Slightly different........

[Lowness]

I contacted a bar today and asked if my new band could play to get some runs on the board - play for free.

The guys volunteered that he will give me free meals, then pay me when the going gets good.

Easy........

 

[charlie monroe]

Not that hard to sell water to a thirsty man... oh, wait. You didn't sell anything. You gave it away...

 

[Joe Nerve]

This is going to be an awesome thread.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Years from now we all thank you for starting this and making it the new standard. I hope it catches on!!!

 

[dbase]

What the bar owner is really saying is that your band is only worth the price of a burger. If you decide to go with it, I would also negotiate free beers.
In my day, you would never get away with that. The Musicians union would be all over you.

 

[Lowness]

What the bar owner is really saying is that your band is only worth the price of a burger. If you decide to go with it, I would also negotiate free beers.
In my day, you would never get away with that. The Musicians union would be all over you.

I am surprised you are not not #1, rather than #7.

 

[dbase]

I am surprised you are not not #1, rather than #7.

That's a good thing right?

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Playing for free is for worthy benefits and church; otherwise, you are setting expectations that music is free.
Does the guy who bought a lawn mower and a truck to carry it in and the gas to run both do you lawn for a burger? Do you tip him if the neighbors compliment your yard?
Don't to that to yourself or us.

 

[Lowness]

Playing for free is for worthy benefits and church; otherwise, you are setting expectations that music is free.
Does the guy who bought a lawn mower and a truck to carry it in and the gas to run both do you lawn for a burger?.

No because I am asking him / her to mow the lawn...............no one is asking me to play; a big difference.

I get a lot out of being allowed to play there.

 

[FirewalZ]

I play for fun primarily, so getting paid is a bonus. For me, if the bar was fairly close, its a good "fun" room, i get free food and drinks and the rest of the band was on board I would do it. However, I may also get a commitment from the bar on specifically when and under what conditions we would start getting paid. In other words, I would want someway to monitor things so the bar could not take advantage.

 

[Bodeanly]

Hit some open mics or open jams to establish cred. Get an opening slot on another band's bill. Host a benefit. There are tons of ways to not make money while still keeping one's integrity intact.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I play for fun primarily, so getting paid is a bonus. For me, if the bar was fairly close, its a good "fun" room, i get free food and drinks and the rest of the band was on board I would do it. However, I may also get a commitment from the bar on specifically when and under what conditions we would start getting paid. In other words, I would want someway to monitor things so the bar could not take advantage.

Sorry, but you sound like a beginner in the bar gig business. Club owners will and do take advantage of musicians. It is naïve to expect them to honor any "I'll pay you later if..." agreements.
You may as well stand on a street corner with a cardboard sign saying "My band will play for food."

 

[charlie monroe]

@Lowness, does your band suck?

I would hate to think the honorable bar owner isn't getting his chicken wings' worth.

 

[growlypants]

To the bar owner: You get what you pay for.

 

[Lowness]

@Lowness, does your band suck?

I would hate to think the honorable bar owner isn't getting his chicken wings' worth.

Dude, you can do better than that.

We don't suck but he doesn't know us.

 

[Lowness]

To the bar owner: You get what you pay for.

Well, he doesn't know what he is getting.

 

[Tim817]

Thank you from all the guy's out there trying to make a living playing club's . It truly is a battle as it is getting paid what your suppose too from some of this club owners ,but not all to be fair. I would love see what happens to the next band that is trying to negotiate with this owner.(Ok guys I throw in some fry's , sign here and you can start tonight as the house band).

 

[Wolfenstein666]

 

[charlie monroe]

Dude, you can do better than that

You are absolutely correct. I can do much better. Unlike you, however, I have respect for the:

 

[buldog5151bass]

In all seriousness, you never start for free, even if you were willing to go that. He likely now thinks all he has to do is to give you free food. Ask for what you want, and is consistent with the area.

You can negotiate down from your asking price, but not up. My mantra after gigging the circuits for three decades - playing for free will only get you more gigs playing for free.