Fees for transcribing charts

[McGlamRock]

So I recently started playing in a band with this fellow who is a great dancer (line dancing only, so please hold off on the male stripper jokes) has lots of charisma, an ok voice, and connections to quite a few decent venues. The only problem is that this is the first band that he's played with so he's a bit green as far as getting a band ready to play.

The band is comprised of guitar (me), bass, drums, fiddle, and the aforementioned singer. I recently proposed that I arrange charts for the band to work from, so that we are all on the same page as far as each song's arrangement (beginning's, endings, who does fills on which verse, who takes a solo, etc...). My thinking is that this will allow the band to get the big picture of the song quicker and save us from working out basic things like chord changes at rehearsals. The other part of this plan would be to email these charts to the band members prior to rehearsal and have a second set of charts at rehearsal in case anyone forgets them.

It takes me about 20 or 30 minutes to put one of these charts together. How much should I be asking for arranging these charts? There are about 20 songs total, of which 14 I have already transcribed when I was learning them for previous rehearsals. In previous bands I've worked with, fees for writing charts were included in my "salary."

I have a Guitar Performance (Bachelor of Music) so I have some pride in my work and don't like to give away my services (especially to folks I don't know particularly well), but at the same time I don't want this guy to think I'm bleeding him dry. Anyone have any suggestions, or wish to share their experiences in similar situations? Would really help me out, thanks!

[telequacktastic]

Maybe just ask for a bigger cut of the pie once the gigging starts, unless you can get this guy to pay you up front.

[McGlamRock]

Thanks for the reply Telequacktastic. I've spoken with the singer and he has agreed in principle to this idea (paying me for transcribing charts), but I have not given him a formal proposal of what the cost would be.

What I would be giving him is 5 binders of charts for the 20 songs with bar counts, roman numerals, a few notated parts for tutti passages, and notes for which instrument takes fills and solos. Very basic stuff, but hopefully enough to make the difference from a mediocre rehearsal session to a very productive one.

[klasaine]

Minimum - $20.00 a tune. Chord charts with section markings only (no sig riffs, bass lines, etc.). Keep them to no more than two pages.

Five books with 20 tunes per - I 'personally' feel that's worth $500.00.
And if you wanted to recoup over time with a bigger cut of the 'gig pie' that'd be very sportsman like.

[guitar dan]

I usually charge $20/ chart, but I'll give a bulk rate if they have enough. From that point, I just scan them and either email them or put on a disc or flash drive.

[McGlamRock]

Thanks for the input! Since this project is just starting out, I think I like the idea asking for a larger portion of the gig pay. Although I am not entirely sure how that would work. Should I ask for "25% or $100, whichever is greater" or something to that effect? Thanks again!

[McGlamRock]

Sorry if these questions seem dumb or naive; my business sense is weak (not something that was emphasized in music school unfortunately), I really do appreciate any pointers from more experienced, business savvy members. Thanks again!

[Joe-Bob]

Well, in theory you should be able to be compensated for your work.

In reality...good luck!

You just may find that you're no longer "in the band" once you deliver the goods.

[klasaine]

Try to find out what the gigs pay.
Since it's a new project I would say 25 bucks extra per gig for now.
If you're all makin' 3 bills apiece, then take an extra $100.

*Is it 'the singers' band? You may want to approach him with, "since this is your band my chart fee should come out of your cut and you'll get to now keep the chart books - which theoretically makes it easy to hire a band". That may sound like a great way to shoot yourself in the foot but personally I've found that it actually makes one indispensable and he'll always call you first - YMMV.

[McGlamRock]

Thanks again- and yes, it is 'the singers' band. I'm going to talk to the guy at lunch today today and bring up the extra cut suggestion. I'll update afterwards and let you all know how it goes.

[McGlamRock]

So I spoke to the singer and he's good with the idea of me taking a larger share of the "gig pie," (as it was so elegantly put). During our conversation I learned that the bass player had to drop out due to "health issues" (Personally, I think he dropped out because our last rehearsal wasn't very efficient) Anyway sounds like me and my charts will be assisting with the audition process this Sunday.