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Latest reply from brian

(4 posts) (3 people)

Hotel Lounge Gig

Posted 1 year ago by brian

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brian said 1 year ago

I just got a gig playing piano in a really nice hotel lounge. They've got a really nice baby grand and would like some nice music for ambiance for a couple hours. Has anybody played gigs like this much? What kind of music do you like to play for this sort of thing? I'm going to be putting together a nice blend of classical, jazz standards and pop songs.

They're not offering any money right now as this is mostly a pet project of one of the main employees there. They would like to have me play as often as I could manage but I can't commit to that for free all the time. I wouldn't mind doing it for free once in a while just for the exposure. Their primary offer however is that they will keep me as their primary pianist to recommend as they host many wedding and social events there.

Does anyone have any tips for how to get the most out of this kind of opportunity? Are there any suggestions to make this a regular paying gig with the hotel?
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Joe Stone said 1 year ago

I don't have any answers for your questions as I've never done anything like that, but will they let you put out a tip glass? That might help make it worth some of your time.

Now that I think of it, I do have some suggestions.

Have business cards ready. If you're any good, people may want to hire you themselves. If you have recordings to sell, see if they'll let you sell them there. Your business cards should at least have links so that people can find out more about you as well as contact you. Basically, you want to promote yourself as shamelessly as they will let you.

As far as getting the most out of the gig with the hotel, it's probably pretty obvious, but be prompt, professional, and polite. Dress appropriately. Be reliable. I'm sure you are these things, but sometimes it helps to think about what the hotel wants from their perspective.
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David J. Hahn said 1 year ago

Man, no bread at all? That sucks.

I played these kinds of gigs for years. You should expect something like $250 for 4 hours of playing.

It's a tough call, I know you live in a place that doesn't have a lot of paying gigs. I think Joe is right, you should be able to put out a tip glass, sell CDs, pass out business cards. I would also recommend inviting potential employers to the gig to come listen to you play - so you can use it at an audition as well. Maybe you can invite other musicians to come play with you and do the same.

The thing is that there really isn't a lot of value in a situation like this - so you'd have to infuse it with your own value. People are forever telling musicians that they will give them "exposure" in lieu of "money". In my experience the exposure is almost always worthless. Anytime somebody tells me they have an exposure gig for me, I don't call them back.

So, like Joe and I said, you have to make it work for you. If it's an exposure gig, then make sure you get exposure. Invite everyone that could possibly get you a gig to the night, shake hands, kiss babies, sell albums, give business cards, invite others to play - make a ruckus and cause a scene!

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brian said 1 year ago

Thanks for the insight guys.

Yeah, I don't know what will come of this. I'm hoping something good but I'm not counting on it right off. One thing I've learned is that I have to make my time count as often as I can. If there's something I'm doing that's not making me money in some way then I should be thinking of how else I could use that time. Either way this will at least be a good experience for me. I've not played a gig like this yet and it'll be good for me.

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