Depending on the nature and needs of his or her employers, a pianist may be hired to perform music for a variety of reasons. During scheduled services, for example, a pianist familiar with religious hymns frequently accompanies a church congregation and/or choir. The music for dance class rehearsals and performances could be provided a classically trained pianist. Before sound movies were invented, movie theaters would hire a pianist or organist to provide a soundtrack for silent films. Professional pianists are also employed a number of upscale restaurants and lounges to provide unobtrusive background music while guests dine or dance. There are also special clubs where amateur singers can get karaoke-style accompaniment from a professional pianist.
A professional pianist’s job is to interpret and perform music that is appropriate for the venue or occasion. A pianist’s repertoire, or the number of songs he or she can perform from memory, is usually built up rehearsing music from a variety of genres. Some pianists devote years to studying classical performance techniques and musical scores in order to qualify as soloists or accompanists for trained vocalists. Others take keyboard music lessons to perform popular music, religious hymns, or musical theater. For many pianists, the process begins with lessons in proper fingering techniques and music theory as early as childhood. Listening to professional keyboardists and duplicating the notes on a piano or electronic keyboard can also help some pianists learn how to play. It’s not uncommon for a pianist to progress quickly after learning to play ear.
A classical pianist can be a soloist in a recital hall or a guest performer with a full orchestra. Many classical music pieces, such as George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” call for a solo pianist to play very intricate interludes against an orchestral background. A jazz pianist is frequently accompanied a three- or four-piece band that includes a drummer, guitarist, bassist, and keyboardist. A jazz pianist, unlike a classical pianist, is usually free to improvise solo performances during a designated “break” in the song. In an upscale dining establishment or piano bar, a solo jazz pianist can perform expanded and improvised versions of popular standards.
However, there are some difficulties that a professional pianist must overcome. It can be difficult to find regular work in a band or as a solo performer, so a musician may have to look for other music-related jobs, such as private teaching and one-off session work in smaller studios. In order to support himself or herself between musical gigs, a musician may need to work a regular day job. Working as an accompanist for dance classes or musical theater groups can be physically and mentally demanding, as the material may need to be repeated multiple times during rehearsals. Many professional pianists supplement their income performing at weddings and funerals. Private instructors or instrument demonstrators may be needed at local music stores. Some musicians go on to become professional piano tuners or restorers after learning the technical aspects of the instrument.