Rhett Barnwell is an internationally known composer, arranger, teacher, and multi-instrumentalist (harp, cello, organ, and French horn). He is the founder of Seraphim Music, and currently serves as organist/choirmaster at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and composer in residence at the Atlanta Harp Center.

The short answer is—when the price of eggs and gas went through the roof!

A slightly longer answer takes me back to the aftermath of the 2020 pandemic, when work finally started to return—sometimes in situations that felt a bit like, “Well…this seems fine, but do these masks really work? What if a room full of people start coughing all over me and the harp?” Many of us were forced to weigh risk versus reward in a very real way. With less work available, the question became: do we lower our rates just to book something, go back to 2019 pricing, or raise them because we’re now factoring in, say, personal safety? And then came the Zoom era—should online lessons or performances cost less? I remember deciding that playing through a screen didn’t make my degree or experience any cheaper, so my rates stayed put (or quietly went up).

But back to the eggs. I earn income from a variety of sources—teaching, performing, composing, and publishing. When inflation hit, and everyday costs started climbing in mid-2021, I realized my rates hadn’t kept up. Strings cost more, travel costs more, and—annoyingly—so does everything else. If I didn’t adjust, I was essentially giving myself a pay cut. As a self-employed musician, I’ve come to accept that I’m also my own HR department, and occasionally I need to approve a raise.

There can also be encouraging signs when it’s time. If my teaching studio is full, my calendar is booked, and I’m turning down gigs, that’s usually a clue. Add in the fact that I’m a better player than I was 10 years ago, with more experience and a stronger reputation, and it starts to make sense to jack things up a bit.

Of course, competition is real. In places with lots of harpists, it’s tempting to be the “affordable” option. But I’ve learned that being the cheapest rarely leads to being the happiest. And a lot of clients actually equate musicians that cost more with being worth more. Of course, that’s not always the case, and those who end up with the cheapest alternative often find that they got exactly what they paid for!

In the end, my rule of thumb is simple: if the demand is still there, I’ve developed more as a musician, and my expenses are rising—it’s time to go up on rates.

Felice Pomeranz is professor of harp at Berklee College of Music in Boston and maintains a private harp studio. She is the owner and director of The Gilded Harps, a consortium of the best professional harpists and other musicians in the Greater Boston area performing throughout New England.

In the professional freelance world, knowing when to increase the fees for your services can be challenging. Several factors may apply, including your career phase, your level of education and expertise, and where you live and work. Hopefully you have networked your way into charging similarly to what others charge for offering lessons, classes, and playing events in your community. Having set your fees, take note of what they are and the date you set them, as they will change with time and circumstances.

When deciding to raise rates, consider the economy where you are. In a recession or depression, it might not be an ideal time to charge more for your services. Please keep in mind that music, as much as we think is essential, is not always the highest priority for those struggling to survive in a poor economy. If, however, the economy is strong with more discretionary income in the community, it might be a perfect time to increase your fees. 

Think about your level of expertise. Your rates directly out of college with little experience would certainly increase having earned a higher degree, for example, or five more years of experience. If you teach at a college or university, your salary will depend on your level of education and experience. It should be similar in a freelance setting, as well.

Relocating to a larger or smaller city will require you to charge different fees simply to manage in the new economy. Network with your peers to stay current with fees charged in your area. Re-evaluate your fees in increments of time so that others will appreciate the value you offer for your services.

Anastasia Pike is an educator, performer, and arts entrepreneur. She serves on the harp faculty at Teachers College, Columbia University, and is the founder and director of the Hampton Roads Harp Festival and HRHF Summer Institute.  

Knowing when to raise your rates is less about a single moment and more about recognizing patterns. If your schedule is consistently full, you’re turning away students, or inquiries keep coming even when you have limited availability, the market is already signaling that demand exceeds your current pricing.

Another key indicator is growth in your expertise: have you invested in advanced training, earned new credentials, performed at a higher professional level in prestigious venues and with presenting organizations, or developed a stronger track record of student success? Your rates should reflect not just your time, but also the value of your experience and results.

It’s also important to pay attention to sustainability. If your current rates no longer adequately cover your time, preparation, travel, administrative work, and overhead, it’s time to reassess.

Finally, raising rates doesn’t have to be abrupt. You can implement gradual increases, adjust rates for new clients only, or give advance notice to existing ones. The key is to frame the change professionally and confidently—clients take their cues from you.

In short, if you’re in demand, growing professionally, and feeling the strain of your current pricing, you’re likely overdue for an increase. •