Accompanist position professional#

Our job is to follow you, yes, and we might even cover up small things that go wrong if we can.

Blame the pianist for your own mistakes.

Transposing takes a lot of time and effort – it can be like learning an entirely new piece – so ask your pianist if it’s possible, and give them plenty of time.

Would you say yes to someone asking you to sing, play, or act in a piece you’ve never done before? With little to no notice? Do anything without AT LEAST 48 hours notice.Your pianist is your partner, and they’ve worked hard to make this performance a good one. Acknowledge your collaborator at the end, with a respectful gesture, nod, or verbal “thank you”.From the audience’s perspective, this habit is perceived as if you don’t trust your accompanist, or you haven’t rehearsed enough. The easiest way to be together is to breathe. Breathe before you play, sing, or speak.(Will you require rehearsal beforehand? How many hours? Will you be performing for a class, a crowd, or a few friends? Does your institution cover the pianist’s fee, or will you need to pay them? Clarify expectations regarding time commitment, performance situation, and pay.( This will save you both time in rehearsal.) Write in important changes like breaths, pauses, and cuts.Pianists have a lot of music to learn, and it’s not our job to locate a second version because of an unusable document. DO NOT send us music that is blurry, incomplete, or otherwise hard to read. We all have different preferences – single- or double-sided, printed or PDFs, etc. Sheet music should be clear and legible.This gives you a chance to meet with them beforehand, or send a few comments, as needed.) (This gives them as much time as possible to learn the music and feel comfortable before the performance. This also prevents you from scrambling last-minute.) (This allows them to check their calendar, mark it down, or say “no” if they’re unavailable. Notify your accompanist of all dates and times as soon as you can.Tips to Remember: Before the performance:

They are your artistic partner, and fostering a good relationship with them will set you up for a successful performance. The most important thing to remember when working with an accompanist is to communicate with them EARLY and EFFECTIVELY. Piano Performance ’22 Fostering a Good Relationship:

Accompanist position professional#

Brought to you by the CAL’s Professional Development Blog Series.īy: Kaitlyn Clawson-Cannestra, M.M.