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Hello fellow music rascals.

I have a question about something I've toyed with for years. I compose all the music that I perform. I have several CDs selling on the market. Yet I'm not Michael Jackson, so I don't get rich from it. Never the less when I'm not working my regular job I do like to do gigs to supplement my income and it also helps me stay performance ready with my music.

I'm still struggling about what to charge for my performances. When I perform I generally do not have a problem selling my CDs afterward so I know people like my compositions.

Recently I was asked by a well known client how much I would charge to come out and perform for a fund raiser for only 1 hour. The owners of this place have to be wealthy. It is something like a country club, but mainly used for weddings and parties over looking a lake in an upper class neighborhood. To me it would be more worth my time if I got $200 or more, yet if I do it for $150 I may increase my chances of getting more gigs. I had one situation happen over a year ago where I thought the same thing so I lowered my price to $100 hoping that this would open a door and the client wrote back and said that I must be a fraud because my offer was so cheap.

I have met critics from friends and fellow musicians that my prices are too low. Currently what I ask for is $175 (1st hour $100 and $75 per hour after with a minimum of 2 hours).

Anyway please share your opinion I have someone waiting.

Thanks.

Well, I think there are a lot of factors involved here apart from your skills. I live in a small town . Live performers here may make $25-50/hour for a weekly performance. Recently I played 2 hours at a wedding dinner and made just over $200. A well known 'new-age' performer said that he makes $500 for a 2 hour performance in a private home. [ I heard that in a live interview from the performer] I consider that good money.

Seems to me your rates are set pretty good and all the better if that is what people are willing to pay you.

rada