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How full time musicians earn their living


Coach

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In preparation for an interview on a San Francisco area NPR show (see www.martynemko.com), I am gathering information from many sources including musician forums on the multiple tasks including accompanist, side man, private instructor, product specialist, programmer and other special career categories (see www.musicianslifecoach.com) that an individual full time musician combines into his career to earn a living in the music industry. I am also interested in any information you care to contribute about salaries or fees- hourly, weekly or yearly.

 

As an example, for the San Francisco Bay Area, musicians I interviewed combine a private teaching schedule (anywhere from $40- $80 an hour per lesson), weekday restaurant and club gigs (average $100 per night), side man single engagement gigs (called club dates on the East Coast and Casual on the West Coast) (ranging from $175- $350 per gig), band leader gigs ($500 to $2k and up). The taboo subject of income (not often divulged) ranged from $50k to $110k.

 

This can prove to be a very educational thread if enough of us offer as much as we are comfortable divulging.

 

I am very interested and appreciate any feedback. It seems timely during NAMM when the manufactures, distributors and retailers want to sell more product to musicians.

 

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I have made my living playing live (SF Bay Area) for the past 25 years and at some point i also started "doing sound" on a good portion of my gigs. The money for sound usually surpasses what I earn playing keys.

I'd say the $ figures listed above are pretty accurate for the SF Bay Area. The tough part, especially if you have a family is health insurance. Fortunately my domestic partner covers that from her job.

JP

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The money for sound usually surpasses what I earn playing keys.

 

Around here the sound guys don't make that much. Just for running - maybe $100/night. Bringing out their rig for a typical bar gig and running - $300-$500 for a bar (more like $1,000 for a festival with one helper), peanuts when you consider using/maintaining all that gear, storage, and transportation. The guys that do the festivals and large scale concerts do much better, but honestly I don't know what they net - I just know what they charge. For a comparable show with comparable gear to what I listed above, they'd charge at least 2-3 times as much, possibly more. But maybe that's just because they don't want to do the small shows.

Dan

 

Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth.

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I've done every possible music job, depending on the period of time; presently, I'm mainly teacher and jazz pianist, plus a few studio gigs. I'll try to list all the job types I've done in the past, in the hope of remembering them all...

 

Classical pianist (solo and chamber), composer (for TV, theatre, dance, songs, festivals), arranger, music director, pop/rock keyboardist, programmer, electronic performer (in contemporary music situations), music consultant, piano instructors for actors, jazz organist, jazz/fusion keyboardist, harpsichordist, theatre show pianist (for several years), music assistant for tv directors, "ghost" composer/arranger, sound man, opera accompanist, even stage director once. :freak:

 

 

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'll try to list all the job types I've done in the past, in the hope of remembering them all...

 

Classical pianist (solo and chamber), composer (for TV, theatre, dance, songs, festivals), arranger, music director, pop/rock keyboardist, programmer, electronic performer (in contemporary music situations), music consultant, piano instructors for actors, jazz organist, jazz/fusion keyboardist, harpsichordist, theatre show pianist (for several years), music assistant for tv directors, "ghost" composer/arranger, sound man, opera accompanist, even stage director once. :freak:

 

man, you must be millionaire by now...:cool:

 

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Seems to me that anyone who is making their living as a musician these days has to do a lot of different things- teach, gig (with multiple bands), freelance sessions, produce, audio tech etc. I'm a staff composer at a production studio, I'm the music director at my church, I gig with a local original artist & do occasional freelance sessions. My wife got laid off a few months ago, so for the moment I'm it for maintaining the mortgage, the cars, our son's college tuition, our daughter's show choir expenses and other bills. My only GAS relief these days is an antacid or two. :eek:

 

I make a chunk less than 6 figures, but make more than I could doing anything else. Outside of music, I'm not very smart.

Custom Music, Audio Post Production, Location Audio

www.gmma.biz

https://www.facebook.com/gmmamusic/

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I have a degree in music education, so that opens up some doors in the quest to make one's living from music.

I teach music full time in a public high school - Band, Chorus, Music Theory, Guitar, Piano, Music History, Jazz Band, etc. This pays approx. $60k + stipends + health insurance, life insurance, dental insurance, and a modest retirement.

I also teach two music elective classes in the University of Maine system, in my case at York County Community College. This pays about $5000.

I play 40 - 60 nights per year in a Motown band. Last year I claimed $6500 from this source.

Additionally, I sub in a number of area churches, playing from 1 - 3 Sundays per month (or Saturdays if it's a Mass). This pays, on average, about $5000/year.

I honestly don't know how a "family man" could be a full-time musician and pay for health care and plan for retirement without some sort of day-job that provides these things. That's not the "only" reason I teach, but it sure helps! There is no Union here and a free-lancer would be on his own to get health insurance and come retirement he/she would be SOL unless some really careful planning had been done - something musicians aren't noted for.

My wife is an RN so that certainly helps with the mortgage/bills/car payments/IRA/kids' college, etc.

 

Muzikteechur is Lonnie, in Kittery, Maine.

 

HS music teacher: Concert Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Chorus, Music Theory, AP Music Theory, History of Rock, Musical Theatre, Piano, Guitar, Drama.

 

 

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I have a degree in music education, so that opens up some doors in the quest to make one's living from music.

I teach music full time in a public high school - Band, Chorus, Music Theory, Guitar, Piano, Music History, Jazz Band, etc. This pays approx. $60k + stipends + health insurance, life insurance, dental insurance, and a modest retirement.

I also teach two music elective classes in the University of Maine system, in my case at York County Community College. This pays about $5000.

I play 40 - 60 nights per year in a Motown band. Last year I claimed $6500 from this source.

Additionally, I sub in a number of area churches, playing from 1 - 3 Sundays per month (or Saturdays if it's a Mass). This pays, on average, about $5000/year.

I honestly don't know how a "family man" could be a full-time musician and pay for health care and plan for retirement. There is no Union here and a free-lancer would be on his own to get health insurance and come retirement he/she would be SOL unless some really careful planning had been done - something musicians aren't noted for.

My wife is an RN so that certainly helps with the mortgage/bills/car payments/IRA/kids' college, etc.

 

Sounds like an awesome life, actually.. :)

Steve Force,

Durham, North Carolina

--------

My Professional Websites

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Thanks for the feedback. Does it make sense to belong to the union for health insurance?

 

It's probably about the same as joining any large group. You could join a model railroad group or a bird-watchers group and it would probably have a similiar scenario.

 

 

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Not all AF of M union locals offer health insurance...but those that do usually are hooked up with Blue Cross type companies. And you do get a much better rate than trying to buy insurance as an individual. Many locals also offer dental insurance too. And the national union has great deals on equipment and liability insurance for those musicians who need that type of coverage. I pay $250 a year for a $2,000,000.00 liability policy that I need to play high end venues such as country clubs. The best deal I could find on the open market for the liability insurance was $1400 a year.
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Not all AF of M union locals offer health insurance...but those that do usually are hooked up with Blue Cross type companies. And you do get a much better rate than trying to buy insurance as an individual.

 

Correct, it's a group insurance rate. There are lots of groups you can join and get the same kinda deal, some for cheaper than the union. I think the average cost of joining the union is probably $150 to sign up and $150 a year, although it varies widely between locals.

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I'd be curious to know how much income is "off the books" for your typical full time muso.

 

The difference between $60K/year on the books and $60K tax free is stark.

 

I suspect most would be hesitant to share that sort of incriminating info.

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I claim everything & deduct every possible detail I can..... & when I'm done I look for more deductions. I sleep better that way. It's one thing to try to hide a few hundred bucks, but when it's how you make a living, I think you'll eventually get caught if you live reasonably well & claim poverty type wages.

Custom Music, Audio Post Production, Location Audio

www.gmma.biz

https://www.facebook.com/gmmamusic/

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I claim 100%, but as mcgoo says, claim everything possible. It comes right off your taxable income, so a $5000 piano essentially reduces your taxable income by $5000 that year. I claim part of the house (studio and rehearsal space), mileage on the car, any gear I buy as well as all the little stuff - printing services for flyers, business cards, etc. I also write 1099-MISC to all sound guys, light guys, booking agent, etc. (not to mention the other band members)

Dan

 

Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth.

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I claim 100%, but as mcgoo says, claim everything possible. It comes right off your taxable income, so a $5000 piano essentially reduces your taxable income by $5000 that year. I claim part of the house (studio and rehearsal space), mileage on the car, any gear I buy as well as all the little stuff - printing services for flyers, business cards, etc. I also write 1099-MISC to all sound guys, light guys, booking agent, etc. (not to mention the other band members)

 

Careful interpreting that advice, some items (possibly that $5,000 piano,) can't be expensed in one year way and may need to be depreciated. For example, my accountant had me depreciate my grand piano over 10 years; a computer is typically 3 years. However, the principle is sound and it doesn't matter whether you're full time or very part time, since you declare income you have every right to claim all your legititmate expenses--even if it means you show a loss instead of a profit.

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I claim 100%, but as mcgoo says, claim everything possible. It comes right off your taxable income, so a $5000 piano essentially reduces your taxable income by $5000 that year. I claim part of the house (studio and rehearsal space), mileage on the car, any gear I buy as well as all the little stuff - printing services for flyers, business cards, etc. I also write 1099-MISC to all sound guys, light guys, booking agent, etc. (not to mention the other band members)

 

Careful interpreting that advice, some items (possibly that $5,000 piano,) can't be expensed in one year way and may need to be depreciated. For example, my accountant had me depreciate my grand piano over 10 years; a computer is typically 3 years. However, the principle is sound and it doesn't matter whether you're full time or very part time, since you declare income you have every right to claim all your legititmate expenses--even if it means you show a loss instead of a profit.

 

Not to derail the OP topic, but I believe that a small business is allowed to expense a certain amount of capital purchases a year in lieu of using depreciation. I think the limit is $10K. That would explain why Dan could expense the 5K piano.

 

However, I'm not an accountant, so standard disclaimers apply.

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I claim 100%, but as mcgoo says, claim everything possible. It comes right off your taxable income, so a $5000 piano essentially reduces your taxable income by $5000 that year. I claim part of the house (studio and rehearsal space), mileage on the car, any gear I buy as well as all the little stuff - printing services for flyers, business cards, etc. I also write 1099-MISC to all sound guys, light guys, booking agent, etc. (not to mention the other band members)

 

Careful interpreting that advice, some items (possibly that $5,000 piano,) can't be expensed in one year way and may need to be depreciated. For example, my accountant had me depreciate my grand piano over 10 years; a computer is typically 3 years. However, the principle is sound and it doesn't matter whether you're full time or very part time, since you declare income you have every right to claim all your legititmate expenses--even if it means you show a loss instead of a profit.

 

Not to derail the OP topic, but I believe that a small business is allowed to expense a certain amount of capital purchases a year in lieu of using depreciation. I think the limit is $10K. That would explain why Dan could expense the 5K piano.

 

However, I'm not an accountant, so standard disclaimers apply.

 

I somebody do my taxes for me (just started doing that a few years ago, got to be to big of a PITA). And yes, normally up to a limit you chan choose if you want to depreciate it over time, and using which method (there are multiple methods of depreciation), or take it in one year (schedule 182 or 187 or something like that, I don't recall). So far I've been able to take everything in a year. But that also means if I want deductions, I need to buy more stuff every year - oh, well :thu:

Dan

 

Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth.

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Not to derail the OP topic, but I believe that a small business is allowed to expense a certain amount of capital purchases a year in lieu of using depreciation. I think the limit is $10K. That would explain why Dan could expense the 5K piano.

 

However, I'm not an accountant, so standard disclaimers apply.

 

It's called Sec. 179 property and the first $250,000. can be expensed for 2009.

 

 

Jim Wells

Tallahassee, FL

 

www.pureplatinumband.com

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Cygnsus64 said: I think the average cost of joining the union is probably $150 to sign up and $150 a year, although it varies widely between locals.

________________________________________________________________

Many locals now have very low initiation fees, some have no sign up fees at all. My dues, being a life member, are $87 a year out of Local 76, I think the regular dues are around $150 a year. The money I save on my liability insurance thru the union way more than pays for my dues. The AFofM also offers low cost credit cards, help with mortgage financing, and many other bennies nowdays. I am not shilling for the union, just want to make sure our forum members are aware of some of the advantages the union does offer. In the old days they took your money and that was it. Now they have to be aware of what the needs are of the modern musician and they have responded well.

 

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I used to play fulltime solo for restaurants and did well with it but in the past year I have played weekend solo jobs for churches, university events (graduations, etc.), home parties, and a few bar gigs. I also DJ and/or do a combo act (start with piano, end with DJ) for weddings. I've also done some freelance writing on music technology and I took a fulltime job at an audio repair company to get me through the recession. Hoping to go back to fulltime performing down the road (but not on the road).
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Great feedback!

 

You are the perfect example for the radio interview. You have assessed your abilities and utilize them for various opportunities all within the music industry.

 

I would love to hear from 'street musicians' in the San Francisco bay area; product specialists and product clinicians; music therapists; agents and managers.

 

I appreciate all the information received from everyone who responded to this post.

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'll try to list all the job types I've done in the past, in the hope of remembering them all...

 

Classical pianist (solo and chamber), composer (for TV, theatre, dance, songs, festivals), arranger, music director, pop/rock keyboardist, programmer, electronic performer (in contemporary music situations), music consultant, piano instructors for actors, jazz organist, jazz/fusion keyboardist, harpsichordist, theatre show pianist (for several years), music assistant for tv directors, "ghost" composer/arranger, sound man, opera accompanist, even stage director once. :freak:

 

man, you must be millionaire by now...:cool:

 

I don't know if you're trying to be funny, but just for the record, despite the many musical roles I'm able to cover, I'm having serious problems to survive at present, which at age 50 is not the ideal situation. In Italy, the state of the music business is even worse than in other Western countries, for a bunch of reasons I won't go into now. This, added to a series of personal circumstances and choices of the last 10 years or so, makes it very difficult for me at the moment. In the past,I've been able to buy an apartment, a few decent cars and some good instruments with my income as a musician, but now the scenario is radically different.

 

 

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'll try to list all the job types I've done in the past, in the hope of remembering them all...

 

Classical pianist (solo and chamber), composer (for TV, theatre, dance, songs, festivals), arranger, music director, pop/rock keyboardist, programmer, electronic performer (in contemporary music situations), music consultant, piano instructors for actors, jazz organist, jazz/fusion keyboardist, harpsichordist, theatre show pianist (for several years), music assistant for tv directors, "ghost" composer/arranger, sound man, opera accompanist, even stage director once. :freak:

 

man, you must be millionaire by now...:cool:

 

I don't know if you're trying to be funny, but just for the record, despite the many musical roles I'm able to cover, I'm having serious problems to survive at present, which at age 50 is not the ideal situation. In Italy, the state of the music business is even worse than in other Western countries, for a bunch of reasons I won't go into now. This, added to a series of personal circumstances and choices of the last 10 years or so, makes it very difficult for me at the moment. In the past,I've been able to buy an apartment, a few decent cars and some good instruments with my income as a musician, but now the scenario is radically different.

 

sorry to hear that but like in any other business you're once up - other time down, it's life. Obviously you need either a new manager or fresh repertoire or new audience or some luck.

 

 

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For the last 6 years I have earned my living playing music in three bands (1 primary) and taken odd jobs such as installing wood and laminate floors etc. Gig money on the east coast is not far from west coast. Private parties pay roughly $200-$450 and bar gigs pay from $100-$200. I have played an average of 120-130 dates a year.

 

This past year I went to school to be a licensed Massage Therapist. So I will take Monday-Wednesday as an MT and the rest of the week as a musician. I hope to double my income this way.

Jimmy

 

Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others. Groucho

NEW BAND CHECK THEM OUT

www.steveowensandsummertime.com

www.jimmyweaver.com

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I hope that the sharing of this information on this thread helps you and others survive a little better. It sounds like you have a lot of ability and you are able to apply that ability in many areas.

 

In The Future Of Music by David Kusek and Gerd Leonhard the point is made that music is everywhere, like a utility. The business isn't dead, it's just morphing.

 

There is an aspect of the 'business' that is analogous to stocks and bonds. Having a balanced portfolio helps you weather the storm. Bonds are similar to the social market (weddings,ect.)and stocks are the corporate market (jingles, advertising, corporate events).

 

Some successful music agents use this principle.

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There is an aspect of the 'business' that is analogous to stocks and bonds. Having a balanced portfolio helps you weather the storm.

 

I like that analogy. It also helps keep music interesting. The times when I have become dangerously bored with music have been when I've been in full time cover bands that did the same songs night after night, year after year. Doing lots of different things keeps it fresh, forces growth as a musician, with an end result being greater marketability to a wider audience / customer base.

Custom Music, Audio Post Production, Location Audio

www.gmma.biz

https://www.facebook.com/gmmamusic/

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A musical attorney will tell you to deduct everything related to your business. So will the accountant, or should, mine did. You buy a new piano, it's deducted and depreciated over years as everything else is. In case you didn't know.
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