Last Saturday, I was doing a fancy house party on a very nice deck - catered food, butlered hors'derves (spelling??) - the works. So, you know they spent a bundle on this shindig.

First strange thing was - the hostess paid me before I played a note. She handed me a check and thanked me for coming 1/2 hour before the first sound. (unusual for me)

At the end of the party as I was packing up, she came up to me and handed me a folded up bill and said "This is for you" . I put it in my pocket without ever looking at it, and said my "Thank you's". I never looked in my pocket till the ride home ... It was a hundred dollar bill. (Fairly common in that circle of clientele)

My point here:
I try to never look at the tips I'm given - whether it's in a jar or in my hand. I think it's insulting to equate any amount to the gratitude for the gesture. Just wondering if anyone feels the same on this point.

Sometimes it's hard to NOT look, especially when people make a point to show you the money as they drop it in, or wave it around, or say "Here's a Twenty ... play *x* for me".
I don't really work for tips, but I sure do appreciate the big ones. Most private parties give me at least 10% more than the contract ... almost always.

Another thing I try to do whenever possible is to start 5 minutes early and play 5 minutes late. That small gesture of good faith goes a long way. I hate tardiness, so I try to show my clients that I value their time table as well.

Just a few more thoughts on how to make some money in this crazy world of show biz...

You're exactly right as to the etiquette. I never look at the amount of the check or count the money until I get in the car.
some of the really big tippers do it privately, but there are always some that make a big show of it. In a piano bar situation sometimes it gets to be like a feeding frenzy--a couple of people get it started and everybody follows. And that's good.
Don
DonM

I agree. I never even look at the check until I am in the car. There is always plenty of time to make sure it is correct and for the correct amount. I have never had one bounce yet and I think it builds a kind of trust between the client and myself. I don't look at the payment, I trust it will be in order. Tips are the same way. They go straight into my pocket.
Good form Uncle Dave and Don!
- Brian

I try not to peek either, but sometimes, I'll admit to sneaking a quick peek, if I'm sure no one is around looking . I'll admit I've had my share of surprises though. Sometimes its the richest ones (where I had put out 500% of myself) who give me a meager tip, or none at all, while other people who I'd least expect can really afford it, give me a $100+ tips. You just really never know. When performing for private affairs, I never go in with the attitude of expecting a tip, as I always negotiate the contract to cover the amount I expect. Tips are just icing on the cake. Ok, can I peek NOW?!

I think you all know my thoughts on "negotiations". There are none. The price is fixed. I never want a bidding war between prospective clients, because I intend to give out at least 5 - 10 cards at every affair. (Hopefully more ... )

Since they all know each other (probably)- it would be bad business to quote one price to one person and another to someone else.
I'd rather loose a few jobs that don't pay the fare than work "under" my scale.

This only looses a few jobs per year and it makes it easier to keep a steady income happening. Almost all of the clients that hear me - book me. Sometimes, when the reccomendation comes from a third party ..... my prices scare them a little because they don't know what they are buying. I try to never even mention money if they have never heard me live. The next best thing is an audio demo (and I always send a signed, completed contract with it)and the least best way is to just go on the word of mouth referral. That's dangerous because your particular style may not be just what the client is expecting .... even though you may come highly recommended.

All in all - the tips are a welcome addition, but I never rely on them. It's found money ... like a Christmas present.

UD:
It's coincidental, your story, since Saturday night I did a pool side house party in Deal, NJ and, like you, I was given a $100.00 tip at the end of the night; the hostess came to me with a cash envelope and said "here, there is a little extra for a great job". Thinking that it probably was a $20.00 tip (the usual), I never bother to open the envelope until I got home, only to find the extra $100.00 plus the $600.oo I charged. It's not just the money, but also these gestures that make this pofession worthwhile. However, I feel that I deserved every penny I earned, since the heat and the humidity were "excruciating", the thermometer hit 103 that night, even my amp was “acting up” due to the high humidity. I am still recuperating from that gig .
Your comment on starting 5 minutes early and going the extra 5 at the end is right on the money, I’ve done this many times and got rewarded for it. It’s a small investment that goes a long way. I also try not to take brakes unless I feel I need it, or if I do, they are usually no longer that 5-10 minutes. I also put a CD and keep the music going(softly) during this time; people won’t miss you as much.
When I used to perform with my guitar, it was “imperative” that I took a 15 minutes brake every 40 minutes, otherwise I would get cramps in my hand (something that eventually turned into “Carpal Tunel syndrome” and ended up with surgery). Now playing the KBs, my hands can go for hours w/o rest. What a relieve.

Mario

Mario,
I had my bout with CTS as well, and I chose to battle it with cyropractic therepy instead of surgury. It took about a year and a half, but my insurance paid for it, it was painless, riskfree and it worked ! I have NO trace of the symptoms any more and it's been over 4 years since the treatment.

Regarding breaks - every job has it's own "pulse" and I am in control of that pulse. Sometimes I play extra long sets, and sometimes I take frequent breaks. There is no set rule for me .... just an attentive approach to time mangement. I aggree that playing your own music on breaks can help you control the mood while you're on break.

I'll be near Deal this weekend in Spring Lake. My sister has a home there and I'm taking a short holiday with a few of my girls from Friday to Sunday. Do you live close by? Donny is not far from there either - he's in Brick twp. Maybe we can grab a sandwich or a drink somewhere?
I'll be there all day Friday .... Saturday morning, and all day Sunday too.
My cell # 215-284-1328

If you're around - ring me up, and I'll call Donny !

I strongly agree with you Uncle Dave.. When I used to play out I always had this happen to me.. I would often get cash tips handed to me in the end.. I too would say thank you and place it in my pocket not once looking at it.. I think it would be insulting to the person who gave it to you.. That happened to me on my very last gig I ever played up north in my old blues band. I had a guy come up to me and slip me two 50's... At first I honestly thought it was the mans business card because I often got many of those from people. It was later when I remembered to look in my pocket that I realized it was two 50's.

Squeak

Darn it UD!
Would you believe I will be performing at the Spring Lake Bath & Tennis Club next Saturday night on the 13th?
I've been playing there for the last 15 years doing a couple of performances during each summer (in fact I just did a presentation there 2 weeks ago). It would have been great to have you come over and assess my rig "live". However, I am only 20 minutes north of Spring Lake and since I don't have a gig as of yet for this Saturday, I would love for us to meet and "shoot the breeze" over a few "straights". Or better yet, invite you your daughters and Don to come over my house here in Wayside and have a full Italian meal with my wife's great "tomato gravy"(that's “Italian” for sauce) and some wine. Are you game? You know I am dying to meet this "tough/controversial" character on the net (and probably find out that is just a "pussycat" in disguise). Please let me know, my cell 1 732 861-8129. If we can't make it Saturday, how about Sunday? Hopefuly we will have Don join us as well if he is free, (He’s only 25 minutes south of me), man that would be some jam session! How about it Don?

Mario



[This message has been edited by Mario (edited 07-31-2002).]

You of course make a valid point and I agree. I too have my set fees which I stick to. When I refered to negotiating a contract, I meant clarifying the setup & performance details: equipment setup location, performance time, breaks, attire, special songs to be played, etc. I think it's important to clarify the details beforehand (in a contract), so the client knows EXACTLY what they'll be getting. With no last minute surprises, BOTH you and the client will be HAPPY, and you'll likely to recieve a bigger tip as well.