Invoice clients for studio session recordings, live dep work, and commissioned performances. Get paid on time with Tidybill.
A session musician invoice documents fees for professional studio recording and live performance work performed on behalf of other artists, bands, labels, or production companies. Session musicians are hired for their instrumental or vocal expertise to perform on recordings or as live band members (often as 'deps' — deputies for absent regular band members). Session work is typically invoiced at an hourly studio rate or a flat per-session rate, with separate fees for live work. The Musicians' Union (MU) publishes recommended minimum session rates in the UK, which serve as a useful benchmark. Session musicians should invoice all work professionally regardless of the client's size, as session payments are taxable income and require documentation.
| Service | Typical Rate | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Studio Recording Session (per 3-hour block) | £100 - £300 | per session |
| Live Dep Performance | £80 - £300 | per performance |
| Orchestral Recording Session (per session) | £160 - £350 | per session |
| Jingle / Advertising Recording | £200 - £600 | per session |
| Remote Recording (files delivered online) | £80 - £250 | per track |
| Travel Expenses | 45p per mile | per mile |
Invoice promptly after each session with Net 14 terms. For ongoing work with a band or regular client, invoice monthly. Keep detailed records showing the date, client, and service for each session — this is essential for self-assessment and for claiming MU member benefits. For remote recording work (recording at home and delivering files), invoice per track or per hour depending on the complexity.