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how to much to charge for a restaurant gig?   You are logged in as Guest
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at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

how to much to charge for a restaura... 
ok guys, im back with another question. this is part of my on going "how much to charge for a ..." series.

what's a good rate for restaurant gigs per person?

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Aug. 24 2010 7:12:06
 
akatune

 

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Aug. 24 2010 9:03:58
 
Pimientito

Posts: 2481
Joined: Jul. 30 2007
From: Marbella

RE: how to much to charge for a rest... (in reply to at_leo_87) 
Always a tricky one. You certainly cant charge as much as a wedding (unless its for a one off wedding party at the restaurant). The restaurant is going to want you as cheap as possible to try to bring in more clients and make a profit.

It depends on how expensive the place is, how many times a week they want you to play, how long they want you to play and how far away it is. When I was doing restaurants a few years ago I charged 90 Euros a night. That was for playing 3 half hour/40 minute sets with a couple of breaks. The thing was is was just down the road and I was playing 2 or 3 times a week so it added up to a good amount and I still had time to do weddings and stuff with dancers on weekends

If they plan on making a regular thing you can always do the first couple weeks a bit cheaper and see if they get more clients. For a one off gig you need to charge around 120 bucks plus your travel costs. You can always reduce it down a bit if they complain. I wouldnt suggest that you lower your price to less than around 100 if you want to be taken seriously. The other good thing about restaurants is that it is a great way to sell your CDS. You can often make more selling a dozen CDs than what the place pays you so you have to weigh it all up. If its close by and they are feeding you, but they only offer 80 bucks, but you are selling a few CDs and you are there twice a week then it might be ok. I think you could charge more though in the right place though and probably with the lack of flamenco guitarists in Boston you could strike a good deal with the right place. Once they see more clients coming in they will look after you a lot.

Lastly playing regular gigs is the best way to improve. Its absolutley no shame to be playing in restaurants initially. A year of doing that a couple times every week will really turn you into a professional performer. The downside is that people will be talking while you play. You have to learn to shut that out and perform while all the distractions of food, waitresses, children and people coming to talk to you is going on.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Aug. 24 2010 9:20:45
 
Chiste de Gales

Posts: 298
Joined: Jan. 13 2009
 

RE: how to much to charge for a rest... (in reply to at_leo_87) 
A bit of a warning on this topic:

Theres an excellent player in town with decades of experience, and has studied with Juan Serrano- even goes to Spain every summer for studies. So I respect his advice:

He told me and some other players a long time ago that he discovered how bad it is to perform as background music- usually the type of gig would be restaurants, parties, receptions, etc. He explained that the lack of attention the group gives to your playing makes you stop caring about details/precision/technique and you can become a worse player. His advice was to only play gigs where you are either on-stage or clearly in front of the crowd gaining the most attention.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Aug. 24 2010 12:20:02
 
Ricardo

Posts: 14825
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: how to much to charge for a rest... (in reply to at_leo_87) 
If you have a group with dancers etc, no less then 100 per person. If you are solo, no less then 250 I think, based on a few years ago. Problem is I am not sure how things are going now a days with the bad economy. Could be some good artists are charging less because people are not paying anymore. It is important to have some standards though. Check with someone you know in the musician's union what is the rates nowadays.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Aug. 24 2010 18:42:38
 
at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: how to much to charge for a rest... (in reply to at_leo_87) 
hey guys, thanks for the replies!

quote:

The other good thing about restaurants is that it is a great way to sell your CDS.


well, i dont have a cd yet, but maybe when i return to granada one of these days...

ok, so a bit more info.
there's one regular gig that i get every two weeks. it's a small, intimate restaurant. 20 minutes away. 10 if i'm already in town. we play two 40-60 minute sets with a 1 hour break in between with free food and drinks. if it's a duo, we get 100-150 each. with the four of us (which is crazy, imo) it drops down to 70.

now there's a new restaurant that just opened up, an hour away. he wants 3 hours of music. we get a short break every hour. problem is, he has a total budget of 150 a night....

the only thing that appeals to me is that i'll get more experience and i think there's a potential to build that place up and get paid better too. do you guys think it's worth it?

quote:

If you are solo, no less then 250 I think, based on a few years ago.

damn, i'd be happy to get that.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Aug. 24 2010 21:00:59
 
gj Michelob

Posts: 1531
Joined: Nov. 7 2008
From: New York City/San Francisco

RE: how to much to charge for a rest... (in reply to at_leo_87) 
http://www.gigmasters.com/Search/Classical-Guitar-New-York-City-NY.html

the referenced site provides (quite optimistic) price-ranges for classically trained guitarists (in various Cities, beside the page on NYC which I linked).

My suggestion is to price party/restaurant gigs on hourly rates. One has to be honest about the quality of services he will deliver, yet aware that under pricing my (unfairly) compete with other musicians.

If you can deliver “concert” quality, than one should market himself accordingly, but adapting value to the venue and circumstances (playing as background music at a restaurant, as the “unforgettable” soundtrack for the bride walking the church’s aisle, as special entertainment for a dedicated time, or a concert).

Taking what the employer can offer, at times, is the sole answer, but one should creatively sanction the principle of what he would be entitled to, otherwise, to avoid being underestimated. Food and beverages at the performance or perhaps a bottle of wine for each could add nicely to the wages. But if you charge $100 hourly and are offered to play 3 hours at $100, as insignificant as it may seem, I would stress, if accepting, that the additional unpaid two hours are a gift because of (i) the gracious manner you were asked (ii) the wonderful location (iii) your charitable inclination for that particular event (wedding), etc.

As At_Leo points out, there is additional enrichment one gains through the experience and the exposure gigs afford to Musicians. A value which must be considered, when tempted to turn down any engagement.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Aug. 24 2010 21:35:13
 
Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: how to much to charge for a rest... (in reply to gj Michelob) 
To backup gj's point: are you going to be earning anywhere else in those other 2 hours of the 3? Start small, build a reputation. Reputation and with it, contacts, is priceless. In the UK, the Musicians' Union publish a minimum rate.

Before midnight: engagement of up to 2 hours duration, a minimum payment of £56.50. For engagements of over 2 hours and up to 3 hours a minimum payment of £68.00.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Aug. 24 2010 21:54:43
 
Ricardo

Posts: 14825
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: how to much to charge for a rest... (in reply to at_leo_87) 
quote:

now there's a new restaurant that just opened up, an hour away. he wants 3 hours of music. we get a short break every hour. problem is, he has a total budget of 150 a night....


3hrs of flamenco??? Solo guitar background, that money is ok for an hour at most IMO. I would not accept to play that long if that is the true budget. Guitar duo for $250 playing that long is more like it. I do flamenco trio for $300, 2 sets of 30 min. There was a budget for only $200 an off day and they wanted the same but only 1 long set. I agreed but for only 2 people, one guitar and one dancer one set....

So try to negotiate. Instead of audition, do the gig one time only at that price and say if they like it they either have to pay more or you play less.

Ricardo

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Aug. 25 2010 1:19:35
 
KMMI77

Posts: 1821
Joined: Jul. 26 2009
From: The land down under

RE: how to much to charge for a rest... (in reply to at_leo_87) 
quote:

now there's a new restaurant that just opened up, an hour away. he wants 3 hours of music. we get a short break every hour. problem is, he has a total budget of 150 a night....

the only thing that appeals to me is that i'll get more experience and i think there's a potential to build that place up and get paid better too. do you guys think it's worth it?


This sounds like a really bad deal, 2 hours travel, setting up the pa then 3 hours with short breaks for $150. Is he expecting a duo and dancer for this?

I would only be offering solo guitar for 2x40 min sets max, that's if they offer it as a regular gig. Then explain that you will be giving preference to higher paying gigs when they pop up.

Remember that you can learn anyones job in the restaurant in a short amount of time. It takes thousands of hours,years to do yours.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Aug. 25 2010 4:53:05
 
Pimientito

Posts: 2481
Joined: Jul. 30 2007
From: Marbella

RE: how to much to charge for a rest... (in reply to Ricardo) 
I agree. The last deal is too little. Although the experience is good, you will find the novelty of working as a musician wears off quite quickly and you are stuck in very poorly paid job.
I can only go by prices in Europe but i think its optimistic to expect 250 dollars for a restaurant gig playing solo unless you have been booked for a wedding.

If the first restaurant are paying 300 for a duo and prepared to feed you as well then that sounds good.

for the second one I agree with Ricardo that 3 hours of playing ie 3x45 minute sets for 150 is Ok if its solo but if he wants a duo or a group you need at least 100 per person plus travel.
1 hour driving plus setting up sound, plus strings, plus 3 hours work plus another hour driving for 75 dollars... after costs that makes about 12 dollars per hour.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Aug. 25 2010 7:13:56
 
Kate

Posts: 1827
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: Living in Granada, Andalucía

RE: how to much to charge for a rest... (in reply to at_leo_87) 
quote:

ORIGINAL: at_leo_87

well, i dont have a cd yet, but maybe when i return to granada one of these days...



Come on down Antonio, we would be happy to help

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Aug. 25 2010 11:33:43
 
at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: how to much to charge for a rest... (in reply to at_leo_87) 
hey guys,
i really appreciate your input! i guess this part of the game... learning how to hustle and negotiate.

im going to do as ricardo suggested and just play once and go from there.

i really like this way of thinking...
quote:

It takes thousands of hours,years to do yours.


quote:

Come on down Antonio, we would be happy to help


ok but first, we have to get some of those mussels and fried eggplants for inspiration.

one more question:
if i'm just there on site should i get paid? say i only play for 2 hours but i have to stay on site for 4 hours, should i get paid for those other two where im just hanging out?

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Aug. 26 2010 22:17:54
 
Pimientito

Posts: 2481
Joined: Jul. 30 2007
From: Marbella

RE: how to much to charge for a rest... (in reply to at_leo_87) 
quote:

if i'm just there on site should i get paid?

You should...but you probably wont. Hanging about is an occupational hazzard for most musicians so thats why you need to make sure you are paid properly when you are playing. Part of the "hanging around fee" can be covered by travel expenses and PA hire. Just think of the overall fee as a days wage.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Aug. 27 2010 10:29:41
 
at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: how to much to charge for a rest... (in reply to Pimientito) 
thanks marcos!

im learning a lot and i think im starting to develop the proper mindset for this.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Aug. 27 2010 20:37:17
 
henrym3483

Posts: 1584
Joined: Nov. 13 2005
From: Limerick,Ireland

RE: how to much to charge for a rest... (in reply to at_leo_87) 
how to bargain succesfully as a musician

  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 15 2010 12:28:02
 
at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: how to much to charge for a rest... (in reply to at_leo_87) 
LOL! thanks for posting that henry. i'm watching the sequels now.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 15 2010 15:39:55
 
Chiste de Gales

Posts: 298
Joined: Jan. 13 2009
 

RE: how to much to charge for a rest... (in reply to at_leo_87) 
A classical guitarist I know near Dallas, TX told me a couple days ago that he charges $250 to play a 45 minute set.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 15 2010 15:50:27
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