Double Bass How much do various gigs pay?

[sean_on_bass]

If I asked for as much money as some of you posted as your minimum I wouldn’t be playing at all. That just means my skills aren’t good enough to be in demand for high paying gigs.

That's the rub many musicians have to come to reality with. If i had say, a $200 minimum, i would have very few gigs on the calendar. For those with the clout to still work frequently at those prices, then they surely deserve it, but for me it would be a detriment. Bottom line, if you are not working every night of the week, taking some lower paying gigs is going to pad your income and would be better than having nothing.

 

[Steven Ayres]

If I had say, a $200 minimum, i would have very few gigs on the calendar.

One thing that's come about long ago — since the collapse of the union system, specifically — is that the venues decided that they can set hard rates and they convinced musicians of it. There are a lot of semi-musicians whose work may not be worth more than that, but I don't see myself as among them, and it ignores the relative value of better musicians and better shows. In the real world the suppliers set prices for their transactions, and there is absolutely no reason why musicians can't other than being stuck in the mindset that says gigs are scarce and musicians have no leverage. I'll counter that if you set the minimum that actually works for your business, the gigs you take will be working for you, and by definition for the venue as well. Stick to your guns, and if the show you're making has value meeting your estimation, the gigs will be there. Let the venues have the second-raters for a few years if that's what they want, and they'll see whether that affects their business. (If it doesn't, do you really want to work there?) But as long as everyone accepts that their value is no more than what a know-nothing bar manager will pay, that's not just a market problem, it's a me problem. You are making music that's unique to you, it's not a generic commodity, it has unique value.

 

[Bruce Calin]

Off and on over the years I worked for, in various roles, what could be called music services. These were places that could give a client whatever sort of live music they wanted. It was great for me since variety was one of the things I enjoyed the most. The best ones made sure it was a good product and satisfied the customer as much as possible. This, to me, was a big advantage over groups that had only one thing to sell. It took a big commitment and wasn't for many musicians but it kept me busy and happy for many years. It was my concept of what a professional musician is.

 

[Bander]

It's the free market at work. Regardless of how good you think you are, or how much you've plowed into your instruments, you're worth what folks are willing to pay to hear you. Want a $1500 gig? Figure out how to sell 75 $20 tickets.

See, this is the thinking of those who believe these kind of gigs are the market. But, they arent. These are the gigs that would also do as well with a DJ, or canned music. And, for some musicians, these are the only gigs for them. But they aren't the best places or crowds for some of us, and they arent, "the" market.

We are getting 26.50 for concert tickets, and we sellout every show. Real fans, of real music will pay for it. Drinkers at the watering hole complain about a $5 cover. Its pretty easy math there.

 

[scrubhelmet]

Without being too specific, I'd appreciate if you would give a tad more general info as to location and gig environment.

I'm in a totally different location with most of the commenters. I'm currently in Taiwan, gigging with two bands. We usually get paid between 40-100 USD per hour per gig, but the cost of living here is totally different. For reference, my average daily food expense is just around 9 USD (fruit for breakfast and two meals).

Our gigs either come from restaurant owners (both of my vocalists are extroverts and good at finding network) or local government events. For farther events, transportation is also covered.

It frustrates me that talented, dedicated artists have to work as hard as they do to make relatively low incomes

I think some of the other commenters like me have a totally different day job, so we wouldn't have to rely solely on our bands for income. If ever I get a child that would grow up to like music, I'd suggest them to study a field that pays high while continuing whatever their passion is on the side.