Opinions Needed

[LiptonJigglers]

It's not a competition so there's no undercutting anyone.
Its a private agreement between you and the club, which makes it nobody's business except yours and the clubs.

The fact is, you got the gig, the club asks you back weather you accept payment or not.

There's no guarantee that any other band looking for a paying gig would get the job.

 

[Slater]

I obviously don’t know how the club’s finances are managed. So in theory, I would accept payment for the gig(s), then as a club member, donate the money back to a specific improvement fund.

 

[Discount Bassy]

Take the money. After every gig, set it aside in a fund envelope that will go towards your yearly dues for the club.
Take the money. Donate the money to some philanthropic endeavor that the clubs is supporting.
Take the money. Tip the staff at the event until you pockets are empty again.
Take the money. You are being paid to perform. Do with it as you choose.

Don't take the money because your yearly dues are now free courtesy of an arrangement with the club contingent upon a set number of scheduled performances.

 

[DrThumpenstein]

I am in an acoustic duo, and we’re starting to pick up some serious steam.

We’ve been asked back this year to play at a local private pool/tennis club. Here’s the spin……I’m a member of this club. Because I am a member and I thoroughly support our club, I did not want to get paid. However I have been very clear that my partner in this duo will get paid.

This obviously makes us cheaper than other acts. Look we ALWAYS get asked back places because we’re darn good

I’ve gotten wind of a few comments that I’m undercutting other acts by not taking payment myself. But as I said, I’m a member and I’m supporting them by having crowded evenings where the pool has extra money from guests, selling concessions, etc.

What does TB think of the situation? I do this as I love playing and it’s actually a nice spot to play in the summertime. Am I actually doing a disservice under the guise of “for the benefit of the club”?

Your dues support the things you describe, that or assessments, generally speaking. If they're giving you a break on either of those, then sure. Otherwise, you're essentially paying a disproportionate amount by playing there instead of a paying gig.

Here's what I suggest, for conscience and karma: take the money, donate it to a worthy charity. You can tell them your reason for changing the arrangement. Maybe the club will match your donation, who knows. They'll be drinking and that's good for philanthropy

Or keep it and do whatever you want with it, but that's not your vibe.

 

[Egg250]

If you insist on not being paid, your duo should still get the going rate for an acoustic duo. Give all the money to your partner, donate it to your favorite charity or buy new strings.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

You can be a member of the club, but you are also a member of the band. Separate those two things, play the gig and take the money.

 

[Thumpin6string]

I guess I don't get it. You are a member of the club. You pay dues to be a member of the club. The club hires a band that you happen to be a member of. Why would YOU NOT get paid? I could see a problem if you used your influence to get the band hired, but if not, take the money. I'm sure that any employees who are members still get a paycheck and don't work for free.

 

[mikewalker]

Take the money, give it to your gig partner. Problem solved, win-win.
Last paying gig I had, I donated my share to the drummer, who needed it a lot more than I did

 

[Leigh Semmens]

If others are worried about being undercut, it's none of their business. They need to lift their game, You are doing what (you feel) is best for the club. If the club or your bandmates, however, are concerned that you aren't being paid, then accept a stipend from them and donate it back.

In the real world a company provides a service for $xx.xx and I come along and offer the EXACT same service for $xx.xx - 1 then the onus is on my competitors to match my price or risk losing the job. If my competitor undercuts me and I cannot match their price then wisdom would dictate that I let the competitor do the job. What is the point of going broke trying to match someone else's cheaper price.

 

[Chrisk-K]

Take the money, give it to your gig partner. Problem solved, win-win.
Last paying gig I had, I donated my share to the drummer, who needed it a lot more than I did

+10,000

 

[Deleted member 271037]

Where are these comments about undercutting other acts coming from and how do these people know any financial details about your deal with the tennis club? I would expect a contract to be confidential. Have you been telling other people that you're playing for free or has the tennis club leaked information to squeeze other acts into playing for less money? If it's the latter I would never play for free at that place ever again. If YOU are the source of the leak, honor your deal and play for free... and maybe keep your mouth shut next time.

Personally I would never play for free unless it was for a charity.

 

[aprod]

Yes, you are making it difficult for other working musicians. As others have stated take the pay and do want you want with it. But don’t undercut your fellow musicians. It’s disrespectful.

 

[SmokinJoe992]

If you and your partner are happy with the arrangement, why worry about what others think? Speaking as a musician that plays acoustic gigs frequently, I have absolutely no issue with this. I don’t really understand why anyone would.

 

[aprod]

Here is my experience in a tourist town in regards to undercutting musician's pay. We had a great scene with bars and restaurants and special events paying a good wage. Some guy comes into town and opens 4 to 5 new places and offers 10 bucks an hour and all the pizza you can eat. There was a class at the community college that offered a school of rock class so the area was flooded with low level players. They jumped at the chance to play to a live audience and willing to play for the low wages. Other venues caught on and the regular musicians took a big hit. Its getting back to normal now after 4-5 years of a tough time for working musicians.

 

[Bodeeni]

I have a similar gigs at my self run club. A lot of members donate a ton of time and resources to keep the club going and it is bad etiquette as a member to expect to be paid. So I donate back my share and the rest of the band is paid.

 

[40Hz]

27455192[/URL], member: 240009"]I’ve gotten wind of a few comments that I’m undercutting other acts by not taking payment myself

Comments from whom and to what affect? And should that matter?

You’re a member of the club and you want it to do well. So you’re donating your personal time back to it. No further explanation is needed. If someone can’t understand and accept your motivation then that’s their problem not yours.

Minor note: you’re subject to taxes on any income you receive. And if your club isn’t a registered nonprofit entity, then any money you donate back isn’t going to be deductible. So going through the charade of getting paid and then handing it back basically results in you being subject to income tax on your donation.

Bottom line: I wouldn’t bother worrying about any comments you might be hearing. Just let your club pay your partner and let it go at that.

 

[LBS-bass]

It’s a good point.

The main reason I also don’t like taking payment is because, for however much it may or may not be, I’d always like money to go back into the club for additional improvements that only serve to enhance the atmosphere for families and myself by being a member.

Any chance of getting new pool deck chairs, replacing liners, adding new features (the next plan is to add additional deck space to increase seating around the pool) and just giving a great experience to the club. Also because it’s local, so many of the members are my neighbors, attend my kids schools, etc.

Those are the main points why I do it, I can’t be certain the other acts are in the same boat or are aware of my connection.

Isn't there a way you can take the pay and donate it back to the club at some point? I've offered to give my pay to other bandmates who needed it more than I do. If you're concerned about eroding professional fees, which I think is a legitimate concern, I'd be surprised if you can't find a way to donate the money back.

 

[LBS-bass]

Minor note: you’re subject to taxes on any income you receive. And if your club isn’t a registered nonprofit entity, then any money you donate back isn’t going to be deductible. So going through the charade of getting paid and then handing it back basically results in you being subject to income tax on your donation.

This is true, but I doubt the amount he's making is so substantial to be a real tax burden.

 

[40Hz]

This is true, but I doubt the amount he's making is so substantial to be a real tax burden.

Agree. But it’s reason enough not to want to bother with the check swapping routine just to appease the gossips who want to see their nephew’s bands at the club.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I am in an acoustic duo, and we’re starting to pick up some serious steam.

We’ve been asked back this year to play at a local private pool/tennis club. Here’s the spin……I’m a member of this club. Because I am a member and I thoroughly support our club, I did not want to get paid. However I have been very clear that my partner in this duo will get paid.

This obviously makes us cheaper than other acts. Look we ALWAYS get asked back places because we’re darn good

I’ve gotten wind of a few comments that I’m undercutting other acts by not taking payment myself. But as I said, I’m a member and I’m supporting them by having crowded evenings where the pool has extra money from guests, selling concessions, etc.

What does TB think of the situation? I do this as I love playing and it’s actually a nice spot to play in the summertime. Am I actually doing a disservice under the guise of “for the benefit of the club”?

I would not play for free. You're there WORKING, providing guests with high quality entertainment, irrespective of your membership status. Also, keep all financial information private.