My professional body of musicians, Deutscher Tonkünstlerverband Berlin, has finally released a set of fee guidelines for gigs, rehearsals, and teaching activities that aim to secure a decent living income. This is the first such publication specifically dedicated to freelance work in Berlin with no public funding involved, addressing various types of artistic and pedagogical activity on the basis of a fair remuneration standard (#fairpay) for autonomous entrepreneurial musicianship, taking into consideration both business expenses and reserves, as well as social insurance and retirement provision. The paper refers to the previously published minimum fee standards of Deutscher Musikrat, DACH Musik Berlin, Koalition der freien Szene Frankfurt, ver.di Musik and some state associations of Deutscher Tonkünstlerverband.
Berlin musicians, please take notice of these guidelines and apply them in your own freelance work and fee negotiations, if at all possible. It might not be convenient to adopt a higher standard immediately, but do at least consider a gradual increase upon consultation with your customers. Your work is worth as much as you can reasonably claim in accordance with your education and qualification. Every professional musician is eligible to take a stand for fair payment, and for the ethical values associated with making a living from music as your dearest passion and profession alike.