Working for Tips

[Robert Meadows]

Does anyone else out there acquire tips when playing your gigs? For me, the House Fee covers my overhead, and general expenses. Tips, whenever possible, handle non-business related items. I need tips. They are a very good thing.

Does anyone else suffer the frustration of wanting to play a great show, but wind up with a "kink" in the attitude when no one tips? I do. Admittedly, I try to forget about it, but some nights it's a real challenge. When someone asks me to play "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant" or "Foreplay/Long Time", and then leaves no tip when I comply....GRRRRRrrr! It's not so much WHAT I play as it is knowing how to do it!

I would urge everyone to tip your servers, bar tenders, and valets very well whenever you are out for the evening. That includes also, HOUSE MUSICIANS!

Anyone know how to better deal with this kind of thing?

[Sean O'Rourke]

Mmmmmm. Very frustrating indeed.
I've been doing a gig where the motto is "You don't have to pay for your requests.........Only if you want to hear them". Tip first , listen second. No tip? Move on to the next tune. We even put a price on those "Favorite tunes". Mustang $100, Brown Eye $200 , Mcgee $300-$350 if you want to sing it.................. No Freebird !!
You get the picture.
Most of the time it works............................most of the time

[Jeni Michelson, Vocal/Keys/Band Leader]

Ha! I Like Sean's answer :-) ;-) Tips were much better in the past. After playing in restaurants for 27 years, I really noticed they took a nosedive when I started working for the big box chain type concepts. When I played Maggiano's for 5 years, they had me pinned into a corner where no one could get to me and at least 800 people a night blew through there and I was lucky to make $8.00. However when I played Carbo's for 5 years...we could have 6 people at the bar and I'd make a $100.00+ consistently. Back in the heyday when I played Park Place Cafe, I made $800 one Halloween night and I've received many $100.00 tips over the years. I think since they started putting those plasma TV's everywhere, no one makes eye contact with the musician anymore so then no relationship is created and they don't feel it's necessary to tip. Another trick is to get a color changing lighted base for the bottom of your bowl...at least they can see it better and it might jog their memory. I would think tips are only going to get worse this year as people grapple with the perception that they no longer have much discretionary income.

[Bob Tewksbury]

I love Sean's approach.
I wish my group was in a position to say "No Mustang" or any of the other TORTURE SONGS, I have noticed one thing though, it seems like to people with the least amount of $ are our best tippers. We get any where's from 0-25 dollars per man with the biker events we have been doing in the middle of the week. Nice and loyal folks. As the weekend kicks in , I am reminded ( based on the tip jar) , that no matter how good we sound that night, or how many requests we play,we are there to provide background music to the people drinking at the bar. Only a small percentage of people are actually there to see US play. Many are cocky, loud and demanding, not to mention drunk. Most of their money goes to the bare for their tab. Sometimes reality BITES.

[Robert Meadows]

Two good points: First, the fact that the most financially sound of our patrons seem to tip the least. Perhaps that's WHY they have the most pennies of anyone. I have a guy that is a regular in that he is practically attatched to his bar stool. He constantly requests song after song, pays the largest bar and restaurant tabs in the history of Earth, and RARELY tips if he ever does.

Secondly, yes we are there to provide a service for the venue, first and foremost. I also agree with Jeni Michelson, in that LOCATION can be a real factor. I am located in the back of the venue, and not by the entrance. Therefore; patrons are less likely to venture back there and part with any real fiduciary means. Yes, those nights of seeing 200.00 and 300.00 tip jars are quite nice! Wish it were more often. Thanks! RBM

[Janet Stevenson, Jazz Vocalist]

I found this interesting article on ways to increase your tips. I do think that location, location, location is one reason many musicians don't get them. If you're off in a corner no one will pay any attention to you, and it's really hard to establish rapport with the audience. I also think it's insulting to a musician for there to be tv screens everywhere, but, I'm so old fashioned, no one cares what I think anyway. :-) I used to know a piano player who would refuse to play until the tv was turned off.

http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/mg_increasetips.htm

1. Introduce yourself by name
Too often musicians forget to introduce themselves on stage. Make sure you tell the audience your band name, but to really boost your tips, you should also introduce yourselves individually. Let people know who you are as an individual and you'll see greater tips.

2. Go out into the audience with a tip jar
You really can't be passive when it comes to getting tips. You have to walk out into the audience with some visual reference that says "Tip Me!", and they will tip you.

3. Meet your audience at their level
Take the time to talk to your audience members at their level. Holding a discussion from a stage puts a wall between you and them. So instead, go out into the audience and talk to them face to face. Kneel if they're at a table, so you're at eye level. And if you have your tip jar with you, you will you will not only gain a fan, but you will also improve your tips.

4. Make your appearance personal
We wear kilts to most of our gigs. A kilt adds a very personal touch It links us to a certain culture and makes people take notice. Course you don't have to go that route, instead find some piece of clothing that reflects your personality and you will boost your tips.

5. Recommend your favorite CD
If you have multiple CDs, your audience will always ask for your favorite. Tell them what it is. If you only have one, you can do the same by recommending other artists that you like. That adds a two-fold advantage of helping your audience find music they like and helping your fellow musicians.

6. Smile
A bright, confident smile will bring fans back again and again with lots o' big tips.

7. Involve your audience in the music with a joke or game
Next time you're up on stage, see what happens when you joke around with the audience. Your personality will glow all the more and so will your tips.

8. Chat with fans by name
Music fans love nothing more than to be recognized by the bands they love. So do your best to remember their names. They will feel that much more attached to your music and feel like your friend. And these friends will tip you better for the courtesy.

9. Touch your audience
When you're out socializing with your audience, touch them (in a non-sexual way). Whether you shake their hand, pat them on the shoulder or back, or just brush against them, wait staff find that that even that will boost their tips 50%. And it will yours too.

10. Use tip jars with the VISA/Mastercard Logo
According to studies done in restaurants, just seeing those logos is enough to encourage customers to tip more. I know it sounds crazy, but give it a try. You may be pleasantly surprised with the results.

11. Give your audience something in return for their tip
People love feeling like they're getting their money's worth. And many people don't realize you should tip bands. So give something in return. It could be something as big as a sticker or magnet, or as simple as a business card that might include a $1 off your CDs. Or hey what about feeding their sweet tooth with a piece of candy. Whatever the case, that little gift will mean big tipping results.

12. Draw a picture
On a similar note, if you give them a business card, draw or make a comment on it. That piece will be more valuable to them and will result in bigger tips.

13. Make tipping a part of the show
Why wait until the end of the set to ask for tips. Sing a song about tipping, or get your audience involved in the tipping process by shouting something. Or offer a prize to the first tipper. But integrate it into your show and it won't seem like you're just begging for money, rather you're making it fun to tip.

14. Thank your audience
No gig would be complete without an audience. So thank them for taking the time to watch you perform. They will feel the personal touch and respond when you ask for money.

15. Bonus Tipping Suggestion:
If the change is five dollars, never return a five-dollar bill. Always give back five ones. This allows the customer to tip you with some of the dollar bills you returned. You will rarely get a $5 tip and returning a $5 bill will turn off tippers. In general, it's good to return all ones if the change is less than $8. You want the customer to have at least two ones so they can give it back as the tip.

[Chris Brown]

I really like point number 2,, we started sending one of the wifes out into the crowd with the tip jar,, and it really works,, I thought it was a bit cheesy at first but then when I saw a extra 80 to 100 bucks in the jar I was able to over look the cheese factor,, one club owner frowns on it though because he thinks we're taking tips away from his waitresses,, but most of the clubs we play dont have a problem with it,,, it works to be proactive.

[Bill Whitford]

we introduce the tip jar as the most important member of the group..usually first name"needa" ... last name "donation" neeeda Donation.. usually works...

[David Buice]

A tip jar is optional. IF you get tipped great! If you play at a wedding are you going to present a tip jar for requests? Would you walk person to person asking for tips? I think professional conduct dictates that you do not beg for tips in any venue. You are hired to perform a service. Making the tip jar a part of your presentation in a bar, from stage can be performed well enough without going table to table asking for money.

[David Buice]

Sean, The Carta Blanca Bros. were well....whores. We played anything for 100.00. But we were paid NOT to play Mustang Sally a few times, we would make it a bidding war! WE did the same in Backbeats too. No shame in any of it!

[Sean O'Rourke]

If I walked around and filled the tip jar, it would be for all of the players. Not just for myself.
Accordingly, If I took all of (or most of) the tip money just because I walked around I would expect an ass whooping.
If one of my players tried pulling that crap (ie. Keeping the lions share of the tips ) one- He would be sent home, two- He would not be hired again.
It's no wonder SOME folks are out of work..............Jeez

[David Buice]

Very well put.

[Jeff Michaels]

A few words about tipping...

Tipping in general should be, but is not always, a reflection of good service. I've had nights where I've made $650. in tips and nights where I've made $3. in tips...nights, incidentally, which looked very similar in attendance and mood. So, the thing about being a "reflection of good service" goes out the door for musicians. In the 25 years I've had the tip jar out, here are a few tips for tipping...

1. DO NOT mention how the tip jar is low, or slow or hasn't been hit in a while....Or, "come on people, show some love at the tip jar". That mentality is utterly tacky, classless and paints you as a "tipmonger". Last I checked, we were all musicians who loved playing music, not begging for tips. In my profession as a singles act piano player in town, there are a couple players who do this regularly...not surprisingly, their tip jars are usually fairly empty. Customers aren't stupid, they see the tip jar when they walk in, they DO NOT need to be reminded or pestered about tipping.

2. Engage your audience - on breaks, go out and get to know your audience instead of talking to your wife or girlfriend on the cellphone. Learn their names, learn what music they like, ask them if you can play a certain song for them next set...If it's a song you don't know, say so and ask if you can accommodate them with something similar.

3. Identify the regulars - They are going to be your regular source for tipping. If they ask for a song you don't know. Tell them you'll learn it...and then, learn it! You'll be pleasantly surprised the next time you and they cross paths.

4. Don't publicly embarrass anyone or heckle anyone who asks for songs repeatedly and doesn't throw a tip -

A little story about this one...a few days ago I almost got fired from a gig for doing something that looked and sounded like this. A guy threw a twenty into the tip jar, asked for Purple Rain, and as I played the first verse, he then proceeded to stick his hands in the tip jar and make change for himself, announcing that he only had plans to leave me a dollar. So I said, "Hey, the more you take out, the less of the song you're going to hear", which gained cheers from the audience, but drew a very negative response from the management of the restaurant. Truth is, my issue was with him sticking his hands in my tip jar, not the $1. he wanted to give me for the song, if he'd just put in a dollar, I still would have played the song.

5. Keep your groove...no matter what! - Some people never tip until they walk out at the end of their night. Don't stress over the lack of tipping. Instead, refocus that negative energy into continuously becoming a better player. Trust me, it will come back to you on another night!

6. Have songlist out and handy for people to look at...If you play a place that has 25 tables, make sure you walk in w/ 25 songlists, and put one at each table. And, btw, the songlist doesn't have to mention tipping at all.
That songlist will generate lots of requests, and subsequently lots of tips.

If you use these guidelines on a nightly basis, people will come to visit you more often, respect you more and ultimately tip you better, because they see what a class act you are. When it's all over at 2am, isn't that what you want them to walk away with anyway,...the fact you were a class act?