Al-

There have been many similar questions asked over the last several years. I'd suggest doing a search and review the posts from the older threads. I remember there was a lot of good info in them.

I'm not retired. I'm 50 years old and began playing solo keyboard & vocals 16 years ago. I added the Tyros 1 shortly after it came out in 02/03 and haven't strayed from an arranger since.

Based out of a smaller (25K) size town just north of Dayton, OH, I've averaged over 400 gigs per year for the last ten years or so. Most of these are at retirement communities. The rest are a mix of private parties (retirement, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.) Corporate functions, Civic events, Military base this, animal club work and memorials.

No single client generates more than 3-4% of my total revenue stream, which (I think) is desirable as it protects you from a sudden, major loss of sales if a client decides to drop you. I average 35-40 gigs per month. The low end gigs all pay about $100/ea. The high end private stuff I do usually brings me $300+ a night. On average I have 3-5 days off a month, less during the Holidays.

Adding the "retired" element thing to it changes it. If a person is retired and has no financial needs for this music project to make significant cash, that's one thing. If a person does need it to make X amount of money each month, that's another. The answer will effect what your pricing turns out to be.

Some issues I'd suggest a newcomer to consider would be:

1) How much do you want to work?

2) Portability of equipment

3) How large of a geographical range do you want to seek work in?

4) How do you plan on getting gigs/clients?

5) Quality of equipment

6) Repertoire

7) Instrumental or with vocals?

...There's a lot more to it, of course but those are some of the basic things to consider.

Finally, I would make a special mention regarding working in nursing homes. Its not "just another" gig and requires a certain attitude and outlook for it to really work. Likewise, there have been very good threads on working in NH's over time that you'd benefit from digging up.

Good luck...