Subbing For Free???

[MegaSwing]

You might end up getting paid .

A deal is a deal. Keep a good attitude, go about your business and kick the gig in the ass. They'll look foolish and petty not to pay you if they are getting paid. If they slink away from doing the right thing, they'll look small, not you, and you can say 'Good riddance'. But IME there is a good chance fair play will take over.

BTW, be sure to eat, drink, and be merry.

 

[bluewine]

Correct me if I'm wrong.

I think the key phrase here is "I found out that the gig does pay"

Who did the OP find out from.

The band told him, food and drink only. And the OP agreed.

Where is the part of the story where they said the band wasn't getting paid.

Sounds like they offered him a questionable deal, he didn't ask if the rest of the band was getting paid. He assumed this was a freebie gig for the band.

Who's at fault here?

blue

 

[SirMjac28]

I wouldn't make a habit out of it, but if you're fortunate enough and professional enough about it, doing a freebie gig once in awhile can lead to more paying gigs. I used to play with a group that would play free gigs for the city from time to time and at each free gig we would get people asking if we played private functions and parties and such, and suddenly 2 or 3 free gigs in a year turned into 6 or 7 $250-$450/man gigs in a year. That's my experience, of course. Don't be so stingy as to decline every free gig, but like I said, don't make a habit out of taking alot of free gigs, either. You won't make enough money to make it worth your while, number one, and number two, you might get a reputation for being the guy that plays for free and it might snowball from there.

+1 the best advice

 

[bluewine]

I wouldn't make a habit out of it, but if you're fortunate enough and professional enough about it, doing a freebie gig once in awhile can lead to more paying gigs. I used to play with a group that would play free gigs for the city from time to time and at each free gig we would get people asking if we played private functions and parties and such, and suddenly 2 or 3 free gigs in a year turned into 6 or 7 $250-$450/man gigs in a year. That's my experience, of course. Don't be so stingy as to decline every free gig, but like I said, don't make a habit out of taking alot of free gigs, either. You won't make enough money to make it worth your while, number one, and number two, you might get a reputation for being the guy that plays for free and it might snowball from there.

I am not sure your example of a band doing freebies and generating paying gigs from them is the same or even relevent to a new player subbing for free.

blue

 

[wmheilma]

When I need a sub like tonight when I am out of state for a family funeral or when I get double booked, I do my best to make sure my sub gets paid the same as I would have been paid for the gig. When I sub for other players, I expect them to do the same for me. Fair is fair.

 

[SirMjac28]

I will have the opportunity to play with a new group of musicians in great location. Was told no pay, just food and drink. I do not normally do free gigs, but, as I said, I see this as an opportunity.

Sounds like he knows why he took the gig to me nobody put a gun to his head. I think he saw it as a way to get on the list as a sub for this band or recommended for another project.

 

[bluewine]

Sounds like he knows why he took the gig to me

I think that's where I stand on the issue. He agreed to do the gig for food & drink and no pay. Case closed.

If I ever find myself in this boat I will remember to ask this question.

" When you say no pay, does that mean no pay for me, however this is a paying gig, and you and the band are being paid?"

Blue

 

[SBassman]

Yeah, he should keep the gig.
But, theses guys from the start tried to book a sub - for Free.

That means - they suck as people.

 

[two fingers]

When I need a sub like tonight when I am out of state for a family funeral or when I get double booked, I do my best to make sure my sub gets paid the same as I would have been paid for the gig. When I sub for other players, I expect them to do the same for me. Fair is fair.

Heck, I do mostly fill-in gigs these days. I can assure you that I make MORE than the band member I am subbing for. Why? Because I have to learn all of the band's music (or at least make charts) for ONE SHOW. That's a lot of work. If I drive a lot, I get more. If I get less than a week notice, I get even more. I am helping them keep a gig they would otherwise have to cancel. And I have a lot of homework to do to get ready for it. I haven't played a fill-in gig for less than $250 in quite a while, and that's my doing-you-a-favor-cuz-I-like-you-and-already-know-most-of-the-music price.

OP, you got taken. They are liars and cheats. If they are getting paid, and talked you into playing for free, they are dishonest and not very nice. All that being said, you have a very healthy attitude towards the thing. Go play the gig, but somehow when all is said and done, find a way to slip into the conversation that you know they got paid and you don't plan to play for free again. End it with "Thanks fellas. Have a great evening." and a smile. You will have made your point and looked like a pro/grown man.

 

[SirMjac28]

I wonder did the OP mention in the conversation he is looking to get more gigs and is willing to take less to get more established? I would also like to know how he was recommended to the band he was subbing for? and did the person who recommended him hint that the OP would do anything to get gigs?. I don't think they are cheats or liars if you can get a guy to play for free food that's a great business model and he is getting exposure there could have been his next gig in the audience so he actually got something for his time. I wouldn't slip anything into the conversation at the end of the night because he should of asked that question before taking the gig I agree with the ending "Thanks fellas. Have a great evening." and a smile.and if they call you again and say we have another no pay gig you simply say no thanks.

 

[MarkMgibson]

They may be doing the gig for peanuts anyway, so I wouldn't worry too much about it. I did plenty of free gigs when I was starting out, and never regretted one of them; playing in front of an audience was all the payment I needed.

 

[guy n. cognito]

I wonder did the OP mention in the conversation he is looking to get more gigs and is willing to take less to get more established? I would also like to know how he was recommended to the band he was subbing for? and did the person who recommended him hint that the OP would do anything to get gigs?. I don't think they are cheats or liars if you can get a guy to play for free food that's a great business model and he is getting exposure there could have been his next gig in the audience so he actually got something for his time. I wouldn't slip anything into the conversation at the end of the night because he should of asked that question before taking the gig I agree with the ending "Thanks fellas. Have a great evening." and a smile.and if they call you again and say we have another no pay gig you simply say no thanks.

A great business model? Conning inexperienced and naive musicians into playing for free is now a great business model? Holy crap.......

 

[DrayMiles]

Be careful you don't perpetuate a rep of being easily manipulated. That could be worse than not doing the gig. I personally feel you should at least get expenses.

Please don't make it a habit. It hurts the scene which is getting worse anyway.

 

[Downunderwonder]

Correct me if I'm wrong.

I think the key phrase here is "I found out that the gig does pay"

Who did the OP find out from.

The band told him, food and drink only. And the OP agreed.

Where is the part of the story where they said the band wasn't getting paid.

Sounds like they offered him a questionable deal, he didn't ask if the rest of the band was getting paid. He assumed this was a freebie gig for the band.

Who's at fault here?

blue

A rare concordance, what I might have typed if I had the time earlier. Now what does OP have to say? That is all I'm particularly interested in now. A running commentary on comments is soooooooo tiresome big guy.

 

[brianerwin]

If you are trying to get there and need some exposer, then I see no reason why you shouldn't take the free gig. It is sometimes better than not working at all, plus after the gig, if the guys really feel like you did a great job, they all might pay you. Don't make a big deal out of it and don't play too many more of these.
like you said, you are networking. Sometimes the way you handle yourself, your equipment, their equipment and the situation says a lot about who you are.
I would show up early, help them set up as quickly as possible and help tear down as quickly as possible when finished. I would act as if this were my own band and be respectful of all the band members... If you get paid, great if not you at least make a very good impression and other bands might talk about you and the networking begins.... "Yeah - Tom is an awesome bass player, he really knows what he is doing. He even helped us set up and tear down.... He was just subbing for us, we really appreciate him" When your name gets around and there are great stories to tell about you, then you get what you really want.... to get paid.

 

[guy n. cognito]

If you are trying to get there and need some exposer, then I see no reason why you shouldn't take the free gig. It is sometimes better than not working at all, plus after the gig, if the guys really feel like you did a great job, they all might pay you. Don't make a big deal out of it and don't play too many more of these.
like you said, you are networking. Sometimes the way you handle yourself, your equipment, their equipment and the situation says a lot about who you are.
I would show up early, help them set up as quickly as possible and help tear down as quickly as possible when finished. I would act as if this were my own band and be respectful of all the band members... If you get paid, great if not you at least make a very good impression and other bands might talk about you and the networking begins.... "Yeah - Tom is an awesome bass player, he really knows what he is doing. He even helped us set up and tear down.... He was just subbing for us, we really appreciate him" When your name gets around and there are great stories to tell about you, then you get what you really want.... to get paid.

Or...

"You know that bassist Tom? Use him....dude will play for free and even help you carry your gear!"

Your name will get around, but don't expect much pay. Remember, you're negotiating up from zero.

 

[obimark]

A deal is not a deal if you agreed to it under false/ incorrect information. ALll you need to say is,"when you all contacted me to do this you said the gig was not paid and you were nto being paid. I understand now, you are being paid. What do you think is a fair price for my time and effort to HELP YOU OUT?" then name your price.
For instance I am an architect for my dayjob, if you called me and said "How much to design a 1,200 sf house and I quote you one price, then you say, OH i was incorrect it is a 4,000 sf house. Guess what my DEAL was not for that so my price will change.

 

[Mtnman]

If you agreed to do a freebie based on the implication that no one was getting paid, that's on thing. But, when you find out they ARE, you should get your cut too.

I would do the gig, but afterward I would stick close to the bandleader when he is cutting up the cash...

 

[xgator4u]

I got a call from someone to sub for their gig.

play with a new group of musicians in great location.

Now I found out that the gig does pay,

but I agreed to do this for no pay per conversation with the player who asked me to sub,

Got a call from whom ? the regular bassist ?

We need more info about the gig itself, such as what's so great about the location, what type of gig is it ; private party,wedding gig, charity fund raiser, regular bar gig ? What is involved gear wise on the O.P., how many songs, how long do you have to prepare , etc...

How did you learn the gig does pay ?

And you did already agree to the gig for food only.
Now you should honor your commitment, and play the gig . No one needs to know outside the band that you ain't getting paid.
Hopefully there is some mass miscommunication here and you will actually get paid.

We need to hear back from the O.P.

 

[gumbynotpokey]

Keep the commitment you made, and learn from the situation.