Piano majors - do you sometimes charge colleagues for accompaniment?

[allegro_assai]

Hello!

I’ve been looking around in threads, trying to find current replies. They’re mostly a few years to 10 years old so I decided to post a new thread.
Are there any piano students out here who sometimes take payments from uni colleagues for accompanying them? If yes, how much per hour, and when do you mention your rates, or do you first ask how much they are offering? I’m especially interested in rates from those based in Europe. Below is the ‘situation’ that led me to consider taking some payment.

So I’m a student at a music uni in Austria, and I’ve been accompanying a lot over the years (much more than my credits require). Other than piano, I’ve studied/am studying and am well-versed in fortepiano and harpsichord, including accompanying figured bass (also on the organ.) I’ve also a student’s contract with my uni for accompanying in the early music department this year (and often work more than the required hours for class concerts.)

I’m currently VERY busy because I also teach 3 afternoons a week to finance my studies and am just starting on 3 separate theses all due in 3 months (please don’t ask why…) Up till my accompaniment contract, I’ve been doing all accompaniments for free because I enjoy them and wanted the experience. This semester, I just can’t afford the time to do ‘additional free work’.

I’ve recently gotten an urgent request for accompaniment (orch reduction) on harpsichord for a singer’s recording (as part of a Master Thesis). It’s in 3 weeks and the program is only 13min long, which is more than enough time to learn these pieces. None of my harpsichord colleagues have the time to do it on the tentative recording date except me. (Other than the fact that I was planning to dedicate the whole day to writing my theses, which I rarely get.) I asked the singer if I could expect some small reimbursement of my time and got the reply of 30Eur for everything and that the official accompanist at the uni did part of it with her for free... I would also have to tune the harpsichord and arrange its transport to the hall (which is normal, but takes up additional time), and rehearse (and practice - allegro stuff - though I know that’s not usually charged.) Excluding my practice and travel time, the whole thing will likely take around 3hrs. Frankly, I’m not prepared to give up my whole-day writing time for that little payment and have told her so (diplomatically). I expected 20Eur/hr, as the lowest offer…

I do know that students generally do this without payment, but I must say I’m rather disappointed. I’m not looking to make money off my colleagues, but I do expect a little more than 30Eur for 3hrs of work (unless she expects that we’ll get everything rehearsed and recorded in an hour, and that my tuning time comes ‘pre-packaged’). Also considering that it is quite last minute for a recording and you don’t find harpsichordists around every corner of a music uni…

[ego0720]

I’m not a professional musician so take this with a grain of salt. I follow the law of capitalism.

I can only ask if u are contractually obligated to do this? The ability to say no is a powerful negotiating tool.  Especially if u r not incentivized to do it with time restrictions.. if your time is more valuable than the amount offered u should have the right to decline. Goodwill and doing what’s right should have limitations.

I know what u feel.. it’s not about money but when overstretched.. I think the right response is to say no. Let them reach out and rethink the offer.  You just have to explain that you are tight on time. And not bring up money.  It’s their priority. If they can find someone else, then so be it.  You should know your value.  I think it’s fair to say $20-$30 for half hour is reasonable. If u were really offering better value, maybe $20-$30 per hour. And that’s more than fair.

But if this is part of your work (required), then sometimes u just gotta bite. Schools and universities have a way of making ppl do things for free.. sometimes bc the administration feels it’s part of YOUR education on their platform. So u r not really working but building connections and learning to be a team player. However, with little guidance and true management this sometimes lead to imbalance and exploitation. You should decide for yourself where you stand.  Don’t let someone else’s burden be yours.  You should help if it’s not at your limitation. If u can do it and it doesn’t affect your life and u are a student in the program, consider it part of your education. Unlike other necessities in life, music isn’t necessary in terms of core survivorship. That’s why to make it requires one to really maximize every opportunity with important people. These people easily remember if u are being difficult but seldom recognize hard workers.  That is what sucks.  But that is also life. At least that’s how it works if u r a minority.  Not sure if those of an ethnic background similar to those higher up know that difficulty.

[lelle]

Yes I have, and I think it's completely reasonable to do so.

It doesn't have to be more awkward than to say "I'd love to accompany you, here is my rate for doing [insert task here]: $$$". If that makes you anxious and you want to "soften the (imaginary) blow" you can say "I have no room in my schedule to do it for free, but I can do it for: $$$"

See if there is a musicians' union or equivalent in your country who publish numbers regarding minimum rates for gigs such as accompaniment. I charged around 150€ when I was still a music college student for preparing the accompaniment in a few pieces for a small student recital back in 2018 before all the crazy inflation, but I don't know how that compared to any minimum rates at the time.