Ask the venue's booking agent for how long you are to provide background music.
Ask the venue's booking agent how much they typically pay other musicians. Each venue will have a different pay scale determined by the style of music, type of audience and location.
Choose whether you will charge an hourly rate or a flat rate for your background music. Consider a flat rate for large events such as weddings and bat mitzvahs, and an hourly rate for corporate parties and restaurants.
Discuss the music that the booking agent wants you to play. Determine if you are playing music you already know or if you will have to learn new music for his requests. Charge an additional fee for learning new music.
Ask if a sound system is going to be available at the venue, or if you will have to provide your own gear and sound system. Charge more for lugging out your gear.