Is it tacky/bad form...

[jeffbrown]

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

Wow. And I never said I never experienced such success. But, OK, you do you (where was that going to be, again?), I'll do me.

"Peace."

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

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.....Maybe your material is too weak. Maybe you suck....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

....

 

[SLO Surfer]

To "point out" the band's tip jar/box at gigs?

Our singer seems to think it is but to me, it often goes unnoticed. To be honest, when I see a band at clubs or bars, I generally don't think about it (I know, shame on me). I do it in a humorous way but she'd very against it.

What say you, TB?

Depends on the gig. Weddings or fundraisers; don’t even put a tip jar out. Restaurants, dinner sets, afternoon patio gigs; put bright neon lights around the tip jar and mention it in between each song.

 

[QORC]

Wow. And I never said I never experienced such success. But, OK, you do you (where was that going to be, again?), I'll do me.

"Peace."

I never said whether you had or not. but sounds like you're not. you may find it hard to believe, but there are actual successful musicians that belong here too. Why you immediately want to say that I'm lying, or exaggerating, when in reality you know nothing about me is kind funny. and sad. Sorry, I have been in successful bands over the last 12 years or so. if that makes you feel bad, oh well. Get over it. I don't play in bands that use tip jars. and you do. So what? The OP asked a question - I answered it. I didn't attack you personally - you attacked me. I don't know who you are and I don't care. but that's beside the point.

There's room for all of us at TB. but don't immediately assume that there nothing but bar band players here. There aren't.

 

[QORC]

....

View attachment 3460513

I violated no rules. Merely responding. if you don't care for my input, feel free to block me, k? No skin off my nose.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I violated no rules. Merely responding. if you don't care for my input, feel free to block me, k? No skin off my nose.

1) Disagree
2) As you wish.

 

[SLO Surfer]

1) Disagree
2) As you wish.

Thank you for being here! Who knew tip jar arguments got more heated than tort vs no tort?

 

[Downunderwonder]

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

That is very disparaging of bar band players who happily accept tips as part of their income from their gigs. There were a lot of them in this thread before you waded in.

If you said you never heard a bar band with a tip jar play their way out of a wet paper bag that would be different but only if you actually stayed to listen.

 

[mstillman]

You would be annoyed if a waiter told you "by the way, I'm expecting a tip from you for my service".

I definitely would, but it's common knowledge* that waiters make most of their income through their tips, so tipping a waiter is customary. Joe Customer likely has no idea how much--or little--the band is being paid.
_____________________
*Or at least it should be. I drummed this into my kids' heads when they entered high school.

 

[LBS-bass]

You have to mention it. People are not generally that observant. If you don't tell them there's a tip jar, you won't get any tips. It's not tacky, people WANT to know that there's a way they can show their appreciation for the good music.

 

[bcbassman]

My band uses a tip jar because there are 6 to 7 members in the band and we play at a cigar bar the charges big bucks for cigars and exotic bourbons and whiskeys. Yes its tacky if you mentions it after every third song but we only mention it after our first set and it helps.
We have had some serious tips given in exchange for requests and without it we would be that much poorer.

The only problem we had was when an appreciative customer passed the tip jar around the bar while we were playing. The bar owner didn't like that and we confirmed that we had nothing to do with her gesture, but it definitely helped the tip total that night.