LearnGospelMusic.com Community
Gospel Instruments => Gospel Drummers => Topic started by: drummergirl4 on January 23, 2006, 06:42:31 PM
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Hey! I am new to this site and forum. Can anyone give me a low to high pay scale that would be fair to ask for when being the primary drummer for a church. I would play every Sunday and have one rehearsal per week. That is all I know right now, the person hiring ran an ad, I answered it and he asked me to give him a ballpark figure. I have never played in a church. I am a professional with 20plus years experience.
Thanks for any advice. http://www.drummergirl.net
:roll:
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How many services?
$150-300 overall depending on the number of services?
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$150-300 overall depending on the number of services?
i don't know about that man. that may be too much. at the church i play at, i make less than a service. but they also pay for my sticks and all the gear is theirs including a new iron cobra pedal and all new a customs.... you want to get what you are worth without scaring them into finding another drummer that would do the job for less and believe that there are others....hope this helps...
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The type of church you will be playing for and the requirements that the church is looking such as reading music or providing your own gear makes a huge difference in the asking price. If this is the case you can expect to make a far wage. Some churches have no problem bringing in pros and paying a good scale, some churches just simply need a beat to get them by. I have been to some churches that will pay up to 300.00 per service in which they usually have two services. I am not sure of your situation but if any of this is the case, I would think 300-500 per week is a good call.
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CHARGE EMMMM 1MILLION BUCKS! YOUR WORTH IT RIGHT????? SIKE NAHHHHHHH.....................I WOULD SAY DEPENDING ON HOW BIG THE CHURCH IS 100 BUCKS TO 175, UP HERE IN THE TRI-STATE AREA YOU COULD MAKE ANYWHERE FROM 75-400
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wow ths is amazing. There is no pay scale..... Whatever the church decides to bless with that should be it. Pay scale....what a joke.
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First there is not set pay scale, some churches are able to bless you more than others and understand the importance of blessing their Minstrels. So be mindful and do not request a payment that will price you out of the gig as stated above.
Speak with the Minister of Music and other paid band members to get a feel of how they compensate their musicians. From their see what they are willing to bless you wit on their on and negotiate, if need be, from their.
Seek God first and pray on a figure and let him do his work to get you there.
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Is it me or are drummers talking about money a lot?
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wow ths is amazing. There is no pay scale..... Whatever the church decides to bless with that should be it. Pay scale....what a joke.
I strongly agree with you. He knows whats best.
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Is it me or are drummers talking about money a lot?
Its NOT you.
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Is it me or are drummers talking about money a lot?
I think that a lot of drummers are becoming working musicians and want their giftings/skillset into the church. The church demands a lot from a musician and does not take responsibilty to insure that the musicians are taken care of. Yes I said responsibility. God did not ask for a praise band the church did. God demands reverence and honor... the church decided how they would do it. Motif for the keyboard player or he'll leave. Groove Percusion/Pulse/Forum for the drummer because all he does is keep a beat. That is disrespect for the gift God gave the drumset musician and a cop out of responsibility for the church.
Now the rsponsibilty of the drumset musician is to make himself of value. Properly maintaining the drumkit: tuning, cleaning, dust buster the woodchips up, setting up changes in the music, learning to play brushes and always bringing them in his/her stick bag--not showing up with two pair sticks in hand, owning/playing with rutes/hot rods/splash sticks, playing cymbals with soft mallets during worship moments, charting out songs: A, B, C... sections, controlling the room as an MD would being ever conscious of the atmospher and the shifts/assisting the MD/becoming the MD having an understanding of music theory/terminology, STOP TRYING TO AUDITION FOR THE DRUMOFF FROM THE PULPIT.
If a church can allocate for building fund they can pay their musicians a just pay. If a drumset player can learn XBOX codes he can learn to read/write music especially for the Lord. If he/she can buy a $50 XBOX game you can spend $29-$49 on an instructional DVD or book. Either way the church ministry needs to invest in itself and be the asset it is meant to be and not the liability.
As I learned on (pledge) line, "Excuses are the tools of the incompetent used to build monuments of nothing and those that use them seldom amount to anything else."
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Never forget that, it's not about $$$$$ it's a commitment, I am the only drummer @ my church, & we have three services a Sunday, & with a wife & three kids & a regular full time job, it' get's TIRING sometimes, BUT THAT'S WAY THE PAY ME, ANOTHER THING IS I AM ALSO A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH, SO IT'S GOOD GETTING FEED SPIRITUALLY & FINANCIALLY!!!!!!
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there's a big difference between accepting a blessing from the church and demanding a blessing from the church. I see a lot of topics about getting paid and whats the pay scale or why does he get more than me and i don't think that demanding a payment is the way to go. It makes you look bad and greedy. Now if your doing 3 services a day, thats a little bit outside the norm so i mean in that situation it's reasonable to make a polite request.
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well i never put a set amount on the table for my church from the dooor, i never ever talk about money, most drummers may,but i dont,some of yall cats may think the church do too much or pay tooo much unless it was you! i get paid with beneifits,medicare,dental and all yes from the church,and i did'nt ask for it,on top of that, thats not my only income,so some of us or blessed to be blessed and others get blesings in other ways! :lol: :lol: :lol: :wink: :wink: :wink: :wink: :wink:
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hey, y'all don't get off the subject. make sure that drummergirls question gets answered. she asked how much to ask for, NOT whether she should ask to be paid or not. Shes expecting to get paid, most likely because the church is offering to pay her to play. I know this subject has been a two sided issue with many of y'all here, but the question is directed towards those who ARE getting paid :wink:
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well since you aren't a keyboardist or an organist don't expect more than 150 dollars a sunday esp. if it is a small church.
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Man please I'd be happy with $5 a sunday. Dont get me wrong I dont want to sound cocky because I'm not that's not my personality but I'm a pretty descent drummer, and my church is far from small, my point is I dont never see no cash. Shoot, I buy my own sticks, cymbals, heads all that stuff, but I just love playing for God and when it's God's time to bless me with whatever amount of money I'll be satisfied.
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As I learned on (pledge) line, "Excuses are the tools of the incompetent used to build monuments of nothing and those that use them seldom amount to anything else."
_______ is a non-hazing fraternity! :lol:
Fill in the blank for your respective organization. :lol:
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i personally believe musicians should be paid because it's different than being an usher or a greeter or anything like that because our position takes skill and skill is something you have to pay for. thats like thinking that a pilot because he goes to your church will fly you for free anywhere.
i am not saying anyone should be up there they should fit the characteristics of a musician as listed in samuel 16:18
"Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him."
im going to use drummer terms to get this across
cunning in playing - knowing when to keep the pocket, knowing how to set up transitions, and when to do those oh so sweet licks.
mighty and valiant man, a man of war - these two in my opinion basically mean that he/she isn't a punk and they are ready for war fare. when i say war fare im talking about war with the devil because that is what we are doing when we get up to play we are fiighting a war.
prudent in matters - he don't put his business out there also can be taken as he doesn't show you every trick he knows.
comely person - clean not with messy and wrinkled clothes, pants hangin to the floor etc...
last but not least - AND GOD IS WITH HIM that speaks for itself.
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THis is a touchy topic. I've played for my church for about 7 years now and have yet to be paid. Our musicians (with the exception of the Music Minister) get a love offering once a year and we supply all of our own parts/gear.
Personally, I don't see anything wrong with paying musicians to an extent. Sadly, in this world quality costs $$$ and to have a "professional" sound you have to be willing to pay for it. I don't think it's right for musicians to expect compensation for using the Gifts that God has given them but in the same respect, churches shouldn't expect to get "something for nothing"
Just my .02, keep an open mind...
-J
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Scripture provides that musicians and singers be paid... What is the problem? The musicians were from the tribe of Levi. That trib was the only tribe that did not get an award of Land from the lord. God intended that the Levites should be paid for their temple duties from the tithes and offerings of the people. The sam e applies to church musicians today. If you need back-up scriptures, let me know.
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I'd kind of like to see the back-up Scriptures, just out of curiosity.
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I'd kind of like to see the back-up Scriptures, just out of curiosity.
In a way, it is unscriptual NOT to pay musicians. "Biblically musicians (Levites) were recognized and paid for their services: And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the ...congregation. Numbers 18:21 [See also 2 Chronicles 31:2-10, Nehemiah 12:47 and Nehemiah 13.]
Quoted from The African-American Churh Musician's Compensation and Salary Handbookby R.W. Perry II. This is just a staring point in assessing whether musicians should get paid. There are also references in the New Testament, such as I Timothy 5:17-18, which clearly indicate that people in service to the church such as musicians should get paid. even though it looks like "people" are paying the musicians, isn't it really God doing it through his people.?
The Levites were priests, musicians(1 Chronicles 25:1-6) and singers (1Chronicles 6:31). Furthermore, God sanctified the entire tribe of Levi to Himself, and did not permit them to own land (Numbers 3, Deuteronomy 18:1-8, Joshua 13:14 & 13:33) so that it was difficult for them to support themselves. He provided for them through the tithes and offerings at the temples, (Leviticus 2:10 & 7:6, Numbers 18-21, 2 Chronicles 31:2-10, particularly verse 4, Nehemiah 12:47 & 13, particularly verses 5 and 10), just as he provided for the porters and the other priests.
Just as some of the Levites priestly functions are now carried out by Pastors, so are the singing and music ministries being carried out by today’s choirs and musicians. Consequently, it is unscriptural for a church to fail to pay its musicians. Of course anyone may decline payment if they choose to do so.
However, no one should ever be cowed into playing for free by those who say “The Lord will bless you real good you just keep on playing for him (for free)" while they pass the plate. True, the Lord will and does continue to bless. However, he also expects that seed will be planted into our ministries, because that is what we are doing, ministering, and he expects us to be good stewards.
Don't get me wrong, I frequently play for free or for a reduced fee....but I prefer to be the one to make the choice of whether I will play for free or not. I spend too much time in preparation, buying equipment and supplies, practicing, meditating and praying to be taken advantage of.
Anyway. that’s my 2 cents.
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I'm glad this topic was brought up! :)
Let's take the biblical approach.
In the bible, any prophet or disciple who happened to stop in a particular town was always taken care of by the people. Sometimes even before they were taken care of themselves. It was not out of the ordinary, as a matter of fact, it was custom.
...Do you have an example? :D SURE, I'm glad you asked! :D
1 Kings 17:13
The prophet Elijah was given shelter and was prepared a meal even before the woman prepared a meal for herself. In fact the woman gave Elijah her very last.
Now another word for an annointed musician is Minstrel.
... and another word for Minstrel is minister.
... and another word for Minister is prophet.
See where this is going?
There is nothing wrong with a minstrel getting paid for what he/she does, especially the particular minstrel is annointed and led by God.
The problem comes in when... a minstrel seeks the money first instead and in place of God, when a musician does not have a pure heart and does not add to the power of the service, when a musician is not annointed nor does he/she seek the annointing, AND THE MOST POPULAR ONE when he/she only plays and doesn't listen to the message, attend bible study, pray, or is not TRULY saved.
We don't want to confuse the issue at hand.
Church is a ministry but also has a business side to it.
You wonder why so many people fault pastors for having nice things and not having a "real" job ...because they don't understand that church has a business side to it also.
REMEMBER,
You can worship at the most POWERFUL, ANNOINTED, SANCTIFIED, church in the universe, but if that same church doesn't recognize the business side of the ministry, there would be no water, gas or electricity to run the building.
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I guess its up to the musicians.. If you want to get paid get paid if you don't then fine. But if you don't want to get paid don't knock someone else like me, for making music my profession.
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First off, I hope the drummer that asked the initial question whom had never played in a church got what she needed as far as a direct answer/direction to the salary amount.
We have taken over here topic and got all emotional and philisophical and strayed from aiding here decision.
This is however a good dialogue that should be addressed IN THE CHURCHES TO THE PASTORS IN PRIVATE MEETINGS AT FIRST.
Not paying your musicians and not having great equipment for the church is quite out of order and disrespectful to the intention of the praise team/band/choir concept because it is a less than best offering/presentation to God. Have nice pews, nice carpet, nice giant projection screens but a crappy CHEAP kit for the drummer and crappy cymbals and he can bring his own but he better be here when we want him IS JACKED UP. So which Cain and which is Able?
The drums are a part of the churches music ministry. The position of drummer is a set position these days... the individual is interchangable. So the church is accountable for their own kit. cymbals, and maintaince of heads as well as should have some good sticks on hand at all times for a guest drummer. The gear should not be cheaper than the MOTIF keyboard because both are for offering praises unto the Lord. Having cappy gear and treating the drummer like a second class citizen is making him/her unequally choked. They should not be forced to be in discomfort while giving of themselves and their God given gift to the ministry. Especially since the Bibles says praise Him with loud cymbals.... not a MOTIF. this double standard that the church has and the irresponsible stewardship of way too many church drummers makes it unfair for musicians that seek to WORK in the KINGDOM.
I am so sick of ready stuff on here about how drummers are scared to or uncomfortable about talking to their Pastors and church administrations about what IS Just. This means that they are walking in fear of man. That is something that is being conditioned/taught in churches by the actions and inactions of the leaders and should be stopped.
I believe that you should be free to serve from your heart. God does reward that, I am a living witness. However, He gave us free-will and other folk especially in the church don't have the right to take that away by putting the musicians in a compromised position.
uuggghhhh
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I agree with your last post wholeheartedly. In quite a few of the churches I've played for (not all of them) the drummer was also paid as a 2nd class citizen. I'm not a drummer, (a bassist) but that's wrong.
As ministers (that's what church musicians are or should be) we should be able to approach the leadership of the church with these issues.
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Steelpulz, you spoke my mind with your initial post. I didn't want to chime in though, because we've turned the thread into something else. But, I really feel where you're coming from. I did a little bit of study on the Levites and had the same revelation. I, myself, attend a very popular thriving ministry here in Tampa, FL (I won't mention the name, but do I really need to :roll: ). This ministry takes total advantage of their music department and it's rediculous. This church has just recently purchased a piece of huge property in Central Florida and is negotiating to purchase another huge property, so I no the funds are there. The choir recorded a cd about 2-3 years ago and the cd is nice. Do you know that leadership had the nerve to tell them that they had to raise their own funds to release the album? Come on now, we need to step it up. First of all none of the singers were paid to do this album and now you tell them that their hard work is going to fall to the ground unless they come up with the necessary money? I don't think that's fair. When your musicians are spending 21 hours a week (trust me, I've counted) ministering to the people of God and you as leadership expect them to be at your every beckoning for free.....? That is not fair. The church needs to wake up and realize the only ones that will finance the Kingdom are the Kingdom Dwellers. It's not coming from anywhere else. Acceptance of this kind of behavior leads to mediocrity, and if we're suppose to be the head and not the tail, we need to change our mentality about how we deal with God's ministering tools (brothers, sisters, SAINTS). Oh, I forgot to say that I've never been paid for playing for churches and that's fine with me. But, the older I get and the more serious I take my gift I wouldn't mind being blessed. Remember to: muzzle not the ox that treadeth out the corn.
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To answer the original question, James 1:5 says:"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." This is a wisdom issue. Ask God to place that amount on your heart. Yell back!
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hey, y'all don't get off the subject. make sure that drummergirls question gets answered. she asked how much to ask for, NOT whether she should ask to be paid or not. Shes expecting to get paid, most likely because the church is offering to pay her to play. I know this subject has been a two sided issue with many of y'all here, but the question is directed towards those who ARE getting paid :wink:
This is a reiteration :wink: :wink: