What to charge for one-off gig

[Boomkat1]

Hi
I'm new to the hired gun thing and was curious:
a band coming in from outta town asked me to play one show with them---bassist can't make it.
I have to learn a 75 min set of originals, rehearse 4-5 hours the daybefore the gig, then the gig is the following night at a pretty swanky but smallish club. No backline.
I can do the gig with a minimum of gear-verystraightforward.

Unsigned pop band, but getting some good press---this in Los Angeles btw

what's the going rate or reasonable to charge for something like this?

Any opinions welcome---thanks!

[michaelgilleran]

It depends on what theyre making. Your doing a total of 6 hours of playing? $350 dollars seems fair to me, but depending on the club, the whole band might not even be making much. I wouldnt do it for less than $80 plus gas money

[svenbass]

Think about the total time commitment - your own time learning the material ... travel to and from rehearsal, and then the gig. You probably can't charge what that all is going to add up to, but you can make a great impression and start to get known as a reliable go-to guy for these situations. Word of mouth goes a long way these days.

I'd say $120 - $180 unless the music is going to take hours and hours to learn. That kind of bread is pretty reasonable given all the hoops you gotta go through, but should be affordable to the band if they are serious enough to want someone who will learn and play their music well.

[deaf pea]

Originally Posted by michaelgilleran

...but depending on the club, the whole band might not even be making much...

But that's not really important . . . what's important is that their regular bass player can't make the gig, and you're going to "invest" 6 hours of your time PLUS the time it takes you to learn the set.
I'd say that $350 is a more than fair price for you . . . and it really doesn't matter what the other guys (the band members) get . . .

you probably will be the only guy that's making (not loosing) money . . . . . .

[HeadyVan Halen]

You already got the gig so high ball'em...I'm modest in real life, but when it comes to music\entertainment type deals, take'em for what they are worth....trust me, they are trying to do the same to you...

P.S. I got a gig for the SuperBowl in Dallas this year, and I charged top dollar, when in reality if they did they're homework they could find as good/better players than me in Dallas/Ft. Worth

[Marko5657]

What they’re making “on this gig” is completely irrelevant.

This is part of a much larger thing for them, an investment in their band’s success, but you get none of that from this gig, so you should consider only what you feel you deserve for your time/effort/skills.

[Boomkat1]

Thanks everybody.
Yeah, around 350 is right about where I was feeling it give or take.
Thanks for the feedback!

[Stumbo]

75 min of originals? If you spend a few days learning them and then rehearsing with the group plus the gig, travel time, etc. I'd say min, $1k. At 350 you'll be making about $10/hr. by the end of the gig.

[Boomkat1]

Originally Posted by Stumbo

75 min of originals? If you spend a few days learning them and then rehearsing with the group plus the gig, travel time, etc. I'd say min, $1k. At 350 you'll be making about $10/hr. by the end of the gig.

Well there is very little travel time--probably an hour total including getting to the rehearsal and the gig--it's all very local.
But your point about the time it takes to learn all that material gets me thinking for sure . . . .

[zachbass02]

wow...I guess people here in Nashville need to read this thread. $1K...you're kidding, right? A whole lot of people would not be working if they charged what y'all are talking. For a local one off for an unsigned indie band, most guys in Nashville will do it for $100-150, if they like you and/or the music. For an indie band around here, if you quote them $350 (for a local 1 off), they move on down the list to someone else. I don't know about anybody else on here, but for me, $150 (plus networking with other Muso's at the club drumming up more gigs) is better than sitting at home doing nothing and especially making nothing.

But hey, if you can get $350 out of them....go for it. Just don't be suprised if they laugh at you and find someone else.

[TRichardsbass]

If you are with the AFM, check with your union rep for hourly rates or ask another member. whatever that price is, at least you have a basis and it is fair. Also, since you are using your own equipment you have some expense there too.

Otherwise, base it on what you believe you would be happy with. Just remind them that you have to put in "homework" then rehearse THEN play the show. Having managed indie bands before, they often forget that, but if they are a good band and want to be known as such they will pay a fair amount in order to preserve their reputation.

[shadow_FIX]

I would ask $100 + travel, personally. That depends on how much I like the music.

[BrickBatMansion]

75 minutes of orignal music?

Is it complex or easy?

and

How much time do you have to work on the material before the 4-5 hour rehearsal (if you have access to it)?

[drpepper]

Wow, I'm glad not to depend on any money from music. That really sucks that things are so miserably loose.

So, has it always been this way, or has the market be damaged by some force...part-timers or "new pros" in massive numbers?

I also do video production as another for-profit hobby and I know that broadened access to quality gear and advances in editing software damaged that market for old pros. Average rates were driven down where, in a lot of cases, a talented kid with a laptop and handicam had the capability to produce the same thing that would have taken ten or hundreds of thousands in gear and software not long before.

[peterpalmieri]

Charge by the hour:

3 hours to listen and figure out the tunes on your own (you'll probably need more time then that)
5 hours of rehearsal
2 hours for the gig

A solid player wouldn't take less then $20 per hour, a working musician no less then $50 and a real deal pro $100-250 per hour.

If you know you are going to walk into that rehearsal and know everything cold I'd ask for a decent amount. If your going in with questions and they need to help you along, price it accordingly.

[jmattbassplaya]

I`d charge by the hour like Peter said, but would also add travel expenses (keep your receipts!). It seems the most fair and will probably give you a reasonable number to ask for. Also, I would ask for at least 25% of the payment at the rehearsal and I wouldn`t step on stage and play a note until the rest is payed in full. People have a tendency to either forget or wander off after a gig.

[Boomkat1]

Thanks for all the input.
We ended up agreeing on 350. My calculations have me putting about 10-12 hours total (the music is pretty simple pop rock for the most part (but I DO expect some arrangement curveballs coming at the rehearsal!)
What I neglected to confirm is if there's backline or not at the gig (rehearsal studio I know has it). I'm actually kind of OK either way--normally I hate schlepping a rig if I don't have to, but I've recently changed up my own rig and wouldn't mind giving it the playing time. I will check on that detail. Have to look and see if it's a nightmare load-in---if so, I may inquire about backline for the bass (they're renting it for the rest of the band after all)

[michaelgilleran]

Originally Posted by deaf pea

But that's not really important . . . what's important is that their regular bass player can't make the gig, and you're going to "invest" 6 hours of your time PLUS the time it takes you to learn the set.
I'd say that $350 is a more than fair price for you . . . and it really doesn't matter what the other guys (the band members) get . . .

you probably will be the only guy that's making (not loosing) money . . . . . .

True, BUT, you have to remember that my estimates are skewed because Im 17 and have to take just about every opportunity to play that I can; even if the pay is ****.

Thats why I said $350 originally. A pro probably wouldnt do it for less than that. Me personally? Id be be okay going as low as $80 as long as I didnt have to drive far

Also, depending on who hes dealing with, the band might say, "He wants $350? Were only making $600 for the night between all 5 of us! That leaves us each with $50 minus gas! Whos our next call?"

Really, how much you can charge boils down to who you are