Do you charge same regardless where your gig is or more for private parties?

Top-end restaurants here pay $150.00.
Society (horse industry, government, etc.)
pay $350-500 and up. It all depends on whether you're part of the establishment.

I get my private winte parties by working outside on the patio of an upscale restaurant thoroughbred farm owners frequent.

The patio job is rough...two sound systems, no cover from the sun or rain, damaged equipment, etc., but the result is 125 better paying winter jobs.

That works for me..

Russ

Seems like the bar/lounge sceene is just about the same everywhere--$150 is the top rate most places, a few pay $175, and that's for a 4-hour job.

Private parties and all others, it's $100 per hour flat rate with a $200 minimum. The only exception to the minimum charge is jobs at nursing homes and assisted living centers. Most only last an hour, they're very easy to do, and they are a flat $100.

Cheers,

Gary

You've earned $350-$500 and up for those? For a one-man band? Geez.

The thoroughbred industry is interesting...lots of high rollers and big money. I have one regular at the restaurant I play who hosts a small party of 12 twice a month. His tab, including wine, is always $3,000 plus, and he tips me and the server $500.00 each.

$100.00 per hour is the rate for the top events here, in Louisville and other cities around the area...is that so much more than other areas? I have a Derby day brunch in Louisville...$500 for three hours, a Derby party in the afternoon on a farm in Lexington that raises Derby contenders....$1,000 for a trio, and my regular evening restaurant job ($150.00).

Of course, the Derby happens only once a year, but there are Keeneland horse sale sessions, racing sessions and many events hosted by farms for potential buyers.

It's a very close-knit group, and two of us get most of the work. I attribute it to luck and old age!

Russ

From your post I know one of you are from Louisville, how about the others?

I'm from Rhode Island and have recently started playing solo gigs after many years of doing the family life thing. Just trying to get an idea what is a fair price. I've had a few gigs at retirement homes that pay $75 to $100 for one hour only.

At better parties and eventsI was hoping to charge $150 for the first hour and $75 each additional hour. Does that sound like I'm in the right price range?

I never charge by the hour. I set a price for the job from 10 minutes to four hours. It takes just as much time to set up and tear down for an hour job as a four-hour job. I enjoy playing anyway, or I wouldn't be doing it, so I don't mind longer jobs. Now, over four hours, that's a different $tory!
The club prices seem to be in line--100-150 a night. That's why I seldom do clubs anymore.
Private parties and casinos pay MUCH better.
One piece of advice: DON'T under-price yourself. Once you start playing for a low figure, that's your price from then on. I've found that, up to a point, if you charge more, they think you are worth more. Of course you have to perform!
Also, don't fall for the old line, "I'll start you out cheap and when the crowd builds up I'll give you a raise." It almost never happens.
DonM

[This message has been edited by DonM (edited 04-13-2005).]

I don't know what to tell you guys... I don't leave my house for under $350. And I'm not in a wealthy community either. I'm not even going to tell you what I charge for a wedding - you'll probably die.

Because of my price I don't get to play as often -- but for me this is a side job. I still play about 40 times a year though.

Chony

Im assuming your playing alone...and since this is the arranger keyboard section.. im curious how you use your arranger keyboard for these gigs.. is it just piano with split bass and onboard drums? or all solo piano? or the ochrestation wiht the left hand block chords and play diff instruments with the right? or do you use midi backing youve recorded ahead and play with it? hehe let me know how you use your arranger Keyboard in live performances.

[This message has been edited by Timo1 (edited 04-14-2005).]

All of the above.

I'm in the same boat, Chony. As a solo acoustic accordionist I discovered that I was in HUGE demand. I upped my minimum rate to $400 (3 hour maximum) and have only had two customers turn it down. I was playing for half that figure a year ago.

These are all private parties and unfortunately, as an accordionist, there usually is a bit of "Can you wear a German-type of outfit?" or "We'd like you to stroll between tables" of which I need to be very clear upfront: Absolutely no costumes and absolutely no strolling. My accordion weighs 42 pounds and is a 5/5 reed beast. I'm not about to navigate tables and drinks as my back gives out!

One difference between us, I play out much less than you. Due to work schedules and a young son I'm lucky if I play a couple times a month.

Tommy

With my Privia PX400R I play a few different ways depending on the gig. I sometimes play the Privia as a solo piano. Most of the time I use block chords in the left hand with the on board orchestration. In the right hand on the Privia I pretty much use piano, organ, jazz guitar, vibes and once in a while the muted trumpet. And I do not sing at all.

Restaurant and club's fee seems to be the same here, it's hard to get them to pay more than $150 a night, which is understand able, and I mostly play in Dallas area with some Houston, Austin and San Antonio once a while for a bigger function. For other function, it's any where from $700 to $1,500 depends on the party and time of the year, I normally play with one female singer, and one guitarist when we charge at least $600 but I only pay my guitarist $100. I use arranger function only with block chord on the left hand, no sequencer, so we can play any songs in any key and strectch out the solos as long or short as we want, I like it this way. I seen player who incorporate sequencer and doing it well, but it's my preference to play the way we play. We all sing lead and back up, so sometimes when I'm by myself, it's kind of lonley on the stage, but I can hear keyboards better, not hearing guitar in my ears.

I don't understand what you are saying. You do NOT use auto-accompaniment via a style? You have to invoke a style to get the arranger to recognize a left-hand chord, don't you? I just woke up but how do you do that?

Bill,

There is a fingering mode known as FULL, which allows you to use the entire keyboard as a piano, sax, etc, and still have the benefit of arranger styles. On the 2000, press Function, Chord Fingering, the select full. You'll need at least three fingers used with your left hand to activate the chord changes, however, you can work all over the keyboard and do lots of neat things.

Gary

ni

Sorry for the confusion, you're right I use auto accompaniment, that's what I tried to say when I said I used the arranger function.

I use my auto accompaniment however I only use my own styles. This allows me to get the best of both the "auto accompaniment" and "sequenced arrangements" worlds. I have many variations and intros which are identical to the original recordings and are very impressive if I may say so. I also have full liberty to play in any key and change songs as often and freely as I like. The only preset accompaniments I actually use from my keyboard are the occasional ballet.

I also do piano only - depending on the mood and occasion.

I'm happy to see that other people here are charging more as well. I was starting to wonder if I'm ripping people off!

For every additional instrument / singer I charge $250 - $300 extra. Basically for a three piece band wedding (including the service etc - so its a good 10 hr job) I take around $1250.