Gig Whores - what to charge for recording a live gig?

phatbass · #1 10-16-2008, 03:01 PM

Most of my work is as a hired gun, and I also do a very little bit of session work - about 10 a year or so.

Until now, never have the two types of gig coincided but now one of the acts I whore myself out to on a regular basis, a locally successful singer/songwriter/guitarist, wants to record a CD at a gig.

My question to the other gig-whores out there is: what is customary in this situation? My thinking is to just charge a standard gig fee PLUS my normal session rate. I feel that it's really two gigs in one as I not only have to perform, but also concentrate on production values, rather than just get caught up in the frenzy of the moment in a live performance.

In case anyone mentions it, there's no way he'll give me points in the CD (this act is one of the few locals making appreciable bucks from CD's and merch) - it'll be a flat one-off fee.

MatticusMania · #2 10-16-2008, 03:28 PM

I dont know about charing your normal gig rate PLUS your recording rate, but I can definitely see charging more than your normal gig rate for sure.
If I may ask, what are your gig & recording rates? Maybe charge him the lesser fee, whichever it may be, and then half of your other rate?
I understand how one might see it as "two gigs in one" but to be fair, you are only giving one performance. Personally, I would charge my gig rate, and then an additional fee since it's being recorded.

ZonGuy · #3 10-21-2008, 07:13 PM

It really depends on what the market will bear and what you bring to the table.

A little ugly fact: a lot of people in the music business really don't have the ear to give a crap about the bass. Don't hear it, don't care. If you are dealing with one of those folks, you won't get any premium over the usual gig rate.

If...on the other hand... you do something on the bass that hooks up nicely with the guitar or voice parts, you might see some extra cash.

Sorry if this depressing. I have learned to take myself less seriously, be reliable, shut up, and play the part.

alexgeddy · #4 10-21-2008, 08:01 PM

Ask to get on the copy rights and see what happens!! then it will justify every penny ucan get from them!

Good luck ,
Bill

Green Mind · #5 10-21-2008, 08:10 PM

I'd say only charge the regular gig fee. Charging since it's being recorded for the reason that you have to concentrate more makes it sound like you'd make a lesser effort if you knew it wasn't.

fenderhutz · #6 10-21-2008, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Mind

I'd say only charge the regular gig fee. Charging since it's being recorded for the reason that you have to concentrate more makes it sound like you'd make a lesser effort if you knew it wasn't.

+1

theshadow2001 · #7 10-21-2008, 09:45 PM

I see no reason to charge more than your regular gig fee. I'm sure thats what your employer would expect as well.

Craig_S · #8 10-21-2008, 09:55 PM

He'll be selling the product after you're long out of the picture and making money on it, just like a studio project. You deserve to, at least, get your recording rate. At the same time, you'll need to be willing punch in on any glitches, after the fact.

Kuchar · #9 10-21-2008, 10:10 PM

Maybe you could just change him for the CD. For instance, record the songs, burn them onto a CD, and sell him the CD for say.. $50 (or whatever)

My band did a live gig once where they were burning CD's off the board of each bands set. The CD costed 30 dollars so we decided to buy one. The CD.. sounded like trash. Biggest waste of $30 ever..

Jeb · #10 10-21-2008, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Mind

I'd say only charge the regular gig fee. Charging since it's being recorded for the reason that you have to concentrate more makes it sound like you'd make a lesser effort if you knew it wasn't.

Agreed. Look at the Zonguy post too. What is customary? Whatever you want it to be. 'Customary' is just a polite word that we use when we don't know what to say otherwise.

VroomVroom · #11 10-22-2008, 10:23 AM

I've been in this situation, and I think your questions are fair. The key, for me at least, is that each situation is different. So, a few questions for you, if you don't mind...

What do you add to the gig? Are you reading charts and specific bass lines, or are you being asked to contribute more organically to each tune? In other words, as objectively as you feel comfortable answering, are you integral to the quality of this recording (and the live sound), or are you a commodity that could be replaced by another player? Finally, how important is this gig to you? Is it a resume-builder, or is it just a gig?

Based on those answers, I think you'd be in position to further talk/negotiate with the artist. The output from this is more than a typical live gig, and it's more than fair for you to be compensated accordingly. If that means you just charge the higher of your gig rate or your session rate, or if you add in a premium...or even a discount in exchange for clips on your website, other marketing materials, liner note credit, etc. ...whatever works best. Good luck on this - please keep us posted.

jmain · #12 10-22-2008, 02:04 PM

I tend to agree with Jerry on this one. I'll definitely be interested in how this works out b/c I may be in this situation in the near future.

theshadow2001 · #13 10-22-2008, 02:29 PM

Amending my above post. You could go with charging your studio fee either. Definitely not both though.

paganjack · #14 10-22-2008, 02:34 PM

i would have to say more than the usual gig rate but not adding the full session rate too. it's not like you will revisit the gig midway through to polish a line like you might with a session gig. Since he will be making money off the CD for a while at least it seems fair to get more than the performance rate.

my US$.02

GtenderG · #15 10-22-2008, 02:44 PM

I would charge either your gig fee or your session fee - whichever is more.... Technically speaking its a session you'll be recording it.

cnltb · #16 10-22-2008, 02:57 PM

I'd charge session fee I recon.

kaybass1952 · #17 11-01-2008, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Mind

I'd say only charge the regular gig fee. Charging since it's being recorded for the reason that you have to concentrate more makes it sound like you'd make a lesser effort if you knew it wasn't.

--1 on that !!
This is not a"regular " gig-it's a live recording session and should be paid as such. The singer/songwriter will receive payment
A) for the gig on that day
B)+ possible future revenues from sales ,publishing ect.

I believe if you play a gig (union) thats televised or recorded,you get higher pay scale-or pay for gig, and the recording.

Also when recording their is a different type of concentrated focus
required . I' ve read a number of interviews with session guys
(Lee Sklar , Willie Weeks ,Will Lee -ect) - who like to get out and play live from time to time , to have a change and stretch out .It's a different mindset . I'm sure they put out 100% in both situations.

willgroove2 · #18 11-01-2008, 12:05 PM

I found myself in this very situation several years ago when I showed up to a gig with a jazz vocalist who I had been working with for years only to find a crew setting up recording equipment.Myself and the drummer were looking at them setting up the gear like "what is going on?" as nobody,not the artist or her "manager" ever told what was supposed to happen that night beforehand . It actually got a little weird because the drummer,who was much more vocal than I was,refused to even fully set up until extra money was discussed. Because it was supposed to just be a demo they ended up paying us the regular gig pay + $150 which is much less than I would charge for a session by about half.The fact they had to give us extra really pissed them off but what were they thinking?(This turned out to be the "Managers" idea save money like we wouldn't notice them recording)The funny thing is the guys they hired to record were primarily a sound reinforcement company that was cheap but not very good and the recordings came out terrible so it was a waste of money.If someone is formal recording a gig then it is not just a gig it's also recording session and you should get extra money simple as that IMO.