How much?????

[Matt_Gill]

Hey, im going to start ringing around all the resurants/hotels for a few gigs, I'm a solo classical guitarist and have a 2 hour set that i would turn round all night/day. The question is how much should i charge? Also what should i say on the phone? I'm new to all this, HELP! Thanks

 

[Outlaws]

Hey, im going to start ringing around all the resurants/hotels for a few gigs, I'm a solo classical guitarist and have a 2 hour set that i would turn round all night/day. The question is how much should i charge? Also what should i say on the phone? I'm new to all this, HELP! Thanks

Basically you charge what they are willing to pay. Face it, you are a musician and not famous.

 

[Scottgman]

It really depends on the venue-- each one is different. Some like to pay a flat fee, some like to give you the door (or a percentage of the door). I've played a club that has several "clubs" (dance club, martini bar, sports bar, live music room, etc.) in one building and they pay the band a percentage of the drink sales in the live music room.

I'm in a rock band so maybe the market is different for venues that are looking for solo classical guitar types of acts. I would ask some other musicians around your area and see if you can get a feel for the going rates.

I would also suggest having a price in mind in case the venue manager asks what you charge. Be reasonable but don't shortchange yourself. Chances are the venue already knows what they are willing to pay but it puts you in a better negotiating position, IMO. Plus it makes you sound more professional/experienced if you have a fee schedule ($200 with the house PA for a weekend night. $150 for a weeknight. $400 if I have to bring my own PA or whatever, I'm making all this up... you probably don't even need a PA... hehe).

I would start by calling potential venues and just tell them you are starting to book shows for the summer and you are wondering if they have any openings in the next couple months (most clubs book a couple months in advance). They will want to know about your act and will proably want a press kit/demo CD.

The most important thing is to be persistant. Don't wait for them to call you. Club owners/managers get tons of press kits and they are already busy taking care of other business matters. A polite follow-up phone call a week or two after you drop off a press kit is pretty much mandatory.

Good luck and be persistant.

 

[Dani Pace]

Just starting out...supper and tips, if they invite you back then ask for some pay plus supper and tips.

 

[Creamyapples1]

I would ask for the Manager, and tell him that you are a classical guitarist and you were scheduling shows for the summer, and you were wondering when would be a good time to come speak with them about possibly performing at their establishment. Having worked on both ends, I'd say a small phone conversation and an in person meeting would yield better results. Then follow-up a few days later in person as well. Take a CD or two to give to them too, and if you already have a performance set for a time relativly soon, invite them to come check it out.

 

[ggunn]

Hey, im going to start ringing around all the resurants/hotels for a few gigs, I'm a solo classical guitarist and have a 2 hour set that i would turn round all night/day. The question is how much should i charge? Also what should i say on the phone? I'm new to all this, HELP! Thanks

Is there anyone else in your area playing similar gigs that might talk to you over a beer or two and give you some idea of what the market will bear, someone specific to ask for at the venues you have in mind, that sort of thing?

 

[Matt_Gill]

Oh great, yer this is all good stuff, so basicaly, i need to ring up a resturant or somthink, tell them about myself and ask if i can play. Then send them a Demo CD? I think it would be a good idea to start of doing it for mabey 60 pounds, its cheep for a nights music and just nice for me (for now ) Well its all good stuff, keep it coming...Am i being to abitious with the money considering im just starting out?

 

[hixmix]

I haven't done those solo gigs(restaurants/bars/clubs/hotels) since the early 1980's. This was on the Jersey Shore and I was doing a solo sing along piano bar type thing. I studied classical also and would play some of that by request(or when I knew nobody was listening anyway ). Back then I was making anywhere from $50-$100 a night(plus tips which would range from nothing to over $100). Some places provided free food and drink, some didn't.

Yes, I did my share of freebies too, as auditions, and just as a chance to keep my chops up and play out. Those places always provided free food and drink and whatever tips I made.

That said, IHNFI what they're paying now.

 

[cephus]

I think $100 would be pretty good. It's really what you'd take. If you'd do it for supper and tips, then that's cool, too. The strategy is to start higher than you'd expect to establish your perceived value and anticipate the counter offer.

Start high. Like $250. He's a businessman and he wants to get a good deal on whatever. If he gets you for the cost of supper, then he is getting a $250 guitarist for that price.

When the guy scoffs, alot of times people feel embarassed, but you have to be prepared for the counter offer. "Look, I have reason why I want to get in places like this and I am willing to cut you a deal while we try it out. How about we do scale the first time ($35/hour) and then we can renegotiate based on how it works out for us." I always say scale like it's some kind of standard rate. I have no idea what it is, but I make it what I'd take for the gig divided by the hours.

That is assuming that you are bringing value to the table. Nobody is going to be excited about adding an expense unless it is going to translate into people staying around and drinking more, etc.

 

[ggunn]

That is assuming that you are bringing value to the table. Nobody is going to be excited about adding an expense unless it is going to translate into people staying around and drinking more, etc.

Where you are makes a lot of difference, too. For example, here in Austin where there is a glut of musicians willing to play for free, you'd be hard put to get a dime if you are unknown, demo or no. That's why I suggested getting in touch with someone who's doing something similar to what you want to do, and in the same area as you. Yeah, I know, that's the competition, but at some level we musicians need to stick together, right? Club owners are snakes. ;^)

 

[Matt_Gill]

Ha ha, so somehow ive got to be contagious! (sp?) With some kick-ass playing and a great setlist. Shall i start off doing them for free? Get myself "out-there" a bit? Get a reputation? I can get a demo easily, ive a friend with a "PROPER!" home studio.

 

[Dani Pace]

Solo or with a band, the idea is the same...you have to generate revenue for the place. If you are good and can cause people to stay longer/spend more money then you deserve better pay for the gig. Small places which rely mainly on food sales wont be able to pay much if anything for entertainment while a place with a bar can pay for whatever keeps people there longer and spending more money. Coffee houses and piano bars are a good place for a solo performer to get a start, they don't pay a lot but you can get some of the exposure which will lead to better paying gigs.

 

[My Name]

you say £60. that sugests you are in the uk.

if so there is a turkish restraunt in london that i go to often that has a classical guitarist, old guy, sits there for a couple of hours with a little amp and it sounds great.

60 quid sounds about right to me.

if you get busy, start charging more...

 

[gvarko]

Wow

60 quid sounds about right to me.

That seems like a lot of Calamari to me

 

[Matt_Gill]

Oh great, sounds good. So do you guys this im going to need am amp? I mean with everyone chatting as they do thats going to get prety loud, Ive got a feeling volume is going to strugle.

 

[metalj]

Oh great, sounds good. So do you guys this im going to need am amp? I mean with everyone chatting as they do thats going to get prety loud, Ive got a feeling volume is going to strugle.

My two cents is....DONT PLAY FOR FREE>>>>>>EVER !!! you'll ruin the market for yourself and others. If you have a good/fun show, and use your own PA/lights, then charge $200 to start and see where it gets you.

promote yourself as a partime pro. when i hear the word free, it makes me wonder what im getting. if you have a firm price in mind, it speaks volumes for your professionalism and confidence. If you dont have that, then reconsider even doing it.

 

[ggunn]

Oh great, sounds good. So do you guys this im going to need am amp? I mean with everyone chatting as they do thats going to get prety loud, Ive got a feeling volume is going to strugle.

That's a tough call. If your volume gets up to the point where the customers have trouble with their chatting, and they complain, then you've got a problem with management, and musicians never win that one.

In an acoustically dead room you can ususally use amplification pretty effectively without probs, but in a live room, folks talk louder to hear themselves over you, you turn up to be heard over that, and pretty soon it's a din, like being in a garbage can with someone beating on it with a hammer. There are restaurants here in Austin that get that way with recorded music; I won't go in them.

Furthermore, in playing for a dining crowd, you'll have to steel yourself to being largely ignored; it's the nature of the beast. You are background music, and if you become obtrusive, you'll be gone.

 

[Crash ©]

There's a guy I jam with occasionally that does solo vocal/guitar sets at various places around here in Memphis.. He has about 300-400 songs he can at least fake his way thorugh in every genre imaginable.. He generally gets drinks and tips as payment.. But he's doing it because he enjoys it, not to make money..

He's also doing it to be an evenings entertainment at a bar, which is a place you can pick up tips..

Classical guitar would fall into about the same place as a piano player in a classy restaurant or a string quartet at a wedding.. It's mood music.. You might do Ok, putting out a brandy glass for tips, but don't expect a high payout. Most folks will walk by thinking "how nice" and keep walking.. You'd do better with an open case on the sidewalk on a busy weekend night in a club district...

If you can do a good Spanish/Flamenco thing hit up some of those trendy Mexican Restuarants..

Another direction you could look at.. Call some wedding planners and send 'em a sample cd of what you do.. 30 second clips of 5 or 6 songs.. Nothing they could slap in a cd player to replace you though. Leave your card and a copy of the CD at Bride Shops.. Try to hook up with a violinist and cellist, in case someone wants a trio you'll have names in your book so you can give them what they ask for..

--
Rob

 

[cephus]

My two cents is....DONT PLAY FOR FREE>>>>>>EVER !!!

True dat.

Plus this character: .

 

[punkin]

Yup...and...during your breaks...hover, mingle and shake hands. If you've got some CD's or business cards give them away and tell them your schedule if you'll be playing anywhere else. If people come to see you...the club/restaraunt owner will notice and see the value in your services. Half your work should be connecting with the listeners.