A Few Questions
 

I've been wondering about different types of musicians and how they work lately. I thought this forum is the best spot, so hence I posted here. Anyways I have a few questions that vary greatly in topic so all sorts of help is welcome here:

Q1: How much do wedding bands get paid? Also how does a band put itself out there as a wedding band? Is there some sort of agency involved and does that agency take most of the money?

(Ok that was actually a few questions within itself, but anyways)

Q2: How much does a band usually get paid at a bar? Do house bands always play covers, and what qualifies a decent song that people like to hear? (I know good music, trust me, but some drunk idiot wouldn't appreciate Coltrane as much as they would a classic Poison cover)

Q3: For either a wedding band or a house band, is it professionally acceptable to take a leave while working with an original band and expect to have a spot in the band when the leave is over? (I'm thinking studio time or touring time, nothing extensive)

Thank you for reading and any and all answers are helpful!

Q1: How much do wedding bands get paid? Also how does a band put itself out there as a wedding band? Is there some sort of agency involved and does that agency take most of the money?

Different bands get different levels of pay. Yes, it's good to have a booking agency if you want to work the weddings. Agencies usually get 10-15% on top of the negotiated pay.

Q2: How much does a band usually get paid at a bar?
Sometimes they play for the door cover, sometimes for a percentage of the register, sometimes for a flat fee. All negotiated with the bar.

Do house bands always play covers, and what qualifies a decent song that people like to hear?
It's best to play music that keeps people partying. If that's covers, then sticking to recognizable material that they can sing along with is a good idea. When you play music they don't recognize they get bored and leave.

Q3: For either a wedding band or a house band, is it professionally acceptable to take a leave while working with an original band and expect to have a spot in the band when the leave is over?
Sure but it depends on the length of time you'll be out. A sub can be hired for a one nighter or a short period of time but if you're going to take a long 'leave' chances are you'll end up being replaced.
(I'm thinking studio time or touring time, nothing extensive)

Thank you for reading and any and all answers are helpful!

Q1- Prob @ $1200-3 or 4 grand on average. Some do mostly weddings in season but most all do other gigs as well. Many but not all work through an agency and no the agency shouldn't take most of the money, maybe 10-20%.

Q2- $400-1200 around here with most being toward the low end and many bars are finding bands to play for $200 or less(PLEASE DON'T DO THIS!). House bands don't always play only covers and what qualifies as a decent song depends on the venue and crowd.

Q3- I play in two cover bands locally but am going to be touring for much of the Spring and Summer with an original band. I told the guys in my cover bands we can schedule as many gigs as possible when I am in town but if they want to gig when I'm gone I have no problem with them bringing in a sub or even a permanent replacement if they want to keep gigging more. I don't expect them to put those money-making bands on hold while I'm gone. For now we are playing it by ear to see how things develop but I would have no qualms if they canned me.

I think you'll get a variety of answers here. In the case of the guys I play with here in Toronto:

Q1: How much do wedding bands get paid? Also how does a band put itself out there as a wedding band? Is there some sort of agency involved and does that agency take most of the money? WE'VE PLAYED ABOUT A DOZEN WEDDINGS, BIG AND SMALL, AND HAVE BEEN PAID BETWEEN $1,000 AND $1,500. FOR US, A LOT OF THE TIME ITS PEOPLE THAT WE ALREADY KNOW. THAT BEING SAID, WE HAVE MENTIONED AT BAR GIGS THAT WE DO WEDDINGS (AND GOT A FEW GOOD LEADS AS A RESULT).

(Ok that was actually a few questions within itself, but anyways)

Q2: How much does a band usually get paid at a bar? Do house bands always play covers, and what qualifies a decent song that people like to hear? (I know good music, trust me, but some drunk idiot wouldn't appreciate Coltrane as much as they would a classic Poison cover). WE GET ON AVERAGE $500 - $750 FOR A 3-SET 30-40 SONG BAR SHOW. DECENT SONGS? ITS ALL ABOUT WHAT GETS PEOPLE UP AND DANCING. I WOULDN'T LISTEN TO MONY MONY IF YOU PUT A GUN TO MY HEAD, BUT WHEN WE PLAY IT LIVE THE GIRLS GET UP, DANCE AND LOVE LOVE LOVE IT. YOU NEED TO PUT YOUR PERSONAL TASTES ON THE SHELF IN THE PURSUIT OF THE GREATER GOOD (ie HOT CHICKS THAT WANT TO GET SHAKE THEIR ASSES).


Q3: For either a wedding band or a house band, is it professionally acceptable to take a leave while working with an original band and expect to have a spot in the band when the leave is over? (I'm thinking studio time or touring time, nothing extensive). CANT SPEAK TO THIS ONE. ITS ALL OR NOTHING FOR OUR BAND. WE ARE ALL ADULTS WITH CAREERS SO THE BAND NEEDS TO BE FLEXIBLE TO ACOMMODATE OUR LIVES - NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. STILL WE'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO GIG A FEW TIMES A MONTH.

HOPE THIS HELPS>
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Thanks for the advice guys. I'd still love to hear what other people have to say, but this really helps.