For musicians who are taking time off from touring and other projects, performing in the studio is a great revenue stream. Now, how do artists get paid when they’re in the studio? Oftentimes, artists get a day rate. That means they’ll pick, for example, $100 per day, or in major instances, $500, $1,000, or even $2,500 for the day. They record as much as they can get done for the day.
Artists can get paid for the time they put in at the studio. Many times, these artists are given a flat day rate. This rate may pay anywhere from $100 to $2,500, and artists will record all they can on that day.
The great thing about the day rate is that it is fixed. If a drummer contracts work for a $2,500 payday, then he gets paid that amount whether he performs on one track or ten. Studio work for a flat day rate is not something that is regaled to small or up and coming artists. Many “big time” artists are racking up time in the studio. This is a great way to have steady income as an artist.
When a singer takes a group of musicians on the road, the musicians in the act may get a flat weekly rate of between $250 and $5,000 per week. They often also have allowances for hotels and meals as well as a per diem rate. A well-liked and respected artist who is also versatile can make money – as much or more – than a touring musician.
If a drummer comes in and records five songs, they get their $2,500. Or if they record one song, they get their $2,500. And many big name artists are recognized studio musicians, who have played on many of the records you know and love. When you’re on the road, an artist normally pays their musicians a weekly rate, where they’re getting $200, $500, $5,000 a week, plus obviously, hotel and a small per diem. So if you are a well-liked and versatile artist, there’s a great model for you to make money performing in the studio, as well as a touring musician.
Online music education tells us that production companies have always been a tremendous asset to those in the music industry. Take for instance the presence of Berry Gordy. Using the Motown Model, Gordy would find an artist, bring him or her into the musical family at Motown, and then use the same sets of musicians and writers to write and record many of the hits of notable artists such as Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, and a wealth of other Motown artists. This successful model still exists today.
However, musicians today seem to be participating in more collaborative projects. In this form of collective music, artists from various types of media will get together and collaborate on projects. Noted rapper Dr. Dre collaborated with other producers and sound artists to create multiple hits by breakout artist Eminem. Not only did he produce a number of Eminem’s songs, but he also took part in the music making process and he appeared in numerous Eminem videos. Artists are enjoying being creative in other ways in addition to working with other talented individuals.
Music education should include teaching artists about the entrepreneurship of the music business as well as how to improve upon their personal craft. All artists should learn how to think outside the box and how to build each other up so that they can make the best business decisions for themselves. Newer artists should learn the success of the Motown model just as they should learn about other methods of creating the superior sound of success. The Rockefeller model is another profitable method of creating successful music. Artists such as Kanye, Camron, and Beanie Sigel have all benefited from the use of the Rockefeller way.
We wanted to share our successful model with as many musicians as possible. This form of music education is free; it is simply knowledge that helps all artists. Musicians and artists should want to see each other thrive and develop a family atmosphere.
Another important part of the music business is one’s staff within the recording industry. Staff is highly important. without a dependable staff, artists have to not only worry about their creative element but also the business part of the music business. A knowledgeable staff that is appreciated is a staff that goes above and beyond for their artists.
All elements of the music business must work together if artists will truly leave a legacy. The ability to collaborate with others and a supportive staff contribute highly to the success of an artist and a recording label as well as those who work in the studio.
I highly recommend looking into finding ways to collaborate with like-minded people within your friend group or your artistic group. You’ll find that you’ll get people playing on your records, or you’ll get studio time in exchange for, perhaps, doing a photoshoot (if that’s something that you do). Look for opportunities to trade your skills for other people’s skills in order to further your project along.
