I know you’ve opened my eyes about pricing. Members of the American Federation of Musicians union have defined minimum rates. But have you considered the countless ways hiring a solo musician could improve one of your events? Your email address will not be published. I never thought about it this way… Like, take a Year and divide… and yes, re-investment in what you do is a necessity. In the MU we produce recommended minimum rates for a variety of use cases for live and gigging freelance musicians. No good if you’re trying to build a thriving, full-time career. I’ve always struggled with the “Paranoia Factor” and it’s really kept me from seeking out gigs as I never knew what to ask and that fear of am I going to ask to much really kept me from seeking out gigs in the first place. For functions - weddings, parties etc then it's double that but I've been in bands that charge around 1500 for weddings - especially via an agent. MarkOHarps of Arlington, Virginia, charges $100 for a small 45-minute dinner party and up to $350 for a large wedding and reception. Guys playing originals make a lot less in my area. Thanks and best wishes in your teaching and musical endeavors.Cheers.J.D. Step 4 – experience the paranoia factor™ Yearly costs averaged, based on a 4 piece function band that plays 50 gigs a year and charge £1200 per gig including agency fees and all costs. I hope this has given you some valuable new ways to look at your pricing, but let’s face it: we’re all freelancers. Anonymous. Thanks very much. You have probably been to a wedding where a soloist played the cello as the happy couple walked down the aisle, or a pianist provided background music during the wedding reception. "As a solo act, I usually ask … You're definitely under-charging. Hello. Hiring a professional musician makes any event extra special. However, if you want to make playing music an occupation or even a decent part time job, don’t give it away. Hello! It is on their piano, so I do not have to haul any equipment, etc.Also, it would be steady work- two nights a week. Today’s Educate and Entertain post is going to assume that you have some flexibility in setting your own rates (I’m almost sure that you do), and we’ll take a look at three ways to go about doing that. And usually, I don’t get the gig. My friend and colleague Chris Holder has been an independent performing artist for over 35 years. Sounds like you made an important leap with your pricing. The longer you would like a solo musician to perform, the higher the likely overall cost, but longer performances may also provide an opportunity for savings. 2. In what form are you getting the info to the churches – mail, email, or phone call? I will try Chris’s formula when I am visioning 2021…. Usually your gig fee will be pitifully small, so the more important issue to sort out is whether you are allowed to sell merchandise, and whether the venue will demand a percentage. Track the time you spend planning events. Ask if they have experience working at your kind of event and confirm that they are comfortable and competent performing the type of music you would like. But what about bands' beginning asking prices? Answer Save. Wherre ru from? Most outdoor spots aren’t prepped for musicians, so self-sufficiency is paramount. I charge $150 minimum for gigs I book myself. So I play acoustic guitar and want to start playing live solo gigs. A note to our community regarding COVID-19. Best of luck to you! If I’m background music at … For instance if you are playing for free pizza down the road from my event, I am reluctant to hire you for my national caliber festival because you have been giving it away in my geographic market. 2 Answers. Many musicians charge based on the length of time you want them to play. Thank you so much for all your writings on how to get gigs. This will allow you to plan the details of your event and set expectations. You have probably been to a wedding where a soloist played the cello as the happy couple walked down the aisle, or a pianist provided background music during the wedding reception. LexisNexis has taken an extraordinary step important for most lawyers, and there hasn’t been much coverage of it. 3 Pricing Strategies for Performers, Well said as always Dave! There are so many variables involved that answering the question can be quite difficult. We track the estimates they get from local professionals, then we share those prices with you. Standard set will be 2 X 1 hours [/quote] A new consultant might charge $50 per hour to build a marketing funnel for a small business, while a veteran consultant charges $10,000 to build a similar funnel for a larger corporation. The venue may tell you when to contact that person again. However, the payment could end up being more than the split fee you would share with band members. A freelance musician needs to promote and schedule gigs, which means the cost of marketing and the time spent following up on leads. I used to hate the question "how much do you charge for a set?" Hey Dave This has really given me a great baseline to work from. Consider the size and space requirements for their instrument; for example, if you want a harpist to play at your grandmother's celebration of life, you may need to section off a 6-foot by 6-foot space to accommodate the instrument, the player, and their bench, while a violinist will need far less space. Thanks! Discuss what if any sound and amplification equipment is needed. What Do You Do When You’re NOT Performing? Cost of living. Great article, great advice. Sure there are some I miss out on but usually I’ve found those are the ones that weren’t a big loss anyway , Very useful! :munch He says he's known many performers who have canceled an engagement at the last minute using a flimsy excuse so that they can take another job for more money. Thought you people could update me on how much I ought to be charging on different types of gigs as to type and time involved, any real good prospecting ideas on how to sniff out work, and how about negotiating the price, getting and keeping the gig, making deals for steady work etc. Been too busy with my snout in the QY700 writing midi files obviously. Rebecca has sold more than one million albums. Double Up! It may be a shock for some venues, and you probably won’t get the gigs right off the bat, but knowing your worth and sticking to it, in my experience, will get you out of this “race to the bottom.”. Not only do they have to do all of the recording and performing alone, but they also have to seek out their own gigs at bars, nightclubs and other venues. All this and you get the opportunity to support the arts! Having a side gig can help you make ends meet or build your rainy day fund. Whatever. Solo musicians have their work cut out for them. Thought you people could update me on how much I ought to be charging on different types of gigs as to type and time involved, any real good prospecting ideas on how to sniff out work, and how about negotiating the price, getting and keeping the gig, making deals for steady work etc. Its my first gig of this type. A formal contract helps protect both parties and provides a record of your deposit payment, the musician's arrival time and departure, and the precise number of hours the musician will play. It keeps you on your toes! You might also be interested in the article Educate Your Audience and Write Your Ticket, which has more ideas for separating yourself from everyone else. © 2021 Dave Ruch  |  Privacy Policy  |  Site Design by Renoun Creative. It became very clear to me that I couldn’t afford to be giving guitar lessons anymore at $30 a pop, I couldn’t be spending three to five hours at a coffeehouse gig, and I needed to shift all (or most of ) my work into the areas where I can make much better money. First it depends on the market your are in and if it is flooded with musicians. The Musicians Union hourly rates help you work out how much you charge for gigs. It seems like somewhere around 25-30%* of the time (*a non-scientific number), I get hired! I was asked to play at a small town awards ceremony. For the performer it means the client is less likely to double-book musicians for the event and cancel one of the performers at the last minute. I was always bad at math but not incapable. These are for gigs in resteraunts and bars playing covers. By Nicky Idika @adulthumanbeing *sweats profusely* When you drop £60 on a concert ticket, you're not really thinking about how much money your favourite artists are making off that one gig. Charge too much and you may lose the gig. As a professional storyteller, I’m always on the hunt for the right charge for the right gig and the strategy for when to ask for more. As musician and accountant, this was the most crystal clear guide I have ever seen I have a theater company for young audiences, and we also teach, and are starting to perform at birthday parties. If you’re taking a trip under an hour, check the app for a ‘Golden Gig,’ marked with a gold symbol on the app. Self-employed … Gigs are anywhere from 3 hours to 4 hours. Stay home a practice until you are worth what you want to be paid. It really comes down to being paid for the following factors. 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