Is Profit a dirty word

I bring my own water and food, as it is a business I need to keep my expenses under control. Blowing money at the venue is a quick way to put you in the red.

 

The most I've ever made as a "pro" bass player is $25. That was approximately the cost for me to go play the gig, so my net pay was around $0.00. Every other gig I've ever played was a net loss of some varying amount.

The concept of actually having more money at the end of the night than when I started from playing bass is completely beyond my comprehension. It's just utterly foreign to me, like being abducted by aliens or something. Much less celebrities who get rich doing it. I know it happens and it blows my mind.

L

 

I think it really comes down to economies of scale.
When I was a kid, making a quick $100 a night cash was money I would never see any other way. It was also a blast to play out with a tight band.
For many fortunate players, their day job pays much more than their band gig, but the band gives them the creativity and musical outlet that they would never have during the day.
Most I've ever made as a semi-pro player was $650 per local gig (back in the day).
My minimum is $100 for close by unless I really want the job for exposure.
These days I play a once a month gig at a VFW where there is a PA and a lot of really friendly people and friends that are interested in hearing original songs. The tip jar averages about $40 a man (6 people) and it's worth it!
I haven't had a drink in 14 years and am amazed at the bar tabs for many bands.
Reminiscent of the pay to play gigs in NYC of the 80's-90's.

Curious as to how much bar / church / club gigs pay across the US these days.

 

The first thing is, if it is taking you 8 man hours to set up and tear down for a four piece band, you have a bigger problem than making money.

 

What were you doing that makes set up and tear down each take two hours??
What venue would even stand for this?

 

I'd disagree with you that drinks are a band expense. Especially the wife's!

 

While you may feel otherwise, your own set-up labor is not an expense. Neither are the cocktails for you and your wife. These things are real; they’re just not business expenses, as in they are not to be calculated in one’s income statement or tax return.

 

1) wrong forum (sorry... pet bugbear of mine!)

2) if it’s a business then maybe don’t drink 30USD per head per gig?

Don’t get me wrong, i like a beer or 2 at gigs. But we either get drinks tokens or a rider (occasionally) - and beyond that it’s a personal cost, not a band one.

 

It takes four people two hours to set up? That’s your first problem right there. Sounds like OP is throwing random numbers out there to convince himself that it’s time to hang it up.

 

I look at it as you're pay window is the time spent from the first song to the last. Anytime spent before or after is the 'cost' of doing business which can be used to whittle down any number to zero if you're so inclined.
This practice is a major cause of band failures as we all have different perspectives of our times worth.
If someone ever suggested to me that their wive's drink tab was on the band it would be game over and good luck with that.

 

I don't subtract out gas costs and time to take a shower before going into my day job as part of determining what I really make, but it's insignificant compared to the salary. That's not the case with a $100 / person gig it I need to drive an hour to get there and pay bridge tolls and parking. Bar gigs are rarely going to make much sense from an economic standpoint. If we really wanted to make money in a bar, I'd suggest heading over to talkbartender.com. Playing in a bar is a hobby that might cover some gear expenses.

 

Two hours isn't too extreme depending on the bar. Some places have stages and those are easier to setup. Other will have to move seating to clear the spot for the band, so getting there earlier is necessary as you never know when you can start. The staff want their tips, understandably, and aren't going to force out a paying customer that isn'r finished with their drinks. If sound is provided (rare in these parts), you can setup in half an hour as long as people are bringing gig smart rigs and not a drummer with his 1989 tribute drum cage / double bass drum, not just a double pedal and double stand keys. It's O'Shanahans, not Madison Square Garden.

 

Playing in bars is a hobby. There are regional and major tours available to pro musicians. Go ye forth and tour with the big boys!

 

Profit?

When I add up everything I've spent on basses, amps, miscellaneous gear, five years of lessons, time spent practicing and rehearsing, and gig food and drink tabs--and the compare that to the between $00 to $200 I've received for gigs (average take home probably $60/gig) I am so far in the hole that I will never break even, let alone "profit" from playing the bass.

But let me tell you--it's the best money I've ever lost.