Learning piano is a great experience and comes with tremendous benefits. When you learn piano, you not only explore your soul through music but also open numerous windows for career opportunities. A pianist has many career options to choose from. It is not compulsory to earn a degree in music to enter the music industry. Numerous careers are driven by passion and talent. You can learn piano yourself and become a successful pianist.
You may start learning piano as a hobby, but one day, you could make it your profession. Piano players can earn a living through many jobs. If you are worried that learning piano is not a beneficial step, then you have nothing to worry about. Learning piano is the first step on the path of a successful career. You have many options and you can choose the suitable one. Playing the piano is an art and the world has boundless opportunities for an artist.
Accompanist
You may need a degree or you can start working without any educational qualifications. Working as an accompanist could be tough because you don’t get to choose the schedule. An accompanist is a person who accompanies others for competitions or performances. You can play as an accompanist in churches, schools, ballet houses, competitions, etc.
If you are an accompanist for a church or a school, then your schedule would be fixed because they function according to the academic calendar. But if you accompany in competitions and seasonal events, then your schedule could be flexible. If you aspire to work as an accompanist, then you should polish your sight-reading skills. An accompanist needs to be spontaneous and prompt. You will often be called on short notice and won’t be given enough time to prepare so your years of training will help you in playing impeccably regardless.
Teacher
Today you are learning the piano, tomorrow you can teach piano. If you think you can creatively interact with students and pass on your expert skills in playing the piano, then you are perfect for becoming a piano teacher. There are numerous ways to teach piano. You can start a studio to offer piano classes or you can work for a music school or university. If you teaching independently, then no minimum qualification is required. If you aspire to teach professionally in a music school, then you need to pass the minimum qualification bar set by the institution. To teach piano, excellent communication skills and expertise in piano techniques is essential.
Music Therapist
If you connect with music and believe that your music can help others, then this is the perfect career for you. A music therapist is a person who helps people heal from stress, and get their souls soothed through music. The mesmerizing tunes of your piano can aid people in clearing out their doubts and in learning to enjoy life.
In most countries, you will be required to have a license to establish yourself as a music therapist. If you desire to pursue a career in music therapy, then you need at least a bachelor’s degree. A music therapist should be compassionate, patient, friendly and an expert in music. If you started learning piano today, five years from now you can imagine yourself in an office playing piano to heal your patient. You can open your center and practice independently as a music therapist or work for schools, daycare centers, churches, and many more such institutions.
Piano Technician
When you started learning piano, you might become curious about the interior of your piano. If the working of the piano intrigues you and you aspire to become an expert, then becoming a piano technician is your opportunity. If you own a piano, you must have come across a piano technician. A piano technician is a professional who is equipped with the mechanical knowledge of a piano and can fix any technical problems.
If you aspire to practice professionally, then you must get a certification to become a registered piano technician. If you think that you can handle the complex parts of the piano easily, then you are ready to train yourself as a piano technician. Among all the opportunities, this is the most complicated one. You should have basic training, and a master’s degree related to piano technology is always appreciated. If you are registered as a piano technician, then it means you are an expert in tuning a piano, replacing the hammers, and fixing even the tiniest malfunction in the piano.
Performer
The majority of pianists choose this career option. Working as a concert performer is a marvelous career opportunity for a pianist. Since piano allows you to play both the melody and harmony at the same time, you are eligible to perform solos. A piano player does not require an accompanist because he can play the accompaniment himself. The perfect coordination between right and left hand allows you to perform solo on stage.
You do not need a degree to work as a performer. If you are passionate and can play piano eloquently, then you can start performing today. A career as a performing pianist is the most competitive one, but if you work hard and have patience, then you can reach limitless heights. You can start by playing in churches, restaurants, and local events, and gradually play piano on the greatest stages in the world. When you are a concert performer, you get to travel across the globe and play for a diverse audience. It is a fascinating and competitive career opportunity.
Composer
If you love to experiment with notes and create something new, then you can be a composer. Learning piano can one day lead you to create your own music pieces. Composer is another competitive profession, but if you are talented and determined, then no one can beat you. If you want to be recognized as a composer, you ought to create unique and exemplary music pieces. Only peerless talent can help you become a composer.
If you want to work as a composer, then you must start studying music theory thoroughly. You will be able to experiment with notes, chords, and scales only when you understand them. You can create a new formula only when you are aware of all the variables included. You do not need a degree to become a composer, but an education in music might help you succeed.
Piano playing is not just a hobby. You can earn your living by playing the piano. You can choose a career according to your skills and interests, but you have to work hard and stay determined. No walk of life is easy in today’s competitive world. You have to practice a lot, have patience, and keep trying. Learning piano will offer you numerous career opportunities; all you have to do is hone your skills and choose the suitable one.
