Pipers! I need help once more

[JS Sanders]

To reiterate....

Four bills isn't outta the question. I pipe full-time in the Memphis region and get that price regularly.

Presumably though, the piper has better than average ability, and the requisite demeanour & decorum.

Slainte,
steve

[Jack Daw]

I know thie question is now academic regarding the original poster's situation; but, for future reference for those that will be hiring pipers for similar events, it doesn't hurt to add my 2 cents worth.

Quite frankly, I wouldn't be shy about asking a surgeon where he went to medical school before he cuts into me. By the same token, if I'm paying $400 for a piper who's only playing at the wedding ceremony and not playing tunes at the reception, he'd better be a professional or a grade 2 competitor versus a grade 4 amateur, who's been playing only a couple of years. And, his outfit should be top-notch.

But, prices might be oddly skewed for Houston as we have a glut of pipers. The St. Thomas Episcopal School in Houston is a piper/drummer/Highland dancer mill.

[Barb T]

$400 is about twice what pipers get around here for weddings or funerals unless it's a long gig (like also playing for the reception or the wake).

[JS Sanders]

4 C-notes is not my base charge for weddings, however, throughout the year I charge that and more.

Most pipers under-price themselves. The majority haven’t raised their prices in several years.

The cost of maintaining a performing piper’s complete kit might surprise many. I have a separate & filled armoire with my kiltwear and accessories. Everything from daywear, formal, Renaissance, casual, Jacobite, to formal military look. And then there are all the accessories....

Over the years, the growing trend is the lack of consideration from brides & their mothers. Many seem to be paying too close attention to the reality TV shows such as Bridezillas. If they’re gonna conduct themselves as prima dona’s, then it’s gonna cost extra.

Also of late is the cost of gasoline. This year alone, three times I’ve adjusted my base charge upward to keep up.

Wedding flowers alone can easily be many hundreds of dollars. Wedding cakes are routinely over $1200. Wedding dresses seem to start at three grand. I won’t even mention the range of reception costs. Considering the wonderful memories provided by a competent piper, even the base price of $400 is extremely reasonable.

Slainte yall,
steve

[highlander_Daz]

im a big believer in musicians and other performers getting paid a good rate, pipeing especially has a lot of behind the scenes stuff that the customer never sees, in saying that its up to Every piper to maintian a consistant price policy, i know one piper that charges peanuts, he gets the work but he demeans himself and other pipers by charging so little. I have a consistant price policy, I always charge, except for specific charities that I support, or church, old folks homes or veterans associations. If i people think Im too expensive (which im not) then they are free to approach other pipers, however I pride myself on the quality and tone of my pipes, my appearance and my skills as a "people person" in dealing with guests and photographers.
I went to one wedding and I was cheaper than the chocolate fountain. !!!!!!

[turpin]

I'm surprised no one has suggested the pbvious solution if you want inexpensive piping at your wedding. Get married at the Milwaukee Highland Games!! You can get a whole pipe band for the price of beer that way.

[turpin]

whoops - double post

[Jack Daw]

I'm surprised no one has suggested the pbvious solution if you want inexpensive piping at your wedding. Get married at the Milwaukee Highland Games!! You can get a whole pipe band for the price of beer that way.

LOL! Actually, while performing with the Reddshanks Jacobite Re-enactment Group at the Kilgore Highland Games a few years ago, I was asked to pipe at a wedding that was scheduled to be held within just a few minutes on the festival grounds. Now, I play for free for friends and sometimes as a form of promotion, but I didn't know these people and none would be hiring me for future gigs so far from my home. So, I told them my rate, which was reasonable, but I was given a cold stare as if I had some audacity to ask for payment. I still attended the ceremony, and it was the only time I ever got to wear a great kilt to a wedding. No piper played.

[JS Sanders]

After someone asks you to perform at some lengthy venue, how often have you heard, "We really can't afford to pay you".

Which always is followed immediately by, "But you'll get great publicity".

Slainte,
steve

[beloitpiper]

$400? Wow! Where is he from? I live in Madison, and I can only get $150 per gig. For $400, he had better hang around and play whatever you want!