How do you handle tips?

[Jeffrey Stella]

I recently played a private party gig where we received a substantial gratuity and the BL kept it. The money was handed directly to the drummer, a singer and myself which we turned over to the BL assuming he added it to the tip jar (tacky IMHO) and would divide it equally between the musicians on the gig, we were disappointed when he did not. His reasons where weak at best i.e. website, gigmaster, uniforms/ costuming (an 80's show band)

If you have run across this, how did you handle the sitch or if you're a BL and handle tips the same way what is the reasoning?

FWIW 3 of us were subs and not regular players.

 

[beaglesandbass]

As far as I'm concerned, any tips coming is the same as any other income and should be divided as such. Sounds like your BL owes a couple rounds.

 

[sharkbait130]

A tip for the band is just that..... a tip for THE BAND. Tell the BL to put his excuses for not spreading the tip to the rest of the band in one hand and a pile of poop in the other and see which one weighs more. It won't solve anything but at least the BL will have a hand full of poop which IMHO is exactly what he deserves.

 

[two fingers]

1) Next time, don't hand it to him. Put it in the jar.

2) As for what is "right", it all depends on how the band is set up. If it is set up to split all tips, that's right. If there is no mention of it up front, and there is a BL that owns the band (and pays for the website, the costumes, the PA, the banner, the business cards, etc.) then his keeping it is also right.

You guys did a private party with three subs??? Awesome. You three must be good at your craft.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I recently played a private party gig where we received a substantial gratuity and the BL kept it. The money was handed directly to the drummer, a singer and myself which we turned over to the BL assuming he added it to the tip jar (tacky IMHO) and would divide it equally between the musicians on the gig, we were disappointed when he did not. His reasons where weak at best i.e. website, gigmaster, uniforms/ costuming (an 80's show band)

If you have run across this, how did you handle the sitch or if you're a BL and handle tips the same way what is the reasoning?

FWIW 3 of us were subs and not regular players.

I've had that happen more than once. And I don't like it.

IMO, tips should be split equally among the members of the band. Seems a lot of band leaders aren't in agreement with that. Had a guy hand the BL, who was a also drummer $100 once, right in front of me on a three piece gig - and the dude just smiled, said thank you, and put it in his pocket. He hired me the last minute for this particular gig, was making a crapload more than me, and I was sort of bailing him out (doing the gig as a sub). It pissed me off, and actually stuck with me. I don't like that guy, and now think twice if he offers me a gig.

Unfortunately there are no rules to this. If it's a steady band, it should probably be discussed.

I'm about to be playing in a corporate/wedding band, and I think I'd better get clear on this arrangement before we start gigging - or I might wind up being one pissed off dude . They're going to be paying me a set rate for each show. Thanks for bringing this up.

 

[viper4000]

Bad form, even if the BL has this "rule" in place beforehand. The fee is to cover the overhead/incidentals of the band. BL's getting "an extra-person cut" is reasonable for this.

The tip is for the quality of the performance and should be split among the performers.

Interesting how bad bar owners and bad BL's have this same trait in common.

 

[lfmn16]

Wow, there are some really awful people out there. if you need the work, you need to keep playing with him; if you don't, I'd turn down further work and tell him why.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Even if someone handed me cash, and said "this is for your bass playing" I'd divide it with the band.

 

[40Hz]

There's all sorts of reasons why your BL might pocket the money. None of them are justified or good. The fact he gave a vague justification alone is enough to indicate to me he clearly knows he's ripping you off.

How you handle it is your call. I know how I would. But everybody's situation is different so I won't recommend a course of action. Suffice to say, you run into these jerks fron time to time.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

It happened to me once, recently. Somebody put a tip jar on the stage. I don't know where it came from. It was the only time I've seen one. During the evening, people were putting money in it, but I don't know how much was actually there. As we were breaking down, I saw the BL's wife counting it and assumed she would split it and pass it around. I never saw it again.

 

[oldcatfish]

I see it differently than most. If I am a sub, I get paid a set amount for my services. As such, I am not responsible for anything except showing up with my gear, setting it up, playing, then removing my gear. Even if nobody else makes money, I get paid the contracted amount. I expect nothing more. And neither does the band, because I discuss this with them beforehand. That's what being a sub is all about.

That being said, the band leader could have been generous. If it were me and he had been generous, his band would have moved to my high priority list for fill in gigs. I would attempt my best to bail them out of future issues. And for my part, if I really like the band and want future gigs from them, I may go above and beyond and help them load/unload, or even take a reduced rate if the band would otherwise lose money due to a slow night, etc. But as a sub, I wouldn't be obligated to do any of that.

 

[Bass'd on a true story]

The reason this is immoral is not because of your prior agreements or the lack there of with a BL. It is immoral, because the patrons are giving it to you under a certain context and impression.

Patrons are not attempting to offer more money to the establishment that is the professional band, they are offering money to the individuals as a show of gratitude for the performance. This money does not belong to the BL and is not his to divide or discuss. It belongs to whomever it was first handed to, no ifs, ands, or buts.

Each person may decide whether their tips merit dividing or not. A tip jar is automatically assumed to be divided evenly amongst the band, anything else is simple theft.

 

[bikeplate]

Happened once with me. I did another gig and then quit

 

[interp]

This would be the last gig I ever play with that bandleader.

 

[Liam Wald]

Tip should be split equally among all players.

 

[edencab]

tips are split 100%, no question about it, unless there is a prior arrangement.........this needs to sorted (verbal or written) now for going forward and the tip still needs to be split

 

[MNAirHead]

REALLY depends on the band and logistics.

1-Who Books the Gigs?
2-Who Owns, Transports and Maintains the PA, Cords and Cabling?
3-Who Selects and Sings Most of the Songs?
4-Who maintains a website, social media etc.

I play in a duo/trio. All the tips go directly to the Band Leader.

I have zero issues with him keeping it... he carries the burden -- I show up and just fake through the gig.

I have the flex of not practicing (no band practice... no set lists... no prep)... I can show up 15 minutes before start time... can leave 5 minutes after done. I'm his primary guy because I'm not silly enough to do such silly things.

I believe many bass players forget the vocalist is what books and keeps gigs -- not the bass kid.

I've been the primary guy in a band... most def not as fun as just showing up.

We're never asked to do low/no pay exposure gigs... I'm paid 30% more than most gigs in our area... I have zero band drama. I'm not stupid enough to screw up this gig over $20 etc.

 

[Jay Corwin]

Without having a prior agreement, pocketing the tips like that is shady at best. Beyond that, nothing good can be said (at least from my view).

Every band is managed different. When my band was more of full time entity we divided money a couple different ways. We had gigs that were tip jar + bar cut. That money we put in a general pot that I kept track of, and documented for everyone to see. We would use that money for promotions, print, merch, etc.

Our regular guaranteed pay days got divided up equally to whomever was on the gig; regulars or subs.

If the handling of the money isn't transparent, above board.....I'd be addressing that quickly, and direct. I can put up with a lot, but not someone being shady with the money.

 

[Bass'd on a true story]

REALLY depends on the band and logistics.

1-Who Books the Gigs?
2-Who Owns, Transports and Maintains the PA, Cords and Cabling?
3-Who Selects and Sings Most of the Songs?
4-Who maintains a website, social media etc.

I play in a duo/trio. All the tips go directly to the Band Leader.

I have zero issues with him keeping it... he carries the burden -- I show up and just fake through the gig.

I have the flex of not practicing (no band practice... no set lists... no prep)... I can show up 15 minutes before start time... can leave 5 minutes after done. I'm his primary guy because I'm not silly enough to do such silly things.

I believe many bass players forget the vocalist is what books and keeps gigs -- not the bass kid.

I've been the primary guy in a band... most def not as fun as just showing up.

We're never asked to do low/no pay exposure gigs... I'm paid 30% more than most gigs in our area... I have zero band drama. I'm not stupid enough to screw up this gig over $20 etc.

1. This is a very unique situation and should not be used as a benchmark for what is normal.

2. If the band leader is dissatisfied with his/her compensation compared to the members of the band then that can be a topic for conversation. It is not something that is abruptly handled when more money shows up suddenly.

The bottom line is that everyone in the band is presumably an adult. If the leader has money-related grievances, he/she needs to voice them. If he/she feels that his/her cut is inadequate to cover his/her duties then say so and rectify the problem in a professional manner. A member may very well agree with you and volunteer to contribute his/her money to the leader. That is his choice, because that is his money.

 

[richntiff]

Fire the tip jar - IMMEDIATELY