What do I need from my wedding pianist?
May 20, 2011Incorporating a piano player into your special wedding day will give a touching background sound for your guests as they gather for the ceremony, and is the ideal addition for any wedding breakfast. We’ve put together what we hope are helpful pointers for you to browse before the main event.
Pre-planning points There are four basic points to think about before you settle on your wedding pianist. The first of these is what style of music and atmosphere you’d like to create at the various stages of the wedding. Remember there is not only the ceremony, but the reception and wedding breakfast to play for as well. In conjunction with this, consider your own musical tastes but also think about the age range of your guests – you want everyone to have the best time possible. The next point you will need to think about is the suitability of the venue for a piano – is there enough space for a piano? Are any parts of the wedding to be held outside? If so, cover would need to be provided for the pianist and piano – neither mix well with rain! The final pre-planning point for you to consider is to make sure the chosen wedding pianist is prepared to be flexible on timings as, by the nature of a wedding, things seldom run to the exact plan!
Where and when should a pianist play? If the wedding will take place in a church then the music for the ceremony will probably be played on the church’s own organ, for which you would need an organist rather than pianist. For a civil ceremony, a pianist could play for the guests, typically for around 20 minutes before the bride arrives and then continue for the bride’s entrance. It’s always nice to continue the piece after the signing of the register and while the bride exits.
Next is the drinks reception, the pianist could play right though, and maybe change the style of the music so that it forms a pleasant backdrop to the conversations between the guests. The music can be continued through to the wedding breakfast, up to dessert and speeches. The reception might be an hour and the meal 1-2 hours, depending on the number of guests and style of food served i.e a sit-down meal will typically take longer than a buffet meal. It’s worth noting though that a pianist would need to take a couple of comfort breaks during these times!
How to make song requests Have a clear vision of what you would like to have at your wedding, take alook through your record collections and find songs that mean a lot to you and your partner. Professional musicians will have no problem catering to your requests, however, they will need to know about them a few weeks before hand in order to perfect what they will be playing.
The piano can be used in so many different ways that it can suit the style of your event no matter what. You have the option to start with something classical for the ceremony then move to something inoffensive such as quiet jazz or swing for the reception, then build the tempo as the buzz as the evening carries on. It is important to let the pianist know several weeks in advance about any requests you have chosen so they can find the arrangement that sounds the best.
What makes a great wedding pianist? Someone who has a wide skill set and the ability to feel comfortable with many styles is ultimately what makes a great musician for your special day. The pianist should also have compassion for the occasion and be able to read a crowd.
Alternatives to a piano Sometimes it’s just not viable to have a piano at your wedding venue, however, the newer portable electric pianos can give a near identical sound and are easy to transport, otherwise it is easy to hire a high-tech stage piano which will do the same thing.
Looking to find the best deal on wedding pianist ‘s, then visit www.starturn.biz to find the best advice on wedding entertainment ideas .
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