Covering for a band.

TheBasicBassist · #1 06-01-2010, 09:06 PM

Hey guys. There's this local act that recently asked me if I could cover some gigs for them through July. The bass player and I are friends, though not buddy-buddy. How much do you think would be reasonable to charge per gig? I'd have to learn all of their original material, I'd imagine.

Thanks in advance.

Edit: Keep in mind this would [probably] taking at least a few days off from work, aside from the actual gigs.

TheBasicBassist · #2 06-02-2010, 12:19 AM

Bump. Anyone?

PJSShearer · #3 06-02-2010, 06:02 AM

Assuming it's his call, ask your friend what he's proposing to pay you to do his gig. If it's the bandleader's call, then ask your friend what the Bandleader pays him to do the gig, then ask the bandleader what he's going to pay you.

If the number(s) they mention is(are) unacceptable, start negotiations :-).

Phalex · #4 06-02-2010, 06:32 AM

I make $100.00 a night usually. I had a guy fill in for me last year for one night of a 2 night gig. He put in lots of practice on his own, did his homework, and by all accounts did a fantastic job. I gave him $100.00 for playing the gig, and $100.00 for being well prepared. I got nothing from the gig, but I did get to go to a wedding with my wife that Saturday. It was worth it.

mcapote · #5 06-02-2010, 06:39 AM

you want to make atleast what you would of made at your job, or its really not worth it imho. its a hard question becuase I dont know what they pay for gigs in your area, they usually pay about $500 a night around here in most places for a 4 set gig. a couple crapholes pay less but no one plays them places but teens

lowendgenerator · #6 06-02-2010, 06:49 AM

I would ask for whatever the normal bass player gets. Pretty simple.

nealw · #7 06-02-2010, 06:56 AM

You definitely deserve more per show than their bassist if it's an original band. Unless they have a great draw they probably make little money and will be paying you out of their pocket. Their bassist's compensation is playing in an original band he believes in-yours is cash. I agree with Phalex-$100 minimum.

Bob C · #8 06-02-2010, 07:00 AM

I agree that you should ask your bass player friend what the gig pays. Then decide whether it's worth your while.

If they offer to kick in for your mileage or whatever, that's great. But don't expect them to compensate you fro other work you've passed up. The gig pays what it pays.

Frankjohnson · #9 06-02-2010, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendgenerator

I would ask for whatever the normal bass player gets. Pretty simple.

EXACTLY ! ! !

lowendgenerator · #10 06-02-2010, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nealw

You definitely deserve more per show than their bassist if it's an original band. Unless they have a great draw they probably make little money and will be paying you out of their pocket. Their bassist's compensation is playing in an original band he believes in-yours is cash. I agree with Phalex-$100 minimum.

Where I'm from, asking for more than an equal share of the cheese is a fast way to lose the gig. I'm sure they'll shop around for another fill-in if you ask for the biggest slice of the pie.

nealw · #11 06-02-2010, 09:23 AM

I'm just sayin'-the OP mentioned learning their originals: this says to me that unless they draw a ton of people and play for the door, they're not making money. Now if I'm a full member of the band with a stake in its future, I'd be cool with that. If I'm going to learn a bunch of new material and take time off from work for a fill-in job I'm going to get paid or I'm not taking the job. What would be the point? If I was the one hiring the fill-in I would expect to pay him.

TheBasicBassist · #12 06-02-2010, 10:32 AM

Thanks guys for all of the responses. They've had some pretty big nights, though, the draw is never particularly reliable for them. Supposedly, from what their drummer tells me they're having "scouts" starting to show up at their gigs. He (the bassist) sent me a message offering, "some money", so we'll see what that means. I'm not sure if I'm in the wrong for expecting this but if it's not "$100" or anything like that, I would at least expect for travel to be accounted for, I wouldn't expect a sum of money in addition to travel. I also have a gut feeling that he's not going to be around to show me the lines for the sake of me having them all ready to go the next day, so, though they aren't difficult I'll be transcribing about an album and a half worth of this stuff.

As for the scene there aren't too many [good] bass players around here for him to ask. He doesn't really network too much and most of our good electric players are strictly double bassists nowadays. His only other option, from what I've heard is this metal guitardists - I stress guitard. Being in this area (NYC), though, a ska-punk original band makes no money. Probably about $100 for the whole night and they're a 6 piece band. I've got a part-time job that makes me $12 an hour. I, likely, won't do it if they won't match my jobs salary because money, as we all know is pretty tight, right now.

Thanks for all your help.

TheBasicBassist · #13 06-02-2010, 01:47 PM

He just texted me. Wants to give me $20 per gig and rehearse for free. So I'd be getting $40-60.

"No thanks."

benc · #14 06-02-2010, 01:55 PM

Wow. Are you sure he didn't accidently leave off a zero? 20 bucks for a gig is downright insulting.

TheBasicBassist · #15 06-02-2010, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benc

Wow. Are you sure he didn't accidently leave off a zero? 20 bucks for a gig is downright insulting.

I'm sure. He's friggen broke, I should of guessed. I laughed so hard when I got the text. I think the whole "$20" thing stems from him thinking that we're best buddies - we aren't, really. Some folks.. This isn't the first it's happened to me in the 5-boroughs, though. Locals acts want help paying for recording when they seek you out for session work, ect, ect..

To clarify for the 2 gigs for $20's each he'd be getting (from me):
Free rehearsals
Two 2-set gigs
Me transcribing an album and a half worth
of material on my own time.

BryanM · #16 06-02-2010, 02:06 PM

That sounds like an offer I turned down recently to play a pit gig for a community theatre. It's about 35 miles outside of town, 15 night commitment and I had been told by the person who put me in contact that it would be low to medium pay. I called the guy up and he said the pay is $100 for the run with no compensation for expenses.

TheBasicBassist · #17 06-02-2010, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BryanM

That sounds like an offer I turned down recently to play a pit gig for a community theatre. It's about 35 miles outside of town, 15 night commitment and I had been told by the person who put me in contact that it would be low to medium pay. I called the guy up and he said the pay is $100 for the run with no compensation for expenses.

That's rougher than what I got, man, I think. I feel that situation, though. With the amount of people willing to gig for free I'm sure they'll find someone (in both our situations). Though, as the price for a cover musician diminishes, so does the talent and he'll only end up making his own band look foolish - I'm sure.

jnuts1 · #18 06-02-2010, 02:32 PM

i would never ever play for what the other bassist makes, it's probably zero dollars & that is what you would get. i usually do one practice to learn the tunes (so many bands do NOT have recorded versions of their originals) & give them 1 rehearsal before the gig & i usually ask for a 100 bucks but if i am friends with them or really like the tunes i will do it for less.

TheBasicBassist · #19 06-02-2010, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnuts1

i would never ever play for what the other bassist makes, it's probably zero dollars & that is what you would get. i usually do one practice to learn the tunes (so many bands do NOT have recorded versions of their originals) & give them 1 rehearsal before the gig & i usually ask for a 100 bucks but if i am friends with them or really like the tunes i will do it for less.

That's what I told him. I'd need a minimum of $150 for the two gigs plus $50 for a rehearsal. I didn't "need" the gig, anywho, and I don't think there'd be much exposure that I wouldn't normally get anyway.

Bob C · #20 06-02-2010, 06:03 PM

As the saying goes, "It is what it is".

You don't want to work for peanuts (Neither do I). YOU are investing a lot of time and effort, and sacrificing your regular income. You have travel time and expenses too.

THEY are making next to nothing, and can't or won't pay you "the going rate" for a normal gig.

In your original post, I missed that they are an originals band. That does put a different spin on things. But their problems aren't yours, and vice versa. You could do them a huge favor for karma's sake. Or you could (and did) turn down the offer, which is fine too.