Any tips for a newbie street busker??

Subject: RE: Any tips for a newbie street busker??
From: alanww
Date: 04 Oct 04 - 09:22 AM

There certainly are some brill tips here, particulary from Marion.
I have only done a bit of busking myself and, although I am primarily a singer (mostly traditional and unaccompanied), for practice I played my concertina without singing.
What are people's experiences in terms of the mode of performance? Do you get more money by singing unaccompanied, playing solo or singing with accompaniment? (Of course, I acknowledge that over a longish period the lets-stave-off-the-boredom factor may suggest a mixture.)
"Dancing and singing, bell ringing...!"
Alan

Subject: RE: Any tips for a newbie street busker??
From: PoppaGator
Date: 04 Oct 04 - 12:07 PM

My own experience was almost exclusively singing-with-accompaniment (acoustic guitar).

When I first ventured out on the street (my first *day* only), I was too scared to sing -- suffering "stage fright" without even being on a stage -- and had no success attracting any contributions at all with my low-volume fingerpicking. Only after I summoned up the gumption to open my throat and sing (and to play louder, albeit more simply, at the same time) did I find any success.

I've seen plenty of successful instrumental-only busking acts, but very few guitar soloists among them. The instrumentalists who do best seem to be those who appear in groups and/or who play "interesting" instruments (e.g., harp, hammered dulcimer; even a fiddle is "exotic' enough -- or maybe just loud enough -- to attract a little extra interest).

Unaccompanied singing might just be unusual enough to command a lot of attention. I'm sure you'd have to be *very good* and fairly loud)to pull it off.

Classical players, solo or in trios, quartets, etc., seem to do very well just about everywhere. More power to 'em, but it's not very helpful to advise a folkie to go out and "Learn classical music."

Subject: RE: Any tips for a newbie street busker??
From: Joybell
Date: 04 Oct 04 - 09:12 PM

I sang unnaccompanied mostly. I usually had an old 5 string banjo with me but didn't do anything fancy with it - just simple 2 finger style back-up for some songs. Mainly it was just a prop. My voice is high and clear enough to cut across city noise so that was an advantage. I was terrified before every time - over 7 or so years, but I found that if I dressed up in some kind of easily recognizable outfit and strode confidently into the very middle of the main street and started singing - nothing bad happened and people smiled and welcomed me. It was a matter of theatre really while playing myself. Wonderful times. Wonderful memories. Joy

Subject: RE: Any tips for a newbie street busker??
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 04 Oct 04 - 09:30 PM

$0.02

Subject: RE: Any tips for a newbie street busker??
From: GlennOrange
Date: 14 Mar 07 - 08:24 PM

If you want to be a succesful busker then you should GIVE your absolute best performance.
   Stand instead of sit.
   Perform TO your crowd.
   Play songs people can relate to (wether it's original or a cover)
   Never, ever, EVER think, worry, or obsess about money.

    If you are giving a great performance and are reaching the peple, the money will come. If you focus on money (or your need for it) then you can't focus on performing.
               myspace.com/glennorange

Subject: RE: Any tips for a newbie street busker??
From: PoppaGator
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 03:36 PM

Good Rule Number One, there, Glenn: stand instead of sit, absolutely! (Unless you have a piano out on the street, or some other instrument at which you need to be seated).

And, rather than "Perform TO your crowd," I'd rephrase and say "...TO you audience," even when there isn't a crowd. Keep in mind that even those people who are walking by can hear you, and may have been listening from a block or more away, since before you ever saw them. So try to make eye contact with anyone and everyone you encounter; you may be surprised at who's actually interested, and a smile and acknowledgement may be all a person needs to decide not to keep walking but to stop and listen for a bit, and/or to dig out a bill or a few coins after all.

Subject: RE: Any tips for a newbie street busker??
From: Jack Campin
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 07:37 PM

If you do anything even vaguely Scottish, wear a kilt.

Having a cute kid or a woman with big boobs to go round with a hat while you're playing will more than double the take.

Subject: RE: Any tips for a newbie street busker??
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 08:08 PM

Failing either of those, a monkey is not a bad idea.

Subject: RE: Any tips for a newbie street busker??
From: Jim Lad
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 08:25 PM

Works for Michael Jackson.
The monkey, I mean!

Subject: RE: Any tips for a newbie street busker??
From: GUEST,Unplugged
Date: 06 Apr 08 - 09:08 AM

Any retired folks out there who have taken up busking? I figure to take my banjo and voice and give it a whirl real soon. Great advice here. Much appreciated.

Subject: RE: Any tips for a newbie street busker??
From: Mr Red
Date: 06 Apr 08 - 09:18 AM

One thing Dave Hart told me he did

Dave was (is) a Morris man, melodeon player and self employed carpenter in Wellington NZ.

He played on a Friday betwixt the railway station and the bus station at the far end of the underpass, to commuters. Friday only - punters bouyant, for one day, rushing to work. And he picked the rhythm of their feet and gave it a lift. It produced more revenue. It helped that he played a lot of morris type tunes.

But the lesson is: read your audience and pick them too, time and demeanour. Mostly people want jolly. Grab them musically as they pass.

Good luck - and do the Social Services and Taxman want to know?

Subject: RE: Any tips for a newbie street busker??
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Apr 08 - 03:56 AM

Never leave too much money in your collecting hat,it could get stolen.
Bluebell/Jenny lind polka is a good money spinner.Dick Miles

Subject: RE: Any tips for a newbie street busker??
From: GUEST,Jonny Sunshine
Date: 07 Apr 08 - 01:26 PM

The larger and more unusual your instrument, the more attention you will attract. Hammered dulcimers are the business. I had a friend who busked with one and happened to pass him in town when he asked me to look after the dulcimer while he got a drink of water. By the time he came back I'd got a crowd of 20 people asking me all about it, and I can't even play it!

Subject: RE: Anyone busking with a Native American Flute?
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jul 08 - 08:51 PM

I live in Arizona and I play the Native American Flute. I have a small battery powered amp I use. There are times when I use a cd playter playing thunder storms in the background as I play I also use a echo box thru the amp. People like it. So I keep doing it. Keep the music flowing...Ghost Ferret

Subject: RE: Any tips for a newbie street busker??
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 06:21 PM

Being in the right place at the right time is more important than how you sound or what you play (within reason).

It's a bit like hitching a ride that way. The bottom line isn't how you look, it's, is it a convenient place for a driver to stop.

Subject: RE: Any tips for a newbie street busker??
From: GUEST,jim gillison
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 06:49 PM

Busking? You can't score a real gig, or an amatuer demo? If you're
busking, here's one tip. Play public domain songs. Why? No royalties.
If you play someone elses copyrighted material without a performance
license and making money off it, you're ripping them off. So, make sure
you get the performance license to play the songs live in public.
Then, for location: choose a place that is near bars and cafes or where
the owners of those types of places are likely to be passing by. If they like you, they might give you a real gig.

Subject: RE: Any tips for a newbie street busker??
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 17 Apr 10 - 04:55 PM

there have been sociological studies on busking that showed a peckijng order in popularity of buskers.

most popular was vocal harmony accompanied by instraments.

least popular was a solo instramentalist.

---

Please note that anonymous posting is no longer allowed at Mudcat. Use a consistent name [in the 'from' box] when you post, or your messages risk being deleted. Guest,guest is not an acceptable posting name - it has already been taken.
Thanks.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Any tips for a newbie street busker??
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 18 Apr 10 - 12:57 AM

Sing Loudly.. project!
Strum loudly but clearly (if you're a guitar player).

Salt your case.

Use a bottler.
If no bottler, talk to the people and smile.

Subject: RE: Any tips for a newbie street busker??
From: GUEST,Busker Gal
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 08:27 AM

Marion's point about stamina and patience is very true. You may busk for a while and not get any tips then you may get a lot of tips in a few seconds. Some places in the UK require a licence but most don't. You can call the local authority before and find out if you need a licence or not. Most places it's ok to turn up and do it. If you do get asked to move on (this has happened to me when I've been on private property such as shopping centres) then be polite and ask them where buskers normally go in their town/city.

Its good to have a wide range of songs/tunes, happy songs and popular songs go down really well. We make more when the sun is shining. Busking is a good way to get over nerves, at first you may be nervous about singing on the street but give it a go it's fun! 99% of the people are nice ignore the few negative comments you may get.

Smile and dress smartly. How you present yourself makes a difference. Some people dress up to go with the act I think that's a cool idea. We have been booked to play paid gigs when people have seen us busking, you are your own best advertisement!

If you are singing take a bottle of water it's thirsty work. Seamus is right to say PROJECT. I put as much energy as possible into the performance leaving enough left so I can keep going comfortabley for the lengh of the show (from 1 hour to 3 hours). Build your stamina up over time.

If you are playing a stringed instrument pack some spare strings.

If you are doing it often and walking a lot it helps hugely to get a trolley. The trolley saves my stamina and muscles for playing!!

The most important thing is to enjoy it and have fun. Good luck!

Subject: RE: Any tips for a newbie street busker??
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 12:12 PM

"Busking? You can't score a real gig, or an amatuer demo?"

Possibly: no. Possibly: yes, but don't want to. Possibly: what's it to you?

Next question, please.

Subject: RE: Any tips for a newbie street busker??
From: mousethief
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 12:24 PM

Many moons ago, a buddy of mine decided to try busking in the underground el stations in the "Loop" of Chicago. He said he tried all different kinds of songs, but the ones that made the most money were old revival hymns. He reckoned it was some kind of nostalgic guilt.

Subject: RE: Any tips for a newbie street busker??
From: meself
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 12:30 PM

(Sorry - that last "GUEST" was me - unlogged).

Subject: RE: Any tips for a newbie street busker??
From: Mark Ross
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 01:42 PM

There is a difference between PLAYING music and PERFORMING. Just keep that in mind.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Any tips for a newbie street busker??
From: GUEST,SSRobin
Date: 10 Feb 11 - 02:26 AM

Hiya,

I've recently started playing the penny whistle, and am slowly building up my repertoire so I can go out in public in 6 months - a year or so.

Do any of you have any experience busking with that instrument? How do you pick which songs to learn? (Mostly I've gotten random jigs and reels from free sheet music databases, but they're nothing that people would know out here in Ontario... haven't really found much in the way of popular music for the tinwhistle)

Is it even a viable instrument for busking?

Subject: RE: Any tips for a newbie street busker??
From: InOBU
Date: 10 Feb 11 - 04:03 AM

Well... Kev McGrath and Poppagator are dead on...

On CDs... back to the tape cassette days, then CDs, most of my cash came from selling my recordings while I busked...

On standing... I play the Uillean pipes and a number of other instruments, I noticed, standing intsruments got more attention, as you are looking the audience in the eye... if the look down at you playing they do LOOK DOWN on you. So, I began carting around a high stool to play the pipes, and the earnings went up. Space is everything when it comes to how you are seen.

The only time I used a low chair after that, is when I would busk with my whole band...

As to the person who asked about can't you get gigs... ( long sigh and a shake of the head here...)

Of course many of us get or got gigs. I used to rehearse my band in the park busking, to tighten the performances, and see what worked close up with crowds... we even had a complete battery PA system for what was sometimes up to a nine piece band - even battery mixer so the ballence was great.

Why not get paid to practice, eh?

And more on gigs from busking, I would get a lot of gigs FROM busking... always carry cards...

Licences... never liked them, never got one. It is our world, not theirs... at least keep the open roads, waste grounds and public places free... there is no more powerful thought than freedom.

Philip Petite once said to me, "If busking were legal I would not do it." For those young folks who may not remember, he is the busking high wire walker, who walked beteen the World Trade Center towers, and was sentenced to busk in the streets of New York for a summer, proving that even some judges get it.

Baxt thai sastimos,
Lorcan

Subject: RE: Any tips for a newbie street busker??
From: breezy
Date: 10 Feb 11 - 04:42 AM

Marion's contribution on 19th July 2004 remains compulsory reading for wannabees or hasbeens, whatever, whoever.

but she omits to weather conditions, so

If its wet and or windy , maybe think about having a day off.
Look at the extended forecast and plan ahead.

Re 'pee' Always start 'empty'

re temperatures

Plenty of good quality thermal under layers and scarf and cut off gloves, but try to avoid being hot and sweaty before you start, have a top layer to put on when you arrive at the pitch.

minus 8 has been the coldest this year, but I know it gets much colder states side.

gonna be cold again next week so I hear

Bye

Subject: RE: Any tips for a newbie street busker??
From: GUEST,Ben
Date: 01 Feb 13 - 05:38 AM

You might find this useful http://fretdetective.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/busking-tips.html