Karaoke Forums

Personally, I'm doing a show at my moms senior citizen housing this Saturday, I won't be able to use all of my NEW EQUIPMENT, just my home karaoke system. I'm doing it for free, but at least I'll get my feet wet, and in return, I'll get the great feeling that comes with (giving a little back) to some people that wouldn't have the means to get entertainment otherwise. WORKS FOR ME! after all, it is the season for giving. I don't know if I'd give a bar a free show though.

Rosario

I'd never do a free bar show. Especially not since gas is what it is to get there and such, even though it's bit better now. I dont care if the place is dead empty, if the owner wants you there, you've gotta get paid. I might out drink my pay occasionally though.

But 260 is steep for 3 hours. You have to get a feel for what the going rate is in your area. My shows typically start at 8:30 and last til 12:30 or so an thats what I'm paid for, if I have a few extra people having fun, I've stretched it longer and it keeps the owner happy. There is maybe a little give and take on the end there but the owner and I have a pretty good relationship.

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Not sure what gas is in your area but around here it's actually lower than it's been since 2004. $1.73 per gallon (as low as $1.59 & some midwest states as low as $1.25). I know some places that are about $1.25 per gallon back east & midwest.
Gas isn't a factor at this time.

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It is if you live 35 miles outside the metro area. $1.60 a gal here still adds up not to mention the time traveled. In actual business terms, say a company you work for pays you 40 cents per mile travel, thats 14.00 round trip per day, and Lonman, you said you work 7 days a week, 98.00 gone! Not to mention the 8 hrs 16 mins you'd actually be driving, in addition to your 4 hr show (28 per week). It just adds up, and I'm sure you, like me, have fun doing it but know its a biz.

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If you find a place that has no karaoke, arrange a party to be had there, and tell the manager that you’re doing karaoke for the party, but all his patrons may join in.

If he/she is cool with that (why not?), you get in the place and do your free audition without coming off like a noob.

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Sam,
A couple of suggestions if I may.
First visit any and all shows you can in your area. I'm sure you may have done this already. Just sit and watch the host. Watch everything he does to gain some pointers for yourself. You will see what works and what don't in your area to some extent that way.
Next if you have no place to practice as you said you live in an apartment, just work there at very low volume with a hand full of friends. Have them pick songs from your book, they don't have to sing just so you can cue them and play them. Work on your mic skills with them. Friends will be your biggest critics, and poke fun at you, and if you can get past that, which you must, then you are on the right track.
As far landing a gig. If you are not known personally on the bar scene. Another approach to use with owners is you are new to the area. You may have lived there all your life, but are new to the karaoke area, but you don't have to detail all that, if you get my meaning.
Hopefully this is of some help to you.

And who knows what gas will cost next year?

With the obvious volatility in the price of gas, to me it's always a factor

I like the suggestion Unhinged made.

I don't think it's a sin to work for free when you are just starting out. One way or another it's necessary to develop some skill to justify charging whatever the average rate is in the one's area.

I agree that it's not too likely that you can play a place for free and then charge the next time.

Being a KJ is a skill. Like any other skill it takes practice and knowledge. Having the best equipment and all of the songs in the world won't do the trick. Doing a couple of free gigs, or "hosting" a party at some local spot or even throwing a few house parties can do a lot to gain experience, see what works and what doesn't, build skills and, most importantly, confidence.

The other plus is that these "gigs" become part of a KJ's resume. Being able to say that you've done some private events and a few other bars gives you some credibility. No one has to know that they were your parties or that you did the bars for free.

I did my first karaoke gig for free. I had been a professional musician for 40 years at the time but I knew that being a KJ was different. I had observed other KJs and thought I had some sense of what I needed to do but I also knew I had never done it. I also had a partner who loved singing karaoke but didn't have even the most basic understanding of what it meant to host the show.

I talked to a local bar owner I know and arranged to do the show. I didn't intend to ask her for a job later and I didn't. It turned out to be a pretty successful night and we learned a lot.

Why didn't I ask to come back? The bar is very small and would not accomodate the number of people required to justify what I planned to charge.

It worked out well for everyone. We invited everyone we knew. We got some experience, everyone had a good time and the bar owner made a couple of bucks. Everyone came out ahead.

We were able to leverage that gig into some more and that's how we started.

Larry

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I agree that it's no sin to do a gig for free. What about all those musicians or aspiring stand-up comedians who do "open mike" nights?

That being said, if you're just looking to practice in front of a crowd then you could be just about anywhere. If you want to give a bar owner a "free sample" though, you should be more selective about to whom you make this offer. It should be a place that would conceivably have a regular karaoke night if the owner likes what he sees.

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