I hear you man! I think many of the "benefits" bands are asked to perform at for free are just that - "benefits". Not to be confused with a legitimate "charity" which is something altogether different.
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Is A Tip Jar At A Gig OK? - With Poll
- Thread starter mrjim123
- Start date
We never use one, but last night we played 6:30-10:30. We did one encore and after that people were changing the band's name! We felt compelled to do another encore but at that point I was really wishing we had a tip jar.
I think a second encore deserves tips.
I think a second encore deserves tips.
As stated at any non-event type gig a tip jar is totally OK.
I'm fortunate enough to live close to a slew of wineries, "Cork sniffers" are generally good tippers, Some folks get confused not knowing where to put the cash in their outstretched hands?, Tip cups are a public service, Folks like to show appreciation when they are having a good time & especially when they are spending money already..
I'm fortunate enough to live close to a slew of wineries, "Cork sniffers" are generally good tippers, Some folks get confused not knowing where to put the cash in their outstretched hands?, Tip cups are a public service, Folks like to show appreciation when they are having a good time & especially when they are spending money already..
A sleazebag of the highest order! Reminds me of a something a buddy of mine used to say (and I don't necessarily advocate this), "That's what high powered rifles are for".
that's cool, I will advocate for it
I used to think it was tacky, but I've changed my opinion. I play three clubs regularly that put tip jars out for the band. Usually a patron will walk the tip jar around the room a few times a night. On a bad night it will have under $100 in it, but no less than $60, on a good night it can have close to $200. All three of these clubs pay the band $100 per member, so we're already getting paid a reasonable amount by the club.
One time years ago I was playing in a duo and a man walked up with a hundred dollar bill asking where our tip jar was. We told him we didn't have one, so he but his $100 back in his wallet and told us we were stupid as he walked away. The bar tender told us that the man owned a shipping company in Norway and would always put $100 bill in the band tip jar. I guess he was making a point with us. The next night we had a tip jar.
One time years ago I was playing in a duo and a man walked up with a hundred dollar bill asking where our tip jar was. We told him we didn't have one, so he but his $100 back in his wallet and told us we were stupid as he walked away. The bar tender told us that the man owned a shipping company in Norway and would always put $100 bill in the band tip jar. I guess he was making a point with us. The next night we had a tip jar.
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Where I play, the house passes multiple tip jars. The band doesn’t get a cut, but we know that going in, and it’s OK with us.
Church is like that.
Church is like that.
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Question: Is a tip jar appropriate if you’re playing a private birthday party for free? As in a gift show.
Marc
Marc
I voted it is always ok, but I would add that certain gigs are a bit too high class to have a tip jar though those pay well enough to make them unnecessary
Honestly, I approach it as if the band is making more that 450 I don't put one out. If we make 450 or less tip jars are fine just make them look classy and we make it part of what holds cards, stickers, cds etc...
No, you're not missing anything. It's the same for us. Heck, we forget to put out the bucket sometimes. There is never a cover charge. We've had audience and wait staff give tips just for Chick Singer's tattoos. She considered them tips for the whole band, but we told her to keep those for herself.
Sometimes we tip jars when we are playing charity events and donate what we make. Only one place we play at in our rotation has their people go around and collect money for the bands that play there we usually get the same or more than we normally get with other clubs with what they pay us plus the donations 
So I guess I am voting okay
It's OK if the band/artist IS being paid, as long as there is no cover charge.
So I guess I am voting okay It's OK if the band/artist IS being paid, as long as there is no cover charge.
always? 
never?
i think a tip jar is fine for a lot of occasions. i'd nix the idea on some occasions.
if you can't tell the difference = you're losing money because you're too afraid (e.g., "what will people think?"), or you're not getting the good paying gigs because you're too stupid (e.g., "i don't care what anyone thinks!"). the poll is fun but it doesn't reflect all of the various venue/event types where "common sense" would be an advantage.
weddings: the bride and groom get the 'tips' at many weddings...even some of the upscale soirees.
corporate: probably tacky, maybe even offensive or prohibited. better check with the 'employer' in lieu of presumption.
many bars: many bar owners encourage it.... a few will 'pass the hat' for bands they already pay a guarantee!
many bars: don't allow it.
"clubs" : some allow it, some frown on it: easy enough to ask.
yada yada.....
my advice: don't be afraid to ask when uncertain and don't be stupid (by being afraid to ask when uncertain -or- by being presumptuous/arrogant).
never?
i think a tip jar is fine for a lot of occasions. i'd nix the idea on some occasions.
if you can't tell the difference = you're losing money because you're too afraid (e.g., "what will people think?"), or you're not getting the good paying gigs because you're too stupid (e.g., "i don't care what anyone thinks!"). the poll is fun but it doesn't reflect all of the various venue/event types where "common sense" would be an advantage.
weddings: the bride and groom get the 'tips' at many weddings...even some of the upscale soirees.
corporate: probably tacky, maybe even offensive or prohibited. better check with the 'employer' in lieu of presumption.
many bars: many bar owners encourage it.... a few will 'pass the hat' for bands they already pay a guarantee!
many bars: don't allow it.
"clubs" : some allow it, some frown on it: easy enough to ask.
yada yada.....
my advice: don't be afraid to ask when uncertain and don't be stupid (by being afraid to ask when uncertain -or- by being presumptuous/arrogant).
One weekend, when we had 3 gigs, with the tips and extra pay at one of the gigs I bought my Rumble 25.
With a 5 piece band doing 8 to 10 shows a month we get about $150 a piece. Some shows better than others.
With a 5 piece band doing 8 to 10 shows a month we get about $150 a piece. Some shows better than others.
Cover band? Yes.
Tribute band? Maybe.
Originals project? Never.
Tribute band? Maybe.
Originals project? Never.
Depends where you play. Definitely not if there' a cover charge, otherwise generally fine unless the venue has a policy against it. One of my bands we always have one, another band we never have one. Some places it's expected; when my band did a tour of Texas last year I was surprised that we always made more in tips than the band fee!
In all my 48 years of playing gigs, I have never had a tip jar. On a few occasions, somebody may have requested a song and handed us a few dollars; but, that is about it. My current band plays mostly festivals, private gigs, car shows, events, hotel lounges, and private clubs and a tip jar would definitely be frowned upon at those gigs.
In the ten years of heavy playing The Fools always had a tip jar but we NEVER, EVER mentioned it. All tips went into a fund for equipment band related purchases and repairs. Every new band member was told that the tips belong to the "Band" for the purpose of light bulbs, cords, flyers, etc. This was part of the deal.
