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Nice guitar

$100 just doesn't cover it today, this isn't the 90's, $100 isn't that much, and for 4 hours thats only $25 an hour. Think about how much you've invested in time energy and money just to get paid $25 an hour...and not for the whole work week either, not 40 hours, just 4, maybe if you're lucky you could do it more than once a week...but it just doesn't cover the work and investment you're putting in. Being a musician really is just a hobby.

I agree. I'd also add learn to sing and play an instrument at the same time. Guitar and/or piano are great. Opens up the possibility of solo gigs. I'd also recommend playing as many open mic nights as possible when starting out and feel confident enough to play in public. I also used to busk quite a bit. If you can capture an audience in that setting you're on the right track for sure imo. Remember gigs have a more "captive" audience for lack of a better term. Just a few thoughts on the topic.

In Maine, we get $350 for a duo. So usually $175 base, and then usually $40-60 in tips total.

Can you repeat some of the songs from one set to another in the same gig ?

Will the pair of Yamaha DXR10mkII that I just ordered be sufficient for an acoustic duo?

They are fantastic guitars. I love mine. I have a late 90’s as well. Yours is a Delux, the Classics came with a hard shell case and to my knowledge all the Classics were transparent finishes.

Currently it’s $150 - 250 in Hawaii

In Australia you walk into a bar or pub we call, the horse races are on the screen, the footy is on and the muso is jammed in a corner somewhere, almost background music

New sub appreciating your insight. Saving ti to come back and watch in more detail. Have you on notification so will be back often, Keep posting.🤠😎👋👋👍🎸Always listening to the end.

Great info! Another topic is amplification which I have paired down over the years. It used to be I would bring a whole mixer and two speakers but now I use a single guitar/vocal amp. It takes up less space and is loud enough for small rooms and decks.

1. cover tunes 2. they aren't there to see you = venue gig 3. 4 hours of music 4. can introduce originals between covers 5. Fri/Sat 6. you are there to sell alcohol for the venue 7. how much money? 300-500 whole band 8. flat rate. Percentage is dicey. Fewer members = more pay per member. Tip jar 9. can be worth adding great lead singer / audience entertainer = more money. can save money doing your own mixing 10. don't be too loud. Low stage volume. Use PA.

A friend of mine met Gary Talent of the E Street Band once. He asked why he had simplified his style so much after Born to Run (really Wild and the Innocent). Talent said, "They don't call him the Boss for nothing." Springsteen was that guy. He took input all the time, of course. But he always made the call, collected the money, and paid the band. (He also paid the band a weekly salary when they weren't playing gigs.)

Excellent video! Lots of great info!

If using BT’s is “cheating” for you then don’t use them but I guarantee that I’ll get more work than you - why because I have more options and fullness of sound on some songs! Also - I have NEVER had anyone come up to me and say that didn’t like my sound - quite the opposite- the only people dissing BT’s are “musicians” that think they know what’s best for the audience - brother - get over yourselves!!

Great video. I'm coming from an acoustic duo looking to start gigging solo and this video helps, thank you.

I don’t know I couldn’t take the financial hit of a duo. It’s not worth it around here financially I don’t think unless you’re doing it for fun or part-time. What are you guys making in duos and where are you? I’m in Jupiter Florida and duos maybe pay 50 bucks more than I make solo.

$100 a night? Ooof. That’s Crazy. I average $125 an hour. And clear $80-$120 in tips. For $100 a night, I’d stay home 😂

They are brilliant tip I have to say and I agree with you some people want to hear themselves and forget about out front sound

That’s crazy I did this exact thing earlier and this this pops up. I guess I came up with a g pod plan.

Parker owner!!. F yes man. Mee tü Thanks for addressing this advice

Guy-Girl duo's are awesome. I had a guy join me for a few months and then he left. Now I have to sing Whiskey Lullaby by myself. It's fine, Im enjoying being a solo act again.

$200 Myrtle Beach, SC

If you're a married man and your wife can't sing, do not follow this guy's advice to get a female duo partner! Also, when you do find a man to join you, make sure he's already married. Seriously, duo work can be very lucrative and an ideal complement to band work.

Great advice. thank you.

My first guitar setup. Black with two pickup. Foolishly, I sold it.

Hi, Brian, great video! I'm a self taught guitar player/singer since 17 y/o (I'm 52 now) currently playing in a duo act on a restaurant venue, it's me lead singing, playing the guitar and a percussionist doing backing vocals. We earn 60 bucks (plus a food dish each and any kind of non-alcoholic beverages) per night each as a fixed rate, from monday thru friday. Your video is 100% accurate, specially the conclusion: we are there to help selling food and liquor, and simply enjoying the fact that we are playing music. I'll take your tip jar suggestion, since I wasn't so sure about that because it is a paid gig. Thanks so much, new subscriber here!

Hi Bri.....always look forward to your very enlightening videos. My thoughts are that music is a good side hustle for like cover bands,tribute bands or in my case a solo acoustic artist. But realistically it's just that a side hustle. To do things full time you need a booking agent who books casinos and weddings or tourist spots like cruises and shore points with year round action also corporate gigs ......local breweries and bars usually only have live entertainment thurs fri and sat....kinda slim pickins for making enough to pay the rent and covering your bills.

Thanks

Big thanks

New to the channel. Thank you!

Great information, straight to the point! Thanks.

Not a bar back in any establishment does the booking for entertainment! And be confident and assured ask if they have any openings in their band schedule don't ask to be filled in if someone cancels. Always put yourself first if someone cancels they will call you. And don't under charge!

Hey Bri i got an acoustasonic strat in 22 and i kinda love it ! Just be sure to use a wound 3rd for proper intonaton or you'll be frustrated 😠 😡

I have one too! Mine was born in Neptune NJ in 1962/63.....the amp still has the original silvertone branded tubes😮 does yours? The date code number will be stamped on the inside heel of the neck ......mine was from 1963 as i said ....cheers let me know if you need help dating it . They were made from 61 til 66 i believe.....gotta love Danelectros (which these were) they were just branded silvertone for the sears catalog . They're great guitars that punched way above their price point in terms of quality on a budget and playability and tone

Here in SE Pa. Near Philly and S. Jersey $175 to 225 for three 45 minute sets depending on the venue . I play breweries a lot and they often give you a meal and free draft beer(i like beer but usually abstain when im working ) . I have heard that corporate events ...brunches etc. are very lucrative as well. Casinos and Resturants at the Jersey shore also can be lucrative but you need an agent

Thank you.

Great video, I appreciate your thoughts and experience and some of the comments from others.

I am from india and i am a guitarist and i am planing to go to USA for making a band there cause here in India its not as glamorous as it it is in the US so is it good to to go there after 5 years and btw i am an intermediate level guitar player.And i am thinking to make it my career without having q day job so is it good?And i am also gonna study music there

I'm from New Mexico. I travel to Arizona and Colorado. I use backing tracks and play piano and guitar in every genre from country, Rock - old standards, alternative, spanish, funk and everything in between. My vocals are seasoned and I have a great time ALWAYS. I perform 5 nights a week for 12 different venues on rotation with daily 4 hour gigs. I get $300 + meals n room. I've built my venue clients thru years of work. I work Wed thru Sun and usually pick up $400 on Saturdays during the day doing a couple hours for wedding, anniversary and birthday parties. I'm bringing in on average between $7,000 and $11,000 a month. I'm happy with that and I'm single so I can be on the road 24/7. It's a good life if you're willing to hustle, work on your craft and love people. My advice would be to slowly build relationships with venues and ALWAYS be where you're supposed to ON TIME AND SMILING! 🤗❤️🎶

Good video but I think you missed a couple things. I'm in the NE and gigs are all over the place money wise. $100-200. One thing I think you overlooked is CONNECT with the clientele. If you are staring a hole in your pad, stop. Look up. Make eye contact. Tell a story about a song or the person that wrote it. I often lead into one of my songs with a story about a cover that folks would know. That way, they're listening when I start my original after I do the cover. Make stuff your own. There are some covers I do that folks like better than the originals. Best comment? Probably two. "You don't do the song like the recording, but we LIKE the way YOU do it." The second? "I like you. You're different." Which leads to, yes, do covers folks know. BUT, remember that the bartenders, tasting room managers, etc. might have been listening to the same songs night after night after night. Mix things up. Try to find stuff other players aren't doing. Trust me, there are enough songs out there.

Very good video, thank you. The only thing I disagree on is the use of backing tracks. I think the use of tracks expands your repertoire so much that it's limiting NOT to use them. The audience is there to be entertained, and trying to pull off a whole set of rockin cover tunes with only you and an acoustic guitar only goes so far. I've found that 99% of the audience loves the fuller sound, and it's only musicians in the crowd that will make a negative comment.

I live in Australia and I'm solo acoustic and vocals. I charge $500 plus drinks for a 3 hr show and I wouldn't unpack my car for less.

That rate is for real pros. People who have memorize all songs and sing standing up. Nobody in an Itish pub wants to see a musician sitting down reading charts off an iPad or iPhone.

For BerliN 100 euros per set.Two set minimum. This is per musician.

Finally, some good advice! I always tell every venue I contact that I can do last-minute gigs and I've scored MANY gigs this way.

First off great channel. We are relocating to Florida next year. A few things on this video: if you want to be a GOOD DJ, you’ll at least need a deck and software that’ll match tempos to offgoing and oncoming songs. This is important to keep a dance floor going. Also good tip: keep a CHEAP wireless mic for patrons. Drunks throw mics.

3k for a wedding band? That is VERY low.

Backing tracks are NOT Karaoke. Karaoke is singing in the shower or in your car or having drunk people who cant sing on key and dont know the lyrics using a cheap mic. Ever been to a current concert and wonder why the band on stage sound exactly like the studio album? Saw a Taylor Swift concert recently and its was soaking with backing tracks.

This was very helpful brother, thank you for the knowledge . BOOM !