Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Pianist Corner What are the best shoes to play the piano in for live perfor

I admit to not being much of a mathematician, but I count only four "fingers" in those shoes!

Cheers!

What's wrong with good dress shoes? I can feel the pedals very well through my leather soled shoes. I also have cheaper leather shoes with a thin rubber sole that would work too. I can feel bumps in the pavement enough that it is a little uncomfortable, while my running shoes don't do that.

That's the version for cartoon characters (who appear to always have four fingers). 😀

And you get that authoritative clomp across stage with heels and with leather soles.

Well, I didn't want to say it, but since you did, yes. *clack clack clack*

I saw George Winston play in his socks.

Saw Robin Sutherland walk onto local stage to play the Goldberg Variations with bare feet.
That must be a great way to feel the pedals.

Hmmm.... I'd prefer not to feel the pedals *that* much....

Being in a music group, our dress code is usually all black (including shirt, pants, bow tie, shoes). Sometimes we allow a white shirt.

In a performance, color for us is more important than the style of dress. Some people would wear a black suit but not others. Nobody would mind if I wear a comfortable pair of black Hush Puppies that are made with soft leather. The shoes might not shine as much but do the job.

Wingtips, preferably. But pay attention to the color of the socks, they are essential.

When they come from the Piano World store, they are perfect, of course!

http://www.pianosupplies.com/pianos/KbdSocks.html

I have read that even in formal concert settings the French pianist, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, wore bright red socks. It seems that they were the hallmark of his performance attire.

Taking a cue from M. Thibaudet, I have done likewise, dressed in all black except for bright red or bright purple socks. Of course, the settings in which I have appeared are less formal than those of M. Thibuadet, but formal recitals, nevertheless. But I do always wear leather thin-soled dress shoes.

Regards,

Sock it to me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71VEfPEG_RE

Pianoloverus-Thanks so much for that! I watched that show every time it was on -I also loved Don Rickles -R.I.P.

Love your sense of humor!

The judges decide which shoes the pianist should put on? It's terrible! First of all, you should be comfortable. And during the concert, it is your piano playing that is most important, not your shoes. I would put on my Nikes as a protest. Because it is inappropriate to indicate what a musician should wear. My favorite air jordans sneakers would look the most interesting with a classic suit. In my opinion, they are very comfortable and it would be a challenge to such rigor of the judges. That's what I would do.

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Unbelievable that she could perform like! Never mind me, I am just old school.I have been to many concerts and have never seen a pianist dressed like that before.Its case of where wearing a mask would make a person look more dressed up for the occasion.