Hey guys, i'm seein a lot of posts at online music sites lately about bands playing for free (ie. exposure) as opposed to playin for a set rate. My band is new, so couldnt we play just for the exposure? Why is everyone saying its so bad?? There's so much anger about it on both sides but i don't get why. Maybe the folks here on music jobs can tell me!

Usually a band plays for free because they are afraid of not getting hire or they suck. I've been playing for a long time and I don't remember doing a free gig. Maybe for fun is different (a friend's birthday or for your mother) but free, I don't think so. I'm a pro (guitar, keys, engineer producer, writer) recorded with various labels and artists (warner,combo, jellybean, lots of indis, ect...) Guys please no freebies, a musical education costs a lot of time and money to come out and play for free. If you want more info my e-mail is mitumbao23@hotmail.com Mario G

Music education costs.. right, but why somebody should pay for an unknown band ? You can be good but if people don't show up why do you deserve money ?
what do you think ?