This post might make some of my artist friends a little uncomfortable. Why? It requires getting out of the ol' comfort zone. So, how does it work?
Many of you know that I'm working on a HUGE 8-Bit Project...
So, how much is your show worth? If you low-ball the venue, you could get stuck there -even if you're being invited back and bringing in lots of people. If you set a "fair-price" right off the bat, you might be turned down -because other bands will play for less (that will bring in a guaranteed crowd -or so they say).
This is where I'm going to allude to a previous post about desperation. If you're a 5 or 6-piece band that carts around a PA and lights system and the venue isn't willing to pay you at least $1000, you're probably wasting your time and energy. Remember, you've got to split the earnings 5 or 6 different ways and you're compensating yourself for about 6 hours of work for the night (remember at least an hour for setup and an hour for tear down). FYI, in a 6-piece band, this comes out to about $33.00/hour. If you're cool with that, then it's a good rate -if it's not enough, time to re-negotiate.
Whatever you decide to do, stick to your guns. If a venue isn't willing to pay you what you're worth, don't accept the gig. Simply say "no".
Now, suppose you're not "doing it for the money" -which can be somewhat of a noble thing to say... but for a lot of reasons, I'm not buying that as a reason to accept rip-off gigs. If anything, think about how it affects the culture of fellow musicians in your city.
If you're the person that is accepting 4-hour long gigs for free drinks or 4-hour long gigs for $100, you're hurting your fellow musicians by undercutting the actual market value for entertainment -why? Now, the bar knows that there is somebody out there that is willing to play for peanuts just to get stage time... If there is one of you, there are inevitably more of you.
Since musicians guilds and musicians unions aren't as common nowadays, entertainers are responsible for establishing a fair market value for their services!
My blog post today is ending with a dire prediction (I know that I'm a part-time cynic, but this is rooted in patterns -not cynicism). I feel like establishing a price and understanding how the market value for entertainment are important knowledge to pursue. That being said, I feel like the culture of musicians low-balling themselves has hit an irreversible point for anybody that is trying to include "LIVE shows in bars" as part of their practical income as a working musician. I predict; that in ten years, bars will either not pay musicians at all -or will simply refuse to hire live entertainment. Why? If the lower quality and lower experienced musicians are the ones that continue to low ball existing rates, all that will be left is sonic garbage. Patrons will still continue to enjoy their alcohol without having to indulge sonic trash, and the bar will get to retain the profits.
I know it's a bummer to end on, but if anything, I definitely think this is something to consider! Do you agree? Do you disagree? Join in the conversation below!
Until next time,
-T.
When was the last time you turned down a gig?
***BONUS*** PIANO VERSIONS SATURDAY
It's Piano Versions Saturday!
Friday!!! Excellent!!! -VIDEO-
This one is a list -I stopped at 20!
So, what does it take to be a working musician in 2017?
It's Piano Versions Saturday!
To put it simply, this is the most complicated Piano Versions piece I've ever created.
hey friends! I need to take a bit of a break from this blog. As I've written about in the past, I have an inclination to be a part time cynic. I am in a season right now where my cynicism is getting the best of me. Consequently, I don't feel like I can offer my best insights regarding creativity and performance right now.
No worries, though! I will definitely be back. In the meantime, I will be sharing some new music periodically in this space until I'm ready to write again.
Cynicism has not won the game. I am just fully aware that cynicism spreads like cancer and is too easy for creatives to latch onto. There is too much of it in the world, and I will have no part in spreading it.
Stay creative!
Stay awesome!
Until next time,
-T.
It'sPiano Versions Saturday! Piano Versions is a series that I've been creating on YouTube for the past few years. I found incredible value in sequencing out the pieces to hear what they are supposed to sound like at full speed. I created these videos as a reference tool for people who are learning the sheet music!
This week's videos are shorter themes including:
Super Mario Bros. - Castle Background, Invincible Theme, Course Clear and World Clear Themes
^^^ CASTLE BACKGROUND ^^^
^^^ INVINCIBLE ^^^
^^^ COURSE CLEAR ^^^
^^^ WORLD CLEAR ^^^
It's Friday -and that's excellent! Let's celebrate... Bill and Ted style, shall we?! :-)
Karaoke is a strange beast -many times because of the venues that you find it.
I have a keen theory about karaoke and it's this:
Interacting with new people can be RIDICULOUSLY stressful to creative people.
When was the last time you talked yourself out of working on a project?
Hey friends! Happy Monday to you and yours!
Today, we're keeping it light -and tomorrow we'll jump back in!
This past week has been filled with lots of music, lots of rehearsals, and lots of recording.
Consequently, I needed to take a week off from the blog.
No worries, though. I'm back with a renewed energy and outlook!
Have a fantastic Monday!
-T.
BLAST FROM THE PAST:
"The Rail Rider" // Feat. "Flap Flap" Written by: T. Larson // Performed by: B. Saffyre
On Saturday, I passed my 100th uploaded video on my YouTube channel. To celebrate, I spend the day creating Piano Versions to every level in the Super Mario Land game for Gameboy. After all, it was my first video game -and still one of my favorites.