Wants to be payed for practices

[Ralphthepainter]

Cool. I'm not a union player, not much advantage to that in this area. I am fulltime. I guess I don't look at it as what I deserve so much as what the market will bear. Which is why I live and work here. I look at it as I'm performing at the highest level for the job and my compensation should reflect that. It's that simple. I also know that alot of the groups that work with make serious money and if I'm contributing to the package that is bringing in those dollars I could be a chump... or a pro.

As far as what about the other members, here's one of my favorite stories: I played with a wedding/corporate band for several years and decided I needed a raise or change of scenery. So I laid out in an email my positive attributes that lead me to wanting more money. The BL wholeheartedly agreed with all my points and said she wished she could do something but couldn't afford to give everyone a raise. My response?:

"Cool... I wasn't asking for everyone".


I got the raise. I'm responsible for me. If someone else isn't motivated to ask for more, cool.

I’ll keep eating apple, enjoy your orange. Different markets, goals and available paths. I would want paid more if the purse was great and I was a piece of it. Like I said, I’d tell the drummer he gets an equal split for his contribution. If that purse if 10k a gig cool. But his percentage is the same if the purse is $450 and there is 4 guys.

Not suggesting in any way this is you.. Say 4 guys live in a subdivision each making 50k a year and they start a band making $500 a gig. Each contributing the same and working the same load in and load out... now imagine the drummer dies and this dude comes along and says.. “yeah I live the dream baby. Pay me $150 a gig and $75 a rehearsal cause I’m a pro”

If he lost his job and his family could end up on the street I’d give him a fair share and pass a hat to give him $50 a week till he’s on his feet. But if he has no family, won’t hold down a job and demands the $75 a week... I don’t care if he’s Neil Pert, he’s not impressive to me.

 

[74hc]

For those of you that think getting paid for rehearsals is not appropriate...

Imagine for your day job, your boss tells you that Mondays are rehearsals for Tuesday through Friday.

 

[GBBSbassist]

Yeah, it's a thing, but it sounds like it's not something that your band would go for, and I don't blame you.

Your best bet is to tell him you appreciate it, but you're going to keep looking, but you'll keep his number in case you need a fill-in for paid gigs.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I’ll keep eating apple, enjoy your orange. Different markets, goals and available paths. I would want paid more if the purse was great and I was a piece of it. Like I said, I’d tell the drummer he gets an equal split for his contribution. If that purse if 10k a gig cool. But his percentage is the same if the purse is $450 and there is 4 guys.

Exactly. This guy has different goals than you. So apparently do I. But they may not be that different from the OP and his band if they really examine this situation, especially with the feedback he's getting.

I get apples and oranges.

 

[SactoBass]

As my brother says, "Asking's free."

I'd just tell him thanks for his time, and wish him good luck finding a band that will pay him for rehearsals. I wouldn't even consider it.

^^^THIS!

 

[Brad Johnson]

For those of you that think getting paid for rehearsals is not appropriate...

Imagine for your day job, your boss tells you that Mondays are rehearsals for Tuesday through Friday.

That's the crazy thing about this. On a "regular" job that sounds nuts. But even musicians don't treat this like a job. That's the big failure I've seen for decades in this business. People treat it like it's a clubhouse gang or fraternity or charity.

 

[LBS-bass]

That's the crazy thing about this. On a "regular" job that sounds nuts. But even musicians font treat this like a job. That's the big failure I've seen for decades in this business. People treat it like it's a clubhouse gang or fraternity or charity.

Because for many, that's exactly what it is. The lines have been blurred and there are tons of reasons.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Because for many, that's exactly what it is. The lines have been blurred and there are tons of reasons.

I get it. I used to hang out with a group of amateur plumbers, we'd unclog neighborhood drains for promotional purposes, figuring the Big Time would land on us one of these days.

 

[pbass2]

I guess by definition, he is a Pro because this is his PROfession. I consider a " Pro " being somone who is touring with major acts, not someone who just doesn't want to work a normal 8 to 5 job LOL.

I've been a pro musician for over 20 years now but I rarely tour. I hate it, actually. Between writing, producing, sessions on a variety of instruments (including bass), mixing, mastering---that's my job/career. I absolutely get paid for rehearsals. I'm working, I get get paid. Unless, it's my own music project that I'm trying to get off the ground, then in that case I pay the other guys.

 

[jsbachonbass]

I personally do not have any problem with this, as long as he can deliver what is expected. If I was at top form, I wouldn't want to mess with learning songs, preparing charts, driving 45 minutes, setting up equip, just to have another member not show up or show up unprepared.

How many times do we see ads saying "pro attitude and equipment required"? Guess what? Pros get paid for their time.

I think it is hilarious to see singer/songwriters who have paid for management, recording, promotion etc, but don't want to musicians to join their project. I have seen ads for the these bands on CL for years, where they say "we won't gig until the music is perfect". Ok, see you next year.

 

[LBS-bass]

If he lost his job and his family could end up on the street I’d give him a fair share and pass a hat to give him $50 a week till he’s on his feet. But if he has no family, won’t hold down a job and demands the $75 a week... I don’t care if he’s Neil Pert, he’s not impressive to me.

What business of yours is it what his personal circumstances are? I find this totally bizarre. If the guy is providing a top level service, it has a value that shouldn't be tied to his home life.

I know quite a few top notch musicians who have some serious problems with mental illness but they are able to perform to an exceptional level. I should be judging them now? Just... no.

 

[two fingers]

Hey all. I have been playing steady in the PHX area since ‘98, so it’s saying something when I say that this is a new one for me. I joined this “ Killers “ tribute band and we have been auditioning drummers for the last month or so. Had a drummer audition last Sunday, dude came prepared and pretty much nailed everything. Had a great conversation with him afterwords and he really liked what we were doing and wanted to be part of it. Sent him on his way and we all agreed that we should continue on with him, BL said he would call him the next day to offer him the position. Got a call from the BL the next day after he talked to this guy and he said the drummer had some “ conditions “. Come to find out, playing drums is all he does for making money and his “ conditions “ are, he wants a minimum of $150 a gig and expects to be payed $75 per practice for gas money. Like stated earlier, I have doing this a loooong time, been in many high/low profile bands and I have never heard of or expected to be payed for practicing! Many of my projects required a travel time of 45-60min and I never once felt like I should be payed to travel for practice, The $150 a gig is another thing that annoyed me, if we do not make $150 per member at a gig, tough ***** dude, we all take the time and effort per gig, and we all deserve an equal share. I expressed my concerns with BL and after a long conversation, he kind of agreed. The BL thinks that drummer is just trying to see what he can get out of us and is going to call him and express our concerns over his “ conditions “, basically calling his bluff. I think that drummer was good, but not that good. Have any of you guys/gals heard or experience this??

He's not being a jerk. He's being honest about his terms. If you guys aren't prepared to honor his terms, just turn him down and keep looking.

He's not obligated to join your band under YOUR terms. You aren't obligated to hire him under HIS terms.

So what's the problem? You can either live with his terms or you can't. If you can't, TELL him you can't and keep auditioning drummer.

Simple.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Here's a hypothetical: suppose getting a guy of this caliber was the key to taking your Killers tribute band to the next level? Instead you go through the typical stream of guys who are just happy to get out of the house and your band treads water.

At least you saved all that rehearsal money for that guy!


Not recognizing a blessing is nothing new. And hindsight often hurts. ijs

 

[LBS-bass]

I get it. I used to hang out with a group of amateur plumbers, we'd unclog neighborhood drains for promotional purposes, figuring the Big Time would land on us one of these days.

LOL

 

[LBS-bass]

LOL

In case you're serious (I think not, but I've been wrong before), I'll point out that plumbing is probably never fun, while music almost always is. That's how and why the lines got blurred in the first place. Not saying right or wrong, just that's my observation.

 

[DWBass]

I would love to be paid for rehearsals but that ain't gonna happen and I'm ok with that. I do have a problem with folks who waste time and are ok with mediocrity or just won't play things correctly. That annoys me.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I’ll keep eating apple, enjoy your orange. Different markets, goals and available paths. I would want paid more if the purse was great and I was a piece of it. Like I said, I’d tell the drummer he gets an equal split for his contribution. If that purse if 10k a gig cool. But his percentage is the same if the purse is $450 and there is 4 guys.

Not suggesting in any way this is you.. Say 4 guys live in a subdivision each making 50k a year and they start a band making $500 a gig. Each contributing the same and working the same load in and load out... now imagine the drummer dies and this dude comes along and says.. “yeah I live the dream baby. Pay me $150 a gig and $75 a rehearsal cause I’m a pro”

If he lost his job and his family could end up on the street I’d give him a fair share and pass a hat to give him $50 a week till he’s on his feet. But if he has no family, won’t hold down a job and demands the $75 a week... I don’t care if he’s Neil Pert, he’s not impressive to me.

Saw your edit. The most interesting takeaway is that you seem to see the guy in your example, the OP's drummer, a fulltime musician, as not having job. It speaks volumes.


BTW I only move my own gear.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I would love to be paid for rehearsals but that ain't gonna happen and I'm ok with that. I do have a problem with folks who waste time and are ok with mediocrity or just won't play things correctly. That annoys me.

And you tolerate it, for free, at rehearsals?

Just asking.

 

[DWBass]

Here's a hypothetical: suppose getting a guy of this caliber was the key to taking your Killers tribute band to the next level? Instead you go through the typical stream of guys who are just happy to get out of the house and your band treads water.

At least you saved all that rehearsal money for that guy!


Not recognizing a blessing is nothing new. And hindsight often hurts. ijs

IN MY R&B BAND, We came across a keyboardist who was THAT guy. Unfortunately, he spread himself around so thin, we couldn't use him because we'd never know if he'd be available or not. He also had him 'minimum' fee. We couldn't afford it.

 

[Brad Johnson]

My experience has been that some people will show up for rehearsal ready to learn songs they were supposed to already know. I show up knowing the music. If someone is going to stretch my patience there'd better be a light at the end of that rainbow.