Performance Fees: Some things to Consider

Many of my performances are at private events as a solo guitarist. A highly skilled guitarist with over 30 years of professional experience who can perform virtually any musical style, I have over 1200 live performances logged. I have the highest degree possible in my field (i.e., a doctorate) and add daily to the tens of thousands of hours spent refining my craft. Despite these credentials, prospective clients occasionally question my fee when I provide a quote. I have encountered people who seem perfectly content with paying a well-established DJ over $1000 for a couple of hours. Yet the same people should understand how I can justify charging $700 for the same amount of time.

Recently, I polled ten well-established DJs. I asked each to provide me a bid for two hours of music at a venue about 35 miles away; the average was $1000. Typically, my rate is $700-30% less. So why is a skilled solo guitarist less valued than a DJ in their eyes?

Over the years, I have discovered several misconceptions about being a professional solo guitarist. I hope to clear up these misconceptions in the following paragraphs.

Many clients are surprised when they see how much equipment I bring to a performance; it is comparable to a DJ. While I play a modestly sized instrument, the instrument requires amplification. Even an acoustic guitar in a large room is audible to those within a 20-30 foot range, assuming everyone is quiet. When you factor in other noise and the conversation levels of those in attendance, the range drops to around 10 feet. If I am performing outdoors, this range falls to about half of this.

Aside from bringing one or two guitars, the standard equipment I carry to the gig includes a guitar amplifier, speaker cabinet, and a PA with a mixer and microphones. Considering the time necessary to set up the equipment, sound check, and warmup, I need at least an hour before the beginning of the event. Therefore, a two-hour performance requires about four hours when considering the time necessary to set up and break down.

When it comes to song requests, I do not charge extra for one or two that require me to come up with solo guitar arrangements. On average, I spend about 2-4 hours per arrangement and more time practicing the arrangement.

As a solo guitarist, I am responsible for condensing the parts of the singer, pianist, bassist, guitarist, and drummer into one instrument. Covering multiple parts on a guitar can be very difficult. In comparison, performing only the guitar part of most songs is a cinch.

An additional travel time fee applies only when the event is over an hour's drive (one way).

To summarize, the following is an hourly breakdown of what goes into a two-hour performance with two arranged songs for the solo guitar for an event an hour away:

4-6 hours of song arranging

4-6 hours of practicing the arrangements

2 hours of driving

2 hours for setup and breakdown

2 hours of performing

A lot more goes into performing as a solo guitarist for two hours than one might realize; these are additional factors for determining my fee.