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Frequently Asked Questions
Most of Tanner Palmer's clients have never booked a pianist before.
It is Tanner's pleasure to ensure the process is an enjoyable one.
After all, what is life without a little music?
General FAQ
I offer couture services and custom rates. There are no cookie-cutter or hourly rates. My rates are by appearance and not by the hour, and reflect the total requirements for me to produce quality live piano music at your event. A brief but thorough phone or video consultation is the best, most time-efficient way of receiving timely and accurate rates. Rates for piano performances are determined by several factors, and not just the performance time length. Rates are customized and tend to range from $900 to $2,990 depending on event specifics like setup, travel, and customizations. Clients' needs, such as unique song lists, distant venues, or when the pianist must provide their own digital piano, often impact rates. Peak and popular calendar dates also contribute to the rate. Transparent communication is key to ensuring accurate pricing.
I do not offer flat rates nor do I charge by the hour because that offers my clients very little flexibility nor does it reflect the couture services I offer. Venues, peak season and prime dates of the year, and musical expectations all differ per wedding. Therefore, I offer custom quotes after I understand all of the requirements of the event: travel time, length of performance, and any behind-the-scenes preparations like learning new music for wedding ceremonies.
Live music is not an upgrade or add-on like linens or table settings. It’s an integral part of the wedding itself. Across cultures and history, music has been woven into ceremonies and celebrations to set the tone, mark the transitions, and create memories. Treating wedding music as an afterthought risks losing the very element that makes a wedding feel alive and connected. Music at a wedding is often essential.
The best time to reach out is once you’ve booked your wedding date and venue is typically 8–20 months in advance. At that stage, I can confirm my availability and provide an accurate rate quote based on the specific details of your day.Booking early ensures you get the customized, professional piano music you want rather than having to settle for what’s left in your budget or schedule. Couples who plan ahead lock in best pricing and the flexibility to get exactly what they want. Booking well in advance is the best way to avoid disappointment and to secure the customized live music you envision.Plan ahead and get what you envisioned.
Absolutely! You don't need to have every detail finalized to begin the conversation. However, I do need some basic information to provide an accurate, personalized quote.Because live music is a customized experience, rates depend on several factors, including your event date, location, performance needs, and equipment requirements.To help me prepare your quote efficiently, please provide:Event dateVenue name and locationApproximate performance start and end timesWhether a piano is available at the venueName of the business or organization (for corporate events)Providing these details upfront helps minimize unnecessary back-and-forth and allows me to better understand your event.A brief 15-minute phone consultation is typically the fastest and most effective way to discuss your vision, clarify any remaining details, and receive a customized quote.My goal is to make the process straightforward, efficient, and enjoyable from the very beginning!
The best time to plan for live music is at the very start of your budgeting process. Instead of allocating funds to almost every other areas first and then hoping to magically “fit in” music with what’s left, begin by gathering general quotes from professional musicians. General quotes are often located on musician websites. Those general quotes should inform what you set aside in your budget for music, ensuring you plan realistically. This approach removes stress later on and secures the quality of music your celebration deserves.
Respectfully, some wedding planners communicate to their wedding clients what they should budget for live music. It is common that wedding planners may not be well informed about what musicians cost. An often more empowering suggestion is to reach out to musicians yourselves and get the information from them directly.
I cannot stress enough that live music is special and should not be viewed as an afterthought or "nice to have."
Yes, I can perform outdoors in Colorado, weather permitting. My contracts include outdoor performance requirements. If I need to bring my digital piano and sound equipment, I require dedicated access to a functional 3-prong power outlet. Venues usually offer canopies or appropriate coverings for weddings. It's ideal for me to have venue access for two hours before the event. My professional-grade digital piano and equipment is delicate, and cannot be exposed to the elements like direct hot sun for very long.
I am a wedding and event pianist who loves transforming both timeless classics and contemporary favorites into elegant, expressive performances. My music is warm, fluid, and emotionally rich, moving naturally from delicate, intimate moments to powerful, cinematic swells.
Unlike a piano bar musician, I don’t sing or play high-energy bar tunes; instead, I focus purely on the piano, creating a sophisticated soundtrack that elevates your celebration without overwhelming it. Whether I’m interpreting a romantic ballad, reimagining a modern pop song, or flowing seamlessly through background medleys, my goal is always to set the perfect atmosphere and leave your guests with an unforgettable experience.
I require a retainer, which is not refundable.
A simple, typically small, non-refundable, applied retainer will be required only after an agreement is reached on the performance services and rate.
Yes. I can provide professional, full-sized digital piano and sound equipment with advanced notice (upon booking). The digital piano I perform on is of professional-grade quality and the sound equipment delivers professional sound. The piano sound on the digital piano is superb and most authentic. I do only perform upon digital pianos that do have a truly authentic sound. Set up, takedown and sound checks typically take about forty-five (45) minutes to one hour before the event and about forty-five (45) minutes after the event. This setup and takedown time cannot be rushed. The time required for set up and take down, including the usage of the digital piano legitimize additional rates. Remember, you are paying for musical excellence and precision from a professional.
Short answer: No.
Having a full-time commitment, I rarely have the availability to collaborate.
Collaborations require planning, rehearsal time, and space. Additionally, my style of playing the piano by ear is unconventional and can easily confuse musicians who sight-read only.
In contrast, I’ve collaborated with musicians linked to wedding families, but finding others who play by ear like me is tough. Working with other musicians can complicate event planning, increase rates, and often isn’t practical due to scheduling conflicts and uncertainties. Requests for collaborations are considered based on my professional discretion.
Light Classical, Jazz Standards, Broadway & Show Tunes, WWII Era, Pop, Classic Rock, Contemporary Piano, Today's Alternative and Modern Music, Movie Themes, Disney Medleys, including many current artists, and so much more!
* Note that I am not classically trained nor am I a jazz or piano bar genre musician.
My wedding couples pick the music that I play during their wedding ceremony, and may pick up to three songs. I will then learn the songs and create new versions of them, tailored to the wedding ceremony.
I use a third-party booking website for formal agreements, which provides event protections appreciated by my clients. The website charges a small booking fee, transparently split between me and my clients. This fee is included in initial rate estimates for transparency. The formal agreement outlines all terms and conditions for clients to review before booking. Clients have time to carefully review these standard terms before finalizing their booking.
I am thrilled you are interested in booking me early in your event planning process! Some wedding couples and event planners research rates and dates far in advance, and I support this proactive approach.
At this time, I do not hold dates, not even with a deposit. Booking me guarantees the date, rate, and availability.
If you don't have a date and venue booked yet, it is best to wait until you do in order to book with me. When you have the date and venue booked, reach out to me and I will check my availability at that time.
100%, yes.
Weddings SpecificallyCan you play for the cocktail hour or dinner in addition to the ceremony?
Absolutely! It flows very well to have live, classy piano music for the ceremony, cocktail hour and/or dinner, and have the DJ transition at the end of dinner to kick off the dance party. This type of transition is extremely popular. What happens if my ceremony runs late?
Adaptation is where live musicians shine. When the wedding starts late and I am performing prelude (music leading up to the ceremony), I simply continue playing the piano. Typically the wedding planner will inform me about the adjusted timeline, as needed. When I continue playing the piano if the wedding ceremony starts later than expected, no one is the wiser. How do you coordinate with the officiant or DJ?
Not only do I communicate with these vendors ahead of time, but it is common for us to already have a working relationship.
Yes! If there’s a special song that means a lot to you, I am happy to learn and perform it. Please note that I require 90+days of advanced notice prior to your wedding or event to ensure I have time to create a bespoke piano arrangement. Learning special requests or custom songs is considered when generating custom rates. The more songs I am requested to learn and perform, the more advanced notice is required, sometimes up to 6 months. Once the songs are submitted and both parties agree to the songs, there are no song changes. If a song falls outside of my style or ability to adapt by ear, I’ll let you know right away and help suggest alternatives that achieve a similar feel.
I am not a piano bar musician nor do I offer traditional sing-alongs, rock-and-roll, or high-energy bar-style music. My services are designed to elevate events with unique sophistication, while relying upon the simplicity of solo piano music to complement your event without overwhelming it.Sing-Alongs for Christmas and Holiday PartiesSing-Alongs for Christmas and Holiday parties are the exception. I offer brief, 15-minute-long focused community sing-alongs based on my pre-published song book of standard and well-known Christmas and Holiday favorites.
Yes! I can play up to five Taylor Swift songs. Just kidding... I can only play three. 😉Joking aside, I'm not a Taylor Swift tribute pianist. While I know several of her songs, my musical repertoire spans a wide variety of artists and genres, allowing me to create an enjoyable experience for everyone.For wedding ceremonies, couples may select up to three (3) songs for key ceremony moments, and I'm happy to accommodate multiple selections from the same artist.It's worth mentioning that many recording artists have a distinctive musical style, and their songs often share similar chord progressions, melodic patterns, and musical structures. Because I learn and arrange music entirely by ear, distinguishing between similar-sounding songs can sometimes require additional preparation and attention to detail. This is perfectly normal and doesn't prevent me from creating unique piano arrangements for your ceremony.For ambient performances, I personally curate the music, inviting you and your guests to enjoy the excitement of recognizing familiar favorites and the surprise of discovering what song comes next!
I provide live piano music for a wide range of events, including holiday parties, networking receptions, award banquets, gala dinners, and executive retreats. My performance style is adaptable. Whether you’re looking for elegant background ambience or a more engaging focal point for the evening, my live piano music can elevate your event.
I charge by appearance rather than strictly by the hour. This ensures your quote reflects the full scope of service: performance, travel, setup, coordination with venue staff, and teardown. Rates typically start at $1,599 for two hours, and vary depending on logistics.
The best time to secure live music for corporate holiday parties is 6–9 months in advance, since peak dates in November and December fill quickly. That said, I realize many planners begin reaching out in late summer or early fall, often finalizing entertainment just weeks before the event. While I do my best to accommodate short-notice requests, booking early ensures availability and gives us more time to tailor the music experience for your guests.
For wedding ceremonies, couples may select up to three (3) special songs for key moments, such as the processional and recessional.For ambient performances, including ceremony preludes, cocktail hours, and dinner music, I personally curate the music from my private repertoire of familiar favorites spanning multiple artists and genres.While I may accommodate an occasional song request during an ambient performance, requests are not guaranteed and are incorporated naturally into the music when appropriate. I do not provide advance custom playlists or publish my complete repertoire.This approach allows me to maintain a seamless musical experience while preserving the anticipation, spontaneity, and excitement of discovering which familiar song comes next!
Personalized songs are reserved for featured moments, such as wedding ceremonies or traditional dances, where the music becomes the focal point of the celebration. These selections require musical arranging, rehearsal, and preparation specifically for the wedding event. During ambient portions of the wedding day, including the prelude (pre-ceremony), cocktail hour, and dinner, I curate the music to complement the atmosphere and flow of your event. This allows me to create a seamless musical experience while responding naturally to the energy of the room. Occasionally, when a requested song is already part of my established repertoire and complements the overall musical style of the wedding, I may choose to include it as part of the curated performance. These additions are offered at my discretion and should be viewed as thoughtful enhancements rather than customized requests.
Advance previews of personalized wedding ceremony arrangements are generally not included in my services.Each arrangement is thoughtfully prepared for live performance, where the music naturally adapts in real time to the pacing, movements, and special moments of your ceremony. A recording cannot fully capture the nuances, spontaneity, or musical interpretation of that experience.Examples of my playing style are available on my website, allowing you to become familiar with my musical approach before booking.While I welcome questions about your song selections and ceremony coordination, custom arrangements are not offered as part of a collaborative review or revision process. My focus is on delivering a beautiful, recognizable, and professionally prepared musical experience for your wedding day.
Absolutely! I'm available for weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations throughout Colorado and neighboring states.Travel expenses are determined by distance, travel time, equipment needs, and other logistical considerations. Overnight accommodations or air travel may be necessary depending on the destination, event schedule, seasonal weather, and travel safety.All anticipated travel expenses are included in your personalized quote, so you'll know the full investment before booking.Please include your venue name and location when inquiring to ensure accurate pricing.
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