I play the piano and I was asked to play background music at this social event.?

Question

I was wondering if it's ok to have my music in front of me in a binder. I photocopied the pieces from my books and put them in a binder. Is that ok?

Answer 1

Yeah of course it's ok to use a binder. Remember most of the people listening will secretly wish they could play the piano!
One other bit of advice though, maybe don't use those plaastic inserts as if the light is in the wrong place you can't see anything you just get glare from the music. Also, don't worry about putting the music stand flat, it makes things very hard to read, and the main thing is to be comfortable.
have a good gig!

Answer 2

I'm a professional pianist, and have logged plenty of hours playing at socials, weddings, piano bar, etc.

If you are not a featured performer but just background music, yes, it's perfectly fine to have your music in a binder. I use those clear binder inserts so you don't have to punch 3-ring holes in your sheet music.

If you're playing a grand piano, leave the music desk flat and place your binder on that facing straight up - it calls less attention to the binder. It will mean you have to either elevate the bench (I use a standard keyboard throne you can purchase at any music store like Guitar Center) if you're shorter.

One more tip - if there's going to be drinking at this social event, try to position the piano and yourself so your back is in a corner. It truly sucks to have a drink spilled down your back by some inebriated guest who wants to shout out his request for "Feelings" in your ear.

Good luck on the gig.

Answer 3

Perfectly acceptable. My only suggestion is to make the binder as easy to use as possible. For example, have songs arranged in the binder in the order you'd like to play them, or make lists of sets with the binder page numbers so you can get to the pieces smoothly. If you're going to be turning pages make sure they (a) can be turned smoothly (that is, they don't stick in the binder when you try to turn them) and (b) you have the music arranged in the binder so you have to turn them as little as possible (for example, if a piece is two pages, have them so they face each other like the pages of a book rather than back to back).

Good luck and have fun!

Answer 4

Yeah, I would think that's totally appropriate. A nice binder, not one that is beat up, though. If you have one that matches the color of the piano that would be great, or stick to basic colors like black, white, or red.

Answer 5

Yes, most background music is just for eating/socializing light jazz standards and some classical music works very well

Answer 6

Unless you are performing original music that you wrote, I would think it's always okay to read music while you're playing. Of course, people will think you're a "better musician" if you play without that upright stiff posture most sight readers have.

Answer 7

Ah, yes, "music to be ignored by"

I did plenty of those jobs in college. Bring the sheet music. You will sound better, and no one watches you when you play background music anyway.

Answer 8

Yeah, of course.