How Much Time Do Pianists Practice Every Day?

It is no surprise that pianists have to practice in order to keep up their talent.  I wanted to step into the life of a pianist and see just how much time they practice at the piano every day.

How Much Time Do Pianists Practice Every Day?  On average, a concert pianist practices at the piano about 3 to 4 hours a day.  Before concert pianists get to the level and skill they are currently at, they can put in 8 hours or more of practice per day.  

The life of a concert pianist is filled with much more than just practicing at the piano.

 

A Day in the Life of a Concert Pianist

 

A musician who makes their living as a pianist treats their job much like any other person treats a job.  They spend their days preparing for concerts, honing their skills at the piano, composing music, and most of them spend time each day interacting with the public in some way, whether that be marketing on social media or answering emails.

Before that time, however, they often spend as much as 8-10 or more hours per day practicing at the piano.  Pianist Angie Zhang, a master’s student at Julliard, is such a pianist.  (See her full daily schedule here.)

Most concert pianists have to do a great deal of self marketing.  They can spend hours of their day recording on YouTube or reaching out to orchestras and concert halls across the nation to introduce themselves in hopes of developing enough of a relationship to one day perform with them.

Concert pianists also have traveling that takes time and energy.  Performing all over the nation, even the world, requires preparation and travel time.

One single performance can take months of preparation and hard work.  Concert pianists can perform hundreds of times, possibly even up to a thousand times throughout their career.

Pianists must have a passion for music and for what they do, for it requires a lot of sacrifice on their part in order to become one.   A pianist must put everything into their career in order to become truly successful.  It isn’t an easy task to get themselves on the stage and every day is spent in time investing into those opportunities.

 

Concert Pianist Practice Routine

 

Most pianists, leading up to the stage where they begin performing in concerts, practice early in the morning, eat breakfast.  Then practice between breakfast and lunch.  Then again after lunch and before dinner.  Then after dinner.  It is a life of practice, practice, and more practice.

Chinese concert pianist, Lang Lang, practiced six hours a day beginning at the age of 5.  He now practices about four hours a day.  He also performs three times a week, traveling all over the world to perform.  (See more about him in this article on Classic FM.)

I do have to say, though, that in my research, I have found several musicians who claim to not practice at all.  They can sight read so well they have very little need to practice.  It seems hard to believe, and maybe it isn’t entirely true all the time, but you do get pianists out there who claim not to practice much.  Those particular pianists are rare and are lucky to not have to practice as much as other concert pianists.

 

Concert Pianist Salary

 

How much a concert pianist makes varies a lot.  A lot of concert pianists make as much as they are willing to put into it.  Depending on how much time they have put into marketing themselves, or seeking for performances, or how much they accept invitations to perform, etc, will largely affect their income.  Some pianists can gain other income through social media, while others don’t tap into that market at all.  Pianists can also earn other income through composing, teaching, accompaniment and other interests in music.

Pianists can earn as little as $40,000 per year, up to $150,00 a year, possibly more.  The average salary of a concert pianist is about $67,00.  Once a pianist is well known and sought after, he/she can begin to earn much more.  Their social media also explodes with popularity and the potential for future concerts as well as success in social media adds to a greater income.

Some pianists also choose to teach in their own studio.  This also is a factor to their income and how much they can earn.

Although the potential to earn a great income is compelling, most pianists are not in it for the money.  There is so much sacrifice taken in becoming a musician that most pianists scoff when asked how much they earn in a year.  They do it for the love of music, not for the money.

A concert pianist also has to be prepared for fluctuations in their salary.  It can often vary and fluctuate from month to month and even year to year.  It takes continual effort to perform, to stay up on social media, and to travel to perform in various venues and orchestras.

Concert pianists do have to face competition.  There can be a lot of interest with few openings.  The market for concert pianists can vary depending on the economy and the available funding for music and the arts.

 

Becoming a Concert Pianist

 

A concert pianist becomes a concert pianist when he/she performs.  At least that would be a loose definition of concert pianists.  If we take that definition, then just about anyone can become a concert pianist.  Most concert pianists are trained well in school and receive a degree.

Concert pianists are often trained well under a teacher.  They have great mentors and resources to help perfect their talent.  Often, concert pianists can be trained under their parents.  Many famous composers (Bach, Mozart, and many others) have been trained by their fathers.

But not all concert pianists have been to school or been trained.  There are some concert pianists who don’t even know how to read music.  Their love and natural knack for music has allowed them to become performers without even using music.

Most concert pianists have to begin by marketing themselves.  They can put out letters all over the nation with samples of their work and performances, asking to be part of their programs.  Concert pianists can also market on the internet — a source that has caused many concert pianists fame over the recent years.  Once they gain a large enough following, they can go on tours, continue to post YouTube videos, and be well-sought after.

Regardless of the style or manner in which a concert pianist pursues their career, it takes hard work, devotion, and a passion for their choice of career.  It is no easy task, the life of a musician, but can be a very fulfilling and meaningful occupation as performers touch people all over the world.

 

Related Questions:

 

How many concert pianists are there?  Only 200 concert pianists are in the world who make their living from performing.

What is the definition of a concert pianist?  A concert pianist is a pianist who frequently performs as a soloist in concerts and performances.

 

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