How far do you travel to regular unpaid stuff?

[Tubaryan12]

Farthest I drive round trip for a free performance is 60.8 miles. The rehearsals are only about 6.6 miles from work and add less than half a mile to my daily commute.

[Donn]

Ha, I'm surprised. I expected the long distances in the midwest, but my impression has been previously that in England, distance is a greater barrier for whatever reason. But apparently not for tuba players.

The one band that brought in any noticeable money, this year played a couple weddings that were like 100 miles away. I did one, then managed to quit before the second. The farthest rehearsals I recall have been under 15 miles one way, to me that's stretching it. A year or two ago I jammed with some old guys who were pretty hot Western swing players, but they were from like 30 miles away, so going up there to get in on their regular scene was out of the question.

Pay doesn't really enter into the equation - not that it doesn't matter at all, but it isn't on its own a reason why I'd want to be in a band. A band that I'd otherwise not care to play in, would be willing to pay me enough to change my mind? I don't think that's going to happen.

[Polkahero]

Yesterday I traveled 40 miles round trip for a shopping mall gig with my quintet. We made almost $100 in tips that went to the group's kitty fund. Most of our other gigs are paid. I do travel about 32 miles round trip to play in a local community band although I don't attend rehearsals every week.

I'm really glad tuba isn't my main instrument. There's definitely a lot of playing opportunities around but few of them pay much if anything. I'm a professional musician so I'm very selective what charity work I'm willing to commit.

[Carroll]

I drive 5 miles, twice a week for rehearsals and another 5, once a week for performances during the Summer for a community band so I can play with my wife. I drive 100 miles, four times for rehearsals and another 100 for performances with a VERY good wind ensemble of band directors periodically. Besides the quality of the group...my stand mate is a fellow foodie and we have gastronomic adventures on rehearsal nights. Totally worth it, in my opinion.

The brass band and big band band both pay for rehearsals and gigs. The combo does not rehearse, but pays very well for gigs.

Now my school teaching gig...well, it hardly pays at all.

[Wyvern]

For me the standard of playing, the repertoire and the people are the main factors if I will play with a group without payment.

I travel 37 miles each way every week to my main band - a high standard concert/military band.
Then travel 20 miles to my regular symphony orchestra
And 65 miles to another military band more infrequently.

I do not do any regular brass banding now, as can't give the commitment a higher section band requires, and find most bass parts in lower section bands rather boring.

Have been known to drive 250 miles each way for one off gigs if they really appeals.

[WC8KCY]

I travel about 50 miles round trip for rehearsals and shows with the Scottville Clown Band, where booking fees for the band go into a scholarship fund for local youth to attend area band camps. We do use some of the booking proceeds to provide beer, soda, and bottled water at gigs, and there's a couple of pizza parties and cookouts every performance season for members. I am Associate Prinicipal Clarinetist and Tubist with this ensemble. Yes, it sucks bringing a bunch of finicky clarinet gear PLUS a tuba to rehearsals and gigs, but it's such great fun once the music starts.

For me, it's much easier to earn money playing the organ. I live in a town with a lot of churches, and there's a shortage of organists. As a substitute organist, I can pick and choose gigs, and they're all within a mile or two from my home.

[Three Valves]

40 miles to TC this year.

Prior to that, the HS or College provided a bus!!

[Dubby]

Well for my university band and orchestra I walk about 300 yards from my dorm. In the summer I play for my hometown community band which is probably 3 miles from my house and that's about it.

[sousaphone68]

I regularly play and rehearse with two bands.
One is a 100 mile round trip for rehearsal which I combine with visiting my father.
The other is only 16 miles round trip.