To be safe in most cities that frown on buskers, I start by playing THE GODFATHER on my violin. Then switch to Vivaldi's SPRING first movement I play those in a vacant store entrance off the sidewalk.By the time I finish the concertmaster's first solo in the Vivaldi, I have gathered quite a crowd (in the case of NYC-about 150 listeners on B'way) Probably the biggest crowd I've ever had was there. It was there on B'way, that the most attention I've ever gathered was when I moved out to the sidewalk next to the street and an ambulance pulled up next to me and the driver positioned his hand held microphone out his window next to my violin and I could see pedestrians blocks away looking around trying to figure out where the violinist was !

After years of busking , you get to know where to begin playing. Of course you take in the foot traffic and the acoustics. I don't use any amplification. People aren't going to come hear you unless they are close by and it's convenient and they are drawn by the presence of onlookers (onlisteners).I don't dress up with a tux or tails. A cooler time of day in the spring, like late afternoon, summer or fall-I play better in a nice sweater and that keeps listeners around longer.

These days, my best tips and most interest I gather from cars, waiting for a green light. I stand nest to the right hand turn lane and sit on a stool a foot from the street. Passengers or drivers roll down their window as far as 15 cars back and maybe listening for up to a minute for the light to change, I always have a captive audience, even without amplification. A right turn lane at the exit from a Walmart or the like,during heavy shopping hours is the best.

As far as cities and locations which are going to give you a hard time. I begin playing on the public sidewalk near a drug store, party store or any store with a fair amount of traffic. The store should have an enclosed walk-in entrance (foyer) area which is owned by the store. I'll play on the sidewalk for a short time until a get a small crowd and play loud enough so the store owner or manager can hear me and see the crowd I have gathered. I will then go in and ask if I could play in his foyer area. A "yes" is the invitation that should keep the city off my back. As long as there is enough room to perform and allow customers to easily enter the store. Outside of movie theaters works well for me also. Best not to overdo the amplification, if any.

Hope this is helpful to you.
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