Subbing for free

[henry2513]

I just turned down a gig where I was asked to sub for free. Just wondering who, if anyone, around here will do a sub gig for free.

It would have been a fun gig, fun tunes, some Jamiroquai, Jackson 5 but what ticked me off was when I asked the guy what the pay was he said "oh it's free I should have disclosed that earlier".

 

[guroove]

That's ridiculous. They should at least be able to cough up $50 - $100 even if it means they lose money paying you.

 

[Hobobob]

You get what you pay for. If a band wants a competent musician and performer, they have to make it worth his/her while. If they want a greenhorn high school kid, then they're on the right track.

 

[jaywa]

Was the whole gig a freebie, or were you the only one they expected to play for nothing?

 

[electracoyote]

I did an extended sub gig for nine months. Never made a dime. The band was socking it away for the studio, the insides of which I never saw as well.

I was dumb, and they took advantage of me. Live and learn, never again.

 

[QweziRider]

I have subbed and only will sub for free at legitimate charity events.

 

[Ash Jazz]

I guess it really depends. I've done plenty of free gigs in the past. If it's a great band, you like the guys, big venue, bragging rights, whatever. I like to earn money playing but I have never let money be the bottom line. I have a day job for that.

 

[henry2513]

Was the whole gig a freebie, or were you the only one they expected to play for nothing?

The guy was just complaining to me about his group last week and then I get the call yesterday. Seems fishy, maybe he booked a free gig without telling them. He's kind of squirrely like that. I get the gut feeling this is what he did.

I'd do it for free if the bass player was a buddy of mine but I don't even know the guy. I would have even considered it if he was up front about it.

 

[Fiset]

Sure I'll sub for free.....whenever Porcupine Tree asks, I'm there.

Other than that, no way I sub for free except for a benefit but even then I'm likely to turn it down.

 

[henry2513]

I guess it really depends. I've done plenty of free gigs in the past. If it's a great band, you like the guys, big venue, bragging rights, whatever. I like to earn money playing but I have never let money be the bottom line. I have a day job for that.

I did a few free gigs with friends in the past, all of those friends are working musicians though - no day jobs, so their views have definitely impacted how I approach being compensated for playing music.

I feel like I'm cheating myself and other musicians by playing for free. I make alot of sacrifices to make time to practice and become a better musician, spend alot of money buying gear etc.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I've seen free sub gigs turn out to be big money makers later down the road if you can build a great connection out of it. For me, it really depends on the situation, but it's a VERY rare thing and I have to be compensated in other ways for it to happen (aka ~ a really decent meal or two, free drinks for the night, etc...). If I'm not making paper then I got to get my money's worth somehow!

 

[bluestarbass]

Original band that I'm friends with, yes. Cover band, no. Not for extended amounts of time for sure. Sounds like you did the right thing. Nothing wrong with Jackson 5, but it doesn't sound like this gig would open up any doors.

 

[hsech]

No more free beer and BBQ gigs for me. Those freebies that promise to hire you and pay you down the road never seem to happen. I may be retired but my time is worth something.

 

[ma4rk]

I did a few free gigs with friends in the past, all of those friends are working musicians though - no day jobs, so their views have definitely impacted how I approach being compensated for playing music.

I feel like I'm cheating myself and other musicians by playing for free. I make alot of sacrifices to make time to practice and become a better musician, spend alot of money buying gear etc.

You turned down something that you said sounds like fun because you wouldn't get paid? You may have cheated yourself - lost another chance to become a better musician....

But then again:

Is this more about not wanting to work with the person organising the gig as your experience has taught you to avoid certain situations? I totally get that.

 

[Fat Steve]

It would have been a fun gig, fun tunes,

If I had nothing else planned, this would've been a gig I'd have taken. Then again, I'm in the Los Angeles hard rock originals scene, where playing for pay is unheard of.

 

[henry2513]

You turned down something that you said sounds like fun because you wouldn't get paid? You may have cheated yourself - lost another chance to become a better musician....

But then again:

Is this more about not wanting to work with the person organising the gig as your experience has taught you to avoid certain situations? I totally get that.

I think it's more the fact that he didn't tell me it was free upfront. I might have considered taking it because it was a fun gig at a fun venue but that just irked me.

Had he been upfront I might have taken it. He did something similar on another gig. I brought in a guitarist and drummer that I work with often (because his regular guys bailed on him) and he told us the organizer wanted us for another hour but failed to disclose that she'd only pay a fraction of what she was paying for the first hour, I had to drag it out of him and when he finally told me the amount I nixed it.

 

[RattleSnack]

I would sub for free if it was some kind of charity, a personal favour for a good friend, or a chance to play with outstanding musicians (sadly, that hasn't hapened yet).

 

[Duckwater]

I do it all the time, playing music is what I do for enjoyment and getting paid is just a bonus.

 

[wideload]

I play for free at church. Everyone else pays.

 

[Bassist4Eris]

Original band that I'm friends with, yes. Cover band, no.

This.