Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Pianist Corner - Non Classical What do lounge pianists likely make per night?

There's a pianist playing a variety of mood music in the atrium or lounge of a resort hotel - within a range what would you guess they're making per night?

You might want to post this in the pianist corner- non-classical. I think there are several giggers there.

I used to do that, many years ago, really more than I care to remember. Back then I was a student and was making the equivalent of 80, may be 90 $ for 2/2.5 hrs. of playing. Not having a family to support it was really good pocket money for me. I went into a completely different profession and am now as curious as you are as to how much are they making today.

Rates of pay for a lounge pianist can vary widely depending upon whether or not the musician is a union member which requires the venue (hotel, bar, lounge) to pay at least minimum union rates.

At non-union venues the pay can be no better than what the dishwasher gets.

Regards,

2 hours at a hotel or restaurant is typically ______

Hi

In 1989/1990 I was paid £50 on a Saturday night, to play solo Piano in a Restaurant. Typically this meant playing for about 3 hours.

They put up with me for about 3 months, then the recession hit. The highlight was being tipped £5 by a guy, who after I played "Ain't Misbehavin'", said I sounded like Fats Waller.

I didn't!

Cheers

BruceD
At non-union venues the pay can be no better than what the dishwasher gets.
RinTin
2 hours at a hotel or restaurant is typically ______

Loved those answers so true. I am union member in a non-union state so you have deal with those issues. I charge 50$ per hour per man an no less than 2hrs. When I do solo its 75$ per hour.
I know of a couple of players here in the valley that get 100$-$200 per night in restaurants or hotels and Jazz clubs but they are there at least 2 to 3 hours sometimes 4hrs.

Everyone is talking about how wages are increasing even the dishwashers jobs but I still don't hear about musicians pay increasing and I been at this since 1980.

Years ago I was advised against teaching music, or performing for a living. I was advised that if I did follow that line of work that I would always need a regular job in order to care for a family. So I canceled the thought of being a music major and went into another line of work. However, I have kept music in my life as a hobby. I love it.

I do agree musicians and teachers alike are underpaid. I really think there is more talk about raises then people actually getting a raise.