Hi Adam, I've been playing bass for 35 years and just now starting to do session work on a regular basis around Atlanta. What is the standard rate for a non-union musician in regard to this type of work?
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Session Rates
- Thread starter bassworx1975
- Start date
Usaully a dollar an hour + first dibs on the coffee and doughnuts 
But I would ask one of the unions just to verify.
But I would ask one of the unions just to verify.
Hey there, bassworx!-
I don't know that there really is a 'standard'... it varies from player to player and from market to market. Honestly, in my experience it can vary from project to project, as well. I have a standard rate that I share with clients but sometimes if I'm going to be doing several tunes I'll just quote a flat rate. I've also done sessions before at hourly rates. I typically charge more if the tunes are super-involved and are going to take longer than normal to do. Most of the time these days I charge by the tune, so I try to take into consideration how much time it will take and go from there. Obviously the more revered and in-demand you are, the more you can charge.
I would try to establish a ballpark hourly rate in your mind that you'd feel comfortable with, and then try to estimate the average time it would take you to cut a tune and see how the rate fares as flat. If you're going into a studio session with other players, you won't have control necessarily of how much time is spent on tunes but if you already have a day rate negotiated then it's a non-issue. hope that helps!
