AIBU to think this "wedding pianist" is unbelievably rude?

[Bamsmam]

We are getting married in April and have found a lovely venue which allows us to source music ourselves. I looked around options locally and they all charge a fortune for 5-6 hour packages which we don't really need - just someone to play a few tunes as guests arrive and during and after the ceremony, nice and quiet, nothing complicated.

A friend told me about a friend of hers who plays for weddings sometimes, not as a full time career because she does other music work too. So I got in touch with her, mentioned my friend's name, said what I wanted and asked for a quote. She came back to me with £220!! For a couple of hours piano playing! Surely this is money for old rope.

I wrote back and said I thought it was a little on the steep side and this is where the rudeness comes in. She actually messaged me back and said I should start taking lessons now myself and in ten years I'll be as good as her and can play for my next wedding! AIBU to think that this is extremely unprofessional and also a very unpleasant way to communicate with prospective customers?

I think you came across as rude. You are not just paying for those hours, you are paying for years of practice, experience and skill. I'm glad she pointed this out.

Also team pianist

Three cheers for the pianist.

That is the going rate. She wasn’t being rude at all. It’s taken her years to get the standard where she can perform at weddings. That fee will also include insurance, PAT tested equipment, transport, food and drink (or are you feeding her?) and other sundries so she probably not making much at all out of it.

I think we paid £500 for a string quartet 20 years ago so that was a bargain

Definitely a reverse.

Not to mention her travel time, insurance costs, licenses to play other people’s music etc.
if you are going to be so unaccustomed to paying for a professional musician then just play a stupid cd.

She is extremely skilled. Thousands of hours of practice. And what, you're looking for her to work for minimum wage or something? Her price was totally reasonable and you deserved the reply she sent you.

Did you think you would get a professional and throw her 50 quid in a card for her services?

YABU I love her response.

Your not just paying her for 2 hours of her time, you're paying her for 2 hours PLUS 20 years of practice at honing her skill so that she can play at weddings.

How much are you spending on your dress (just for a few hours)

£220 for 1.5-2 hours playing plus travel is a bargain!

I'm cringing for you

Yabu.

And you were the rude one. You have no respect for peoples skills, time or talent, she returned your attitude with a witty retort.

How are you so unaware of yourself OP? So embarrassing!

She knows her value. Pay it or don’t.

Lols. Must be a reverse, you can’t be that ignorant.

Yes, why don't you do that?

I'll help you compile a list if you pay me £220.

You were rude. She's a professional, that's what professional skills cost.

Her response was pretty reasonable tbh.

Put Spotify on if you can't afford it.

Reverse!

Lol, did you also refer to her as a "wedding pianist" in your message?!

I know what you mean, I recently had an operation and that was only about an hour of cutting and stitching bits of tendon. I reckon 100 quid is plenty for an hour's work but the surgeon wanted four grand!!!

yeah you absolutely ABU. I question the rest of your wedding choices if you think that is steep for a pianist…

You were very rude.

My son who is a teen plays in a semi professional orchestra and hopes to be a professional musician. He puts in 2-3 hours of practice a day, 6-7 on a weekend and in holidays. I don’t understand why people think musicians should be undervalued. How much does your dresser charge? How much does a semi decent tutor in your area charge? How much is your wedding cake costing you?

We used to get paid more than that when I was in a small strings group 35 years ago and we were just teenagers.