Best one I've seen, a (unused!) jerry can, labeled in Sharpie "Gas Money" by a touring band. Then on the way home, after the show, it hit me. Gotta be a stone cold ______ to get bills out of. Ran into them on their way back through, and they obviously hit the problem, the spout area had been cut open to allow a bass players hand and wrist to pass. Kinda killed the nice aesthetic, but the gas tank was fed and that's the bottom line on the road.
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Is it tacky/bad form...
- Thread starter Sixgunn
- Start date
Best one I've seen, a (unused!) jerry can, labeled in Sharpie "Gas Money" by a touring band. Then on the way home, after the show, it hit me. Gotta be a stone cold ______ to get bills out of. Ran into them on their way back through, and they obviously hit the problem, the spout area had been cut open to allow a bass players hand and wrist to pass. Kinda killed the nice aesthetic, but the gas tank was fed and that's the bottom line on the road.
A lot of TB bands don't get $300 per band!
I hope you meant $80 per player.
No - the tip jar is made part of the up front deal. If it's a bar owner that's tight as bark to a tree, and s/he wants me to perform with the band for a cut rate (very common), I will ask for the tip jar and indicate we'd mention it a couple times in the night. Or if I want the tip jar in addition to the rate I want, I mention that up front. It's all part of the negotiation. The tip jar is such a crap shoot, I'd rather have a decent rate than a crappy rate + tips anyway.
If I say tip jar and a rate, and the bar owner then cuts the fee as you did, I'd say no way. Tips are never $100 a night and I have musicians who will balk at the pay and refuse to perform otherwise.
I think it's embarrassing and pathetic to put out a tip jar. I would never be in a band that did that, and when I see bands that do, I assume they suck and are basically beggars who aren't good enough to be paid properly by the venue, so they resort to being the musical equivalent of homeless people outside of Starbucks. I don't play bass on a stage as if I was looking for copper on the side of a subway platform
In a prior band the lead singer did not feel comfortable mentioning the tip jar and as a result we made way less in tips than otherwise possible. In another prior band the lead singer WOULD mention the tip jar and we sometimes walked out with $100-200 in tips on top of the pay from the bar. If you want to maximize your profit on the gig, it's pretty dumb not to mention it because it's not always in a super visible place for the whole audience to see. It's not bad form at all, assuming it is a gig where a tip jar is appropriate in the first place.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
This.
It's probably tacky if there's a cover charge (though this is probably arguable). However, whether you're getting paid or not by the venue doesn't mean anything. It's not the audiences business. We put a tip jar out and put one of those mini strings of LED's inside it.
With the piss-poor rates that most bars are willing to pay there's no reason not to have a tip jar and work that jar hard.
Helps to have a schtick too. My singer calls me "Goose" (like the guy in Top Gun.) and about once a set he takes up a collection for "Gooses' Goslings". He asks me how many kids I've got and I hold up my hand. First set it's 4.
"4 kids all in diapers folks, let's help Goose get some Formula and Diapers"
Then second set he asks again and it's 5 kids. Hilarity ensues, people laugh, singer adds condoms to the list of things they can help me buy with their generous tips.
Sometimes in set 3 I have 6 kids....
No one will know or care that you have a jar unless you work it.
Other tips/tidbits:
-If you've mentioned the tip jar, folks will put money in it when the request their favorite artist or song. Even if you don't know it specifically, you can usually repay their tip by playing one of their other favorite artists.
-Letting someone sing a song or two is a great way to get some more tips.
-Having an enthusiastic female fan take the tip jar around the bar helps.
ADDENDUM.
I should add that all of what's above comes from my time in a band playing covers, mostly in bars, restaurants, etc. When I was in an original band, playing mostly places that have a cover, we almost never put out the tip jar. For a special/corporate/wedding/private event I'd also likely not put out a tip jar.
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I would tip that band for sure. I would put some cash in the jar. But ai would also do my best to come up with a condom to throw in there.
Thanks buddy, and we'd do our best to play something by your favorite band.I would tip that band for sure. I would put some cash in the jar. But ai would also do my best to come up with a condom to throw in there.
No I would never ask for donations or tips. My band sets up a merch table so if someone wants to show some love they can buy something. We often make more money from merch sales than from the venue.
devnulljp
Supporting Member
Hell, we played a local restaurant/bar one night a year or so ago and it was so busy we couldn't get the wait staff to take the tip bucket round, and I stood there playing and watching big tables full of happy people do their thing, then get up and leave. So, I left the band in a vamp, put the bass away and I took the damn thing round. Not too proud to play for all those people and not get something back out of it.
Wow. You and your band must be excellent, and playing all the top venues.
What's your day job, if you don't mind my asking?Very harsh judgements/assumptions there, my friend. Maybe take a deep breath, step back, and take a look at the reality of playing out for us regular folk. Just a suggestion, mind you....
Like your reply.Wow. You and your band must be excellent, and playing all the top venues.
Very harsh judgements/assumptions there, my friend. Maybe take a deep breath, step back, and take a look at the reality of playing out for us regular folk. Just a suggestion, mind you....
We do OK in my band and we get more than copper in the tip jar, we get between $150-$200 per month, per person, so I don't mind when people enjoy the band and want to show their appreciation.
Regional variation does stir up some major angst here.Wow. You and your band must be excellent, and playing all the top venues.
Very harsh judgements/assumptions there, my friend. Maybe take a deep breath, step back, and take a look at the reality of playing out for us regular folk. Just a suggestion, mind you....
Wow. You and your band must be excellent, and playing all the top venues.
Very harsh judgements/assumptions there, my friend. Maybe take a deep breath, step back, and take a look at the reality of playing out for us regular folk. Just a suggestion, mind you....
yes, that's right. we are good and we don't play for tips. playing a pro venue next weekend as the opener. and you're doing what?? Playing for coins?
Don't be all jelly. Some of us actually DO get good gigs out there.
Well, good for you. My objection was to the very disparaging way you continue to dismiss those of us not quite as fortunate or talented as you say you are.
Where is this magic venue you're playing? Maybe another TBer can go and hear your awesomeness. 
I don't play for money. Anymore. I'm old, and I play with some fellow old farts for fun. See, we have 2 out of the 3 essentials - the hang, and the music. Back in the day (the trumpet-playing days, remember when bands had horns?
), I played for money. One band didn't use a tip jar, another did. It was a thing, so get over it. Rock on, brother, charge what your market will bear, but don't put down the lesser 
of us ("all jelly"?! LOL) for what *we* do, just because *you* apparently consider yourself our better, being above the fray and all. 
I never said I was "awesome", but my group certainly is and yes, we have experienced success that most never even sniff. yes, we are at a level we don't play for tips. Good for us. Sorry you're not. Don't take it out on me.
you know, the OP asked our opinions on tip jars and I gave it. If it makes you at all feel uncomfortable that some groups are at a higher level of success than yours, get over it. Skip by those comments or whatever. but launching a sarcastic, personal attack on me because I'm not in a "old fart band" playing for coins is really kind of uncalled for, don't ya think? Maybe you've haven't been as fortunate as me. Maybe your material is too weak. Maybe you suck. I have no idea. but I never said I was "awesome." but yes, opening for a national act next friday night. don't need a tip jar.
but as I said, don't be jealous because you haven't experienced the same success as some of us. Of course you were trying to disparage me and my group. Couldn't care less. I have an empty coffee tin since this morning. I'll send it to you so you can use it as a tip jar, k? peace? LOL
you know, the OP asked our opinions on tip jars and I gave it. If it makes you at all feel uncomfortable that some groups are at a higher level of success than yours, get over it. Skip by those comments or whatever. but launching a sarcastic, personal attack on me because I'm not in a "old fart band" playing for coins is really kind of uncalled for, don't ya think? Maybe you've haven't been as fortunate as me. Maybe your material is too weak. Maybe you suck. I have no idea. but I never said I was "awesome." but yes, opening for a national act next friday night. don't need a tip jar.
but as I said, don't be jealous because you haven't experienced the same success as some of us. Of course you were trying to disparage me and my group. Couldn't care less. I have an empty coffee tin since this morning. I'll send it to you so you can use it as a tip jar, k? peace? LOL
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