[1/2-Fast Player]

> I get around $60-80 a show on average.

Uh, I hate to tell you this, but chances are the club's waitresses are getting a lot more than that in tips.

Maybe you're on the wrong side of the microphone, bro.

Even the southern gospel group I played for this winter got about $500 to $700 per gig, not counting CD sales. We donate all the money to several nursing homes, but if we'd taken pay it would've been $100 to $150 per person.

[Just yanking your chain a little.]

[AudioAUnderdog]

My Dad plays bass in a praise and worship band. They get paid, but since there's eight of them they end up with about $20-$50 each. I guess it pays better if you have a smaller band?

[1/2-Fast Player]

> I guess it pays better if you have a smaller band?

Yeah, a solo act might be the most profitable but the competition can be pretty stiff...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDPM4...eature=related

[Rainer.]

Originally Posted by 1/2-Fast Player

Uh, I hate to tell you this, but chances are the club's waitresses are getting a lot more than that in tips.

Maybe you're on the wrong side of the microphone, bro.

Probably. Good thing I enjoy what I'm doing.

But my pay seems pretty average for the clubs here, for all the players out here I've spoken to. It probably depends a lot on the city/scene.

[1/2-Fast Player]

Yeah, it's very definitely locally influenced.

I've made my living in the music biz, and frankly I'd rather do it for pleasure and to serve God. When it's a business, the money and marketing concerns have a way of taking away from the enjoyment and the beauty.

[metropolis4]

Originally Posted by Rainer.

Giving lessons not only isn't a bad idea, but will probably be a big part of your income if you decide to go pro. BTW, metropolis4, I want to know what clubs you're playing that make you $200 a weekend. I get around $60-80 a show on average.

Country clubs!

Country music people like their live music and they like their honky tonks. There's decent money in the country scene (usually better than rock from my experience). I was playing with a four piece group for a while and we would play Friday and Saturday nights at the bar and make around $250 each.

Unfortunately quite a few clubs are deciding not to do live music anymore and so the ones that do will often try to low-ball you. But if you are well known in the local scene you can still usually get around $400 a night if the regulars like you

Right now I'm working on putting together a three piece country/rock group specifically to play the clubs and make some money. Should be nice

[Rainer.]

Well, I'm definitely gonna have a tough time finding a Country music club around here.

I'm also actually pretty distanced from the rock scene around Seattle, too. I've always played with a lot more jazz, soul, and hip hop musicians.

And I play in a 5 piece band, which I guess is a bit more of a division than a 3 piece or 4 piece... math is a good skill for musicians, as well.

[1/2-Fast Player]

Many years ago I knew three musicians who played with a symphony, one bassist and two violinists. They soon learned that they were destined for a life of starving artistry, so they switched to guitar, banjo, and fiddle and started playing bluegrass and country-western. They tripled their incomes.

If you want to be in the music business, you have to be willing to meet market demands. That might not always be the same as your artistic preferences.

If you have a different means to put bread on the table, you have much greater musical freedom.

[AudioAUnderdog]

Well, I'm sure there's no shortage of country music clubs here in Texas. I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but maybe the ability to play county music is a skill I should have.

[1/2-Fast Player]

Sounds like a good idea. I understand Texas has both kinds of music: country and western.

[everyman]

If you have a different means to put bread on the table, you have much greater musical freedom.

Absolutely. In my state, many professional musicians have a choice between playing watered down Hawaiian music for tourists or getting day jobs and playing the type of music they really want to play.

[1/2-Fast Player]

>...playing watered down Hawaiian music for tourists...

I'm in the Orlando area, bro, and I feel your pain. I know all about music for tourists.

And why do they call it tourist season if you're not allowed to shoot them?

[AudioAUnderdog]

I just asked my teacher about sight reading today. He showed me a book to use and got me started on it. I used to play classical flute, and I can still read drum music so it's nothing new to me. And actually, it's a lot easier than I thought it would be. My teacher says that I can probably just use the book and teach myself, and I think he's right. Even though it was easier than I expected it was just as boring as I remember it being with flute. But I'm on the right track now.