In what ways can a pianist find work in NYC?

Question:It depends on what kind of pianist you are and how much experience you have.

You can teach by opening your own private studio, you can audition for orchestras in the area, teach piano at a local college, work as an accompanist for ensembles in the area, audition for spots as background music for company events/bars/clubs...you'll have to get creative and self-employed.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: It depends on what kind of pianist you are and how much experience you have.

You can teach by opening your own private studio, you can audition for orchestras in the area, teach piano at a local college, work as an accompanist for ensembles in the area, audition for spots as background music for company events/bars/clubs...you'll have to get creative and self-employed.

piano bar??

Teach it to students.

The NYC area is JAMMED with fabulous musicians. There are thousands of jokes - like "what a does a recent music graduate say FIRST on their new job?" "Would you like fries with that?"

If you plan on teaching in the public schools, you must hold a degrees and state certification in music. If you plan on teaching COLLEGE, then you must have undergraduate AND graduate level education - or the equivalent in concert and recording experience (nobody is going to ask a major star if they can see their diploma! - but they have a massive amount of knowledge and experience). Even all the down-the-line jobs - coaching, accompanying, church work, etc, - are taken with unbelievably qualified people. In popular music, the situation is equally competitive. So unless you are showing up in NYC with a huge amount of experience and credential ALREADY, then g someplace else. The situation is not much different - just a little less so - in other major cities.

To tell people to just show up and look for work is naive to the point of cruelty. NY is a tough town - *everybody* wants to make it. Some do, of course - the absolute best. If you are SURE that you are in the very tiniest percentage of e world's best, then I wish you luck. If not, then start you career elsewhere until you can support yourself for a year or so on your saving, while you explore employment in NY.