[Harp-L] RE: What do yo charge for recording?

["Steve Power" <stevepower@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Around this town, it's often a per song basis.  Anywhere from $50, with no 
minimum, for well known local players with impressive track records but who 
don't like to travel much, to $200 for players that are in demand across the 
country by big name acts.

The guys I used on my last record, all stars of one description or another, 
all said, "Whatever everybody else is getting." The first guy quoted $50 per 
song so that set the price and is what they all agreed on. They didn't have 
to travel, the session was mid-week, and at a great studio they were all 
familiar with including the engineer.

The songs were simple though with some quirks in the arrangement. I sent 
demos for them to prepare with at their leisure but didn't ask for 
rehearsal.  The rhythm section, piano, and guitarist took one full day in 
the studio. The guitarist came back for a 1/2 day of overdubs and then 
insisted on coming back for another couple of hours because he thought he 
could do better. Still only wanted $50 per song.. The fiddle player came in 
during a lunch break from another session, nailed overdubs on two songs and 
was done.  All the guys said thank you, some invited me to play on a couple 
of their gigs, and all in all in was a very memorable and enjoyable session. 
I took my cue from that and when asked, charge $50 per song, with no 
minimum.