So a little about me, I'm working for a solo artist which tours probably 2 weeks out of the month. I get paid decent money with him, but I need something part time to help buy a car, since mine recently died. Any suggestions that I could try for, most likely will have to be off for the weekends, if not a week or so at a time. I know that usually isn't possible, But any suggestions are appreciated.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Jobs for touring musicians?
- Thread starter erock138
- Start date
Any temp agencies in your area? Those can work out surprisingly well if you present yourself properly. I've had luck in the past with them.
If you starve for 2 weeks and eat for 2 weeks you are not being paid well at all. You would do better in a working cover band and a day job.
You could get creative and do online working. Are you any good at writing, for instance? Some places will pay fairly well for articles/editorials.
Don't know what market your in, but I temped a ton in San Francisco's financial district when I was between operas. Mostly filing, data entry, and mail room--pays better than playstation.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
I've been substitute teaching for around 17 years now. Gives me money to pay all my bills, buy lots of basses, eat out whenever I want, and take off whenever necessary. I can tour all I want. Nobody at work cares. They just call someone else.
Sounds a lot like the stagehand biz. When you were getting your foot in the door did you have to be available any time for the first while until you were established or were they flexible right from the start? The only problem with the stagehand thing is you might get dropped off a call list pretty fast if you didn't make yerself very available in the beginning. If you've got the jam to see it through to getting a union card you pretty much got it made. Working for backline rental companies seems to be a straight(ish) gig where musicians can shine too.
Wish I'd finished high school though. I kinda like the idea of getting paid to do a substitute teacher John Taylor Gatto impersonation.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
You actually need to have a college degree in order to sub. Getting jobs works differently in different places. Being available a lot in the beginning is helpful, but people can also get a lot of work by being willing to work at a lot of different schools, and doing a really good when there. A willingness to work in the crappiest schools will also guarantee someone work, but I'd rather drive a cab than do that.
- Jun 25, 2007
- 4,531
- 135
- 63
- Disclosures
- Artist:TC Electronic RH450 bass system (original test-pilot)
Depending on how much you're going to want to make restaurants are almost always hiring dishwashers. Alot of them are younger kinds and IME [6 years in a kitchen so far] the older guys have a better shot at making a better wage than the young kids.
Here in MA, they pay substitute teachers $70-$75 per day. That's not really very good pay at all.
Learn to wash windows. If you can hustle work you'll make decent money. I survived the same touring schedule this way.
