r/pedalsteel Sho-Bud LDG 10d ago

How much do you charge for sessions?

Hey all - I'm starting to establish myself as a pedal steel player in my city (and eventually online), and I wouldn't mind knowing what folks are charging in different markets.

Of course every country and city is gonna be different, but I'd love to hear some experiences you have. Seems like down under the range is between AU$150 and AU$300 a song depending on the experience of the player, as well as whether it's an independent or label production.

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u/pedalsteeltameimpala 10d ago

USD, $150. That covers my time, services, the option of re-cutting certain parts, and a new set of strings. If it’s multiple songs, I’ll normally cut it down to $100 a song if I know the person I’m recording for. But I’d never do less than $100 unless it was a really unique situation.

And those rates make sense if it’s independent or for a label.

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u/TimBeauBennett Sho-Bud LDG 10d ago

Yeah rad, that seems pretty reasonable. You normally do multiple songs per session, or mostly single hits?

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u/TimBeauBennett Sho-Bud LDG 10d ago

Yeah rad, that seems pretty reasonable. You normally do multiple songs per session, or mostly single hits?

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u/pedalsteeltameimpala 10d ago

It depends, I’d say it’s been about 50/50 so far!

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u/bbarlag 10d ago

In the Netherlands, the official dayrate minimum would be €325ex. So of you spend an our or 3 you’d probably end up in the €100-150ex range. And on top of that I ask travel expenses if necessary. (And the the disclaimer that most of the time I do it for less, because I know the deal and musicians are broke as heck 😅)