Hello Salem Gypsy. Best of luck, and let us know how it goes.
Gypsy said, You get no tips if you aren't playing. Well, that depends on what you mean. If you mean that you won't accomplish anything if you stay home watching TV instead of getting out there to play, then you're right. But if you mean that you won't accomplish anything if you just stand there talking to people instead of playing continuously, then I disagree.
Standing there talking to people can lead to tips AND to gigging/teaching opportunities, as well as to interesting conversations. Often people will want to tell me about their fiddling grandfathers or about the dances when they lived down home; and often people will approach me because they've always wanted to play the fiddle and want my advice or encouragement. I've learned things from the first group, and the second group make me feel that I've done my good deed for the day.
And even if you're not playing for some other reason, you will still get tips, mostly from people who heard you earlier. You'll even get tips while tuning up occasionally (I assume these are from the real music lovers). And taking little breaks will prevent repetitive strain injuries and make it possible for you to stay out there longer. So, you're not wasting time if you're not constantly playing!