#31
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And if the paying patrons dont know the difference and dont care, then you aren't adding any additional value as a performer. Thats not an insult - its literally the definition of "value".
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Fazool "The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter" Taylor GC7, GA3-12, SB2-C, SB2-Cp...... Ibanez AVC-11MHx , AC-240 |
#32
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As the old saw goes, being a gigging musician is like owning a small moving company where you get to play a few songs in between jobs.
Although today's small and lightweight PA systems do make it a heck of a lot easier than back in the day.... |
#33
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When I was playing blues and slide on my reso my wife would send me down to the sea front to practice. We had a small house! I would leave my case open on the floor and usually got enough for a coffee and bacon roll from the few passers by braving the weather.
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I'm learning to flatpick and fingerpick guitar to accompany songs. I've played and studied traditional noter/drone mountain dulcimer for many years. And I used to play dobro in a bluegrass band. |
#34
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For myself, I love to play for others. Getting paid was really a bonus, but now that I am playing out more I do like getting paid. I do wish I would get paid more, but that is no different than any job I have ever had. I still do play for free, but not for places that add to their bottom line because I play there. If the money was more important I would certainly charge more when playing….I am more impressed that I play music than I am for getting paid.
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#35
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All great answers, thanks. Part of why I posted the OP was not articulated well when I posted. It was partly my thought that no one (well someone would) ask their accountant or doctor or lawyer or any other professional to work for them for free or tips or drinks and dinner....... wait staff has been financially abused forever. Add to that performing musicians don't work 8-hour days from which to earn a cumulative wage. Studio work at least racks up hours, days and months of work. But that's a hard nut to crack and mostly focussed in a few cities. That and the situation hasn't improved in decades.
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Don't get upset, it's just my experienced opinion, Steve |
#36
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I was thinking back to my first trip to Hawaii in 1976. At that time it was common to find a baby grand piano in most hotels with a pianist playing a mix of Hawaiian music and contemporary songs. Rene Paulo was my favorite. These players moved from hotel to hotel during the day and into the evening when the locals took over and the better known shows like Martin Denney, Don Ho and others started in the showrooms. Over the years the hotels phased out the pianos and pianists replacing them with recorded music. The evolution eventually ment, with the passing of the well known Hawaiian entertainment, that was discontinued as well. While you can still hear top quality Hawaiian music from skilled musicians it's no longer cost effective to have it everywhere.
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#37
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#38
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That said, the $50 per hour 1970's wage that the OP mentions they made in post #1 sounds like a ton of money for back then. It's the equivalent of over $300 per hour in today's money. |
#39
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These prices are so crazy low I am now really sad, reading this thread. Gosh. I had a band in the 90's for many years, and we would pull in - per member - 500-1k each per week, 4 nights a week. This is around 30 years later, and the money seems **less** now. What the ever living heck. And we were playing bum-F Southeast college towns.
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#40
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#41
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While I am certainly NOT a medical professional (or whatever) my little bitty life does have some value. I have entertained these professional folks and they enjoyed it…. Music plays an important part in their lives. It relaxes them, takes them away from their highly stressful professions for a time and lets them “clear their heads” which is akin to re-booting your phone (or computer). Makes everything work better. While I am not in the operating room I AM assisting. And this holds true for many professionals. All of us can play a part….
If a person wants to learn to perform music for others for the money, perhaps they should find another profession based on $ instead of doing something they care about. |
#42
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Back in the early 90s I had a recurring gig at the Playboy Mansion. I had occasion to visit my doctor who was also a good friend. He asked me what I was working on at the time and I told him. His eyes opened, his head tilted to the side and he asked, "You think you could get me in? I'll carry your gear or something............" I just smiled and said "you do your job and I'll do mine". I explained it was a closed, by invitation only, venue. You see, every tv show, radio program, movie, musical, theatrical musical production, commercial, orchestra, symphony..... requires professionals to provide music. Without them, you wouldn't have anything filling the silence between lines. Every time you get into your car and turn on your radio or put in a CD, every cover song you play - that music (even in the elevator) was provided to you for your enjoyment and - most times - at no cost to you, by a professional, paid musician............. I spent 20+ years daily (and now still occasionally) doing some of those sessions. You're welcome. Even part-time, side-gig players deserve to be paid a "professional" wage.
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Don't get upset, it's just my experienced opinion, Steve Last edited by LAPlayer; 05-22-2024 at 06:02 PM. |