http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/forum/how-much-should-i-charge The Community for Working Musicians en-US Sat, 11 Feb 2012 09:42:46 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/search.php http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/topic/salary-requirements-in-job-postings#post-1798 Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:30:45 +0000 NateOMatic 1798@http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/ <p>I've found it's comparatively rare in our field for a job posting to ask for "salary requirements", but sometimes it does happen. How do you all go about deciding what to quote? I'm not necessarily asking for specific numbers (unless you feel it's helpful to share).</p> <p>Do you give a salary range or a more specific figure? (This is usually for long-term engagements rather than single gigs.) Or do you avoid the issue by saying "negotiable" and "depending on budget", etc.? And what resources have helped you come up with your figure?</p> <p>Finally, because I gather this is a common request in the "Real World" of job-seeking, but seems to be unusual for musical jobs, does it raise a red flag at all when a company does ask? As in: "Let's see how cheap we can get this poor sap??" Or, is it a good thing, meaning we can come in ahead and say, "Hey, since you've asked, this is actually the fair market rate for what I do. Let's talk soon!"</p> <p>Just trolling for your thoughts... </p> http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/topic/nursing-home-gigs#post-1510 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:00:47 +0000 gabastil 1510@http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/ <p>Hey everyone,</p> <p>I'm relatively new to the music scene and wanted to see how much musicians are being paid to perform in nursing homes (if anyone has done that yet).</p> <p>So what's the rate that you've charged?</p> <p>If it helps, I come from the New York City area.</p> <p>Thanks! </p> http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/topic/how-much-should-i-charge-for-accompanying#post-1756 Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:50:40 +0000 prattle 1756@http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/ <p>I have been asked to accompany a high school musical, but I do not know what to charge. It will be 31 hours total for rehearsals and performances. In addition to that, there is the preparation/practice time. If anyone has suggestions, I would be very appreciative. Thanks! </p> http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/topic/how-much-should-i-charge-as-a-accompaning-guitarist-for-a-solo-artist#post-1378 Fri, 25 Nov 2011 03:20:56 +0000 am0911 1378@http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/ <p>Hi everyone! First time posting. </p> <p>So, I'm currently a guitarist for one of my friends who is a youtube star. Over the past year we've been able to perform in many awesome places, it's a cool gig to play with your best friend. Well this next year we're trying to take this thing more seriously. So my questions is, what kind of percentage should I be asking for per performance? </p> <p>If we have to travel, everything is paid for including food and accommodations. So that part doesn't really count. His new manager is getting 15% of what he gets per gig, and I don't really have much of an idea on how much mine should be. He offered me 30%. The show is just us 2, him singing, and me playing, soon though I believe we're gonna be working harmonies into the show. He does mostly covers, and 1 or 2 originals. Anyways, if anyone has any advice on this please let me know! &lt;img src=&quot;http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/bb-plugins/bb-smilies/kopete/smile.png&quot; title=&quot;:)&quot; class=&quot;bb_smilies&quot; /&gt; </p> <p>Thanks guys! </p> http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/topic/lesson-fees#post-1407 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 01:09:04 +0000 David J. Hahn 1407@http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/ <p>I'm interested in what people are charging for lessons this year. Maybe we can all help each other find the right amount to be charging.</p> <p>Could we take an informal poll?</p> <p>List your location and how much you charge for a 1 hour lesson. Or, if you're taking lessons, list how much your teacher/coach charges you per hour. </p> <p>Here in New York I charge $60/hr for vocal coaching. When I took composition lessons back in 2008 the teacher charged $100/hr.</p> <p>Anyone else? </p> http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/topic/price-for-accompanying-college-student-juries-a-public-school-concert#post-1419 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:37:00 +0000 pinklady123 1419@http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/ <p>I'm a classically trained pianist and am wondering how much should I should charge to accompany a university music student for their college juries at the end of the semester (2-3 songs) in rural Missouri.</p> <p>Also, what is fair compensation for accompanying a rural public school music program (about 20 songs)? They want me to arrive only the night of the program and two practice sessions (each practice session being 2 hours long). I might add that their regular accompanist is unavailable and I'm a last minute substitute, so I've only been given two weeks notice. </p> http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/topic/what-pay-to-expect-nyc-jazz-clubs#post-1148 Sat, 17 Sep 2011 19:02:54 +0000 Brenda Louis 1148@http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/ <p>My husband is a full time jazz musician (singer,songwriter,pianist). We live in the Toronto area and he's looking to book jazz clubs in NYC. He is American and grew up right across the river in NJ. He played gigs in NY when he lived there and played in a rock band. We've been out of the loop for a while now and I'm hoping someone can shed some light on this... </p> <p>My question is two part:</p> <p>First of all, what can we expect in terms of pay. Will jazz clubs in NYC actually pay an unknown musician? Would you play for the door? If they would pay, how much should we expect. Any booking tips would be super helpful!</p> <p>Secondly, if he were to hire other musicians (to make it a duo or trio) what should he expect to pay them?</p> <p>This is a great site!</p> <p>Thanks so much,</p> <p>Brenda </p> http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/topic/evaluating-classical-piano-accompanist-fees#post-1149 Sun, 18 Sep 2011 21:48:36 +0000 Beth 1149@http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/ <p>Hi everyone, Thanks for this forum. I'm a classical piano accompanist in the greater Philadelphia area with nearly 30 years of experience.My specialty is working with singers, though I also accompany instrumentalists occasionally. I usually re-evaluate fees every 3 years, but given a weak economy, I've been working at the same hourly rate and concert/recital fees for 5 years. At this point I feel I need to increase my rates to keep pace with cost of living.Most recently,I have added skills of diction/language for coaching singers.<br /> My hourly rate had been $50 an hour, concert fee $250 per concert. Figuring an average rate of inflation of 4% a year, over 5 years, that would increase my rate by 20%. I'm thinking of raising my hourly rate to $60, and my concert fee to $300.Your thoughts, suggestions? Thanks! &lt;img src=&quot;http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/bb-plugins/bb-smilies/kopete/smile.png&quot; title=&quot;:-)&quot; class=&quot;bb_smilies&quot; /&gt; </p> http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/topic/piano-accompanyingchamber-music#post-385 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:22:31 +0000 piano98 385@http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/ <p>I am a classically trained pianist who&#39;s done a gig here and there over the years, but nothing regular (though I&#39;d like to move more in this direction). I&#39;ve been asked to accompany an individual who&#39;s playing a concerto. I consider classical accompanying (or chamber music) to be in a category of its own - separate from, say, accompanying someone singing a favorite love song at a wedding. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to ask for for such work? I am in the Denver metro area, if that helps...<br /> Thanks!<br /> P. </p> http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/topic/arrangingproducing-a-cover-tune-for-a-signed-artist#post-983 Fri, 03 Jun 2011 12:47:01 +0000 sndchck 983@http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/ <p>An artist who has just been signed with a major asked me to do beats for a cover song they want to remake. When I let them hear the work I did so far they loved it. But it's everything. Beats, synths, sound design, arrangement etc. . . it's very different sounding from the original. Everything has (and will be) redone from the ground up.</p> <p>I was asked how much I want.</p> <p>I was thinking that I would offer to produce the track and let them use it (with non exclusive rights to the backing track) for $1200. I say non exclusive so that in the event the label doesn't accept it I can get another artist to sing on it. But If the label accepts it and it get's used in tv, film, commercials, and does OK in sales (iTunes etc..) then I'd be a fool to have only made $1200 right? </p> <p>Would it be reasonable for me to do it for $1200 under the agreement that if the label accepts it I get $10,000 and sell all rights? (or whatever amount is standard) Because it's a cover I'm assuming there would be no money generated from film and television.</p> <p>So . . . any ideas? &lt;img src=&quot;http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/bb-plugins/bb-smilies/kopete/smile.png&quot; title=&quot;:)&quot; class=&quot;bb_smilies&quot; /&gt; </p> http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/topic/how-much-percentage#post-981 Fri, 03 Jun 2011 10:27:14 +0000 marcusanderson 981@http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/ <p>its a 11 song project and they would like me to mix and master the entire album all tracks a vocals i can see pitch correction will be needed and all tracks are mad in logic witch i would have to transfer to protools. they plan on taking it to an entertainment lawyer to recheck on what i deserve. i just would like to give a decent number before the lawyer. Thanks </p> http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/topic/what-is-your-base-hourly-rate#post-11 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 11:40:47 +0000 David J. Hahn 11@http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/ <p>Do you have a base hourly rate that you use for most things? Or do you charge different rates for different gigs?</p> <p>Also, check out our article: <a href="http://www.musicianwages.com/the-working-musician/calculating-an-hourly-rate-as-a-musician/">Calculating an Hourly Rate as a Musician</a> </p> http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/topic/church-job-salary#post-745 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 23:13:33 +0000 brian 745@http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/ <p>I know there are some articles discussing salaries and such but I wanted to talk a little more about church job salaries a little more specifically. </p> <p>I've just moved to LA and I'm looking to get a church job as a pianist/keyboardist. I've had a couple church jobs before in other places but I think I'm worth a little more that what I've gotten in the past and I need to figure out how to find a fair price. </p> <p>How do you figure out common church job salaries? How would you justify a salary for yourself? Do you work with your normal freelance hourly rates and calculate that into a yearly salary?</p> <p>If you look at simplyhired's payscale calculator it gives you an average of $39k/yr. Even a salary of $20k/yr seems high for the kind of hours I'm used to putting into a church. </p> <p>I'm curious to knowwhat responsibilities other church pianists have and how they justify their salaries. </p> http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/topic/what-should-tribute-bands-charge-for-music-festivals#post-708 Fri, 11 Feb 2011 12:36:57 +0000 u2tributeband 708@http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/ <p>Hi All,</p> <p>I portray &quot;The Edge&quot; in a U2 tribute band (<a href="http://www.u2act.com">http://www.u2act.com</a>). This is our second year gigging and we are starting to get some really amazing opportunities.</p> <p>There is, what appears to be, a decent sized music festival that we have an opportunity to headline at. It is a week-long festival and we would play on a Wednesday night.</p> <p>Our expenses will be about $700 (hotels, meals, gas and van rental).</p> <p>Three of us have full-time jobs and will use vacation time for the show which requires 14 hours of travel (2 days off of work). I know... that&#39;s a loss we can do nothing about.</p> <p>In general, what do medium to large music festivals pay <strong>quality</strong> tribute bands?</p> <p>I&#39;m thinking of quoting $3000 for the event, and asking if that fits their budget. I know that gives them an opportunity to say &quot;no,&quot; but this is an opportunity that could be great for our band and I&#39;d hate to miss it.</p> <p>Opinions? Ideas? Any advice would be appreciated!</p> <p>Thanks,<br /> Chris (The Edge) Simeone<br /> <a href="http://www.u2act.com"><img src="http://u2act-media.appspot.com/images/banner01.jpg"></a> </p> http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/topic/online-tool-for-calculating-a-gig-bidprice#post-656 Mon, 08 Nov 2010 11:37:12 +0000 gehwokka 656@http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/ <p>I&#39;ve posted about this tool before, but Musician Wages (and this forum) is obviously the best place to remind musicians about this tool, so here goes:</p> <p><a href="http://gigcalc.gehwokka.com">gigcalc.gehwokka.com</a></p> <p>With this tool bands and musicians can calculate a rational, fair, ballpark figure to quote when negotiating for a gig. </p> <p>Gigcalc has helped many musicians and bands (especially bands that travel!) with establishing a fair rate for their services. </p> <p>I am the creator of gigcalc - I created it because I&#39;ve watched for too long the trials and tribulations of friends who are still working and gigging! If you&#39;ve suggestions on improving it I&#39;d <strong>love to hear them</strong>. If you find the tool valuable consider &quot;liking&quot; it or telling other musicians! And I gotta mention - the tool is supported by ads - by visiting these ad sites you keep the tool alive!</p> <p>Thanks! </p> http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/topic/rate-for-radio-30-second-spot-jingles-and-signatures-or-tag-lines#post-690 Wed, 05 Jan 2011 03:21:40 +0000 singerhere 690@http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/ <p>Hello guys!</p> <p>I&#39;m new to the forums, but I wish I&#39;d seen this earlier.</p> <p>I&#39;m a professional (live) vocalist, and I have a question: How much should I charge for my singing services for someone who wants to hire me to record jingles for radio stations? This would be for the station I.D.s, that I&#39;ve heard some call the &quot;signature&quot; and others call it the &quot;tag line&quot;? Also, how much should I charge for the 30-second sung spots? ANY help is appreciated, including proper terminology!</p> <p>Thanks!<br /> SingerHere </p> http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/topic/have-to-write-an-album-for-a-well-known-singer#post-671 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 02:22:45 +0000 Joan 671@http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/ <p>A well known Arab singer commissioned me to write 8 songs for the album. I need a ball park idea of how much i shd charge him. He saw me perform and loved my work and he wants my exact sound, including using my musicians for the studio recording.</p> <p>Any ideas? </p> http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/topic/payment-formula#post-427 Mon, 17 May 2010 12:14:13 +0000 timeforsax 427@http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/ <p>When playing restaurants and bars etc. I&#39;ve found I have to vary my price according to the size of the place the economic level of the place etc. </p> <p>Is there some type of formula or guideline to follow? Like there are X amount of tables in this restaurant and the menu prices fall into a high or low bracket etc. so therefore I should charge X amount for performing here. </p> http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/topic/fee-structure-for-musical-directingaccompaniment#post-594 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 05:18:08 +0000 kerryomusic 594@http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/ <p>Hi -<br /> I&#39;m a professional musical director and pianist working in what little pro MT Vancouver has to offer. Vancouver can barely support the few of us who make our livings as musicians mostly in musical theatre, but it&#39;s my passion and my specialty and would like it to be what I DO.</p> <p>My question for people who may do similar jobs in other areas is frankly, &quot;what kind of pay are you making&quot;.<br /> I find that the role of MD can often fall into a grey area as it is not specifically covered by either the Equity or the AFM (closest would be &quot;bandleader&quot;, I suppose, which is a bit misleading as to the actual ins and outs of the job).<br /> I also often work simply as an accompanist, wherever there is work, and because I&#39;m a strong sight-reader am often in demand to play for auditions.<br /> I&#39;m curious to know what kind of hourly rate is normal for this kind of situation in other towns and cities across the continent. I personally feel that auditions are a unique situation and somewhat different than rehearsals where you&#39;ve had some practice time. A higher stress situation, in many cases.</p> <p>I would love to be able to come to some of these MD meet-ups in NYC I&#39;ve seen listed on here, but until I start make a decent wage.....!!!! Most of us in Vancouver have to travel around from province to province to maintain any semblance of steady work. I just spent 4 months on Vancouver Island, MDing a production of Guys &amp; Dolls, and previous to that, 2 months in Saskatchewan doing &quot;The Full Monty&quot;.</p> <p>I would also like to know from NYC or really, any Americans if there is any kind of agreement between AFM and Equity when it comes to Musical Directors. Equity covers choreographers, dance captains, fight directors, all sorts of other things. I just can&#39;t help thinking there is more to my job than &quot;bandleader&quot;. That&#39;s certainly one aspect of it, but also, pianist (very often), vocal coach, conductor, arranger, director, teacher and occasional psychotherapist.</p> <p>Any and all info is much appreciated.</p> <p>Cheers,<br /> Kerry </p> http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/topic/2-hr-50th-anniversary-party#post-595 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 20:28:04 +0000 zinniacity 595@http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/ <p>Hi! I&#39;ve just begun gigging with a violinist (I&#39;m a pianist), and have been asked to bid on a 2hr 50th anniversary party. The location is about 40 minutes drive for each of us. If it were JUST me, I&#39;d ask for no less than $200, probably starting at $250. But what would you suggest as a joint price for myself and the violinist? Would $500 be too high? The gig is in NJ. </p> <p>Thanks! </p> http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/topic/composing-a-new-musical#post-530 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 22:40:21 +0000 Ron 530@http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/ <p>I&#39;m being courted to write a new musical. The book and lyrics are already written and I would just write the music which is about 20 songs. It sounds like I&#39;ll have a little orchestration to do in addition to the composition. I have to be finished in less than two months and the premier is set for January in NY.</p> <p>Papers that have been sent to me (lacking legal language) so far state I would get a percentage of the profits once the production costs have been recouped...I don&#39;t like the sound of that considering profits are unlikely for a few years. </p> <p>I have been doing some research and asking around and finding a variety of suggestions in terms of percentages and royalty advances. Some say I should just do it and pray for profits since it will be performed and I can &quot;get my name out there&quot;, while others say I should not start until I secure an advance against royalties. </p> <p>So if I were to ask for an advance and settle on percents, what would be appropriate? Should I even ask for an advance? </p> <p>I assume I should show everything to a lawyer before I sign on but I am concerned that I am going to have to ask a lawyer to draft an collaboration agreement and/or contract. So I should ask them to cover that cost, right? Or are there places online with these sorts of contracts available?</p> <p>Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated! </p> http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/topic/charging-for-playing-in-a-concert-type-band#post-484 Mon, 05 Jul 2010 07:06:39 +0000 jazzguy26 484@http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/ <p>I was hired to play in a band for a concert/party. initially i was not aware of how much songs i had to play when i agree to take this gig which probably was a bad idea. I didnt think much of it because it was a close friend. He initially agreed to pay me $90 dollars for the gig. But once i received the set list i realized it was way too much for the price. The set consisted of about 50 songs. And he wanted us to rehearse for way too many hours.Also i ended up having to teach 2 other band members their parts because of their lack of musical knowledge.We agreed to negotiate a new price. How should i go about finding a fee for my services. How should i go about coming up with a few considering these factors? </p> http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/topic/solo-piano-restaurant-gig-hourly-rates#post-494 Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:37:54 +0000 foxconnect 494@http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/ <p>I am a high school Jazz and classical pianist studying at the collegiate level in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I just applied at the nicest fine-dining restaurant around (<a href="http://www.mansursontheboulevard.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.mansursontheboulevard.com/</a>) complete with letters of recommendation and an audition CD, and they want to know my hourly rate. Help? </p> <p>I&#39;ll be doing classic tunes out of The Real Book with my own smoky New Orleans twist. What is a reasonable hourly rate? Should I ask higher, lower, or on that rate?</p> <p>Thank&#39;s for the advice. Look forward to hearing from you! </p> http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/topic/audition-length#post-423 Tue, 04 May 2010 09:57:45 +0000 timeforsax 423@http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/ <p>David,</p> <p>I&#39;m starting to work in the Austin area. I do solo sax and flute using back tracks. My wife sings and sometimes she&#39;ll do a gig with me. </p> <p>The manager of a fine dining restaurant has expressed interest in having me play. I sent him my demo CD. Then he asked to have me come and audition. I told him I could come and do 2 or 3 songs if he felt that was necessary. His latest communication stated that he wants me to come and play an hour for free. </p> <p>I don&#39;t feel that he is right in requesting an hour of free music. If a demo CD is not enough (and some people feel it isn&#39;t), and they want a live audition, I can see doing a few songs. Am I right about that? It seems in Austin, those hiring musicians think that some people will play for free. </p> <p>Anyway, if you have any ideas on how to handle this sort of situation, I&#39;d appreciate it. </p> http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/topic/pay-for-hotel-jobs-abroad#post-444 Thu, 27 May 2010 22:37:38 +0000 Alexandra Frederick 444@http://www.musicianwages.com/forums/ <p>Hello David,</p> <p>My name&#39;s Alexandra - I just joined your super site.</p> <p>I have a question, if you can answer - what should be the starting rate for a singing-pianist at a hotel in, say, Japan? I just heard about a Hyatt gig in a major city in Kyushu, paying $2500 (presumably before taxes). I thought that was APPALLING. I work and live in New York, teaching and performing and have worked on cruise ships, and they paid the same FOUR YEARS AGO PLUS TIPS but basically everything (except extras) is covered, and use of the passenger facilities is also allowable.</p> <p>Is this really the going rate for an international level hotel in Asia, or am I being ripped off? What should I expect. Many thanks. </p>