KeysFla
Well-known member
As a musician, we are many times asked to give our times for charity. If this is the case, give with selflessness.
Charity
- Thread starter KeysFla
- Start date
Mike t.
Active member
If it wasn’t for nursing homes I wouldn’t ever have an audience! The sad part is I’m only 15-20 years behind the residents living there! I play accordion with a fiddle group every month and this month with our Church Christmas group and by myself for October fest. Them old timers are getting to know my name! I’ve been retired 3 years and life is good! (It beats crawling around on hot grating repairing steam turbine equipment!)
Good thinking Keys! I’m pretty sure I’ve done more charity than paying gigs. The nursing homes are hard, but you are so appreciated.
I have played at nursing homes. However, I prefer, and now play at assisted living (55 & older) homes. They can appreciate my music more. At the nursing homes most fall asleep in my first 5 minutes of playing.
There is nothing wrong with giving selflessly, however if the last 10 accordionists that worked there were paid $150-$300 for a couple hours, know what is happening? That one person is ruining it for all the other musicians.
I’ve done a lot of charity work in music and photography, but when a guy asked me to do his wedding for free and I refused he was all insulted. That same guy had a budget of $6500 for photographers but gave him a deal for $5000, he had no problems paying, and with a smile.Before anyone asks, it was a 20 hour day lugging $45,000 worth of equipment with 2 assistants that cannot feed their kids if they work for free over 5 locations and 200 miles… and 45 hours work post processing his pics after I finished.
Similar story with most nursing homes and musicians… you worked and practiced hard FOR YEARS and bring your instrument over somewhere, pay parking and gas… for a pat on the back, when most institutions have a budget and pay others for this service?
It’s not always the case, like if you are a budding new musician and you may want to share you 5 new songs, but the feeling one gets getting paid, even if it’s gas money, is a service you are doing for all other musicians.
Being nice is great, playing for free is definitely cool, but being paid is the reward you’ve earned for your years of hard work and sets the expectations for the next person that comes in behind you.
I’ve done a lot of charity work in music and photography, but when a guy asked me to do his wedding for free and I refused he was all insulted. That same guy had a budget of $6500 for photographers but gave him a deal for $5000, he had no problems paying, and with a smile.Before anyone asks, it was a 20 hour day lugging $45,000 worth of equipment with 2 assistants that cannot feed their kids if they work for free over 5 locations and 200 miles… and 45 hours work post processing his pics after I finished.
Similar story with most nursing homes and musicians… you worked and practiced hard FOR YEARS and bring your instrument over somewhere, pay parking and gas… for a pat on the back, when most institutions have a budget and pay others for this service?
It’s not always the case, like if you are a budding new musician and you may want to share you 5 new songs, but the feeling one gets getting paid, even if it’s gas money, is a service you are doing for all other musicians.
Being nice is great, playing for free is definitely cool, but being paid is the reward you’ve earned for your years of hard work and sets the expectations for the next person that comes in behind you.
I'm with @JerryPH on this one.....I'll choose when it's charity and not freeloading ...
If I have a nursing home gig (and believe me I am the human lullaby) I may tell them to keep the fee and buy some treats for the residents instead at the Xmas gig ....
Same with a regular beer garden now and again I'll suggest they keep the fee and put some treats on the tables for the audience while I'm playing...
Just little bits of two way appreciation...
I guess that counts as charity....
If I have a nursing home gig (and believe me I am the human lullaby) I may tell them to keep the fee and buy some treats for the residents instead at the Xmas gig ....
Same with a regular beer garden now and again I'll suggest they keep the fee and put some treats on the tables for the audience while I'm playing...
Just little bits of two way appreciation...
I guess that counts as charity....
Dingo40
Been here for ages!
Interesting concept
.All other technically proficient peoples there are paid, yet there's an expectation the musicians will provide their services gratis.
Try that on the ambos, nurses, doctors, the office workers
?
Interesting concept
All other technically proficient peoples there are paid, yet there's an expectation the musicians will provide their services gratis.
Try that on the ambos, nurses, doctors, the office workers
Or bar owners... There's a bar near us regularly asks local musicians to play at charity nights. We did it once, but saw the setup - three bands play for free for charity. A large crowd turn up, and put money in the charity bucket (good, obviously). There's steady business at the bar all night, the drinks are regular price and the bar owner plasters Facebook with photos of the good work he's doing...
Good points people! Yup, it’s our responsibility and choice to decide which venues to play and whether it’s worth it financially. Not good to undercut other musicians who rely on the pay. By the same token, not good for a venue to expect free music at a charity auction for, let’s say, an art center where the bidders are retired dentists. Or to stiff the accordion player, as has happened to me.
I have done the same thing for small day centres / lunch clubs and the blind club ..all the helpers are volunteers and do a wonderful job !!! for many of the people attending the clubs it's the only day they go out ............they love to chat and interact ...sing and have a happy time , they all have a story to tell ..................
it's a different story for some care homes who are part of multi million pound care home companies .....for those running these companies its all about Money !!
@Giovanni ... My stipulation/idea ...is I don't take the fee...but the fee is immediately placed in front of my audience (who I'm grateful off) and not just left in the bank.of the care home/ bar owner...
In real life my position is Podiatrist and I can tell you 100% how the conglomerate care homes work...and I refuse to.participate....but there are plenty of honest local family businesses that also need support....and I'm happy to be part of a caring world....
In real life my position is Podiatrist and I can tell you 100% how the conglomerate care homes work...and I refuse to.participate....but there are plenty of honest local family businesses that also need support....and I'm happy to be part of a caring world....
Dingo40
Been here for ages!
We certainly have a wide range of expertise (other than of accordions) among our members!
