Hi Sidney,

What I’ve found works for me with very, very few exceptions, is to send out two self-addressed envelopes with the contract.

> The groom is a doctor and didn’t flinch when I said it would be $225

Of course not. In most parts of the country that was a steal for him. Where I am it would have been at least $400.

If you present yourself professionally, they won’t assume it’s free. Just have confidence in yourself and don’t hesitate to deal with at the time they book you. You’ll get used to it and it will stop feeling awkward. If you don’t feel awkward about discussing the subject, neither will they.

If you want to get ideas for your area, just ask around. If there aren’t other harpists ask guitarists and pianists. You should get at least as much as they do.

If you want to pay bills, you have to charge enough to live. Since we can’t gig 40 hours a week, that means the hourly rate is usually quite a lot higher than someone who has full time work with benefits will get.

I live in what is currently the third most economically depressed area in the US, incidentally. Flint Michigan is doing better.

I wouldn’t put a lot of faith in those articles, incidentally. Most working harpists think those surveys are nobody’s business and either don’t answer or give quasi-bogus answers.

Incidentally, I didn’t mean of course the doctor didn’t object because he was getting a bargain. I just meant of course he didn’t object. He hired a professional service and there was a charge for it. Doctors can understand that. 🙂

I have only been back to performing for about a year, so I have struggled with this a lot lately.