Like Uncle Dave, Scott, Gary, DNJ and others here I work mostly as a single, but I do have a female singer that works with me maybe 10% of the jobs. In this part of the country, during the high season, (S. Florida) the duo pricing varies from $250 to $400. The variance in price depends on the day of the week, whether or not it is a high-demand holiday, how many people are expected to attend, etc. (exluding New Year's Eve..which is a whole nuther animal).

As a single, most all the night jobs are $200. But, again, I will sell an off-night for $150 or go as high as $300 depending on the variables mentioned above. I rarely get price objections...especially from those who have hired me previously.

Ahhhh...but then there is summer...which, for me, is extremely slow. Low balling prices doesn't create non-existing jobs. But, this past summer I solicited a local bar..thinking I would take whatever they offered, IF they even made an offer. They said they wanted to book me for 3 weekends and added that they paid everybody the same...I grit my teeth expecting the worse...and they said they pay a flat $300 for 3 hours. I tried not to look too pleasantly surprised. That was an extremely rare situation for me.

As has been said earlier, don't take a job that pays less than what you will be happy with. By the same token, you don't want to be thought of as the cheapest act in town. Be fair, firm and friendly if you expect to get repeat business.

Recently I got a request from a client that wanted to cut the playing time to 2 hours trying to save a buck. I told him I sell "nights", not hours. Imagine how upset you would be taking a shorter job for minimal pay and then getting a higher paying offer. After my explanation, he said he understood and didn't ask for any more concessions.

Eddie