Arranging fees

[elser]

I wonder if someone can give me a general idea of arranging fees. This would be one song for a 4 piece horn section, piano, bass and drums and some supporting midi tracks. I'm sure there's many different scenarios so I'm taking into consideration that: 1. I don't have a track record as an arranger. 2. She's a friend. 3. She's starting work as a solo headliner on cruise ships, but she has a long history as an entertainer in other areas and is well respectect by the company. The pay for headliners is typically very good, but she doesn't have any money upfront.Hope someone might have some knowledge on this. I went to the Musician's Union website but my membership has expired and they wouldn't let me in. grumble, grumble....

[ceedub]

I'm a union member, so I checked my scale sheet. My local has no union scale for arranging. My experience with arranging is that rates are all over the map. When I do arrangements (piano accompaniment parts, small ensembles, et. al.) I charge by the job based on how long I think the work will take.

[elser]

Thanks for the reply. Since she's a friend I think I'll charge 1 meeelion dollars! But seriously, what about copyright and permission and that kind of stuff. The song is Mr. Bojangles so I guess I'd have to get permission and then copyright my arrangement. Anything you can tell me about that part?

[mewman]

Hi elserFor what it's worth. I know guys who charge $60.00/page for run of the mill arrangements. Bigger jobs are negotiable. If she's a friend, you could work out a payment deal for when she returnsMewman

[elser]

Feb 16, 2009, 8:27am, mewman wrote:Hi elserFor what it's worth. I know guys who charge $60.00/page for run of the mill arrangements. Bigger jobs are negotiable. If she's a friend, you could work out a payment deal for when she returnsMewmanThanks Mewman, I talked to a friend who does a lot of arrangements for all kinds of people and it seems, just like gigs and sessions, rates are all over the place. Pretty much depends on how much money the client has and how badly I need it! Elser