It is getting progressively more difficult to stand out as a piano player. Many people play the piano at various levels, so how can pianists become widely known and recognized in the sea of piano players?
The piano is one of the most common instruments that beginner musicians choose to pick up because of its relative ease to learn. According to surveys by the American Music Conference, 28% of U.S. families own a keyboard instrument and over 18 million Americans play the piano. Because of this, however, it can be hard to get exposure at an advanced level.
As a piano player myself, one of the best ways to get experience is by playing with an orchestra or a concert band. Playing solo at piano competitions and festivals will also give a pianist many opportunities, but at virtuoso levels, they are very challenging to win, or even advance.
Playing with a group of people comes with many benefits. One of the most difficult challenges for most piano players in an orchestra is playing with a group of musicians and a conductor. Solo piano players play with rubato, or an increase and decrease in tempo. In a group, however, pianists must play on a steady tempo so as to not affect the other musicians. Pianists and any other musicians, cannot afford to make mistakes when playing together. This will obviously require much dedicated practice, paving the way for one to achieve a high proficiency in their instrument.
There are not many in-school opportunities for piano players to play in a group. Many aspiring pianists who are looking for a place to play in a group often have to look elsewhere. Being a part of many different groups can expose these pianists to different types of music, including jazz, classical, and pop. Along with all of the other instruments in the concert band, piano should be part of it. Piano is one of the most fundamental instruments in any band, and pianists should have more in-school opportunities to showcase their skill.