[Nadinus]

K well I know this could also go in to the money/finance forum, also the London forum but it's fairly specifc so I'm posting it here.

In short: how realistic is it to expect finding a job playing piano somewhere, even if it's just in a cafe/bar? I'm not bad, above grade 8 at least. I'm guessing they'd be a fair amount of competition (I'll be living in London) but I'm pretty desperate to do something other than waitressing.

So yeah just wondering how many of you have managed to earn money from your instruments.

Cheers!

[crypt0r]

About 1/4 of my year in uni teach to make money off their instrument and some do professional playing as well but mostly teaching. You could try that if playing in a bar doesn't work? Btw I study music incase you didn't guess.

[lazza]

I'm going to try and begin private teaching next year in the camden area but first I have to find out how much police checks cost...

[The_Lonely_Goatherd]

I also reckon private teaching is easier than finding bar/café work. Just put your qualifications and details on a card and stick it up in a newsagents. There are ALWAYS parents who want their little darlings to learn piano

Lazza, IIRC, I paid 35 quid for my CRB thing

[lostdoll]

I was going to suggest teaching as well. Even for students (other than music students) who are willing to learn, at a lower fee than other tutors.

[lazza]

£35 really isn't bad! how long does that cover??

yeah i've had a few friends ask me to teach them piano but that was never my serious instrument.

i'm using my diploma to cover me for flute and fife lessons

[The_Lonely_Goatherd]

Originally Posted by lazza

£35 really isn't bad! how long does that cover??

yeah i've had a few friends ask me to teach them piano but that was never my serious instrument.

i'm using my diploma to cover me for flute and fife lessons

I think a year minimum, maybe two maximum? I don't really know. I was required to get it for a course I did, so I just filled out the form they gave me without reading it

[Roobagnall]

to put it easily, i went busking in a classy part of town last night..

I got £47 for two hours works, obviously its not always like that
BUT
teaching and playing piano would net you some good money. does for me on classical guitar

[staticrhubarb]

Well, bear in mind that London is home to the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal College of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Trinity College of Music, so there will be a lot of competition for any sort of music playing jobs.

Good luck, though.