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Why do you play for free?
- Thread starter glocke1
- Start date
We try not to play for free, especially if it's at a bar or other commercial place. Occassionally we do play for free, if the gig is fun but there's no money in it and we feel like playing anyway, if it's some non-commercial event like a friend's party or charity type thing, or if it's a first time gig to get a foot in the door at a place where we really want more paid gigs later (though this must be an exception).
We are a hobby band though, playing for fun, getting paid is not really about the money, it's a way of testing our value and also a way of not demeaning other musicians work. We do try for some kind of pay even if it sometimes is at a symbolic level, if we get the gig despite others lining up to do it for free then that's some kind of confirmation that we don't suck too badly. It also makes it more real; if someone is paying we need to do a good job and take it seriously.
We are a hobby band though, playing for fun, getting paid is not really about the money, it's a way of testing our value and also a way of not demeaning other musicians work. We do try for some kind of pay even if it sometimes is at a symbolic level, if we get the gig despite others lining up to do it for free then that's some kind of confirmation that we don't suck too badly. It also makes it more real; if someone is paying we need to do a good job and take it seriously.
I don' make a habit of it but have a few times. Most were local benefits. In some markets it can happen now and then, its just the nature of the beast.
I'm well beyond playing any bar or for profit venue for free. I've already paid my dues. I get paid because I've worked hard and earned my place. However, I really don't give a crap if anyone else wants to play for free. People get what they pay for and any band I have seen that plays for free is worth every penny they get.
Everybody gets all bent when they hear of bands playing for free. Actors start acting for free. Lots of beginner photographers get their portfolio by working for free. Every single professional athlete starts for free.
My opinion is, people will be happy to start paying you when you deserve it.
Everybody gets all bent when they hear of bands playing for free. Actors start acting for free. Lots of beginner photographers get their portfolio by working for free. Every single professional athlete starts for free.
My opinion is, people will be happy to start paying you when you deserve it.
Bam. Right there. Our first show was a "spring-fest" in a tiny town and we just wanted to get out there. The next two were benefits. After that, people wanted to pay us. It's a process and, unfortunately, it can be a slow one.
However, I did play for "free" at our last show. We booked a gig with another band that we know really well, the pay wasn't stellar, but we hadn't played at this particular bar yet. A week before the show, another band is added to the line-up that's played there a lot before. They had a problem with our $6 cover and told the bar they'd play for free. The cover goes down to $4 all of a sudden, our door guy doesn't show up, and I ended up drinking my cut before I even knew what it was (I'm not a heavy drinker so that should tell you something.)!
