Is A Tip Jar At A Gig OK? - With Poll

[troy mcclure]

I would think any gig except like convention/private parties.

 

[D.A.R.K.]

Tip jar is for cover bands that take requests. Nothing wrong with that.
Otherwise it's kinda sad.

 

[elgranluis]

Sure ! If you play the piano.

 

[D.A.R.K.]

They'll sit at the bar, put bread in your jar and say man, what are you doing here? La de da de de da

 

[guy n. cognito]

Tip jar is for cover bands that take requests. Nothing wrong with that.
Otherwise it's kinda sad.

Curious: do you find things like gofundme equally sad for original bands?

 

[thewildest]

My first reaction was “whatever works”; as most, if you raise a few bucks with this, good for you.

After thinking about it, the Jar shows the dire stare of affairs for most musicians, a last attempt to try to at least break even as sources of revenue are in extintion.

Can you imagine how your expectations would shift if when getting in the operating room the surgeon had a jar for tips by the entrance....

 

[grinx]

Curious: do you find things like gofundme equally sad for original bands?

Yes
Begging shows you can't cut the financial mu$tard at this given point in your band's existence

 

[RustyAxe]

The manager looked at the tips the same way he looks at tips for wait staff. Tips, in most states, can be applied as a credit to make up the difference between a very low tipped minimum wage and the state’s (or federal) minimum wage. They try to spread that around the bar, back crew, etc so that in the end he just pays $2.50 / hour for labor and the staff take home little more than minimum wage. So the band did get the tips, but they were applied as a credit towards the band’s fee that night.

Here's the difference ... the restaurant and bar staff are EMPLOYEES of the establishment, and a band that's hired is a CONTRACTOR. I'd have told that manager that if he wants to keep MY tips, he can sing all the requests, otherwise keep his grubby mitts off my money.

I have never seen a band playing original songs at a club have a tip jar. I would think it is super cheesy if I ever did see one. Having a merch table is a much better option.

I'd like to see how many bands break up with a boat-load of unsold merchandise.

 

[gln1955]

Yes
Begging shows you can't cut the financial mu$tard at this given point in your band's existence

So what? Reality is, that's where most original bands are. They don't have as many places to play and don't get paid as well as cover bands. It's more common here for original bands to have the tip jar than cover bands.

 

[D.A.R.K.]

Curious: do you find things like gofundme equally sad for original bands?

I run a label- 17 releases in 2.5 years. I paid for it all out of pocket.
I am slowly getting it back.
What I have learned, though, is that if you crowd fund you will sell more in a shorter amount of time. People value the feeling of being part of something more than consuming post creation. Which is kind of cool- but kind of sad too.

 

[Passinwind]

They'll sit at the bar, put bread in your jar and say man, what are you doing here? La de da de de da

I'ma fish that Jackson back outta the jar now.

 

[Lefty McGee]

My last band played alt-country, americana & rockabilly. We always had a tip jar (if we didn't, one of our fans would usually get one for us). Now I'm in a classic rock cover band and we never use a tip jar.

 

[guy n. cognito]

I run a label- 17 releases in 2.5 years. I paid for it all out of pocket.
I am slowly getting it back.
What I have learned, though, is that if you crowd fund you will sell more in a shorter amount of time. People value the feeling of being part of something more than consuming post creation. Which is kind of cool- but kind of sad too.

So....no?

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I run a label- 17 releases in 2.5 years. I paid for it all out of pocket.
I am slowly getting it back.
What I have learned, though, is that if you crowd fund you will sell more in a shorter amount of time. People value the feeling of being part of something more than consuming post creation. Which is kind of cool- but kind of sad too.

I’d rather donate $20 to a recording project than buy a CD later. I don’t have anywhere to play a CD. But I’m not going to donate to a big act that has coin, say, if Lady GaGa decides to crowd fund and album.

 

[D.A.R.K.]

So....no?

I would prefer the public appreciate the hard work it takes to make art and support that.
However, it seems crowd funding is what patrons prefer right now.
An unfortunate side effect is popularity contest often wins out over quality.
There is not a yes/ no answer to your particular question from a label stand point.
Passing around the hat at a house show? Completely different scenario.
The house shows where I live are slaying the venues as far as diversity and paying the bands.
But an original band with a tip jar is, in my opinion, sad.

 

[D.A.R.K.]

I’d rather donate $20 to a recording project than buy a CD later. I don’t have anywhere to play a CD.

This is what is currently popular right now, thank you for your input it backs my analysis of the scenario.
I only buy vinyl, myself.

 

[Gluvhand]

I guess most of you saying no tip jar have never been to or played a Greek wedding or club. There is no jar but most, if not all times, money is showered around the dance floor for good luck and that will go to the band. So like anything else there are no absolutes.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

I guess most of you saying no tip jar have never been to or played a Greek wedding or club. There is no jar but most, if not all times, money is showered around the dance floor for good luck and that will go to the band. So like anything else there are no absolutes.

No absolutes indeed. Not many Greek weddings here in Central WI but sounds like fun.

 

[guy n. cognito]

I would prefer the public appreciate the hard work it takes to make art and support that.
However, it seems crowd funding is what patrons prefer right now.
An unfortunate side effect is popularity contest often wins out over quality.
There is not a yes/ no answer to your particular question from a label stand point.
Passing around the hat at a house show? Completely different scenario.
The house shows where I live are slaying the venues as far as diversity and paying the bands.
But an original band with a tip jar is, in my opinion, sad.

So, no. Thanks.

 

[electracoyote]

(For cover bands).

Public gig where you aren't being paid all that well: Definitely.

Public gig where you are being paid well: Still a yes, especially if you're good and the audience wants to show their appreciation by tipping.

Private gig, informal, and you're not being paid all that well: Ask the client, but probably yes.

Private gig, more formal, where you are being paid very well: Do not insult the client with a tip jar. Do a great job and a conscientious client will tip you after the show if you earned it.

We never ask for tips. We only set out a nice big jar with something like "Gas Money" or "Music Lessons" written on it. Tippers can figure it out.

Last month I subbed with a band that played a dock party at a local marina. Boat people are awesome, great party. A guest walks up and hands me a $100.00 bill at the end of the night. I promptly gave it to the BL. A lot of audience members and guests really respond to the power and entertainment value of live music done right. It gives them much satisfaction to show their appreciation by tipping.