How much do you charge

[MDBass]

Well im a keyboardist fulltime and bass i do on the side normally local i won't play less than 100$ but most local gigs i get between 150-250, but since i've gotten very good on bass people are started to call me to play bass too,i just wasnt sure on a good price

Ask for what you think you deserve, that's the only way to get it; if the band or artist truly can't afford your usual rate, it's up to you to decide if the players and the music are worth the lighter bread.

Sometimes it is and sometimes it isn't, it really does depend on the gig.

It's never less than $100 and usually more, often considerably.

 

[nicopiano]

Usually between 150$ and 400$. Average around 250$ for 2 sets (covers or tribute band)

 

[reggie hall]

So with the prices u guys quoted is that only bringing your bass or bringing your whole rig

 

[nicopiano]

Actually they will be the same type of gigs but from my experience keyboard players are the highest paid musicians, i dont know why that is though

Because keyboards and keyboards stands are heavy. That's also why the drummer always get more help from fellow musicians than the keyboard player...

 

[MatronMother]

My pants rate is $250 for my whole setup plus backup.

 

[reggie hall]

My pants rate is $250 for my whole setup plus backup.

Thats not bad,what do your rig consists of

 

[MatronMother]

I have a SVT II and a Mesa D-180 several cabs and a T-40 bass and Ricky. I will say at my rate I get mostly studio session gigs more then live and even then its few and far between. This is simply the rate I valued my time at. I have a few clients that have been calling for years.

 

[DavC]

i also play mainly keys , then bass ... i have way more money in my keyboards than i do in bass gear ...
and it is usually more of a PITA to get multiple keys/amps setup , than it is to setup my bass gear ...

sadly i usually played keys and bass , ... and sang and ran sound in my bands ... but still got paid as 1 guy .!
luckily studio work playing multiple instruments was a bit more fun ...

for many decades , there where so many variables it's hard to nail down a price ... some bar gigs would go into negative territory after paying bar tabs ... ! ha ... but anywhere from $100 - $1,000 a night for weddings/corp gigs ...

 

[1bassplayinfool]

 

[beaglesandbass]

we typically bring in 600-800 for a gig right now, split between 6 people after the agency takes their cut. new project launching with the agency in the new year and that number should jump closer to 1500

 

[peledog]

Sorry, that information is confidential.

Then....why post?

Usually, $400-600 - cover band, bar - 4 sets
Casinos and weddings $2k - $3k

Original band - $50-75 per person for one set.

I take two cabs and two basses.

 

[DonBorelli]

I don't know if things are different here in Denmark - taxes are way higher for sure.
But my minimum is about 400 bucks.
Or maybe I'm a greedy bastard. But I want a decent paycheck when I'm away from the kids.

 

[Feral Feline]

I charge the same rates as Ron Carter, but for some reason he keeps getting all the gigs.

 

[eloann]

Can anyone chime in about originals rock bands?

The other day my band was discussing the possible pay for an hour set of primarily originals and maybe 3 covers or so.

In Switzerland 300-1000$ for the band (& crew if any) to split.
In most neighbouring countries you can halve that because of exchange rates and lower cost of living.

 

[JimmyM]

 

[cnltb]

Sorry, that information is confidential.

Funny post, that!(for being so incredibly pointless in this context).

 

[jeffbassguy]

here in connecticut we have a huge problem with hack bands and hippie bands who will play for next to nothing so club owners expect that is status quo..add that to "guest musician friends" who show up with horns, harmonicas, etc. then it becomes a 10 piece band for 250 bucks. As for myself, I get bar gigs its 100-150 bucks, weddings 300-500bucks, original music couple beers and a shot lmao, private parties are quite a range and depends the band sometimes ill make 150 up to 300.

 

[Capt.Obvious]

Damn, where the hell are you guys living to make that kind of green per gig? I just played The Turf Club at Emerald Downs and probably would have done it for free just to see the inside of the damn place. Dave Reichert and Dan Roach, legislators for WA state were there, so I can finally say I've played for heads of state!

The $125 for an hours worth of music to be forgotten by (trio jazz) was icing on the cake. Seriously though, about $125 is on the high end of the pay scale range for me. Some of you cats are regularly doing twice that for one show! I'm either terribly under paid or I really do suck.

 

[MoeTown1986]

I'm located in Maryland and we do pretty well on the cover scene. For bar/club gigs we get between $1800-2500 a night, depending on the size of the venue. Weddings and events start at $3,000 minimum and go up depending on location and time. We bring our own sound guy who has his own PA and light show. We also provide set break music and our agent gets 10% of bar/club gigs. We take 100% on weddings and events. I wouldn't play a gig if i was bringing home less than like $300.

EDIT: for the right gig, I would and have taken less than $300. For instance, We got to play the 5th quarter party in FedEx field last year for a Redskins game and the Ravens Walk at M&T Stadium a couple weeks ago. They're not high paying gigs (thanks Roger Goodell haha), but totally worth the experience and exposure. I think we made like $1000-1200 for those.

 

[Timmy-Watts]

I'm basically a sub who works a lot because I bring it to every single gig. I need $100 minimum to leave the house on a weekend. Those rare occasions its out of town, it has to be $200 or thereabouts and a good situation with food and such. Sometimes i will turn it down if im already too busy that week, and i wait for a higher offer, which is common. On week nights, it has to be local, and I take less because I get to play heavy jazz with heavy musicians. It all depends. But I don't have to strictly rely on sub gigs for a living anymore, so I can afford to be choosy.