Studio work, I would say $50 per song sounds pretty good for a beginner, maybe more over a longer period of time. Gig wise, my uncle usually asks for $100 per person, which I think is oftentimes why his gigs are usually either solo or duo performances. From time to time when I am free and a gig he has is booked as a duo, I sometimes just show up and play for free. I am looking to make more money, though, so I have been looking around for some side projects as well. A keyboardist I have played Elvis gigs with says he is thinking about putting together an Allman Brothers show. Hopefully something comes out of it.
Peter J. McKeon yea Pete, do as much work as you can. Build up your musical resume. You can absolutely ask for more money when you’ve become established. I’ve turned down plenty of gigs over the years because of one reason or another. Hold a value to what you do. Do what you do well and you’ll be successful.
Do you produce an Invoice for your services,time and expenses, rather than relying on hoping your employer will pay as he promised? Do they pay musicians relative to the attendances? Or an equalised format?
good questions. I can say that in my own experience I have created invoices for artists that wanted to have a receipt or paper trail for expenses and such. a lot more often than not you'll probably agree on terms to session work or a gig with a handshake. As for bands and attendances, what I've seen has been a base rate with additional percentage from tickets sold for bigger shows and whatnot. As a side man you dont experience a lot of those deals because it's not your name on the marquee. Some deals as a musician will be written out in contracts in which case READ ALL THE PAGES!!! I had a session gig where they left me a stack of 10+ pages to sign and initial and I was told I was getting writing credits on the songs beforehand. When I went to go read the contract, around page 5 they tucked in that I would receive no credits and have no rights to any BMI credits. So I brought it up to the manager and they initialed and signed the amendments needed for me to sign the contract. I hope that helps.
Another thing to keep in mind is, do you even want the gig? If you're not sure you want it, ask for a bigger rate. That way either they'll pass and you don't have to do it, or they'll agree and you get a lot of money.
I always though that Session musicians are "paid for the job" whatever you agree upon its said and done mate. whether or not the record sells a million or not you are paid whatever you are worth. it what I was told.
This is easy. Ask yourself what would you would charge to rent out your equipment for three hours? And that's what you should charge. You don't charge anything for playing.
I have a question I am from India and a man wants to hire me as a live performer he is askin me tht wht will my charge What should i say me how much charge should i tell him I am a singer
Thanks for the question. I would recommend charging what you think your time is worth. example: do you work a day job? if you had to take time away from your job to do something else how much of your time would that cost you? and then equate that to a dollar amount. Now as for being a singer, ask yourself what level of professionalism are you at? Do you have the experience and knowledge to give the artist what they want and even what they might not know they want? Keeping all this in mind do not shoot yourself in the foot by over charging. KNOW YOUR CLIENT! Are they just starting out? are they well known with a following? Once you factor all that in with the initial number you worked out from what your time is worth you will know what to charge them. I hope that helps.
![GEEK TIMË [OFFICIAL AUDIO]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ry-6RvkH880/mqdefault.jpg)
Studio work, I would say $50 per song sounds pretty good for a beginner, maybe more over a longer period of time. Gig wise, my uncle usually asks for $100 per person, which I think is oftentimes why his gigs are usually either solo or duo performances. From time to time when I am free and a gig he has is booked as a duo, I sometimes just show up and play for free. I am looking to make more money, though, so I have been looking around for some side projects as well. A keyboardist I have played Elvis gigs with says he is thinking about putting together an Allman Brothers show. Hopefully something comes out of it.
Peter J. McKeon yea Pete, do as much work as you can. Build up your musical resume. You can absolutely ask for more money when you’ve become established. I’ve turned down plenty of gigs over the years because of one reason or another. Hold a value to what you do. Do what you do well and you’ll be successful.
Do you produce an Invoice for your services,time and expenses, rather than relying on hoping your employer will pay as he promised? Do they pay musicians relative to the attendances? Or an equalised format?
good questions. I can say that in my own experience I have created invoices for artists that wanted to have a receipt or paper trail for expenses and such. a lot more often than not you'll probably agree on terms to session work or a gig with a handshake. As for bands and attendances, what I've seen has been a base rate with additional percentage from tickets sold for bigger shows and whatnot. As a side man you dont experience a lot of those deals because it's not your name on the marquee. Some deals as a musician will be written out in contracts in which case READ ALL THE PAGES!!! I had a session gig where they left me a stack of 10+ pages to sign and initial and I was told I was getting writing credits on the songs beforehand. When I went to go read the contract, around page 5 they tucked in that I would receive no credits and have no rights to any BMI credits. So I brought it up to the manager and they initialed and signed the amendments needed for me to sign the contract. I hope that helps.
Great video thanks!
Another thing to keep in mind is, do you even want the gig? If you're not sure you want it, ask for a bigger rate. That way either they'll pass and you don't have to do it, or they'll agree and you get a lot of money.
Sage advice! I do that in my regular business it's a win either way!
I always though that Session musicians are "paid for the job" whatever you agree upon its said and done mate. whether or not the record sells a million or not you are paid whatever you are worth. it what I was told.
That fits with what he explained. He said that was the reason to make sure you get paid what you are worth
This is easy. Ask yourself what would you would charge to rent out your equipment for three hours? And that's what you should charge. You don't charge anything for playing.
I have a question
I am from India and a man wants to hire me as a live performer he is askin me tht wht will my charge
What should i say me how much charge should i tell him
I am a singer
Thanks for the question. I would recommend charging what you think your time is worth. example: do you work a day job? if you had to take time away from your job to do something else how much of your time would that cost you? and then equate that to a dollar amount. Now as for being a singer, ask yourself what level of professionalism are you at? Do you have the experience and knowledge to give the artist what they want and even what they might not know they want? Keeping all this in mind do not shoot yourself in the foot by over charging. KNOW YOUR CLIENT! Are they just starting out? are they well known with a following? Once you factor all that in with the initial number you worked out from what your time is worth you will know what to charge them. I hope that helps.