Justify Playing For Free

[dave_p]

not to derail, but blue mentions this band fund. we have no band fund
we all get paid equally, and any gear you need to do your job, you buy. any beer you drink, you pay for. you play guitar and sing? better have your own mic and PA. there is no band fund. creates too many issues.

 

[nickbass79]

I do this a lot. My wife and I have good jobs, some of the other guys in the band rely on playing as their main source of income, so I just forfeit my pay for them to split. I just love playing music, but I do play for free beer though.

 

[bluewine]

ya know, and it IS hard to figure out how to get paid for playing the music you like to play. I'm in a good jazz/funk/fusion/blues band now and it's ALWAYS a struggle to get good paying gigs. I'm hoping that it will loosen up soon, as we're still relatively "new" as a band (although all veteran musicians), but, meanwhile, ya gotta scratch and fight for gigs.

And I'm NOT as hardcore about this as I used to be. I have and will play some free and low-dough shows - in certain situations, particularly for some fundraisers, etc. But I'm opposed to being taken advantage of by others who are making $$ off of my services.

We are on the same page. Bookings and strategies are hard and frustrating.

But, it's a good feeling to come back to your band telling them you just booked a 700.00 show.

 

[tuckomf]

. If the bartenders and hosts/hostesses and door people and dishwashers and janitors and owners make money for providing their services at a music venue, then why would there NOT be monetary value attached to the services provided by musicians - who, in many cases, have spent far more $$ and time developing their craft than any of the aforementioned folks.

Sorry, but saying "we do it cause it's fun" or "I don't need to make money from music" doesn't really address the above question.

I do it for fun is my answer, and I stand by it. The title of the thread is to justify playing for free. The fact that I enjoy playing music whenever possible is how I justify doing it for free. Mind you, I don't always play for free, and it's nice to have a little extra scratch after a weekend. I wouldn't drive more than 30 miles from home to play for free. I wouldn't play for free if the venue was charging a door fee for people coming to see us.

Also, how many dishwashers run to their sinks as soon as they get home because they can't wait to clean more silverware? How many Janitors look forward to having their dog run through the house with muddy paws so they can engage in their passion at home? How many bartenders invite obnoxious strangers over and pour them drinks for hours on end on their days off?

There's a huge difference between the service I provide and the other services provided at a venue. If playing bass is on the same level as a thankless job like washing dishes or cleaning bathroom floors, you might want to consider a different instrument.

 

[keiththebassist]

For me it's usually a supply and demand thing. My band has done free shows when we are opening up for nationally well known acts. We get viewed by promoters, radio stations and hundreds of people who wouldn't otherwise hear us. Although we may not take home cash that night, it goes quite far in helping us to secure future paying opportunities.

That said, we mostly play paying gigs. I wish less musicians had the I'll play anywhere for anything mentality, I love the passion but it also makes it really hard to command money for my gig. What I mean is that some venues won't want to pay us/book us because there are dozens of bands willing to bring the venue business and not ask for anything in return.

 

[Tampabass]

So if it's a job you love, then you should do it for free?

Nope.

 

[tuckomf]

For me it's not a job.

 

[Tampabass]

I wish less musicians had the I'll play anywhere for anything mentality, I love the passion but it also makes it really hard to command money for my gig. What I mean is that some venues won't want to pay us/book us because there are dozens of bands willing to bring the venue business and not ask for anything in return.

Exactly, and apparently this concept is very difficult for some folks to grasp - they'll happily be exploited.

 

[bluewine]

We more or less have to do this parade thing for free.

The Guy that sponsors the parade owns a bar, he pays us well and books us on a monthly basis.

What are you gonna do, tell the Guy "no" ?

 

[Tampabass]

We more or less have to do this parade thing for free.

The Guy that sponsors the parade owns a bar, he pays us well and books us on a monthly basis.

That's a good justification, to me. Rules have exceptions.

 

[bluewine]

I do this a lot. My wife and I have good jobs, some of the other guys in the band rely on playing as their main source of income, so I just forfeit my pay for them to split. I just love playing music, but I do play for free beer though.

Knock on wood, I'm fortunate and have a great corporate career. I don't need the money.

However, for me it's not a justification for playing for free.

 

[powmetalbassist]

We're playing a festival in Northern Ontario for free. Gonna pick up a few shows (paying) along the way so considering its on Canada Day weekend gives us a chance to see some of the beauty of Northern Ontario.

 

[nickbass79]

Knock on wood, I'm fortunate and have a great corporate career. I don't need the money.

However, for me it's not a justification for playing for free.

I probably do this 1 out of 3 times we gig. Especially if its a lower paying gig, where $100 isn't going to make a huge difference, but can help out my friends.

 

[bluewine]

For me it's not a job.

It's not a job for me either. It's still not a justification for playing for free
, for me

 

[rtslinger]

For a "Cause" we believe in the F'ing "C"! Breast Cancer for one my wife is a survivor Our Keyboard players son has cancer he just turn 12! We played a motorcycle run for child abuse awareness. Other than a cause no we won't even play for the door. It is a business as you mentioned and we run it like one we have invested a lot of $ into our stage show so we will not leave the house for gas money. On the other hand a band trying to get it's foot in the door sometimes has to deal with that BS from clubs because they are green the owners know they can get away with it. Us older people who have been on the scene since the late 70's it ain't gonna happen!

 

[livinitup0]

Although I understand where people are coming from with playing for free...or for booze/food/for fun/exposure/whatever....I personally dont think it's right unless its a very special circumstance. I personally believe playing for free does a diservice to your fellow WORKING musicians and is one of the leading causes for professional music scenes to dry up.

 

[bluewine]

Justifiable :

Opening for Radio Head.

 

[Ben Noblit]

My band plays the local open mic every Monday. Gives us a chance to try out the week's new songs and any gimmicks we want to do in a live setting, plus its fun and gives us something to do on a Monday night. It also gives us motivation to learn the things in time for the open mic, and, if anyone happens to like us and decides to come hear a full show somewhere, so much the better.

 

[bluewine]

For us older people who have been on the scene since the late 70's it ain't gonna happen!

Amen, but I remember back in the 70s when I was young. I had that same "it's my passion" mind set.

Not anymore, lol

 

[livinitup0]

NOT justifiable:

"Dude we MIGHT get a paying gig out of this....one day...maybe...."

If you really hate money that much people then donate it to charity....but please... stop giving venue owners an excuse to cut the pay of the band playing your spot next week.