Probably going to upset many on here but I really hope not.

I am a big band, swing, easy listening and jazz singer I sing solo and with a 20 piece big band. I'm also a singer guitarist doing 60s style music in clubs.

I busk doing the big band swing, easy listening and jazz using amplification and backing (although well capable I don not want to do the 60s or guitar stuff on the street).

Three real points to make.

One is volume. Using an amplifier I have a volume control which can (and does) have the ability to turn down as well as up. I am ALWAYS quieter with my amplification against when I am singing with a live brass player.

Two is respect. If another artist (for yes, buskers are artists) is playing close by then I move on or wait. Many times I have sat with a coffee waiting for another artist to take a break before I set up a pitch (It has been known for me to wait, listen then contribute to them just for them to do the same when I start to sing). I also talk with them, find out how long they have been there or intend to be there. If they are not moving then I do, far enough away as to not be an issue. When I do find a pitch I ask the businesses around me to let me know if they are unhappy with the volume. If they are then I adjust or move on. I don't argue. I also try to find out the town centre manager if there is one (the one in Carlisle UK is Fred and he is a great character who WILL keep you right BUT is very fair and has given me some REALLY valuable advice on volume levels).

Getting everyone on side and being pleasant will always gain you more allies than enemies.

Three is that I don't pro-port to be anything other than a swing/jazz/easy listening singer. As a professional singer I am demonstrating and selling my art just as much as any other street performer and if this is the only way to do it then I have as much (or as little) right as any other street performer to ply my craft.

And yes I do gig through a Marshall!!! (lol)however, it is a small Marshall acoustic amp running off a battery & inverter. I used to use a smaller amp but it just distorted which sounded offensive, this at low volumes sounds clean and controlled and soooo much more acceptable to the public.

As an aside though, I believe that being a busker should mean that you are seen as a professional, you are being paid for your performance after all. Look the part (I sing swing...I dress to sing swing), have a wash!!!, comb your hair!!!, Have public Liability Insurance (£10M free in the UK if you are a Musicians Union member), insure your equipment (free in the UK if you are a Musicians Union member), have risk assessments and stick to them (drop me a line and I'll e-mail you a copy of mine brian@brian-james.org.uk), have your equipment PAT tested VERY regularly (yes, I know, if its run off batteries it doesn't NEED a PAT but it does no harm, may save a life AND keeps local councils VERY happy and may make a difference between them saying yea or nae.

AND KEEP SMILING!!