How to Become a Piano Entertainer

You play the piano and now you want to share it with the world. Here are some tips on how to get started entertaining by playing piano music.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Piano
• Keyboard
• PA System

1. First, you do not need any formal qualifications to become an entertainer, but you do need to know how to play the piano. A great way to begin is to have a piano party at your house and invite friends over. Encourage everyone to sing along while you are playing piano music or just play background music while they are mingling. This will encourage you to practice and will get you used to playing in front of an audience.
2. Plan out several different types of piano music to play. You will always need to tailor your act. Older adults may not want to listen to modern piano music and prefer Sinatra and Liberachi. Younger audiences will like to hear rock and roll classics and popular piano songs that are playing on the piano.
3. Don't just stick to the piano, purchase yourself a good keyboard, such as a Yamaha or Roland, and a PA system to hook up to your keyboard. You will need it for places that don't have a piano.
4. Invest in a costume. No you don't have to dress up as a clown, but do have a wardrobe that would work in a park setting or a wedding that lets people know that you are a professional entertainer.
5. Have some headshots made with your piano. They show that you are serious and are great to send with your resume.
6. Make a website with your brand. Whether you use your personal name or come up with a different name use that as your brand. Use your headshots and samples of your playing on your website.
7. Volunteer to play at friends weddings, churches and local fairs and venues in your town. Set up your keyboard at parks and play for passing tourists but make sure you check with local ordinance to see if you will need a permit to do that. Have your calling card available.
8. Do a video of your playing and post it on your website or on youtube.com. Also, prepare a DVD with several of your songs with different styles and have plenty of copies so that you can hand them out to potential customers. Also, send copies off to piano bars and restaurants in your town along with a letter introducing yourself.
9. Keep your eyes out for auditions. Check out your local newspaper or craigslist.org for opportunities. Bring your headshot and resume when you audition and then follow up with a phone call thanking them for the opportunity.
10. If you are successful over a number of months or years, you may want to consider using an agent/agency to help you book performances and gain publicity. There are also a website on the internet which you can join, too, that will bring clients to you. Contact me and I can give you that information.

Tips & Warnings

• Entertainers are usually recommended to have good personal insurance, in case of an accident; and if you work with potential hazards, you are likely to need professional indemnity insurance.