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Since its time to think about doing our 2004 income taxes, I'm wondering how profitable is this tuba playing of ours. In the past year (2004) how much did you make playing the tuba (or euph). Do not include gigs on other instruments such as T-bone os string bass.

Just to clarify, how about gigs with tuba and another instrument on the same gig? Peace. ASG

In my best year, I made enough to pay for the tuba I used in the gig, plus a little. That happened precisely one (1) time.

But there are occasional surprises. The gig I was all excited about in November playing in the school production of Barnum earned them a profit, which they shared (surprise!). So, I made enough in 2004 to buy...

...a used mouthpiece.

(Actually, I'm glad I didn't know they would send me money--I'd have worried about it a lot more if I knew I was on a professional footing.)

Rick "who doesn't do it for the money" Denney

[quote="ArnoldGottlieb"]Just to clarify, how about gigs with tuba and another instrument on the same gig? Peace. ASG[/quote]

As long as you played tuba (or euph) on the gig.

schlepporello wrote:I make $45 per year and that's just for one gig, our local colleges' commencement ceremonies.

Before or after taxes

schlepporello wrote:Oh man!
I forgot to include that in my income tax form!
They're sure to get me now!

Don't worry, nobody will know, and I promise not to tell

I drank away more cash than I made on gigs this year.

Thank you Uncle Sam.

Tuba gig-wise, 2004 was sort-of a slow year for me. This is when I'm thankful for bass- and trombone doubling. December was looking quieter-than normal, when all of a sudden the phone rang, and I was asked to sub on 3rd 'bone for two shows with the Glenn Miller Orchestra - I just about fell out of the chair! "What, are you kidding?!" Turns out it was for real, and the Band was a great group of guys who play their tails off. That was a highlight of the year. All those years of playing all that Glenn Miller stuff in Army Bands paid off - and the years of struggling with a string bass, trying to become competent on it, as I landed a chamber orchestra gig on bass in another city just after that. Don't think of any musical experience you've had as useless - it will eventually pay off somewhere else.

The economy is getting better, and I think more people will be hiring this year. So, get busy practicing, and I hope you all have more tuba gigs this year - I certainly hope and plan to!

FWIW, I fall into the high side of the 3rd category, but don't you think the fourth one (5-50K) is just a little too broad? $5,000 is a decent second job but nowhere enough to live off of; but $50,000 is definitely enough to live comfortably in most areas (except maybe NYC and a few others). There probably aren't that many guys out there making that kind of dough just playing tuba, as evidenced by the small amount of votes in the fifth category.

Well, surprisingly I fell into the 4th, although the bottom end. I agree it's maybe a little too broad a category!

I Made about 4000$ playing the Academy of Tel Aviv (Israel) for 4 month + we played Porkofiev 5th Symphony and we had a gig in Madrid it was great.
And i also won a contest in israel and made 2000$.

P.S. Im 17

After 20 years as a guitar/vocalist/trumpeter,I was still playing bars at 39 with no health insurance and two kids in high school.Our local post office was hiring rural letter carriers and my military service got me my own mail route.I retired at 60 with a small pension and health insurance.
I had the good fortune to hook up with two sailing buddies and formed our present trio.The prime objective of the Creekers is how much fun are we gonna have.John Reno is a full time guitar/vocalist,and when he needs a band,Kurt (harmonica-also retired) and I are ready to go anytime,anywhere.We have played many jobs for Mardi Gras,music festivals as far away as Caseville,Michigan and many gigs on Bourbon street in New Orleans.Our belief is that if the band is having a really great time,then the money will soon follow.We are due back in the studio soon to do our second C.D.Check out www.johnreno.com/
tubatooter1940

You guys sound terrific! Where can I buy your CDs?
_______________________________
Joe Baker, who is impressed

Lee Stofer wrote:Tuba gig-wise, 2004 was sort-of a slow year for me.

Ah, the joys of being a tubist in Atlanta!

Dave "sitting by my phone...does this thing work?!" Zerkel

Woo Hoo!
just what I get to look foward to in April!
Will toot for food!
Bill "in Seoul, but soon to be Atlanta" Pritchard

Bump

Lets get a few more responses.

Well...

I probably gross somewhere in the low end of the third category ($501-5000) but after expenses (beer, gear, and more beer) I am sure that I net somewhere in category 2 ($1-500).

Ha ha ha ha.....we need a new poll.... "what percentage of your Tuba Income is spent on Beer" that would be interesting to see.

Just remember... "I don't drink anymore.............I dont drink any less either."

Category 4 with jazz euphonium (it helps to run the big band and combo)