Tipping a live band

smokeybailey

Okay, so I have secured my Mariachi Trio for the Super Surprise Birthday Party.  The cost is $500 so I am allocating my tip and am wondering what I should be planning for.  Anyone here work with live musicians or another group that shared the tip?  If so, what did you give?

danieliza1127

I would probably stick with 20% and let them split it amongst themselves.  Or individually give each one $30-40.  I'm assuming your $500 is going directly into their pockets as well right?

vallyhoo

I'd be careful tipping a live band. You're better off cow tipping.

smokeybailey

Yes, the $500 will be split among them (how?  I am not sure).  I will tip cash on the day of to each individual but am just wondering if I should be setting aside $600 for this venture or $800.

Ahh, Vally.  Always solid advice.

ohwhynot

We're tipping our live band $50 each at the end of the night. 

squirrly

I think $50 each seems reasonable, and easy enough to do in cash.

danieliza1127

Yeah, I'm with ohwhynot and Squirrly - $50 to each guy at the end of night seems great to me.  Assuming they are awesome, which I'm sure they will be. 

sophistryliz

Our live band costs $1400....no WAY we're tipping them.

smokeybailey

That is what I voted for in my own poll.  I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't end up with more tips though.  My mother has been told to give a group like this $50 to play some lame ass song.  I will have to give them $60 to NOT play it.  However, I am quite sure that this Mariachi group does not know Sioux City Sue.

Love is Bald

i'd do it 20% of the total

smokeybailey

Sophi, why would you not tip them?  They are providing a service to you.  Do you not tip on really expensive meals as well?

swtasa

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_tipping-live-band?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:3340c49f-e6d6-4494-9183-8c0afa581561Post:e1614e00-ee50-4903-8daf-eaa84d657649">Re: Tipping a live band</a>:
[QUOTE]Our live band costs $1400....no WAY we're tipping them.
Posted by sophistryliz[/QUOTE]

Uhhh why not? That's not unreasonable really... especially when you think of what goes into before your wedding. Did you request a certain song for your first dance? Request anything else special? It takes hours of practice time to learn one song.

Add to that setting up(it's not easy), tearing down, travel expenses. If they do an awesome job you should tip them....

anna.oskar

Our reception band was $500 and we tipped $100.  Seemed fair since they weren't with a company and the $500 went directly to them.

Schroeder246

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_tipping-live-band?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:3340c49f-e6d6-4494-9183-8c0afa581561Post:e1614e00-ee50-4903-8daf-eaa84d657649">Re: Tipping a live band</a>:
[QUOTE]Our live band costs $1400....no WAY we're tipping them.
Posted by sophistryliz[/QUOTE]

<div>Ugh.  As a performing musician, this infuriates me.  First of all, I'm not sure what kind of band you've got, but $1400 for a live band at a reception is really REALLY cheap.  I had quotes coming in around $6000 for wedding bands, and those were my friends.</div><div>
</div><div>Secondly, if you couldn't afford to tip on top of that, you should have hired a less expensive band so you COULD tip.  </div><div>
</div><div>It's not like wedding band musicians lead lavish lifestyles.  TIP YOUR BAND.  EVERY MEMBER.</div>

tenofcups4me

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_tipping-live-band?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:3340c49f-e6d6-4494-9183-8c0afa581561Post:40dbad36-5bef-4493-816c-12f323178178">Re: Tipping a live band</a>:
[QUOTE]Sophi, why would you not tip them?  They are providing a service to you.  Do you not tip on really expensive meals as well?
Posted by smokeybailey[/QUOTE]

I wouldn't tip a band because they're self-employed and set their own fee. It's not the same as tipping a waiter who makes less than minimum wage because the restaurant takes the full price of the bill and distributes a minimal part to the servers.

Dh is a solo musician and in a couple of bands. He sets his price for a gig and that's what he expects to be paid. He certainly doesn't object if people add something to it (!), but he also doesn't expect a tip when he performs. Just the way I don't expect a tip when I do my job.

sophistryliz

My fiance and our best friends are actually in the electronic music scene, and they all agree that a tip is not necessary. 

Schroeder246

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_tipping-live-band?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:3340c49f-e6d6-4494-9183-8c0afa581561Post:51fc6ce4-5dbc-46de-9aa8-05f433e6fd8d">Re: Tipping a live band</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Tipping a live band : I wouldn't tip a band because they're self-employed and set their own fee. It's not the same as tipping a waiter who makes less than minimum wage because the restaurant takes the full price of the bill and distributes a minimal part to the servers. Dh is a solo musician and in a couple of bands. He sets his price for a gig and that's what he expects to be paid. He certainly doesn't object if people add something to it (!), but he also doesn't expect a tip when he performs. Just the way I don't expect a tip when I do my job.
Posted by tenofcups4me[/QUOTE]

<div>While I see your point (although I don't agree), I more took issue with Liz's implication that she was not going to tip because "the band is $1400".  As in, they're expensive, I don't have money to tip on that.  The point is, if you don't have money to tip, get something cheaper so you can.</div>

Schroeder246

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_tipping-live-band?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:3340c49f-e6d6-4494-9183-8c0afa581561Post:a2476049-32ce-4574-84e0-61d93cf39e37">Re: Tipping a live band</a>:
[QUOTE]My fiance and our best friends are actually <strong>in the electronic music scene,</strong> and they all agree that a tip is not necessary. 
Posted by sophistryliz[/QUOTE]

<div>What does this mean?</div>

sophistryliz

Electronic music--the genre. Like drum and bass.

Schroeder246

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_tipping-live-band?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:3340c49f-e6d6-4494-9183-8c0afa581561Post:82a7492f-21ef-43c7-8e2c-fefd08ee1cae">Re: Tipping a live band</a>:
[QUOTE]Electronic music--the genre. Like drum and bass.
Posted by sophistryliz[/QUOTE]

<div>I know what D&B and electronic music is.</div><div>
</div><div>What does "in the scene" mean?</div>

sophistryliz

It means they are in a band that is relatively famous in that scene. D&B is definitely a scene.

smokeybailey

I have no idea how much of the $500 is broken up between the 3 players.  I don't know.  I tip everyone that does a service for me where there can be varying levels of service.  In fact, I have been known to tip very helpful sales people while clothes shopping.  Maybe it is just ingrained but I would still tip a musician (or DJ) who set his own rate, especially if he was better than "just good." 

Schroeder246

I know what a scene is.  I was asking you to clarify the extent of their involvement as musicians.

Is their involvement in this "scene" such that it comprises their primary source of income?  Is it a serious hobby for which they get paid from time to time?

You made your original statement with the implication that it gave you some authority to say what is acceptable in the world of career musicians.  I'm just trying to ascertain whether or not that is true.

Schroeder246

p.s. Smokey - sorry to threadjack!

sophistryliz

Well, considering that my fiance makes his income from this profession, I would say I do have a little bit of knowledge about it. 

smokeybailey

Schro-I totally saw this coming.  That's why I added the comment about not tipping.  I know that tipping is not customary (at the same levels) in all countries and this is an international board. Some people feel strongly one way or another.  I just wanted to make sure I wasn't cheating my Mariachis with $50 each.

Jack away.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_tipping-live-band?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:3340c49f-e6d6-4494-9183-8c0afa581561Post:c5f56a7b-590e-4ba2-a058-7ac5857d1a42">Re: Tipping a live band</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Tipping a live band : Ugh.  As a performing musician, this infuriates me.  First of all, I'm not sure what kind of band you've got, but $1400 for a live band at a reception is really REALLY cheap.  I had quotes coming in around $6000 for wedding bands, and those were my friends. <strong>Secondly, if you couldn't afford to tip on top of that, you should have hired a less expensive band so you COULD tip.   It's not like wedding band musicians lead lavish lifestyles.  TIP YOUR BAND.  EVERY MEMBER.</strong>
Posted by Schroeder246[/QUOTE]

Eye to eye.

Also, even if they are self-employed, they have to cover transportation, equipment, amplification. It's not like they're each pocketing $166 and blowing it on an after party.

Oh, and I'm in the $50 each camp.

tenofcups4me

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_tipping-live-band?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:3340c49f-e6d6-4494-9183-8c0afa581561Post:1b8fe81e-2380-4bad-94bb-f6073178fff7">Re: Tipping a live band</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Tipping a live band : Eye to eye. Also, even if they are self-employed, they have to cover transportation, equipment, amplification. It's not like they're each pocketing $166 and blowing it on an after party. Oh, and I'm in the $50 each camp.
Posted by msmerymac[/QUOTE]

A professional will include that kind of thing in their cost. I'm not trying to say not to tip -- if someone wants to, I'm sure the musicians will appreciate it! But overhead is part of the cost of doing business and should be accounted for in any pricing structure.

Schroeder246

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_tipping-live-band?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:3340c49f-e6d6-4494-9183-8c0afa581561Post:043b72b4-5713-4aa1-b301-6ab6e31594dc">Re: Tipping a live band</a>:
[QUOTE]Well, considering that my fiance makes his income from this profession, I would say I do have <em><strong>a</strong></em> little bit of knowledge about it. 
Posted by sophistryliz[/QUOTE]

<div>Your italicization just made you sound like Chandler Bing.</div><div>
</div><div>Anyway.</div><div>
</div><div>Ok, fine.  Your fiance makes money from contributing to what I'm sure is a <em>bumpin'</em> D&B "scene" in Central PA.  And that's fine that he is of the opinion that not getting a tip isn't rude.</div><div>
</div><div>However comma several points.</div><div>
</div><div>I hope you don't mind that I'm going to switch out the rather colloquial "scene" for a more formal categorization of "genre".  D&B is a different genre on so many levels from 99% of the musicians that perform at ceremonies, receptions, and celebrations.  While, yes, there is no hard and fast rule about tipping musicians, I am of the conviction that career musicians are not supported nearly enough in our society, and given an opportunity to show appreciation for their years of training, I will gladly take it.  At least now fewer of them will have to put it towards health insurance premiums.</div><div>
</div><div>What I'm still confused about, is that this was not your original argument about why you were not going to tip your band.  You didn't come on and say, "I don't think tipping is appropriate/necessary/whatever, so I'm choosing not to".  It even took quite a few rounds of back and forth before you even let on to the fact that you had any experience in the area.  Your original argument was "OMGZ our band is EXPENSIVE, yall.  They ain't getting no more 'a MY MONEY".</div><div>
</div><div>Which is a crappy argument, as PP have pointed out.</div><div>
</div><div>So really, don't tip your band.  WTH do I care, I'm not playing your wedding.  But know that the <em>vast</em> majority of my colleagues (who play with professional orchestras or wedding bands) are surprised when they're not offered a tip.</div><div>
</div><div>Oh, and I hope you're feeding them.</div>

swtasa

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_tipping-live-band?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:3340c49f-e6d6-4494-9183-8c0afa581561Post:a2476049-32ce-4574-84e0-61d93cf39e37">Re: Tipping a live band</a>:
[QUOTE]My fiance and our best friends are actually in the electronic music scene, and they all agree that a tip is not necessary. 
Posted by sophistryliz[/QUOTE]

Yeah that doesn't make not tipping them right, any less of an etiquette faux pas nor does it make you any less selfish because omg 1400!

My father is a guitar player in a jazz band. Does he expect a tip? No he doesn't.
 
Is it the nice. classy thing to do when a band does an amazing job at your wedding and is one of the main events of the whole wedding? Yeah it is.

Your also paying for your preacher, your food, etc... you're tipping them right? Band is no different

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_tipping-live-band?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:3340c49f-e6d6-4494-9183-8c0afa581561Post:00184fbc-1018-4d12-8369-ceca73f62e2c">Re: Tipping a live band</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Tipping a live band : A professional will include that kind of thing in their cost. I'm not trying to say not to tip -- if someone wants to, I'm sure the musicians will appreciate it! But overhead is part of the cost of doing business and should be accounted for in any pricing structure.
Posted by tenofcups4me[/QUOTE]

I understand. It was more in reference to Liz implying that her $1400 band was SUPER expensive and they're making a ton of money off of her, which may or may not be the case.