Pianist: a guide for pros
What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.
Offering pianist
You offer live piano performances for ceremonies, restaurants, receptions and private events. This guide covers what customers ask, how to win the booking and what to show on your profile.
What customers ask
- Do you play on an acoustic piano or a keyboard?
- Can you play quietly for dinner and then play featured pieces?
- Which pieces do you play, and can I pick the songs?
- Does the piano need tuning before the event?
- Can I hear a recording of you on a similar instrument?
How to win the job
- On the first call, ask about the venue's instrument, the event moments that need music and the guest count before you talk about the booking
- Send a recording from a live event on a similar instrument, labeled with the setting
- Put the background and featured sets, the piece list and the setup time in the written quote
- Ask the venue to confirm the piano condition and tuning plan, and put the answer in the booking
- Share a sample repertoire with classical, jazz and popular pieces so the customer can choose a style
- Confirm the power source and the room layout if you bring a keyboard
- Say what you do if the venue's piano is out of tune or missing, such as bringing a keyboard, and who you would send if you are ill
What to put on your profile
- Recordings of live performances on the instrument you play most
- Photos of your setup in a venue like the ones your customers book
- A list of the pieces and styles you play best, with a sample set
- Your insurance status and the types of venues where you have played
Follow-up that helps the customer
- Offer a short call to finalize the piece list and the moments for each part of the event
- Suggest a tuning check two weeks before the event if the venue has an acoustic piano
- Recommend a plan for guest requests, so the customer knows which pieces you can play
Licenses and permits
No state license is usually required for a pianist. Carry general liability insurance, any local business license that applies and a written note of the venue's noise rules, and check state and local requirements with your licensing agency before taking jobs.
Questions
Do I need music licensing for pieces I play?
Venues often hold public performance licensing for recorded music. Ask each venue what it covers and what you are responsible for, and note the answer in the contract.
Who pays for a tuning?
Agree on this before the booking. Put the tuning date and who pays for it in the written agreement with the venue or customer.
How do I set the volume for a restaurant?
Play at a level below conversation, and check the room during the first piece. Ask the host for feedback during the first set.
About this guide
This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.
Edit history
- Oct 29, 2026: Drafted by infinibell to our content guidelines.
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