Members pink floyd cramer Posted June 25, 2009 Members Share Posted June 25, 2009 Around here the going rate is $100 an hour, 2-hour minimum for private or corporate functions, about half that for restaurants/lounges/clubs.. sometimes I play for less if I can get done early and make a later band gig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pink floyd cramer Posted June 26, 2009 Author Members Share Posted June 26, 2009 I know there are only about 3 here who make money by sitting at a piano and playing unnacompanied. To do that nowadays, you have to do more contempory music than before- I have to play 80's tunes for an upcoming 2-hour gig in Oct. Already know a fair share, but would welcome any suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mcpepe Posted June 26, 2009 Members Share Posted June 26, 2009 Here, in Spain, things are different. You can play for 100-150 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members The Pro Posted June 26, 2009 Members Share Posted June 26, 2009 $100 per hour is as close to a regular rate as I charge now. I no longer have steady gigs so the rate varies with the event, the travel, the number of people, the venue. I played for a huge graduation last week and made double rate. But then I've played house parties where a piano was supplied for cheap so anything goes. I do have one fast rule: the farther out they want me, the more I charge... I've already had calls for Christmas gigs and those get my highest rate, but come December if my dates are open my rates are less. I play everything from 30's to current, pop/jazz/standards/latin but I try to keep the overall feel contemporary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GigMan Posted June 27, 2009 Members Share Posted June 27, 2009 I know there are only about 3 here who make money by sitting at a piano and playing unnacompanied. So I must be no. 3... Solo gigs only come up a few times a yr. for me but I take 'em when they come, usually a few around the holidays at least. Lately I'll go two and a half bills for 3hrs. plus dinner. Christmas time maybe it'll be three and a half for 4 hrs. I bring a little amp and sing some pop tunes and ballads as well, though - so it's not just instrumentals all that time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bandard Posted June 27, 2009 Members Share Posted June 27, 2009 Around here the going rate is $100 an hour, 2-hour minimum for private or corporate functions, about half that for restaurants/lounges/clubs.. sometimes I play for less if I can get done early and make a later band gig. That is what I'm getting to play hotel lounges solo right now. I open up my Standards book, read and play :"I Can't Give You Anything But Love (babeee)" and "What a Wonderful World", etc. 20's depression era song are very appropriate these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members chilitopper 1 Posted June 27, 2009 Members Share Posted June 27, 2009 I do have one fast rule: the farther out they want me, the more I charge... I'm usually the opposite. Once I played four hours of nothing but Ahmad Jamal and Sun Ra for $50. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pink floyd cramer Posted June 27, 2009 Author Members Share Posted June 27, 2009 :thu: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Son of HuHefner Posted June 27, 2009 Members Share Posted June 27, 2009 I play piano at local hotels and restaurants every weekend Sometimes they give me a glass of wine. Sometimes Security will slam the piano lid on my fingers and ask that I enjoy the fresh air outside My g/f says it can be embarassing for her. I am not sure why Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Retarded Tiger Posted June 27, 2009 Members Share Posted June 27, 2009 I play piano at local hotels and restaurants every weekend Sometimes they give me a glass of wine. Sometimes Security will slam the piano lid on my fingers and ask that I enjoy the fresh air outside My g/f says it can be embarassing for her. I am not sure why Sounds like security should be part of my pride. Pianos make wonderful ornaments to a retarded tiger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mrcpro Posted June 27, 2009 Members Share Posted June 27, 2009 Lately I'll go two and a half bills for 3hrs. plus dinner. Pretty much my going rate too. Don't play solo piano that much these days though. No gigs. And no steadies. All one-nighters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Son of HuHefner Posted June 28, 2009 Members Share Posted June 28, 2009 Pretty much my going rate too. Don't play solo piano that much these days though. No gigs. And no steadies. All one-nighters. might as well be a gigolo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pink floyd cramer Posted June 28, 2009 Author Members Share Posted June 28, 2009 you can do both:thu: My card says, "Hard up for a piano player? Call '____, the Piano Whore'". you do what you gotta do in this economy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Son of HuHefner Posted June 28, 2009 Members Share Posted June 28, 2009 you can do both:thu: My card says, "Hard up for a piano player? Call '____, the Piano Whore'". you do what you gotta do in this economy. you have a flair for music marketing and cross marketing promotion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pink floyd cramer Posted June 28, 2009 Author Members Share Posted June 28, 2009 Actually, my first "Piano Whore" card said "if you can't get who you REALLY want, call me!" And for some reason everyone that that was funny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Son of HuHefner Posted June 28, 2009 Members Share Posted June 28, 2009 Actually, my first "Piano Whore" card said "if you can't get who you REALLY want, call me!" And for some reason everyone that that was funny. I think you are onto something, like the 6th Spice Girl You could have one of those greeting card recordings on your biz card with: (Wannabe Lyrics by Spice Girls.) ... So tell me what you want, what you really really want, I'll tell you what I want, what I really really ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pink floyd cramer Posted June 29, 2009 Author Members Share Posted June 29, 2009 So then, those of you who use gigs and music work as a front for prostitution, what are your rates? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Son of HuHefner Posted June 29, 2009 Members Share Posted June 29, 2009 So then, those of you who use gigs and music work as a front for prostitution, what are your rates? funny you should mention that We are discussing that ' barter ' is a-ok ' http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?t=2365351Worrisome Trend: Woman accepts box of Intel Core 2 Quad 4 Chips as payment for Sex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Pawnz Posted June 30, 2009 Members Share Posted June 30, 2009 I only play a handful of solo piano gigs per year, the vast majority of them for "cocktail hour" before dinner at a wedding reception. Just did one two weeks ago and charged a flat rate $150. I told the folks that hired me, based on my experience, that they usually last between one hour and 1.5 hours, max, and that I would play up to this long, if needed. I ended up playing for 50 minutes, and received a $20 tip. Easy money! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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