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Regular performances – hotels/restaurants

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Home Forums Performing Regular performances – hotels/restaurants

Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)
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  • #62885
    melissa-mcwalter
    Participant

    So, I was wondering… If one were lucky enough to get “contracted” to play on a regular basis at say a hotel or a restaurant, by how much do you drop your hourly rate? I’m not working in dollars, pounds or euros, so I’m going to have to extract some kind of ratio formula 🙂

    #62886

    Last time I had a hotel gig, I got about $50/hr.

    #62887
    diane-michaels
    Spectator

    I’d suggest doing some research in your area. Are you in a city where other venues offer steady live music gigs? If so, are the musicians working on a union contract? Are the musicians employed directly through the hotel/restaurant or through a contractor? In either case, find out the current going rate in your region through a union or working musicians.

    If it is common for hotels/restaurants to work through contractors rather than directly with independent vendors, inquire about such relationships at each venue in addition to checking to see if they hire other steady musicians. Be careful about bidding on someone else’s job or territory.

    One final thought: your rate may be different (as in: higher) if you are bringing your instrument each time you play as opposed to leaving it at the venue.

    #62888
    Jerusha Amado
    Participant

    Brittany,

    Was that for a one-time event or for an extended number of dates? I was also curious if the hotel hired you for lobby background music or for something else? (I live in Arizona.)

    #62889

    I play once a week for dinner – 3 hours at a small (44 seat) restaurant in the S.F. bay area. Average is $100 with what they pay me and tips, plus the occasional CD sale. I also get a free meal and all the wine I want (which is not much if you want your fingures to keep working properly,…) Not a lot of money but advantages are that it keeps me practicing and learning (and arranging) new music and from the exposure I have gotten additional more highly paid gigs. They are also very accommodating as I am out of town and out of the country frequently so not available every week.

    #142390
    melissa-mcwalter
    Participant

    I did manage to see all of these replies but was unable to log in and reply sooner. It has been a great help, thanks!

    Something kind of long term (hotel wise) has poked its head up, but the pay is not so great – based on what other musicians manage to get for a few hours’ set and also based on what was written in these posts. This latest potential hotel work probably averages at about a third of my hourly rate, but that is for three hours (not one)! Ie a third of my hourly rate paid for three hours of work. Will negotiate and see what comes of it.

    Thanks for the advice.

    #183610

    Another possible source for steady employment may be funeral homes, playing for services and viewings.

    #211973
    mtklim
    Participant

    What is the going rate for these types of gigs now? I am in Canada

    #211995

    It can be sadly low, and sometimes they don’t even allow you to get tips. Other musicians get less than harpists, and if they don’t understand the expense of our instruments, we are stuck. One hotel near me pays $150 for three hours, the same as 20 years ago when I played there. Still more than a piano player might get.

    #212001
    Sylvia
    Participant

    On the plus side, it does put you out in public so people know about you…and maybe pick up some regular jobs.

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