Big Band leader lowballing me for a gig.
Hi folks,
I've posted at length over on the gear page about my troubles with this guy and I eventually decided to call it a day at the end of June.
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/sho...d.php?t=963194
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/sho....php?t=1085438
When we were having our conversation about me leaving the band he mentioned that he had gigs booked on the strength of there being a guitar player in the band. I felt that this wasn't my problem and he'd have plenty of time to find a replacement.
Well now he's asking me to do a wedding (and a rehearsal) for a couple who saw the band whilst I was in it and have specifically asked for me to play with the band. The rehearsal would be a Thursday night, the gig the following Saturday. Both are around a half hour drive for me. The band leader is offering me £40. I've said I'd do it for £70, he's knocked that back. I'm willing to do it for £60 but I don't feel that anything less is worth my travel time, my Saturday night and probably having to listen to his god awful on stage banter.
What do you folks think? Am I being greedy or, since the couple have asked for me specifically, am I within my rights to ask for what any depping musician would charge?
How many hours are involved in doing the rehearsal and gig, including set-up, packing away and travel?
My guess is that £60 works out to naff-all per hour, and it doesn't sound like you want to do it, so I would suggest raising the price each time he haggles until either he gives up or you get so much money that it makes up for having to do it.
Besides which, it's always fun to subvert the haggling process.
You're with stupid. ▲
Having read the threads you posted I wouldn't do a gig for the guy ever again, no matter what the money offered.
Sporky - about 3 hrs for the rehearsal, could be around 5 for the gig. I know I'm selling myself short but I'm new to this concept of people actually requesting my services!
Hmm. That's £7.50 an hour, which is a rough equivalent of £15k a year (as an equivalent salary, which I know is a shonky comparison).
Given that the couple have specifically requested you I'd have thought you should double that!
You're with stupid. ▲
/\ ThisOriginally Posted by WYNIR0
He can't force you to play, and from briefly skimming those other threads he sounds like a right A hole, and you don't owe him anything.
Even if you do it you'll have all this in the back of your mind so I bet you won't enjoy it...and the moneys not great (although I tend to average £50 a gig myself).
If you haggle and bump up the price I suspect he'll cause trouble anyway with various comments and remarks, which will just annoy you and make you wish you didn't agree to it no matter what the fee is.
I'll put my crystal ball away now.
Best of luck whatever you decide
The couple haven't specifically requested you. You're a guitarist amongst 10 other people. You're barely noticable. He's bullshitting you in order to get you to do the gig.
Given the shit you've said you've put up with I'd say thanks but no thanks.
I've read that thread and you speak about musical education - but I think it's time for the best lesson for you there is - realising your worth.
You, your girlfriend, your drummer and your bass player deserver better - leave and do not look back, do not answer any calls from him and don't speak of him with anyone who decides to stay - make him someone elses problem and get back to enjoying life.
Usual trick for this kind of funt is to pay you less on the day - waddaya gonna do?
He'll be getting maybe £1200 for the gig? Id want 10% of it if theres 10 of you. I wouldnt put my guitars in the car for £70 and we do 2-3 gigs a week.
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