session work

Karen Sarkisian · Post by **Karen Sarkisian** » 2 Apr 2019 5:53 pm

what is the going rate for steel guitar session work ? ive gotten a few calls from local studios the past few weeks and wondering if my rates are in the ballpark. thanks !

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 3 Apr 2019 1:14 am

local demo or retail, makes a difference.

If it's a local artist making a simple demo he or she is more than likely on a very tight budget. If it's a national or regional artist,tracking a national or regional release for sale, thats a different deal.

My own experiences have been $125 for a 3 hour block or $50 per song. Typically its per song.

A few times I negotiated a price based on 8 or 10 tracks, E sessions.

The most recent track I did, E session , I billed $50 for a Dobro track and they sent me $80 !

Karen Sarkisian · Post by **Karen Sarkisian** » 3 Apr 2019 6:53 am

Apparently I am in the ballpark so thank you Tony!

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 3 Apr 2019 7:00 am

My last session was $200, and took a few hours. I don't remember how many songs it was, though. (They don't always give you a copy of what you've done.)

John Neff · Post by **John Neff** » 12 Apr 2019 6:04 pm

Sometimes I charge X + $25 for the first song and X for each additional.

Greg Lambert · Post by **Greg Lambert** » 12 Apr 2019 6:25 pm

For local I always leave it up to the artist recording to pay what they think its worth. I always have gotten more than I would have asked for. these guys are generally not rolling in money. lol

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 12 Apr 2019 8:10 pm

John Neff wrote:Sometimes I charge X + $25 for the first song and X for each additional.

That's exactly what I do. Now solve for X.

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 15 Apr 2019 5:16 am

$100 per song, two song minimum.

An album project of 8-12 tunes I will come in a little lower.

Dick Wood · Post by **Dick Wood** » 15 Apr 2019 7:41 am

Local artist paid me $150 for two songs which took maybe 45 minutes.Good part was I had rough tracks to work out my parts in advance so I just played a few takes each and out the door.