Playing Piano at Weddings, Restaurants, and More: Everything You Should Know

Want to play piano at weddings, restaurants, or events but not sure where to start? Whether you're self-taught, classically trained, or still building confidence, you can absolutely turn your piano skills into real-life gigs.

I never went to music school. I’m an introverted, self-taught pianist who spends most of his time practicing alone. And yet, I’ve found myself performing at weddings, recording my gigs, getting paid, and growing my audience, all while staying true to my personality. In this post, I’ll show you how I do it, and how you can do it too.

You’ll learn how to:

Find your first piano gigs; Prepare effectively for music sets; Handle live performance like a pro; Reflect on each gig and turn it into growth.

Let’s break it all down.

Finding Your First Gigs

My first real wedding gig came from a casual connection. Someone saw my piano videos online and asked me to play. That’s why building an online portfolio is key. Start uploading clips of your playing to YouTube, Instagram, or your own site. Let people see what you’re capable of.

If you feel like you’re ready, but no one’s reaching out yet, don’t wait. My very first paid gig happened because I contacted my student association during my law studies and offered to play at their yearly congress. They said yes, paid me, and I got the ball rolling.

Everyone faces imposter syndrome at the start. Go through it anyway. The only way to gain confidence is to gather experience.

Places you can reach out to:

• Wedding venues and planners
• Local cafes and restaurants with pianos
• Student associations and alumni networks
• Community centers and event halls
• Churches and spiritual gatherings
• Friends and family organizing events
• Art galleries and pop-up exhibitions
• Music schools looking for accompanists

Don’t worry if you feel overwhelmed. Start small, get used to performing, and build momentum from there.

Getting paid
When you do land a gig, be clear about your fee. For example, I charged 400 euros for a recent wedding where I played background music, which came out to 200 per hour (excluding VAT tax and travel expenses). It’s reasonable, though still modest given the hours of preparation involved. If you’re just getting started, it’s smart to charge less while you gain experience and confidence. As your skills and reputation grow, raise your rates accordingly. 

While discussing the fee, also make sure to agree on the type of music you’ll be playing. Clarify the genre and song preferences in advance so you're both on the same page and confident you can deliver what’s expected.

Preparing for the Gig

Though it depends on the gig, I usually start preparing a few weeks in advance. That gives me enough time to cover the entire setlist without rushing. For background music especially, I work through a few songs each day so they all get revisited multiple times. This spaced approach works far better than cramming everything into a few long sessions. If I only need to perform a handful of pieces, the same principle applies. In that case, I use the extra time to refine the music in more detail.

Back in the day, I could take months to prepare for any sort of gig. But over time, as my confidence, sight-reading, and chord knowledge improved, I’ve been able to reduce prep time significantly. My goal is to bring it down to just a few days, especially for background gigs (you’ll read why in a second). The thing that also helps with this, is that most clients request the same popular songs and pieces you already practiced before.

Here’s my exact process:

• I write down a full list of the music I plan to perform;
• I decide what pieces require sheet music (mostly jazz and classical ones), which I then download online (for free, if possible);
• For other songs, I find the chords online and write them into PDFs to improvise from;
• I organize everything in a digital sheet music app on my tablet;
• I use a wireless pedal to turn pages hands-free during practice and performance;
• I work through the setlist, making sure everything gets enough attention over time.

Improvisation, especially from chords, is a massive time-saver and confidence booster. It gives you flexibility and takes pressure off your memory. If you’re serious about building this skill, check out my Piano by Ear Mastery Bundle. It’s designed to help you play freely.

You’ll never feel perfectly ready. And you don’t need to. For background gigs, but even performing in general, your job is to create a mood, not to deliver a flawless concert. Focus on flow, confidence, and keeping the energy alive.

Performing Like a Pro

Let me take you to the wedding I played recently. It was somewhere deep in the Dutch countryside, on a gorgeous private estate. I sat behind an old, brown upright piano under a parasol, surrounded by happy guests in colorful clothing.

Sounds magical, right? It was. But I still hit a few wrong notes. Here’s the thing. Nobody noticed. Or if they did, nobody cared. That’s the beauty of background music gigs.

Here’s what separates a professional from an amateur:

• You don’t stop when you make a mistake;
• You improvise your way out of slip-ups;
• You stay in the flow and trust your training.

People are rarely watching your hands or listening closely. They’re talking, eating, and celebrating. Your music sets the atmosphere, not the spotlight. Once you’ve played your first gig, this becomes crystal clear.

If something goes wrong, switch songs. Laugh it off. Keep the mood going. That’s what matters most.

And remember, performing well isn't just about practice. Optimize your performance by getting a good night’s rest beforehand. Arrive at the venue at least an hour early so you can mentally settle in and, if possible, try the piano in advance. A short meditation or breathing exercise can help ground you. Remind yourself it’s not a big deal and you’re there to contribute to a joyful experience. When you focus on creating a vibe instead of proving yourself, everything becomes easier.

Reflect and Harvest the Experience

Your gig doesn’t end when the last note fades. On the contrary: that’s when reflection begins and the real value unfolds.

Even if your performance wasn’t perfect, here’s what you need to remember:

• Mistakes fade fast. Most people forget or don’t even care;
• Bad moments won’t follow you. Future clients weren’t there;
• At the end of the day, image beats reality. If you only share highlights (let’s be honest, who doesn’t), people will assume it went great, and new gigs will follow.

That said, it’s important to reflect. Take notes, for example, which songs resonated with the audience and what you might want to do more of next time. Identify any passages that were trickier than expected and mark them for extra practice.

Even if things went terribly, don’t lose hope. Most of the time, it’s simply a matter of experience. It might feel awful in the moment, but you’ll grow from it. Give yourself time to recuperate, and when you feel ready, try again. Start with a simpler setlist if needed to rebuild momentum. The second time around won’t be nearly as intimidating, I promise.

Pro tip: one of the smartest habits I’ve developed is recording my performances. Lately, I’ve been using a GoPro to capture everything from start to finish. I use this footage to promote myself afterward. I call this process “the harvest,” because it often brings more value than the payment itself.

For example, after the wedding, I edited several highlight clips (about 20) and posted them online. Those videos reached thousands of people and brought in many new followers and potential clients.

One gig can become:

• Multiple social media posts;
• A (searchable, growing) YouTube video;
• Footage for your online portfolio;
• Proof of your professionalism.

That’s how you multiply your efforts and build a name for yourself.

Wrapping Up

Whether you’re an introverted home player or a confident artist, live gigs are within reach, now more than ever. Start by building your online presence, reach out to local opportunities, and prepare smart, not perfect.

When showtime comes, keep playing through the nerves. Then, turn the whole thing into a content farm and build momentum for your next gig.

Want more tips like this? We publish weekly blogs with practical strategies, mindset shifts, and creative tools for pianists who want to grow without losing the joy of playing. If you never want to miss out, make sure to join the email list below. See you next week!