The nightmarish costs of gigging with a pedal harp

[Maya]

I’m located in London & living here as a student it does not make financial sense for me to get a car due to insurance, parking, congestion charge, lack of use besides performing etc. Essentially, it would cost far more than taking taxis everywhere.

The problem is taxis still will set me back approximately £50 per gig. I should mention I play rock music as opposed to classical and as the market is so saturated, it is rare to get any significant sum of money for a gig.

My question goes out to all working pedal harpists but primarily those living in big cities (any Londoners?), how on earth do you facilitate gigging & getting around?

Also, I would not consider using a lever harp.

[Elizabeth Volpé Bligh]

Do you have any friends or relatives who would be willing to drive you for less than that? Perhaps you could put a poster up at the school of music, asking if anyone has a car and would like to make some extra money. Just a thought. I know several harpists who take taxis to work, but perhaps it does not cost as much here.

[kreig-kitts]

If you’re currently playing clubs, festivals, and other musical venues rock musicians often play in, you might try to market yourself in more commercial settings to clients who prefer the music you play over more traditional harp music. Your gorgeous ebony harp, plus your music, voice, and look, would appeal to some clients quite a lot, once you find a way to find them. Edgier fashion shows, receptions and parties hosted by people who want a different ambience, etc.

If you want to increase traditional gigs as a way to subsidize your other music as it finds its audience, you might think of a second web site for that music. There are plenty of serious authors out there who cranked out trashy romances under fake names to pay for their serious writing in their early years. As a plus, a lot of classical musicians play across genres. Since the harp is one of the best partners for chamber music, particularly if you want that chamber music to pay, you’ll keep your musical network open, and next time Tom Monger breaks his hand opening a pickle jar and Florence needs a sub for a leg of a tour, you get the idea.

Afterthought: I once dated a guy partly because he owned an SUV. There are worse reasons to fall in love…

[maren-williams]

Rent a car! Zipcars are something you should definitely look into. My sister, who lives in a metropolis, used them before it was absolutely necessary for her to get a car. Also, websites like priceline can offer relatively cheap alternatives.

Good luck!

[Maya]

Thanks for all the ideas! I’ll have to look into zipcars & work out all the costs. Playing more in more commercial situations has crossed my mind & that’s definitely something I’ll be up to doing. Finding clients will be the difficult part so it’s just down to stepping up the networking now I guess.

I must admit dating someone with a harp car has crossed my mind too & would be kind of perfect, but the only people I know currently who own them are married & have kids to shuttle around. So I’ll just have to keep looking haha.

[Author]

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