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07 Apr 01 - 08:39 PM (#435501) Subject: busking From: ollaimh hey are there any buskers out there? busking meaning playing in public places for what ever tips you can con from the friendly folk passing by. i've made a living at it (mostly)for over a decade, and i'm interested in doing a busking tour. likely across the usa but perhaps to europe too. let s here from the real folk muscians the buskers
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08 Apr 01 - 08:38 AM (#435691) Subject: RE: busking From: Joan from Wigan I enjoy busking occasionally, but have never made enough from it to be able to give up the day job. I never "con" passers-by, they're free to contribute or not as they see fit (and most of them don't, but what the heck!). And not all of them are friendly, and not all passing police-people are friendly, either... I find the amount of takings depends on where you set up, how long you can stop for, the weather, the number of people about, and whether there are a lot of children (some people seem to balk at throwing pennies themselves, but are quite happy to have their children put pennies in the box). I normally busk fairly locally, so restrict myself as regards site. However, I do have friends who make a fair living from busking, disappearing for several months at a time over to Europe, and coming back with at least as much, if not more, money than they went over with. I'm told France and Switzerland are good for busking. Joan |
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08 Apr 01 - 09:03 AM (#435702) Subject: RE: busking From: Frug Used to busk years ago and enjoyed it immenseley. Paris used to be good as did Antwerp and Amsterdam. Uk is very variable, need to check by laws and that sought of thing. I know it shouldn't matter but it's not much fun constantly checking for the 'Feds' Some towns and cities have positive attitudes to busking worth checking this through first.................. |
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08 Apr 01 - 12:50 PM (#435782) Subject: RE: busking From: GUEST,Harpo Saltbag O'Cruit I have busked a lot internationally for 27 years. I met an extraordinary busker named Danny many years ago. He was musically poor but his busking tactics were superb and effective. I have used them ever since. He also introduced me to some old time busker jargon. He talked of "working an edge" manipulating the crowd. Some pitches -Town Squares- allow you to encourage people to stand or sit around and listen to you. An edge could be "worked out" - they have all payed their money. The best tactic here is to stop playing for a while and hopefully get a new crowd. If you get large edges regularly use a bottler to collect the money. (females are more effective.) Other pitches - Subways etc can be blocked by your edge. On such a pitch some buskers stop playing as soon as they've got an audience. You should be playing for passers-by. Put a few coins in your bag to start it off. (Bait, Salt) Don't leave to much money in the bag. Pretty obvious. Take small denominations out regularly. I have seen some buskers ostentatiously RETURN small donations and thus shame their remaining crowd. Keep money and belongings in front of you. Dogs make money. Dogs in hats make even more money. My old lurcher loved busking. Babies in prams (Danny's tactic) make loads of money. Hide amplifiers if you can. Always carry ID and business cards. Market Days are an interesting days busking and it is easy enough to get a list of markets in any country in Europe. Remember police and council attitudes to busking vary enormously from town to town. There ARE places which actively encourage buskers. Talk to other buskers to get local knowledge. Don't steal their pitches. One last tip - Eye contact. Every body knows that people will avert there gaze when approaching a busker, or a charity collector, if they don't want to give money. But they only avert their gaze when they are about 7 or 8 yards away from you. The trick is to catch your punters eye BEFORE they avert their gaze. Engage them this way, play your music to that person and smile.... and hope. Try Torquay - The police are wonderful. This town is full of good pitches some of them can be worked until 10.00 p.m. in the summertime.
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08 Apr 01 - 03:07 PM (#435863) Subject: RE: busking From: catspaw49 Three previous threads: Spaw |
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08 Apr 01 - 03:24 PM (#435871) Subject: RE: busking From: Clinton Hammond I'd like to add a couple of things to Harpos great suggestions... 1) Don't have a buddy just standing around ya... It make you look desperate... I was downtown last night and saw a busker break both these suggestions... The chum he had just standing beside him smoking and looking gruff was off-putting enough... I decided I'd give him a miss (besides, he had great shoes... No busker whop really needs the $$ has great shoes!) But not to be impolite I met his eye, gave him a smoke and a nod of my fedora by way of encouragement... as I was passing him by i realised htat he was actaully pretty darn good, so I though I'd 180 and toss him a couple of bucks... before I could turn I heard from him "fuck you very much" Not only did I not give him any cash, but I was sore tempted to kick his scrawny, too-big-pants-wearin' ass all up and down main street... |
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08 Apr 01 - 08:09 PM (#436035) Subject: RE: busking From: GUEST,Harpo Mmmmm. Yeah agreed. Eye contact can be over done. An appearance of desperation should be avoided..... even if you are desperate. I have known buskers who have feigned disability (by hiding their legs below the knee) Such desperate measures must be crippling to their self esteem as well!! Playing good lively music with a WIDE APPEAL is the best tactic of all. Strangely, I always find that tuning up is very lucrative. People seem to find it fascinating. I know I do. Smoking and drinking alcohol on your pitch is stupid. Pointless, shady people hanging round ones pitch is bad, especially on a small pitch. Politeness too is very helpful and maintains your sanity. It's nice to be nice. Still, you should have politely kicked that guy's ass.
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09 Apr 01 - 07:29 PM (#436886) Subject: RE: busking From: ollaimh so i see a few over seas buskers. i was thinking of going to europe to busk this summer but haven't made up my mind yet. i paly harp and i'm paranoid of thaking it on the airplane. i busked londom a,most thirty years ago and it wasn't very good unless i had a fairly flamboyant group--solo was tough. paris and holland were very good. italty seems good till you actually try to exchange the money and ireland was terrible. a lot of pennies, but i hear ireland is rich now aND I'M A CELTOID so maybe things are better--any advice in looking for starting points. and where is a good place to buy a van and get reasonably cheap insurance--i wouldn't mind having my house with me. |
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10 Apr 01 - 04:54 AM (#437177) Subject: RE: busking From: Dave the Gnome I only busked once but got the best deal I have ever had! 1968 or 69 - I was 15 or 16 and me and my mate, Mike, and I went to Chester for the day on the train. Mike was just getting to grips with the guitar and me with the gob-iron so we decided to give it a whirl. Couple of Dylan/Donovan songs outside a cafe got us invited in to do a gig. Got paid with a slap up free meal and entertained the customers with our vast repotoire (sp?) of 5 or 6 songs! Ah - happy days.... DtG |
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10 Apr 01 - 10:47 AM (#437330) Subject: RE: busking From: death by whisky Di d France and Spain in 87 for a few months.Did some grape picking for a break.South of France was dificult,odd attitude.However,got into a routine of playing the cafes,with permission,about 15 mins,then move on to the next.Did a lunchtime and evening dinner shift,about 4 hours altogether.BEST SPOT...FIGUERES(i Think).Outside the Salvador Dali museum,played for an hour,went for a slap up 4 course dinner,including wine,paid camping fees for a week,some luxuries,and spent the rest of the day playing pool and drinking beer. |
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14 Apr 01 - 07:48 PM (#440730) Subject: RE: busking From: death by whisky Not a serious busker then |
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14 Apr 01 - 08:22 PM (#440753) Subject: RE: busking From: Philibuster Round here it's illegal, and VERY much frowned upon. Your more likely to get your ass kicked than to get money. |
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14 Apr 01 - 08:26 PM (#440758) Subject: RE: busking From: death by whisky there you go then .All a losd a bollocks |
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15 Apr 01 - 01:30 PM (#441157) Subject: RE: busking From: Ruthie A I sometimes busk in the school holidays with a friend, in an almighy metro station. Looking as young as possible usually works, henceforth bunches and faded jeans. We can normally only stick it for about an hour and a half, as we get cold and hungry fairly quickly. We find it fairly profitable, especially just before Christmas. It's also a good idea to move around a bit - you are less likely to get monety if the same people see you in the same place every day. Ruthie |
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15 Apr 01 - 01:55 PM (#441174) Subject: RE: busking From: Peter Kasin I busked for nine months when I was between jobs, back in late '91 to June, '92. My favorite line was (learned from another musician, though I'd like to claim originality) said with a big grin - "We play for fun and profit, and so far we've been having alot of fun!" -chanteyranger |
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16 Apr 01 - 11:43 AM (#441676) Subject: RE: busking From: Bedubya Just recently heard that busking is going to be banned in St. Augustine, FL. I guess the powers-that-be decided that the extremely narrow streets get too clogged up if too many people actually stop and listen to someone play. Too bad. I've known a few people that actually made a pretty decent living busking there. |
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16 Apr 01 - 02:23 PM (#441833) Subject: RE: busking From: ChaosCat Apparently busking in the US and in Gr. Britain are quite a bit different. For one thing, those of us who busk professionally get really irritated at people who call us "beggars". We take great pride in what we do, and work hard at it. Yes, there are some who are essentially just loud panhandlers, but they aren't really buskers, and make the rest of us look bad. As for "great shoes", I have always found that when I dress well, and am very polite, I do far better than others who look far more needy than I. I have no interest in charity, and would much rather receive a smile and a nickle from someone who really enjoyed my music than a ten-spot from someone who thought I was homeless and starving.
We call putting cash in the case or tip jar priming it. I always prime with three dollars- two bills and a handful of change. It seems optimum for me. I also seem to make more the more money rolls in. Generally, I'll pull a 5 out as soon as I can, but I;ll leave tens or twenties- I've only been robbed when I had fives in the case, oddly enough. I don't know why this is.
Many of us frown on the use of amplifiers for all but the quetest intruments. I learned how to project early on in my busking career, and the knowledge has served me well. Here in Seattle, there's a thriving streetmusic culture, and we're practicly family. Anyone who treats the other buskers with respect, and bothers to learn what's cool and what's not is welcome to join that family. Again, there are some rude exceptions, of course, but that's life for ya. |
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16 Apr 01 - 02:32 PM (#441843) Subject: RE: busking From: GUEST,DrWord "The Forks" at the junction of the assiniboine and the red river of the north, in sunny Winnipeg, Manitoba, has several BuskStops. & out in Victoria, British Columbia, they want you 2 buy a $500CDN "busking license" --very nearly an oxymoron, but certainly moronic. |
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16 Apr 01 - 04:25 PM (#441940) Subject: RE: busking From: M.Ted Busking is entertainment--the better a show you give, the more that people respond. At an outdoor market or a street fair, there is nothing better than a little bit of live entertainment, and, for the crowds at least, nothing is more appreciated. I always liked playing on the street more that playing in a bar, there is a much better chance that the smiles and laughter are honest, rather than alcohol induced, and of course, you play for a lot more kids.
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17 Apr 01 - 03:05 PM (#442764) Subject: RE: busking From: Jenny the T "Busking is begging," indeed! I take tremendous exception to that sentiment. If busking is begging, so is playing a bar, or playing a concert--"music for money" is all any of these represent. The payment method is the only difference. Busking is uncontracted entertainment. You lay your music out there for all to hear in hopes that someone will be moved to appreciatively toss a bit o' cash in there. 'Tain't panhandling. Panhandling is begging--asking a total stranger for money and giving nothing in return. Entertainment vs. freeloading: learn to know the difference. Oh, busking's legal here in Indianapolis, IN, USA. The people are mildly appreciative, too, though I don't know if I'd depend on it to pay the mortgage. I do it for the fun of connecting with an audience who didn't _plan_ to be an audience. If I make lunch money, it's a success. |
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17 Apr 01 - 04:11 PM (#442817) Subject: RE: busking From: Bedubya Glad to hear busking is cool in Indianapolis. I know it's widely practiced, if not well-paid, down the highway in Bloomington. What is a mystery to me, though, is why it's not allowed in the wonderful little Mecca of Nashville, Indiana. When I was there a few years ago I thought it would be a great place for street playing. So, I checked with the Chamber of Commerce and was told that it is not allowed. Odd thing is that my Hoosier wife remembers seeing Crystal Gayle (Loretta Lynn's sister), who was a music major at IU busking in Nashville back around 1970. So, it must have been okay once, but not any longer. It's odd that Nashville encourages those who make their living via the visual arts, but denies the performing artist. Or maybe it's just that the country acts in the clubs don't want the competition. Cheers, Bruce |
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17 Apr 01 - 05:17 PM (#442849) Subject: RE: busking From: ChaosCat There's also the possibility that it's not officially sanctioned, but that no one would hassle someone who set up and played. It's a little spooky to do that, but in travelling this country I've found that the worst one can usually expect is to be told by the local constabulary to "move along". I have heard rumors that in New Mexico, the cops'll confiscate your gear on first offense, though I've not had this confirmed by anyone. Still, that'd be horrible indeed. |
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17 Apr 01 - 09:58 PM (#443078) Subject: RE: busking From: ollaimh well i think that pretty much all occupayions are begging, as in my experience nmost proffessionals want a lot of money for doing next to nothing. i did busk the seattle area a few years ago when i lived in vancouver--canada. the market was great for tape sales but i don't think i would have surrivived off tips. in fact i had mu best ever tape sale day there--i sold 17 tapes in two hours on a saturday! i know bands that sell many more tapes but i usually sell two or three a day. i did fins open stages in the west were also good for tape sales. you play for free then do a little spiel on your recent recording. i often sold five to ten after fifteen minutes on the stage. in vancouver the sky trains used to be good but the union guys have tried over the years to get rid of buskers and have been successful in so rigidly restricting it it's difficult to make a living. vancouver area liquor stores are still good for the non too proud--and i'll play anywhere i can make a buck. i did the folklife festival several years as a performer and busker and i never had a bad year, though some were pretty flat. i did have a few years that were great! seems to be supply and demand. after a great year every bobdy and his dog turn out to busk and tyhe money goes down then the amateurs give up for a few years and it gets good again. i paly celtic harp which has broad appeal. i also paly mandolin, cittern, bouzouki guitar and fiddle on the fiddle, but the harp and singing are my bread and butter. in the states tape sales are essentila in many areas but there are lots of spots that throw cash. i NEVER prime the hat--i'm superstitious about it and take out big bills quickly--call me a pessimist. i've rarely been robed. usually drunks are the ones who try it but they are too drunk to succeed. now i'm in toronto where the subway is safe and very lucrutrive but people don't stop much to listen--it's very odd to me but what the hell. the street s good in the summer too. as ii said i'm planning an extended summer tour to who Knows where. in the us there are often anti busking laws but i will often paly anyway right to the edge of arrest as i've usually found cops don't really want to arrest you--especially in big cities where they have other things to do. in canada cops are more idle and can be a problem even when it's legal to busk--they sort of suspect it might be illegal and sometimes hang around discouraging a crowd or out right ban you with threats of arrest. in tourist towns this is rarely a problem but it can be in small towns. however some canadian small towns have never seen a decent busker and can be a pot of gold. i've had 200 dollar days in more oddball places than i could remember and you meet every muscian in town in a few hours. so what about europe--are there no european buskers on this list |
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18 Apr 01 - 08:07 AM (#443315) Subject: RE: busking From: Jenny the T >>What is a mystery to me, though, is why it's not allowed in the wonderful little Mecca of Nashville, Indiana. << It's hard to say--busking was only legalalized in Indy a couple years ago. I don't get to Nashville too often, though I'm down in Bloomington all the time, but it's possible that the official stance has changed there, too. It's stupid, really--such a touristy town, Nashville is; you'd think they'd want as many attractions as possible, especially ones that come at no cost. Who can fathom the official mind? |
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18 Apr 01 - 08:41 AM (#443336) Subject: RE: busking From: clansfolk I work as a paid "Busker" in a group at one location - it's a bit weird really as we get paid a standard fee plus we are encouraged to put down a collection box!!! as "Busking" is part of the entertainment..... However - the points I wanted to make was that I appreciate the money freely given by the people who have enjoyed the music and songs we have performed far more than our fee. Not sure if this is begging or maybe "part time" begging!!!!!! Another thing that is starting to creep in is the requirement for performers to carry their own Public Liability insurance (£3,000,000 in the above case!) this is being asked of us from several venues and local authorities that have previously carried insurance that covered the artists, venues and publics liabilities! and the requirement is also applicable to Buskers (in the true sense of the word!) Keep Music Live? what with the 2 in a pub rule - public liability etc.... it's getting harder!!! Take care and sing well... Pete I've just realised our Postman and Milkman don't whistle and sing any more - maybe there's a bylaw that I'm not aware of??
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18 Apr 01 - 03:07 PM (#443657) Subject: RE: busking From: M.Ted $500 licenses and £3,000,000 Public Liability Insurance(a greater requirement, incidentally, than is required for an automobile here in the states--the must presume that a guitar or fiddle can do more damage than an automobile)-- Is it any wonder that music in the streets is less common than murder in the streets? |
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18 Apr 01 - 08:00 PM (#443902) Subject: RE: busking From: GUEST,ghost I'll bet all of those nogoodniks have to pay loads of cash for licensing fees and insurance premiums for their chosen professions. |
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19 Apr 01 - 09:12 PM (#444998) Subject: RE: busking From: ollaimh hey clansmen--are you the band the clansmen who were at the vancouver celtica festival back around 1990ish?with the blind mandolin player --harry i think, and a murdo, i don't remember any other names. having to have insurance is amazing. but then think of all the natural distars that have been caysed by busking. it is a little known fact that the san francisco earthquake was caused by a pig nosed amp that was directly on the fault line. and of course the chicago fire wasn't caused by mrs o'leary's cow but by a flame juggler. thank god we are protected from ssuch disasters. |
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20 Apr 01 - 04:39 AM (#445170) Subject: RE: busking From: ChaosCat Whew. Too damned many laws and ordinances. They're gonna protect us whether we want 'em to or not. Actually, this puts me in mind of the ~reason~ the folk scene has, in recent years, fallen back a little more to it's underground roots. Now, don't get me wrong- I'm all in faor of (us) musicians and songwriters getting their fair cut. But are the big industries (won't name names, just in case- ya don't go around whisperin' the devil's name, after all,) really interested in seeing to it that we get what we earn, or are they really more interested in getting their own chunk o' pie? Stupid question, huhn? If anyone reading this thread hasn't read the Phantom Banjo, I highly recommend it. It puts this question in an entirely new light. (Not to mention being based on a song an old partner of mine wrote- Plug for K.W. Todd here,) And of course, it's also a darned good read, for folk musicians and non-musicians alike. |
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20 Apr 01 - 05:10 AM (#445176) Subject: RE: busking From: clansfolk Ollaimh No - if the blind mandolin player comment was aimed for me to answer - Clansfolk are a UK family group consisting of of myself, my wife (Eileen) and my son Simon. However I play with several line-ups here in the UK including, The Elderly Brothers, Penny Black, The Wyre Pier Band (get it? Why appear band!! - sorry) Sundance and Willy and the Poorboys. Playing music ranging from morris to Rock and Roll and Skiffle. However we've started using In-ear fold back as of late and have had a couple of comments about deaf musician (I hope it was the earphones they were referring to!!) Pete - www.fyldefolk.co.uk |
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21 Apr 01 - 04:49 PM (#446243) Subject: RE: busking From: ollaimh so does anyone have any ideas as to what buskers can do to alleviate regulations. it's a problem in many areas. i'm lucky that toronto hasn't got too many but i used to do vancouver where it's an increasing problem. i've talked to media people but they have a short attention span. so what else can you do. arliss the spoon man went to jail many times in seattle to make it legal, but i'm getting too old for prison beds. perhaps it's the way of the world that buskers will clash with the propretied but it seems to be getting worse. |
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30 Apr 01 - 10:03 AM (#452031) Subject: RE: busking From: clansfolk The way we get around "Public Liability" is by joining the Musician's Union or Equity both offer "free" public liability to the sum of £5,000,000 to members and as membership works out at just over a £1.00 a week it's a good investment especially when you have all the other membership advantages. Re. local bye-laws not much can be done unless enough people lobby their councils!! and that's presuming the general public want buskers!! I was playing for a Morris team at the weekend and the amount of paper work required to allow them to dance and us to play was ridiculous!! and this was in a country village where Morris and country dancing in the square goes back as far as the village!!! Also the old tradition of the Landlord of the pub bringing out a tray of drinks for the dancers and musicians has gone now due to local bye-laws banning the drinking of alcohol on the streets! How many more traditions are we going to loose? We'll have to have a mass busking, Morris dancing day when everyone takes to the streets - dancing and singing - they can't arrest us all - or can they?????? Take care Pete
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30 Apr 01 - 01:40 PM (#452233) Subject: RE: busking From: GUEST,alanabit I just want to endorse the comments of M.Ted and Chaos Cat. I've been busking in Europe for over twenty years now and the day I need to start begging or playing for sympathy will be the day I should get tossed on a bonfire along with my guitar and drum.You should only do it with dignity and respect for both your audience and yourself. You can gear yourself up to making money by stripping down your show to the parts that work most effectively. If you deal with the police politely they are very rarely your worse problem. Other street traders who threatened by you are far more likely to cause you trouble. You have to get on the best possible terms with them.If you do good shows, you can light up someone's evening or day. It comes as a surprise to them and can send them home in a completely diferent mood.It's worth doing for that reason alone. If you are lucky you can make friends and some of the punters will remember you for years. I like what you said about Seattle, Chaos Cat. Maybe I'll get to see it one day. Good luck to the next generation of buskers! alan.free-pop.com |
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01 May 01 - 01:07 PM (#452999) Subject: RE: busking From: GUEST,alanabit I just want to refresh this thread and see if anyone has heard any news of colleagues like Don Partridge, Phil Free, Paul MacNeill etc. Alan. |
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01 May 01 - 01:17 PM (#453013) Subject: RE: busking From: Clinton Hammond Lenny Gallant's got a really cool song about busking, but I can't seem to lay my fingers on it right now... Anyone? |
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06 May 01 - 07:29 PM (#456625) Subject: RE: busking From: bflat Met a busker this weekend in Greenport, NY, playing the banjo on Main Street, told him to come to the Mudcat. Warren are you out there? Hope to meet you here as: Greenportbanjowarren. What a handle that is going to be! And, yes I put something into his opened case, got to be supportive. Ellen |
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07 May 01 - 07:08 PM (#457417) Subject: RE: busking From: bflat refresh....looking for Warren. Ellen |
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12 May 03 - 10:04 AM (#950978) Subject: RE: busking From: GUEST,th@sambodromo.com Hey! Is there any website or community out there that gives tips about nice places to play around the world? I've been doing street music in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and we always encountered problems in some places. The worst was Barcelona, where we even got arrested and held for two nights only for playing some samba in the streets. There's gotta be some kind of platform for street-musicians around the world to exchange experiences! Would be nice to hear from ya'll about this! HInzenzo, Hamburg. |
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12 May 03 - 11:16 AM (#951032) Subject: RE: busking From: Amos HInzenzo: I think this is the place. At the top of the page are a number of linked, related threads all about busking, and many of them touch on known sites. A |
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12 May 03 - 12:56 PM (#951101) Subject: RE: busking From: breezy re Barca was that cos samba is more brazil and Portugese? In the Ramblas you can do statues |
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12 May 03 - 04:16 PM (#951248) Subject: RE: busking From: breezy Don Partridge seen summer 2002 working Cornwall. He does it sitting down now. Busking outside Waitrose can upset Waitrose, but it'll take a good hour before bobby arrives. Sainsbury's cool. Hate loud buskers esp if amplified ,with pan pipes, saxaphones,etc., Morris dancers are O K ,most tunes in D or G and a drum helps to give you a beat so you smile and strum in time and tune. George Papavgeris has written a song called 'The Busker' Its quite good. Busking is a good way to learn songs,and to iron out the pitch for voice, and to mould songs to your personality and interpretation for the 'indoor gigs' And I hate music students who form string quartets and play the 'corny classics'. I wait till they finish and yell 'Give us a song' and 'Now do it without the dots' and 'do you do any Dylan?' No soul them. Ar'n't I a bitch? |
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12 May 03 - 04:28 PM (#951255) Subject: RE: busking From: TheBigPinkLad I busked the outdoor cafes in St. Tropez years go. The early season (May) was good but when competition turned up (June onwards)takings went to the dogs. From my experience, the worst thing a busker can do is to play anything serious: Leonard Cohen just bums people out and they won't throw you a penny. The best thing to do is to get a good bottler (the person that moves through the crowd/tables to collect money) and by good I mean has large breasts. |
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12 May 03 - 08:19 PM (#951384) Subject: RE: busking From: Cluin Down On the Promenade Lenny Gallant, 1988 Nine o'clock on a cold November night Busking at a downtown stop Stompin' my feet to a Dylan beat I'm tryin' out a couple new chops Well, I damn near froze my ears and toes And my hands can barely play A bit crazy I suppose But how I make my pay Well I played in the taverns, joints and bars And I played for the business man Always lookin' over my shoulder You know, he deals with a heavy hand Out here, I choose my time of day And I get to sing my songs And you can listen If you like Or you can move aiong (chorus:) Down on the promenade, out on the street At the market on a Saturday Bangin' on a tenor banjo I sing songs to make my pay Well, some may sing and some may dance And some may turn away I get to play Every day Throw a coin my way Well, this old battered case of mine May never see a five or a ten I get enough for a good meal A pack of cigarettes, now and then In an alcove, where the wind don't blow I keep me a bottle of wine Loosen up them fingers When I work `em overtime (chorus ) Oh, Mary Martin, she's my love She's my heart's delight She keeps me in this seaport town And she keeps me warm at night She works down at the harbour bar, Serving rum and beer I would be south Where the streets are warm But I can't leave her here (chorus) |
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27 Jun 04 - 11:50 PM (#1215258) Subject: RE: busking From: GUEST,Gman Thanks for your feedback re 'Question For You' the reason i ask is because i am doing a Uni assignment on busking. The questions to answer follow... 1. How does busking contribute to the improvement (i.e function and safety) of the streetscape? 2. How does busking contribute to your shopping experience? 3. When and where would you most likely expect to witness busking? 4. In your opinion what standard of entertainment do buskers provide to the community? 5. How would you feel if Busking was abolished? 6. In your opinion what sort of person would become a street performer? I must conduct qualitative research (i.e. ask people these sort of questions) to end up with a recommendation for a (hyperthetical) client wishing to become a successful street busker. If you choose to participate please be aware that answers can be as long or short as you want however honest opinions would be appreciated. i look forward to reading your opinions. Cheers Gman |
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28 Jun 04 - 01:29 AM (#1215289) Subject: RE: busking From: alanabit There are a few of us here who could write books on this subject. If you join Mudcat, which takes about three minutes, we will be able to PM you. Good luck. |
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29 Jun 04 - 01:47 AM (#1215990) Subject: RE: busking From: Doug Chadwick I've had a go at busking a couple of times, each time for charity. The Scouts had set up fund raising stalls in the town centre and I took up a pitch at the end of the line. The first year I played some really good acoustic guitar but no-one could hear me. I'd taken a tenor banjo just to give myself a change, so I switched to that and I made more money in 20 minutes than I had in an hour on the guitar. This year, I only took the banjo. I made more money but I got bored playing the same instrument all afternoon. I think next year I'll try the banjo and my fiddle. Admittedly, some of the contributions came in because I was part of the charity event rather than my musical skills but, whatever their reasons for giving, most of it was "new money" – from people who had spent on the stalls and were leaving or others who were passing and didn't have time to stop and spend. It was great fun and I managed to raise more money than the book stall my own Scout Group were running. Doug C |
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17 Jul 12 - 12:11 AM (#3377460) Subject: RE: busking From: GUEST,Erica tapeart-nz Hi we are street performers from NZ heading to Germany soon is any one able to give us some advice about a good place to go for public liability insurance in Germany?? Really appreciate any advice you can give us, Cheers, Erica www.tapeart-nz.com |
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17 Jul 12 - 04:44 AM (#3377509) Subject: RE: busking From: alanabit Join Mudcat Erica - it's free and takes a minute - and then send me a PM. I live in Cologne where busking is effectively banned now, but I have been to a lot of other places. What do you need public liability insurance for? Are you doing fire and glass? For most shows, the ordinary private general accident insurance "Haftpflichtversicherung" should be perfectly adequate. My insurance office is just down in the village, so I could nip in their and find out for you. BTW, the NZ radio presenter John Greet - formerly known as "New Zealand John" has vast experience of busking Europe. You should contact him for some all round advice. |
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13 Sep 12 - 05:36 AM (#3403742) Subject: RE: busking From: GUEST,Rockin' Robin Hi All Thanks for your great tips on busking. Now retired, I busked traditional tunes through the summer for the first time in West Somerset UK to appreciative (and quite generous) holiday crowds both solo (sax) and as a duo (with piano accordion). Now the holidaymakers have largely left as the new school year starts, I'm looking for alternative venues with 'footfall'. I live in West Somerset. I was wondering if anybody has any experience of car boot sales as a location to go busking. Some of them attract really large crowds and I would be willing to pay the £5 entrance typically they seem to charge (although obviously woud prefer not to). Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks :-) |