Re: Busking

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

On May 3, 2004, at 1:52 PM, Joel Fritz wrote:

>
> Scorcher wrote:
>>
>> Anybody with some busking experience care to share some advice? I'm
>> interrested in the where/when/what(tunes)/who (with or without an
>> accompanist?)/why(why not?)  and any other advice either for or 
>> against.
>> -Scorcher
>> --
     * Ahhhh, what a wonderful subject, basking and busking. I was 
immediately obvious to me that the Barrelhouse Solly definitely has 
walked the walk and talked the talk.
>> .
> I've never played in the street with just a harmonica.

  Yes, that's a tough one.

>   I've done a lot of it singing and playing guitar by myself or in a 
> jug band.  It's a good way to practice.

  Yes, just look upon it as practice. This way you won't be 
disappointed. Imagine you are practicing only instead of at home, you 
are "oot & aboot". AND some coins may even fly your way. Just make sure 
you watch out for stone money from the Island of Yap.

>   You need to be loud enough to cut through street noise.

  Yes, AND you have to be able to play with all the distraction(s) going 
on around you. The busier the spot, the more distractions (babes 
anyone?). But, you stand to collect more "chips" too.

>  I never used amplification, but I have a loud voice.  I guarantee 
> that you'll meet all sorts of people.

  TELL me about it.

>   Some of them will be people you never wanted to meet and others will 
> be absolutely wonderful.

  "Never" wanted to meet just about sums it up, (very diplomatically, I 
might add.) I once had a Gypsy start a conversation and go into how HIS 
dad was the best that ever lived, started blowing notes in my face to 
show me stuff, etc. I was wise to his shit. He was just trying to close 
me down. (p.s...he SUCKED). Since it wasn't MY town (Nola), I moved one 
block.

>   I'm not sure how well harmonica alone would work.  If you're fairly 
> loud, have a reasonable sized repertoire, and can play requests you 
> might do well.
>
> The next paragraphs concern money.  It may sound mercenary, but I 
> looked at playing in the street as a job, and these are my guidelines 
> for maximizing your earnings.

  While I totally agree with this, I (for one) don't worry about the 
money, as I see it as "any freebie in a storm". I was once playing at 
one corner of the Eaton Mall (Toronto). I had NO receptacle and people 
were placing "boonies" and "Loonies" on the marble flower planter I was 
sitting on. Truth was I was NOT busking and merely waiting for the wife 
while I had a "ciggie".
>
> The first rule is just like real estate--location, location, location. 
> You need to find a spot with heavy foot traffic that has enough room 
> for a small crowd to gather and has good acoustics.  In hot weather 
> try for a shady spot.  If the crowd doesn't materialize even though 
> there is a reasonable amount of traffic, move to a different spot.  
> While you want to have an audience, you want it to turn over fairly 
> often.  They're only going to give you money once.

  Excellent. If you should happen to be so unfortunate as to have a 
Peruvian band on the next corner, you loose, because as soon as they 
start on those "etherial" flutes, your "Loonies & "Twonies" fly away.
>
> If you draw a crowd, be sure to stop and ask for money before they 
> move on.  One sure thing is that asking for money often will double 
> your take over not asking.

  Very true (only I would never ask). I was once playing in a park and a 
fellow came over, said "You got it all wrong", proceeded to take off my 
hat and place it on the ground (on a piece of paper). He tossed in a 
quarter and within a few minutes, I had a couple bucks.

>  Try to work up a little patter to soften people up.  My approach was 
> to try to be humorous, but what's important that you sound natural and 
> convey the idea that you would be grateful if people made a voluntary 
> contribution. Always thank people.  You should make a sign with safe 
> contact info on it if you're interested in playing private parties or 
> whatever.  Use something fairly large as a money receptacle--you want 
> to make it easy for people to part with it. If you're having a good 
> day, periodically stash some of your take.

  Excellent. Just like gambling, keep some money in each pocket, and 
occasionally "skim"

>   You don't want potential paying customers to think you've made 
> enough already, and you don't want less friendly people to think you 
> might be convinced to make a donation to them.

  Yes, BIG problem. Street people don't car WHO they get money from, 
even if it's "Other" street people (of whom, you ARE one on this 
particular day).
>  If you can, start out with a dollar bill and some change in the 
> receptacle. It helps people to see what's an appropriate donation.

  Yes, that's called "salting". You start by tossing some of your OWN 
change in the pot.
>
> That said, don't expect to make a living at it.  I had a good time 
> playing, met some interesting people, played some good parties, and 
> developed my skills (such as they are) in interacting with an 
> audience.

  Busking Pittsburgh: No matter WHAT corner you choose, you WILL be 
hassled by the police. You are considered a. disorderly conduct b. 
excessive or "unnecessary" noise c. loitering d. promoting a nuisance 
e. obstruction of traffic (pedestrian) f. distraction to drivers, etc.

  Busking Philadelphia: Same as above PLUS the lights go out. Some 
people think it's fun to whack someone when they aren't looking.

  Busking Toronto: good spot,

  Busking Nola (N'Orleans): good spot. no police hassle. good tourist 
traffic. bigger "pot". Some problem areas:
1. lots of scum-bag locals. 2. too many people trying to bum money from 
YOU. 3. It's THEIR town (and they let you know it). Jackson Square, 
while the best location, is also loaded with OTHER buskers. There's 
mechanical Robot Men, young boys break dancing, musicians of every 
description, magicians, fortune tellers, you name it.

  Conclusion: Isn't San Diego a little HOT? 
...........................................smo-joe
>
> -- 
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