Here's the way it usually works. You do exactly as suggested in this video, which is good advice, then you get a call from a bar to fill in a particular date, which you accept. Shortly after you hang up the phone, another bar calls with an invitation for the same date, which, being a person of integrity, you turn down, even if it is a better gig. Then, three days before you are to play the gig you booked, they call and tell you they double booked that gig, and sorry, but you're not needed. Or worse, you actually show up to play the gig and the other band is already set up. Which often leads bands to double book themselves, then take the gig they'd rather do, and call off the other (drummer died, or what-have-you for an excuse). Which leads to bar owners doing more double booking themselves, and so on. Every bar wants great bands to come and play, but they also all want other bars to be the proving grounds. One more thing. If you get a gig close to home, work your family, friends, and neighbors. Convince them they have to come out to hear you. Having a reasonably full house helps. Good luck! You'll need it.

You had me until you talked about the money. I make $400. Per three hour gig. And I say no to the cheap skates.

I was talking to a friend of mine who's band had advanced a step or two up the local/regional ladder toward the "big time". When I asked how he had achieved this exalted stature, he replied "I fired my friends and hired MUSICIANS" ...

One of the issues I run into when I'm trying to book my original band at a music festival or venue that wants original music to avoid paying licensing fees... Is that my music is published and I am a member of a PRO. I can't be the only one with this issues. Any advice?

I’ve been gigging off and on for about 40 years. Your advice is solid and I can verify this from my own experiences in playing everything from blue collar beer bars to high end nightclubs (the kind where they’ll let in one person and tell the next to take a hike…all based on their looks, how they’re dressed and how they conduct themselves at the entrance…btw, these gigs traditionally paid the best). The one thing that I was told by my mentor, back in the day, is that a band is a business and when there is any contact with the venue management, whether it’s the first introduction or relating to one’s band 50th gig at the venue, one must… •Conduct themselves professionally. •Be dressed appropriately (one’s stage getup is not necessarily appropriate but business casual attire is generally considered acceptable). •One must be well groomed, e.g., bathed, hair combed/brushed, clean shaven or facial hair neatly trimmed, etc. If the band rep is a woman, then the U&C grooming measures apply. • One must be sober. Trying to conduct business when one is heavily hung over, wreaking of alcohol or patchouli oil to cover up the smell of cannabis is not professional and will get one not receiving phone calls asking the band to play. •There should be one designated band member who is considered the “business/band manager” and all contacts, whether it be about negotiations, bookings/scheduling, various & sundry issues, etc. should be done through this band member. With all the bands that a venue deals with, it’s more productive if the venue representative only has to remember one name and face for one’s band.

You don't need a guitar to be a solo act, unless you can't sing for shit.

Here in South Africa going rate is comparable, R1500 - R2000 for a duo or solo act for pub gigs, works out to about $100 or so. Weekend for a popular 3 or 4 piece more like R5000, maybe R6000, about $350 - $400,

It's also a lot the drummer that is the leader.

I use an acoustasonic some guitar pedals and loop guitar bass and drums on the acoustasonic. Boss rc202 looper, I use a pedal to make the guitar sound like a bass, I hit the guitar body for bass drum and snare. Then scratch on the strings for high hat. Never use backing tracks. I play for a living in Southern California, turned this video on just to see what you had to say. All good stuff man. Charge 200

subbed before even watching

I used to enjoy playing weddings, it was one of the bands' mainstays, There are a few pretty much unwritten but important rules that need to be followed obvious once you learn them. Some of this was covered in this video, Anyway here goes,... 1: There will be special songs to learn for the gig. Don't half-ass them; nail them to the best of your ability. 2: Watch your volume/loudness. 3: Bone up on the top 40 in the most popular genres for the area 4: Be prepared to make announcements and or hand over the mic. at times. 5: But most of all push all attention to the couple, You are not the star at this gig the couple is, So keep your egos in check.. 6: Oh yeah Guests who sing; be prepared for that. I'm not being a know it all, Just trying t help. This method kept us busy in about a 150 mile radius of home base for more than a few years

There was this gig where I played at a bar and grille, and I played there every Sunday it was my acoustic only type of gig like background music. I had a tip jar it was a big glass tip jar.. One of the employees was drunk and knocked it over and it broke lol. keep in mind this was like 11:00 a.m lol.

Rehearsals pay $0.00 an hour. Same with travelling.

I've worked for a couple band leaders who did everything themselves. It was good to great! I've also gotten the 'we're a team, all for one and one for all BS. You're expected to be a roadie, a grip and a bus driver but express an opinion and you get dissed.

me and my 4 keyboards can stay lol

Nope! If you want a sober legal aged Pro. level "Dependable Player? You have terms and conditions? So do we/I If you hire me ? You pay me for all the time I use/spend for you just like any other employer. And at a flat pay rate, For hours worked. Not some percentage of the gig payout. A reasonable time/pay to learn a song, And rehearsal hours pay too, Equipment transport for out of town gigs. As well. Time is money Mr. Dictator oops Boss.

This was very helpful. I like the Montage idea. Thank you. ~ 🌺

Well said Brian! You just earned my subscription. Even though I am currently in a financial crunch, I have a good day job and found some other great points in this video. 'Keep Doing That Voodoo That You Do!"

what if your "leader" is a total wanker?

Great advice! And you are right on the money.

In Fort Walton Beach FL and kind of starting out, I at least ask for $150.00 for 2 hours. And $50.00 for each hour more. I got that much every time so far. I say to myself, I don't play for free. I have not been hired back for a couple of gigs. But after the fifth gig or so I am a regular at the VFW. That is a 3 hour gig and I get $250.00. That is what they pay. I said $200.00 for 3 hours and they pay me $250.00 for 3. So I am happy playing there while I get more experience.

9:27 minutes to say “message them”

You are 90% better than the other "Music Industry Gurus" you deserve more recognition. Great video as always!🎉

This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you for the advice.

I am from the Netherlands. This life entertainment is not as usual here, but they do happen. Last saturday it was a gig out on a terras. I made two an a half hour for 100 Euro. But money is not persay my gain. I am retired now and had a good job, so for me it's all about the fun. My motto is, "do what you like, or else stop doing it. There are lots of musicians out there whome say, you could not do a certain gig because there is littlemoney to earn. Well, then find something else if you don't like it.

Nice guitar

$100 just doesn't cover it today, this isn't the 90's, $100 isn't that much, and for 4 hours thats only $25 an hour. Think about how much you've invested in time energy and money just to get paid $25 an hour...and not for the whole work week either, not 40 hours, just 4, maybe if you're lucky you could do it more than once a week...but it just doesn't cover the work and investment you're putting in. Being a musician really is just a hobby.

I agree. I'd also add learn to sing and play an instrument at the same time. Guitar and/or piano are great. Opens up the possibility of solo gigs. I'd also recommend playing as many open mic nights as possible when starting out and feel confident enough to play in public. I also used to busk quite a bit. If you can capture an audience in that setting you're on the right track for sure imo. Remember gigs have a more "captive" audience for lack of a better term. Just a few thoughts on the topic.

In Maine, we get $350 for a duo. So usually $175 base, and then usually $40-60 in tips total.

Can you repeat some of the songs from one set to another in the same gig ?

Will the pair of Yamaha DXR10mkII that I just ordered be sufficient for an acoustic duo?

They are fantastic guitars. I love mine. I have a late 90’s as well. Yours is a Delux, the Classics came with a hard shell case and to my knowledge all the Classics were transparent finishes.

Currently it’s $150 - 250 in Hawaii

In Australia you walk into a bar or pub we call, the horse races are on the screen, the footy is on and the muso is jammed in a corner somewhere, almost background music

New sub appreciating your insight. Saving ti to come back and watch in more detail. Have you on notification so will be back often, Keep posting.🤠😎👋👋👍🎸Always listening to the end.

Great info! Another topic is amplification which I have paired down over the years. It used to be I would bring a whole mixer and two speakers but now I use a single guitar/vocal amp. It takes up less space and is loud enough for small rooms and decks.

1. cover tunes 2. they aren't there to see you = venue gig 3. 4 hours of music 4. can introduce originals between covers 5. Fri/Sat 6. you are there to sell alcohol for the venue 7. how much money? 300-500 whole band 8. flat rate. Percentage is dicey. Fewer members = more pay per member. Tip jar 9. can be worth adding great lead singer / audience entertainer = more money. can save money doing your own mixing 10. don't be too loud. Low stage volume. Use PA.

A friend of mine met Gary Talent of the E Street Band once. He asked why he had simplified his style so much after Born to Run (really Wild and the Innocent). Talent said, "They don't call him the Boss for nothing." Springsteen was that guy. He took input all the time, of course. But he always made the call, collected the money, and paid the band. (He also paid the band a weekly salary when they weren't playing gigs.)

Excellent video! Lots of great info!

If using BT’s is “cheating” for you then don’t use them but I guarantee that I’ll get more work than you - why because I have more options and fullness of sound on some songs! Also - I have NEVER had anyone come up to me and say that didn’t like my sound - quite the opposite- the only people dissing BT’s are “musicians” that think they know what’s best for the audience - brother - get over yourselves!!

Great video. I'm coming from an acoustic duo looking to start gigging solo and this video helps, thank you.

I don’t know I couldn’t take the financial hit of a duo. It’s not worth it around here financially I don’t think unless you’re doing it for fun or part-time. What are you guys making in duos and where are you? I’m in Jupiter Florida and duos maybe pay 50 bucks more than I make solo.

$100 a night? Ooof. That’s Crazy. I average $125 an hour. And clear $80-$120 in tips. For $100 a night, I’d stay home 😂

They are brilliant tip I have to say and I agree with you some people want to hear themselves and forget about out front sound

That’s crazy I did this exact thing earlier and this this pops up. I guess I came up with a g pod plan.

Parker owner!!. F yes man. Mee tü Thanks for addressing this advice

Guy-Girl duo's are awesome. I had a guy join me for a few months and then he left. Now I have to sing Whiskey Lullaby by myself. It's fine, Im enjoying being a solo act again.

$200 Myrtle Beach, SC

If you're a married man and your wife can't sing, do not follow this guy's advice to get a female duo partner! Also, when you do find a man to join you, make sure he's already married. Seriously, duo work can be very lucrative and an ideal complement to band work.

Great advice. thank you.