I'm just wondering, how many of you are more accompanists than soloists? I've always been trained as a soloist so far but during the last two years or so I discovered the wonderful art of accompaniment. I play for my school's many choirs and also play for some music-playing family members (violins, flutes). I have found the experience of accompanying so satisfying that I'm beginning to think I'm destined to be an (part-time) accompanist! :-) Does anyone else want to share their experiences?

Hi there

I (being a musician myself) have made many musical friends!! so, most of my friends i met through "singing" (which i also learn) so when friends need a practice or an accompanist for competitions etc. they will always give me a ring! my parents and piano teacher think i should be charging a small amount for my efforts, but personally, i really enjoy it and i really only play for friends, so i don't charge at this stage.

Many of the skills needed to become a good accompanist can be learned. But a truly great accompanist is an artist apart who has gifts of rare value, some of which can never be learned by others. Those accompanists - who live for what they do so well - are eagerly sought after.

If you have those gifts and can use them well, you will be a great asset to the musical world. It will not matter to you that you will live somewhat in the shadow of others and that you will see your name in small print on the program.

Regards,

Once upon a time, I was the accompanist for my school choir. It was an enjoyable experience, and I feel like my piano playing improved heaps because of that experience. It gave me an appreciation for a wide variety of different types of choral music.

Also, whenever my friends needed an accompanist for their clarinet or flute (or whatever other type of instrument) solo, they generally called on me, and that, too, was an enjoyable experience.

Of course nowadays, I wouldn't mind being called to be an accompanist again. But then again, I'm also very happy to be participating in a couple of choirs in my area, so I'm back to playing the piano for pleasure, plus a little piano teaching on the side when I'm not in the lab.