If musicians can agree on anything, it’s that no-one should perform for free but typically there’s always a musician out there who will perform for cheaper. Considering this how much should professional and aspiring professional musicians charge and how should they negotiate their desired fee?

Negotiate, don’t just accept the first fee

It’s sensible to rebuff a suggested fee, musicians should never settle for an asking price. By proposing a higher fee than the one originally offered it’s likely that musicians will be able to settle on a reasonable fee that will suit their needs.

Considering this, Last Minute Musician Jonathan Scott says,

“Estimating what punters will pay is a dark art. You have to work that out then go slightly under so they think they’ve got a bargain. When it comes down to it, especially in hard times, it’s better to do a lot of cheaper (not cheap) gigs than not many well paid ones.”

It is, of course, worth mentioning that if a musician demands too high a fee then it is likely to be rejected. Fees should be fair on both sides, after all a bar/club has to pay its own overheads.

The amount charged for a performance should reflect:

Musicians qualifications and experience



Duration of performance



The distance travelled to the gig



The size of the band

Have a standard rate and stick to it

Unless the gig offered is for charity, it is recommended by the MU that gig rates should not waiver. A standard rate should take all costs into account, enabling the musician to earn a fair amount for their work. It is also very important that musicians get all agreed payments in writing ideally, signed by both parties. This will avoid confusion at the end of a gig when receiving the fee from the promoter. This is not uncommon and some rogue promoters may attempt to deceive musicians into being paid a smaller fee.

Last Minute Musicians Director of Music, Sarah-Jane Morris says

“So often the client doesn’t read the price guide or genuinely doesn’t understand that this is our job that we have studied for years to accomplish. I always stick to the prices that our artists have given us.”

Ensure that all expenses are covered in the fee

It is only fair that musicians should not have to pay to travel to a gig. Along with added money for travel, it is often the case – although not mandatory – that musicians are given free soft drinks and a hot meal.

The musicians point of view

Amidst arguments from some musicians claiming that amateur hobbyists are taking money away from professionals, many musicians throughout the UK will still perform for lesser fees – regardless of MU recommended fees.

Musician Kit Packham said on the Last Minute Musicians Facebook page, “The Union was founded as a protection Union. One that protects us from unscrupulous employers and protect us from ourselves. The gist of the MU’s advice is still ‘don’t sell yourself cheap’ but when the market’s flooded it’s not easy to compete – even when your ‘product’ is top quality.”

It seems as though everyone has a theory on how to improve a musician’s rate of pay, including rather extreme plans to boycott music venues that do not pay a fair fee. One theory that seems to hold a certain amount of promise is the education of hobbyists as to how their actions are affecting self employed working musicians. Considering that many ‘weekend warriors’ and hobbyists earn their living in another profession, they are happy to play for a lower fee and it is natural that, within the cut-throat capitalist market, a music venue is going to try and get their entertainment at the lowest cost possible.





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Do you provide a musical service? What do you think about the recommended minimum rates? Let us know in the comments below!