely fun and expands your piano technique immensely.
I’m a 65 year old software engineer, and restarted playing about 8 years ago after not playing since my teen years. I am constantly working on new classical repertoire, but also playing a lot of contemporary and pop music.
I have no fantasy about becoming a professional concert pianist, but I would like to somehow be connected to the piano and derive some supplemental income from it.
I have considered looking into playing lounge piano at local bars and restaurants as I ease into retirement. I do hope however, to derive enough income from this endeavor to supplement my social security income.
If I can’t make that work, I may delve into piano repair and tuning, as i have restored and tuned an old upright piano from the 1920’s I inherited from my grandparents.
Another avenue I’m considering is operating a venue. I own a small building which I’m considering turning into a venue for bands and artists to play in. There seems to be a lack of affordable venues for bands and artists to perform concerts, so that is another possibility.
Just thought I’d mention some additional ways of deriving income from music, outside of becoming a professional concert pianist.
A little outside of the topic but still fully related to the piano is "piano tuner". My personal piano tuner is almost 70 years old and try as he might cannot train or find someone to take over his business when he eventually retires. He's tried multiple times and he says most of his potential students can't pass the rigorous certification test which involves physical strength and the ability to discern musical pitch with high accuracy. The one successful student he trained and passed all the courses was grabbed up by a prominent institute of music located in a big city ! He said the demand is there and you can make a good living doing it but he can't get anyone !
100%. I've taken up tuning my own piano because tuners are expensive and booked. I use the PianoMeter app and it does ok, but there is nothing quite like it when my tuner has just finished it. Just have to fix his unisons and it's magical. I wish i could program the app to follow whatever curve he is shooting for but idk what settings to change.
There is a shortage of piano technicians in most cities in the country. I can attest to this because we offer free tuning for all the pianos we sell to people all around the country. Many piano technicians, rebuilders, and refinishers are older as well. Hopefully, more people will join the trade!
You touched on some of these suggestions. I played for many years as the accompanist in our synagogue (for very good remuneration....) As the music director for an adult theater group I earned nice paychecks, too (and was greatly appreciated!). Years ago, before DJs took over I led various wedding bands every weekend (but playing The Great American Songbook isn't in high demand anymore unfortunately.) Playing 'casuals' in restaurants and bars was lucrative but, since it was generally solo work, it was boring. I taught music for 40 years and enjoyed it greatly....though I didn't get rich doing it! I did sell CDs of my student's performances as a successful fundraiser. My message: Make beautiful music because you need to for yourself!
Most, if not all of the 200 are FRSM qualified, the highest qualification in practical music.
I moved from production to composing. Release my original music through different platforms. I do have a day job i am not depended any more from piano and that makes me better composer.
I'm glad I found this channel! Pretty much any question I have about the piano has an answer here, and it's very helpful! I hope to become a pianist, but the idea of trying to make money by playing the piano was a daunting one that discouraged me from going down that path. Glad to know there are so many different options to make money! This really eases my stress about going down the music route with my life! :)
It's worthwhile if you love it. You'll always find a way to incorporate it into your life!
Seeing or doing the math with the pool of numbers and statistics is discouraging but that goes for a lot of jobs in the art world and else where. Just have to put your best foot forward and be confident in your work and technique and keep going.
I like accompanying. Recently I accompanied the Hindemith Horn Sonata, Fun Piece! 🎹
I played the horn part to that piece as well as the piano part. Hindemith method is never easy.
If you’re looking to make a living playing music, you are definitely better off going for piano than most other instruments, especially the guitar. Although, more people attempt learning guitar, the ability to teach guitar is pretty much non-existent any more as most people just look to TH-cam for instruction on the guitar.
Many churches need pianists, but lack the funds to pay the pianist. In a church setting, playing the piano tends to be looked at as a ministry
I think that's because it is🎹🎶
Develop a piano-oriented TH-cam channel like David Hicken, MauColi or even Robert Estrin!
Pretty sure there are 1 in 1000 people with any talent or 8 million pianists in the world. The number with practical skills beyond just playing the G minor ballade is maybe 1/10 of that.
Thank you.
Someone could do piano recitals for dogs. That just might work. They could call it "Keys and Fleas". Maybe I'll try that myself...
That is a great name haha, but doggy tastes and attention spans do vary so much that you would need to group your audience by their demeanor or it could be chaotic - maybe you were just joking but not a terrible idea...owner demeanors otoh...😅😂
Thank you.