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How can I find a church to play free for? I'm not religious but i'll pretend so I can play each weekend! Do I just walk into churches and ask? Would it be advisable to just go along with being religious or should I tell them I'm only interested in giving to the community and creating a win/win situation?
I just figure churches would be easiest to find a gig AND easiest for a relatively new beginner. I'm open to other gig suggestions if anyone has a better idea!

I imagine that churches might:
a. be happy to have you no matter what
b. have a strong interest in having you subscribe to their religion
c. be some combination of a and b

Give 'em a call.

Yea, I just don't know what type of reactions I'll get when i say "yea, i have no interest in what you offer and I don't even believe in God! however i'd like to give you guys a service free for a mutually beneficial reason!"

I feel like I'll have to skip around that bush haha. im most definitely not against religion, i just don't subscribe. to each their own.

You should hang out with the Unitarian Universalists. While not wanting to give nor receive validation here, since being a UU I've been able to play anything from Bach to Zappa at my church.

I did explain to them at first every reason why they wouldn't like me, and that I didn't like churches in general, and one reply I got was 'yeah, you'll probably fit in!'.

I used to be THE music person there, now I'm 'a' music person there. It's good.

Forrest

Honesty is frequently the best policy. Just tell them the truth about who you are, what you can do and why you want to be there. If they say yes, cool. If not, then that's not your church to play in, and it wasn't meant to be.

I agree that Unitarian Universalists are more open than most, but even there, I think it's advisable to go and visit for at least one service before offering music. That will give you an idea of what the general level and style of music is. Some churches are pretty professional about their music (even among Unitarians) and might not be a good venue for relative beginners. (Robert Shaw was music director of a Unitarian church in Cleveland for some time, maybe before he got to be a famous choral conductor.) Other churches might be happy for anything they can get (though even a lot of these might have their own amateurs).

I'm curious and nothing more. But why play for a church if you don't have the same feelings and beliefs as the ones you would be playing for?

I can understand how it would benefit the church, especially since many are having a hard time finding a pianist. But if I can be nosy, what benefit would you get?

It would be a great help to those who need it, and likely appreciated. But I think honesty about what you are wanting to do would be the best.

Hope you don't mind me asking, I'm just curious.

I agree that you should be honest with the church about your intentions.
Also, what level did you say you play? I believe you said late-beginner.
Some people assume that the music played in churches is usually not very advanced.
You might be surprised. Most churches I know, including the one I serve at, will play music that is quite advanced.

What pieces do you have in your repertoire, if you don't mind me asking?
Also, you should realize that most churches will look for people who can accompany a choir or a solo or a worship team. Not many churches will have lots of solo piano music as part of their services. There could be some churches though, who might be seeking for instrumental music during Communion or the Offering.

If you are looking for places to play, you can begin by looking at community centers or perhaps nursing homes. Most nursing homes will have a piano, and the audience is usually quite appreciative.

Please share more about your experience as you move forward.

+1

If you don`t do the religion, you won`t feel the music. When you do feel the music, you will be doing the religion. And you won`t be sorry. . .

You caused me to think of an African American Church. Those people really really get into their music. I'm imagining them telling her: Oh honey. Don't you worry one bit. You just do your best to keep up. We'll carry you.

Depends on where you are. In most major cities, at least the piano player is typically a paid professional. I've played for tons of church services over the years (do a lot of subbing for the main players) and it's usually a mix of paid players and volunteers. The volunteers usually are from the congregation though.

Having said that, I've never been asked if I believe in their religion when I'm hired to play. If that kind of work interests you, it doesn't hurt to tell some places that you're a piano player and offer to fill in when their regular guy can't make it. Especially if you're in a smaller town that relies mainly on volunteer players. Be sure you can do a good job though and play what they need (usually either hymns or contemporary worship songs), or you might not be asked back.

Just listened to some of your work at facebook ... hey, nice playing buddy! Is that a volkswagon engine?

Council on Aging sometimes have pianos there to be played.

Maybe someone is calling you.

Church gigs are good paying gigs. They often have pipe organs rather than pianos. If you can read well, the church will have a book containing all the hymnals and you can practice those. It's typically 400 or so short pieces, 3-4 or 5 voices.
Small towns can have trouble finding qualified organists.
You could consider joining or auditioning for your local organist chapter.
You shouldn't have to join any religion, but you should be familiar with the repertoire. You'll be contacted for weddings, funerals, baptism etc... So you will be playing at moments that are important in people's lives. Like I said, it pays well. Many jazz pianist still go to play church gigs on their way to the brunch gig.
Church gigs are for real, you can play them for many many years, truly enjoy them, and make decent money at the same time.

Also, you may be surprised but a lot of people have organs at home. They are horribly heavy but you can get one cheap. Mason used to make them, they are still on ebay and elsewhere. They would be great for practicing because the drawbars work the same, and it has foot pump, pedals, volume etc...

If you're just looking to play piano for free, a retirement home might also be a good gig. Bring arrangements of peppy tunes and entertain. Some retirement homes are large, and some are really small, like a person's house. If sing, that's a big plus.

Yep, Ed Alstrom is good at it with Odetta:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOGXiYruaug


and Church of the Redeemer, Morristown, NJ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzmSdyIhk78&feature=c4-overview&list=UUiMGn3wstCN1ZlM3I6i-XoA

...and from his bio:

Alstrom realized a childhood dream in 2004 when he was asked to be the weekend (Sat/Sun) Organist at YANKEE STADIUM, where he filled the seat at the mighty Hammond Colonnade formerly occupied by the great Eddie Layton, who retired after a 37-year stint. From the time he was 9 years old and his father took him to his first Yankee game against the Washington Senators ... young Alstrom heard that organ at the Stadium and said, "I wanna do THAT". He never dreamed he'd actually get to do it!!

Hymns are dead easy. There's hardly ever more than four notes at a time, rarely faster than quarter notes at moderate tempo, never goes above or below the staff, never any syncopation or weird rhythms, never any strange key signatures.

That's just to lure you in. Once you start playing them, it's a different story. Be sure you can actually do what you're offering.

I can't tell you how many times we've had a guest organist blaze through a fantastic prelude, then crash and burn on a simple hymn. It looks easier than it is.

To find a church to play for, simply look at a Google map of your area, type in churches, choose one & turn up for the Sunday service. I'm sure they will be glad to see you.

If I was in your shoes I would simply sit through the service & not announce that you play the piano until you are sure you can make a positive contribution. After a process of elimination you should find what you are looking for.

Checkout this Article http://www.ehow.com/how_5542371_play-piano-church.html

Apart from knowing Hymns you will also have to know Contemporary Christian music & have the ability to play in numerous keys : Good Luck & please let us know how you get on.

+1.

It's not all hymns, these days. Depending on who's playing, and what music they're playing, you may find that _you_ should be learning from _them_.

My choir sang at a church tonight. Their "house PA system" was running a 20-channel mixer, all set up for a good-sized band.

Take a look at 'gospelmusicians.com' -- some good chops, there.

. Charles

PS -- I just stumbled on a related thread, here:

https://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/2171526/gonew/1/Reading%20From%20Church%20Hymnal:%20Su.html#UNREAD

Since I have been a church pianist for 30 years (sad to say), I know that there is a huge need for pianists. However, church pianists typically need these skills:

1) Sight-reading (arranged music for choirs and groups; not too hard but not beginner stuff either)
2) Improvisation (hymnals are not designed for pianists to play from; they just contain vocal parts. Pianists have to read from hymnals, identify the harmony and improvise on it. In modern churches, the music is not from hymnals but is provided in lead sheet or chart form and requires even more improvisation).
3) Playing by ear (you can get along without this for a while but eventually you will need it)

There are some churches where the music is quite intimidating. Most churches are using volunteers and the quality is not great. Getting paid for that kind of work is not easy by the way though obviously earn money playing in church.