Fred_C Posted February 19, 2016 Author Share Posted February 19, 2016 Like DBM, I have played lots of $50 gigs over the years. I made more money teaching than gigging. I actually made my entire living teaching for several years. My bills were paid and I had money for food which I guess is more than a lot of musicians make. I am actually considering going back to teaching, since my efforts to find a "day job" have proven less than stellar. Man, it's hard to find a job when you're over 65. It cost me quite a bit of money to acquire a level of skill, but the investment in formal lessons with 4 teachers has paid for itself many times over. The only problem with teaching is that I have an aversion to learning music I personally have absolutely no interest in playing. I am considering doing "niche marketing" and focusing exclusively on adult students and only teaching acoustic blues, electric blues and Chord Melody Jazz styles. The market is currently charging $50 per hour. I can easily charge $40/hour and undercut the competition as well as adding to the "perception of value" on the part of the targeted market. If you play cool, you are cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larryz Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 I was playing 150 gigs a year at $40 bucks a gig (and many times more than our $40 per man minimum) back in '83. The funny thing is the club owners still only want to pay those prices in 2016 LOL! I like at least $100 bucks and I'll play for up to 3hrs. And those are the cheapest I'll go. Otherwise I like to play for free! I don't consider myself a big ticket item by no means. @ Fred, +1 on teaching for $40 bucks an hour and teaching what you want to specialize in as far a genre goes. That way, both you and the student will enjoy the time spent together or they wouldn't seek you out. I had this arrangement with my only jazz standard style teacher in the late 70's and I wish I had never had to move to a new location and that we could have stayed together. I hope you will meet a student like that, one that becomes more than a student and becomes a real friend... Take care, Larryz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred_C Posted February 20, 2016 Author Share Posted February 20, 2016 Please I should have never commented on the Grammys or any other awards of these types. Sorry for any comment may have brought anyone any discomfort. I promise to stay out of future conversation on such subjects. Lok @Lokair: I don't understand your post. Larry and I both congratulated you on your Emmy. Did we offend you in some way? Could you please explain the rationale behind your post? If you play cool, you are cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred_C Posted February 21, 2016 Author Share Posted February 21, 2016 @Lok: Tnx for the PM. Regards. If you play cool, you are cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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