How do you usually charge for accompaniment?

[virtuoso80]

My usual lesson rate is $50/hour, $40/45min. When my own students need piano accompaniment, rehearsal is part of lessons and I charge one lesson's worth for the performance. I have someone who wants just an accompanist for next month, and I'm thinking about how to charge them, so I was curious what was usual.

One charge for a rehearsal, one for performance? Do you charge for the time you need learn the piece, or just factor that into your performance charge? Do you charge differently for a harder piece (I doubt they're looking for someone to play the Kreutzer Sonata or anything like that)? Thanks.

[dcstudio]

I charge a flat rate.. any accompanist worth hiring will be very forthcoming on their rates.  In UIL or solo and ensemble there are usually 3 classes of flat rate according to difficulty and Guild too..one lesson for the performance?... do you have recitals with more than one teacher and is that accompanist there anyway?   

if an accompanist tells you to pay for the time it takes to learn a piece...then, trust me, they suck don't hire them. Especially if it's a commonly performed work.  After a while you know them all.

[virtuoso80]

I charge a flat rate.. any accompanist worth hiring will be very forthcoming on their rates.  In UIL or solo and ensemble there are usually 3 classes of flat rate according to difficulty and Guild too..one lesson for the performance?... do you have recitals with more than one teacher and is that accompanist there anyway?   

if an accompanist tells you to pay for the time it takes to learn a piece...then, trust me, they suck don't hire them. Especially if it's a commonly performed work.  After a while you know them all.

I teach piano privately. In New York state there's something called NYSSMA, basically through the schools kids get options of pieces for any given instrument at different difficulty levels, and perform them for judges and get a grade. A few times piano students of mine also did it for voice, saxophone, etc. and needed an accompanist. It's not particularly severe in the judging - I had a student do voice level 6 (highest level) last year and get a perfect score without breaking a sweat.

- And here's an example of one of the pieces I'll be doing with a student this year. Nothing demanding.

But I just I got a call from someone who *just* needed an accompanist for NYSSMA, so I was curious how to charge. I have no more info yet ("Oh...you'll have to talk to her mother she handles that stuff she'll get back to you."), but odds are it will be an easier piece. How many rehearsals we'll need I have no idea I have to get more info first. I don't even know what instrument yet. I just wanted to get an idea what the going system was for charging.

[michael_c]

In any situation where I am "only" an accompanist: competition, exam or rehearsal for same, I charge a flat rate per hour, regardless of difficulty.

For a concert where I am an equal partner we share the fee equally.

[dcstudio]

I teach piano privately. In New York state there's something called NYSSMA, basically through the schools kids get options of pieces for any given instrument at different difficulty levels, and perform them for judges and get a grade. A few times piano students of mine also did it for voice, saxophone, etc. and needed an accompanist. It's not particularly severe in the judging - I had a student do voice level 6 (highest level) last year and get a perfect score without breaking a sweat.

- And here's an example of one of the pieces I'll be doing with a student this year. Nothing demanding.

But I just I got a call from someone who *just* needed an accompanist for NYSSMA, so I was curious how to charge. I have no more info yet ("Oh...you'll have to talk to her mother she handles that stuff she'll get back to you."), but odds are it will be an easier piece. How many rehearsals we'll need I have no idea I have to get more info first. I don't even know what instrument yet. I just wanted to get an idea what the going system was for charging.

apologies I completely misunderstood your question.  Flat rate--you can charge for travel and for wait time additionally.  NYSSMA sounds like one of those all day event type deals... man they can be such a pain in the butt.   I need to have at least 5-6 kids to play for before I sign up for one of those.   Now if it has a regional or state level... then you can pretty much name your price on that round.

[quantum]

There is somewhat of a flexibility to how one charges in accompanying, depending on what kind of work you do.  First thing I would recommend is search out local accompanists, and find out how they charge.  It would likely be beneficial to you to start out in the ballpark of the local economy.  As you get a feel for the business adjust accordingly.


For something like this, the components of my charge would be: rehearsal fee, performance fee, travel time fee.  Rehearsal fee would cover soloist + accompanist rehearsal, as well as vocal lessons (soloist + accompanist + vocal teacher).  If it is a particularly long recital or work, the performance fee might need adjustment, but the soloist will be informed about this upfront before we start work. 

Regarding difficulty: if the time available and difficulty of the work are not compatible, I simply decline. 


Some school kids try to make bargains in these types of adjudications: my friend is singing the same piece.  If she hires you as well, can the performance fee cover the both of us?  Be prepared for this, and have an answer.  Personally, I would advise caution if you come across such soloists. 

[virtuoso80]

apologies I completely misunderstood your question.  Flat rate--you can charge for travel and for wait time additionally.  NYSSMA sounds like one of those all day event type deals... man they can be such a pain in the butt.   I need to have at least 5-6 kids to play for before I sign up for one of those.   Now if it has a regional or state level... then you can pretty much name your price on that round.

They give each student a performance time. Like anywhere else they can get backed up, but I've never had to wait a significant amount of time.

Vocals and orchestral instruments can indeed get picked for all-county, all-state, all-eastern, or all-national ensembles. The vocalist I mentioned did all-state last year. But there are no individual performances at higher levels.