As a pianist, we are expected to accompany all kinds of instruments and even other pianists. This is a skill that needs to be developed, so here are 10 tips to get you started:

1. Find a great recording. Make sure you and the soloist are listening to the same recording.

2. Make sure you and the soloist have the same edition/book for your piece. Know the music better than the soloist - be able to start or skip to any section/measure if needed. Know where they are at all times in the music.

3. Practice ritardandos/fermatas or other tempo alterations and be prepared to adjust to the soloist… in the moment!

4. Listen to your balance and adjust your dynamics as necessary. The soloist is the featured performer, so make sure your volume supports their music appropriately.

5. Know exactly what tempo the soloist intends to perform the work. If you are both new to duets/duos/ensembles, rehearse with the metronome. It will help tremendously.

6. Anticipate anything and everything! If the soloist speeds up, you speed up. If they slow down or pause, you slow down and pause. Follow their lead.

7. Schedule enough rehearsals. Usually, two meetings are enough, but if you’re inexperienced, you will want to schedule extra time together.

8. Record your rehearsals. Watch and look for areas to improve upon.

9. Have a plan for turning your pages and practice it - make sure you can stay in time. If you have difficult page turns, consider printing off the music and laying the pages in order (or at least printing the difficult page turns).

10. Most important: never, ever stop playing, if you make a mistake, keep going no matter what!

——— Enjoy!

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