A Good Accompanist Is Hard to Find, but an Excellent Accompanist Is Worth Their Weight in Gold

An accompanist can make or break a performance. When a singer has prepared diligently but is fighting nerves, technical inconsistencies, and the pressure of an exam, the right person at the piano can be the difference between simply getting through and truly performing.

Over the years, I have worked with students who are struggling and, despite all the effort they have put in, may not yet be ready to pass their exam. I have felt this personally too. They know the music; they have done the work. Nevertheless, technical issues can still let them down: breath control, pitch, rhythm, interpretation, vowel shape, and more.

One week, there seems to be real improvement. The next, the same issues reappear. It can become a frustrating cycle for both the student and the teacher, and it can be difficult to know how to break it.

One way forward is to prepare for the performance itself. This is a different kind of practice. Of course, specific problem areas in the repertoire still need attention. Still, students also need to practise a complete performance: building stamina, keeping going through imperfections, and learning to let go of unhelpful self-talk.

Performance practice teaches an equally important lesson: things will go wrong. That is inevitable, because no two performances are ever the same. The real skill is learning how to respond—how to sustain the flow going, recover from a mistake, and avoid letting one difficult moment unravel the rest of the performance.

Whether that means singing for a couple of friends or organising a larger recital, these opportunities matter. They build confidence in knowing that you can perform under pressure, handle the unexpected, and do it again.

To do well in a pressured situation, you need some confidence in your ability to perform under pressure. If you have never tested that beforehand, uncertainty can become a gaping hole—one that has the potential to unravel your confidence and undermine your performance when it matters most.

This is where a caring, highly skilled, and willing accompanist comes into their own. If they can work with you in these practice performances, it is extremely valuable preparation. You are rehearsing not only the music, but also the partnership, pacing, communication, and confidence you will need on the day.

I speak from experience as a singer who has encountered both extremes. Earlier in my development, I worked with an accompanist who was underprepared and repeatedly undermined my abilities. Rather than feeling supported, I felt less confident each time we worked together. Ultimately, that experience played a significant part in my failure to succeed when it mattered.

My most recent experience could not have been more different. I worked with an excellent accompanist who had my back: highly skilled, deeply musical, and thoroughly prepared. We had practised extensively together, so there was trust and familiarity with the partnership.

When I arrived at my exam feeling unusually nervous, seeing my accompanist helped settle me. The gnawing feeling in my stomach began to disappear. I was able to relax, focus, and put my best foot forward. The result was the complete opposite of my earlier experience: I succeeded and attained the diploma I had been working towards.

So, to return to my premise: a poor accompanist is able to undermine a performance; a good accompanist will do the job well; but an excellent accompanist is worth their weight in gold. They bring skill, preparation, sensitivity, and genuine partnership—giving performers the confidence and freedom to do their best when it matters most.