how much is it worth?

n-Track Studio Discussion Forum
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gig offer

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Hi all; I have been offered a gig playing rhythm guitar and bass at a local church. It is a small congregation (about 150/200 members), and would involve an hour and a half on Sunday mornings, and perhaps an hour of rehearsal with their pianist each week. What I need to know is what would be a fair rate of pay to ask for? I know they do not have much money, but I do not wish to short-change myself…

I know that several n-Track users work with churches, and my hope is y’all might have some ideas on what would be a fair asking?
To me, $25 seems too little, but $100 too much, so I thought I would ask for $40/50. What do you think?

I’ll log out now, and check for answers later; thanks!!!

'til then;
Tony W

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Hi Tony,
I think you pitched it about right at $50. It depends on your comittment to the Church involved of course. This is not a normal gig at the local bar, so it sounds ok to me. I was offered a couple of nights in a Hotel in Dubai recently, filling in for a friend of mine who sings there, and they pay $150 for 3 hours with 3 breaks (solo singer),
Enjoy it,
Ian

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My wife charges 125 for that kind of gig for as much or as little as they want.

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My church (of a similiar size) pays $150 per musician for two services on Sunday - one at 9 and one at 11 (so a bigger time commitment). The musicians also rehearse together one night per week for which they are not paid.

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I play guitar and do BGV’s - I charge nothing but the benefits are awesome… The pastor just brought me a new truck actually - blew me away. Even said I could keep it when the threw me out :p serious… lol

I have a good time with the pickers at church - I try to keep 'em loose and ego free. I would hope you could just be up front and ask someone at church - but don’t sell yourself short - if you’re up there to provide part of a worship experience you need to feel good about it.

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People are gettin paid to play in churches????????

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Yep - who’d a thunk it?!

http://members.aol.com/tstrahle/worship/pay.html

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Quote: (ChuckGlyder @ Dec. 11 2007, 4:06 PM)

People are gettin paid to play in churches????????

Some people make a really good living at it too. I play at church all the time but I would not feel right charging for it unless it was a full-time job and my main source of income... but that's just me. YMMV... whatever...

D
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I’d like to thank everyone for their thoughts! It turns out that I misunderstood the size of the congregation - half their membership quit recently when they saw a set of drums on the dais, even though they were for the Spanish language church that uses the facility in the afternoon! Sad, eh?

Anyway, after re-pricing to reflect their lesser ability to pay, we have worked out what I think will be a good exchange for both of us; I will play without charge, and they will let me use their facilities for guitar lessons one day a week. I will make a few dollars, and only cost them a little electricity! Seems fair, does it not?

So thanks again for the ideas, they definitely helped me decide which way to go there.

'til next time!
Tony W

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Quote:

half their membership quit recently when they saw a set of drums on the dais,


Sad indeed Tony. I guess none of the folks who left have never read Psalms 33 eh?

I'm glad it worked out for you. Believe me when I say the meanest people I know are the ones I go to church with... I don't attend and/or play music for THEM anyway. :)

Best of luck,

D
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I too am glad it worked out for ya. :)

My suggestion before I read that would have been to play for free, but to put a tip jar! (or ask for a collection, pass the plate for the bands equipment type thing) that way you could see if you were any good! lol

The church I frequent does not pass a plate each week so when they do it’s for an out of country or town speaker…and the money goes to their expenses…

Donations to the church go in a confidential drop box in the back and most people do so before or after service, better to give not to be seen of men and all that jazz…


keep shinin’

jerm :cool:

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Quote: (wynot @ Dec. 14 2007, 3:23 PM)

- half their membership quit recently when they saw a set of drums on the dais, even though they were for the Spanish language church that uses the facility in the afternoon! Sad, eh?

Sad is not the word!

You know, our church has been gradually expanding its music ministry and we realized that a real drum kit was impractical for our space so we bought a Yamaha electronic kit - allowing us greater control of the volume (I had hoped that the kit's presence would bring drummers forth - kind of if you build it they will come but so far it's just me using the kit).

Anyway, the initital trepidation when that kit showed up was palpable. Nobody left because of it, fortunately. And now on those few occasions when I am unable to attend and the kit remains unplayed we actually have people comment that they miss the drums.

People are funny.