A piper's rant

[JerseyLawyer]

Next topic: A lawyer's rant.

(Looks like he hit his "send" button first!)

No sooner did I graduate law school than people started asking me for legal advice. You get used to it. I have a great "out" - I'm a government lawyer, and prohibited from the private practice of law by my employer and by state law. My usual answer is "I can't really help you, but I can point you in the direction of several good attorneys..."

Anyway, back on topic - and this is practical, not legal, advice - at the very least, you should send people who hire you a confirming letter, whether by mail, fax, or e-mail, setting forth the terms of the engagement. It lets them know that you're taking it seriously, and prevents misunderstandings about who, what, when, and where (and how much you get paid, and when).

[Pleater]

Did you ever hear the urban myth of the woman who negotiated the cost of grooming down by half and was left with a perfectly clipped poodle, but on one side only?

Anne the Pleater

[starbkjrus]

Next topic: A lawyer's rant.

(Looks like he hit his "send" button first!)

Did you ever hear the urban myth of the woman who negotiated the cost of grooming down by half and was left with a perfectly clipped poodle, but on one side only?

Anne the Pleater

Hear Hear! I love this one. ith:

[Rex_Tremende]

Did you ever hear the urban myth of the woman who negotiated the cost of grooming down by half and was left with a perfectly clipped poodle, but on one side only?

There you go, Greg, next time someone offers you only $50 to play a gig, offer to play only every third note!

Anyway, you can bet she wasn't running her event for the publicity. And what did you need with publicity anyway? It seemed the grapevine was working just fine.

Regards,
Rex.

[Nick the DSM]

from musician to musician:

there is always more.

[Jack Daw]

Greg;

Regardless of contracts, prices, and past experiences, there will always be event planners that will approach you who don't know how to deal with people/pipers. It goes with the territory.

[highlander_Daz]

Greg I use a basic pro forma booking form that allows the client and Piper to ensure that there are no mix ups in terms of tunes/ times/ dates/ fees etc. Ives used it for several years and its made my life much easier, I make it clear that no booking exists until i confirm that I have recieved the form fully completed. its a word document, if you (or anyone else) wants a copy to use ping me a pM and i will supply it and alter it to suit yourselves.


Daz

[PiobBear]

A couple of weeks ago a guy I know called up, enthusiastically trying to set me up for a gig (funeral) for somebody he knows, then, as if he's doing me this immense favor, asks "How does fifty bucks sound!?" Rather shocked, I told him it didn't sound very good at all, as my standard rate is $200. Oh, but he's a friend (of his; I don't know him from Adam)/fellow member of same org./it's his mother/ etc, etc, etc. I was really offended, and never called him back. It was about as offensive as this dog club several years ago who wanted me to pipe their annual picnic in exchange for free hot dogs (I'm not kidding!), but in a way worse, because he should damn well know better! And yes; they did find some moron to pipe for hot dogs; and it's right at the top of my list of pet peeves; dilettantes who do freebies and create the expectation among the public that pipers can be conned into playing for free, thereby depressing the wages for the rest of us, and then have the gall to wax romantic about how they do it for the love of the music, and implying that those of us trying to eke out a marginal living (who don't live with their parents, or are retired on a fat pension) are somehow unethical, craven, and mercenary simply because we're trying not to default on our mortgage. Often as not, they're also the same ones who reinforce the impression among the public that bagpipes sound like a flock of alarmed geese.

I get deposits for reservations (funerals are usually such short notice that it's generally impractical), I have a standard contract, and a contact sheet listing when, where, what, how, and for whom and how much (and how to get there), all on my own letterhead which I send to clients, which they seem to really appreciate; well planned, clear expectations and no surprises.

[JS Sanders]

<< ...and it's right at the top of my list of pet peeves.... depressing the wages for the rest of us, and then have the gall to wax romantic about how they do it for the love of the music, and implying that those of us trying to eke out a marginal living (who don't live with their parents, or are retired on a fat pension) are somehow unethical, craven, and mercenary simply because we're trying not to default on our mortgage. Often as not, they're also the same ones who reinforce the impression among the public that bagpipes sound like a flock of alarmed geese. >>

That is penned beautifully and I share your sentiment right down to the ground.

It is indeed sanctimonious 'tinker pipers' who claim moral superiority to those of us charging money for a quality product. I've never heard one who even deserved the title 'piper'.

This is one of those "Don't get me started" topics.

Slainte,
steve

[Jack Daw]

I know a millionnaire through a Celtic organization. He asked me to pipe for a private scotch tasting in his very nice home. He said that I could participate as payment, but I told him that I took my piping seriously and would not take more than a customary dram AFTER I was finished with the gig. Then, I told him my price, but I also said that as a favor I would perform in exchange for just a bottle of scotch that he was serving, which was not priced at more than $50. He never called me back. He must have become a millionnaire by never paying for anything. He probably watered down all the sample drams, too.