It's all over the map depending on the economic viability of the bar. I'd say it averages out to about $125 per man.
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What do you typically get paid per gig?
- Thread starter Axtman
- Start date
Wait. what??? People get paid for playing bass??? 
Corporate/Wedding/Private Gigs: $300-500 per member
Original Music Gigs in Clubs: $0-80 per member, usually plus a couple drink tickets that I don't use
Original Music Gigs in Clubs: $0-80 per member, usually plus a couple drink tickets that I don't use
I play in an original band. We generally don't get paid. That's how it is in LA unless you have built a following, which we have not. We have made cuts of the door or surplus on pre-sale tickets (aka pay to play) but we usually just put it back into the money pit of recording and releasing music.
Please note I am not claiming these are averages, strictly based on my experience. In 1967 the local Jr. High (now called middle school in our area) the band would make $35-$50, but what the heck, it was a 6:30 start, and done at 9:00 and their was no better way to impress the ladies. Small bars typically paid $75-100 for two nights. By 1969 High School gigs for the caliber band I was in were between $100-$200 for a night. My High School would have a Homecoming concert by a pretty big name and a homecoming dance which always paid more. Our Homecoming concerts had the Turtles, BJ Thomas, the committee voted down Creedence in 1970 or 1971.
By 1974 I would make union rate of around $35 for a 4 hour bar night and between $35-$125 per night with Ken Kerry and Solo Swingers. In the mid 80's we were at $50-$75 a night each for bar gigs, and $125-$200 for wedding gigs.
Currently I am in a Praise band ( we play at recovery centers and some incarnated people) and general make zip. Fortunately the BL supplies the amps, and moves them also.
By 1974 I would make union rate of around $35 for a 4 hour bar night and between $35-$125 per night with Ken Kerry and Solo Swingers. In the mid 80's we were at $50-$75 a night each for bar gigs, and $125-$200 for wedding gigs.
Currently I am in a Praise band ( we play at recovery centers and some incarnated people) and general make zip. Fortunately the BL supplies the amps, and moves them also.
The "Elder places"$50-$75
Upscale restaurants $100 plus tip jar and wined and dined.
Libraries $100-$175
Opening act at music school performances $100
Corporate parties, private parties etc. $250ish
Formal theaterish concerts $200-$300.
Upscale restaurants $100 plus tip jar and wined and dined.
Libraries $100-$175
Opening act at music school performances $100
Corporate parties, private parties etc. $250ish
Formal theaterish concerts $200-$300.
$100-$150 for bar gigs. $200-$250 for event gigs (not weddings; haven't delved into that market yet).
*Edit to add that this is per person for a 5-piece.
*Edit to add that this is per person for a 5-piece.
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My only gig right now does private parties/weddings exclusively. I'm new to the band, but my first 2 gigs payed $500 (wedding) and $450 (party). Hoping to get more like that as the year progresses.
We play a three-hour slot of jazz/funk with one break in a London pub and we get £150 / 4 people = £37.5 per person or around $50, plus free drinks. The Musicians’ Union recommends a minimum of £146 ($190) per person and offers some useful advice on negotiating fees etc. Maybe I should read that myself.
Sounds like a lot of us in the same range regardless of the geography.....we're anywhere from $100 to $250 per man with a few variables thrown in there. Gigs average anywhere from 4-8 per month.
$100-$150 per member for clubs and $500 for weddings. For festivals, it's anywhere from free to $200
When I used to play bars regularly, I never took less than $100 per person. Most of the time I took home $125. Nowadays, I mostly do theater or other larger gigs (mostly Elvis impersonators) and take home between $250 - $500 per gig. I also do a 1 hour dinner show in Orlando on weekends for $100. I'm okay with that one because I just show up with my bass, run direct and use in-ears.
On average $100 - $400 per man. Sometimes we bring pa, sometimes we dont..doesnt always correlate to the compensation. More for weddings and corporate events. Have walked with $1000/man, rare or who needs a day job.
Casino work almost exclusively these days. Depending on what size band I bring in, $200-$500 a man for a 3 hour night. Casino provides lights, sound, FOH engineer, meals and rooms. I don't miss the typical bar scene one bit.
Like most everyone, $100 a head for bar gigs...ALWAYS put out a tip jar out for bar/public gigs too. You'd be surprised what you might get. Weddings usually get me $350-$500 a head. Don't put out tip jars out for weddings though! Not cool! CLients often tip though.
One thing to note about weddings. They are generally awful to play and I don't really like doing them. They're a lot of work, travel and stress. You're doing what they want and a lot of the "I will kill myself if I have to play this again" kind of tunes....Think, Brown Eyed Girl, Sweet Home Alabama, Sweet Caroline and the like.
One thing to note about weddings. They are generally awful to play and I don't really like doing them. They're a lot of work, travel and stress. You're doing what they want and a lot of the "I will kill myself if I have to play this again" kind of tunes....Think, Brown Eyed Girl, Sweet Home Alabama, Sweet Caroline and the like.
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