accompanists payment

[dongsang153]

i am a college student, so what would be about an average payment for an accompanying gig that i should charge?  how about for rehearsals?

thanks

[pianonut]

several years ago i made about $18. per hour accompanying in calif.  but it really depends on what you ask and not what is offerred.  if you know that you have improved in the last years and are quick, give them what they want, and are precise - you are probably worth much more.  $20-30. per hour.  the more reasonable the price, the more hours you will likely get -so i always give some of my practice time and don't charge for driving to location.  others who might use accompanying as part of living wage would count mileage, gas, practice, purchased scores, parking fees etc. as part of the billing. 

[pianonut]

i don't know what the going rate is to perform a gig.  perhaps it depends on how much you are performing.  an hour worth would surely be at least $50. i would think? i really don't know.

[puma]

   $20 - $30?  $50?  You guys are selling a bit short.  For a one hour gig, $100 is not unreasonable at all.  And for longer gigs, asking for a ten to fifteen minute break every hour, with free food at the two hour mark, is also not unreasonable.

[pianonut]

yes, that sounds about right.  i actually have performed at a few weddings and did charge $100. for the 'gig.'  prelude, march, postlude music.  also, i made $100. for a 'gig' playing music on valentines day for a hotel.

this wasn't accompanying totally;  it was my playing, and then solo/accompanying, and then my playing again. This was way back 15+ years, so now i suppose one should make around $200. if playing alone vs. $100. or so accompanying.  is this correct or should i not make the assumption of quite so much for solo perfoming?  what do you think would be appropriate for an hour of soloing at say 'longwood gardens' or a location with people coming in and out?  probably will get back into wedding/party/funeral playing (though am working at learning the organ still) and don't know what the going rate is for that.

[Alde]

Supply and demand! 

You should check to see what the other pianists in the area are charging.  Obviously if you charge too much you might not get enough work (unless you are really good and can learn quickly).  On the other hand if your rate is low, you will probably get more work.  When I was in university I did all my accompanying for free.  This allowed me to learn lots of chamber music, gain valuable experience and make tons of contacts.  After I graduated I started charging a fee.

Your rate should be based on experience, professionalism, ability to learn very quickly, ability to sight read, etc.