$$$$

How much money do you think a signed band gets for a show?

depends on the deal, on how popular the band is, how good the band is, how often they play, etc. ranges from about 500 bucks to open end.

You usually lose money by the time you've paid for all the roadies, crew, food, alcohol, fuel, clothes, promo, bus, hotel, agent, manager, lawyer, acountant, insurance, strings, picks & a hundred other things you don't realize you need until you're on the road.

for minor acts this might for sure be true. but it also depends on the kind of music you make and how popular it is. commercial bands playing radio-tunes or dance music are generally booked very often and i have seen some of them taking 8.000 Euro and more per gig, giggin 60-120 times a year. thats quite a bunch of money even if half of it goes to the tax. and i also have seen this amount of money beeing payed for some metalbands in germany - even some realtively unknown to the "outher world" ones.
There is definitely some money out there for musicians in most genres. it just depends on what sacrifices you are willing to take and how much work you want to invest. but to get to a point where you can get 3000+ bucks for a gig definitely takes a LOOOOONG time and much effort.

Actually, I'm quoting figures from a typical rock/pop band with 4 members.
signed to a major label contract. On average for a first album, you get a $250,000 advance.
Out of that, you've got everything from managers and lawyers to equipment, stage design, lighting recording expenses. mastering, duplication, advertising etc....
A 5 week tour will cost about 60k for expenses. Any money made at arenas goes to the record company to pay back your initial advance.
Even if your first album sells 1/4 million copies, by the end of the year you'll still be in debt to the record company.

My mind is set on trying to make a living on classical guitar,
although I'm quite aware of the problems I may run in to on the way.
The way I see it, there is always a need for new rock bands/virtuosos,
but not always a need for classical guitarists.
I mean you never hear a classical concert sold out at Madison Square Garden.
So maybe I have to face the grim truth and actually get a real job and play
only in my free time, but I will fight to the last drop of blood before that happens!
You may think "that guy just wants to hang out and play guitar and do nothing
all day, what a slacker". Well, yea, don't we all!

to make a living out of classical guitar you need to be a real virtuoso on that instrument. you need a good reputation for the classical audience is VERY tough.

Originally Posted by: schmangeActually, I'm quoting figures from a typical rock/pop band with 4 members.
signed to a major label contract.

well - i wasn't talking about signed bands. what you say is true though. you need to be very good at calculating and have alot of very very good contacts to keep the cost for all the things you need at a minimum. i know of only one band who had all that stuff and still had half of the first advance left.

and what band was that?

you dont know em. they still exist, but never made it to the top. Ekpyrosis.

i guess what i was really trying to say is how much do you think bands like the popular ones on mtv get per year. and then how much do you think mediocre bands get per year?

I think everyone over estimates that amount that bands make.
One of my mates Bands...Seether got signed to Wind-Up records a few years back( dunno how well they have done in the states, but their getting signed was BIG news here in South Africa).
Anyway, they have released 1 album that has sold reasonably well...not sure of actual sales records...and have had songs on the Freddy vs Jason, The Punisher and Daredevil soundtracks...they are doing really well and have definately gone further than any South african musician before them ( except maybe Trevor Rabin...from Yes, now he does alot of work in movie soundtracks).
Anyway, they ( Seether ) still dont make much money and last I heard they were still owing money to the record lable...I think in many cases that whole "Rich and famous" thing is a myth.
There is a common idea here in Sa which says " If you have a meeting with a record company, make sure to take a bus to get there...because if they findout you own a car, they`ll find a way to take it from you"

Do you think it is better first to get signed by a small label and when you supposedly go stronger by a major? I read a while ago a column by white zombe's former guitar player and he was quite convincing that you shouldn't hurry about getting signed with a major.
what do you think?

Try this article.

http://www.indiecentre.com/info/article.cfm?CategoryID=0&ArticleID=25

I want to make it in jazz and/or flamenco/classical. But mainly Jazz. I also like to play bluegrass.... but would rather do that just on occassion.

Chances are slim though....

You guys make this sound so dire!!!
It's depressing man.
But I keep dreaming,and working to improve myself. We're putting together my first ever band,and if it works, I'll start 40 threads announcing it's birth :D
We'll get to deal with all this label beef when we get to it. Right now is to make sure we've got something someone would want to exploit,then we'll see.
and btw,I don't buy that crap that "there's a million and seven other bands wanting to get this..."
If I was crap,if we were crap,you wouldn't be talking to us punk!!

Originally Posted by: kingdavidWe're putting together my first ever band,and if it works, I'll start 40 threads announcing it's birth :D

And then I'll be right here to deliver the SMACKDOWN