Re: busking
And furthermore: if you find a good location, and are making good coin,
do not - I repeat - DO NOT - tell your musician "friends" about it. And
if you are in, say, Halifax, Nova Scotia, do not head down to your favourite
watering-hole after a successful day and pay for rounds with fistsful of US
dollars. Not unless you want to show up next day at your el primo spot
and find one of your pals sitting there as if he owns the place, playing
music
you don't like. Rather, if you sense curiosity about your income, turn
your gaze morosely down to the puddle on the table, shake your head, move
your lips as if trying to speak, then shake your head again, and say
nothing.
Someone might even buy you a drink.
And if you ain't doing it for the money, don't do it, says me. Let the guys
who need the dough get it.
- - thurg
> Date: Mon, 3 May 2004 15:43:02 -0400
> From: Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: Busking
>
> 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
> >
> > --
> > Hear Barrelhouse Solly on the web.
> > That's me.
> > http://www.soundclick.com/barrelhousesolly
> > --
> > Harp-l is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
> > Hosted by ValuePricehosting.com, http://www.valuepricehosting.com
> >
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Mon, 3 May 2004 22:09:22 +0200 (CEST)
> From: =?iso-8859-1?q?Nicolas=20Fouquet?= <bbhcfr@xxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: XB40 Maintenance Issues
>
> - --0-1514173846-1083614962=:75300
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
>
> Hey Will,
>
> ICan't tell you anything about the XB40, but anyway, gapping and replacing
reeds are a very little deal once you have the tools ($100 maximum for the
whole bunch of tools) and to invest in these tools really worth it!!!
>
> Froggy
>
> Will Vogtman <will_vogtman@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Hello!
>
> I've just ordered an XB40. It's not here yet, but I'm quite anxious to
try it.
>
> I am a little worried, though.
>
> What if I get hooked on the thing and it goes south?
>
> Will there be replacement reed plates, or am I doomed to hours of gapping
and tuning 40 reeds as opposed to 20?
>
> If I break a reed will I have to learn how to replace individual reeds/buy
a whole new harp?
>
> Any ifo would be appreciated.
>
> Will
>
>
> - ---------------------------------
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Win a $20,000 Career Makeover at Yahoo! HotJobs
>
> - ---------------------------------
> Yahoo! Mail : votre e-mail personnel et gratuit qui vous suit partout !
> Créez votre Yahoo! Mail
>
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> - --0-1514173846-1083614962=:75300
> Content-Type: text/html; charset=iso-8859-1
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
>
> <DIV>Hey Will,</DIV>
> <DIV> </DIV>
> <DIV>ICan't tell you anything about the XB40, but anyway, gapping and
replacing reeds are a very little deal once you have the tools ($100 maximum
for the whole bunch of tools) and to invest in these tools really worth
it!!!</DIV>
> <DIV> </DIV>
> <DIV>Froggy<BR><BR><B><I>Will Vogtman
<will_vogtman@xxxxxxxxx></I></B> wrote:</DIV>
> <BLOCKQUOTE class=replbq style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px;
BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid">
> <DIV>Hello!</DIV>
> <DIV> </DIV>
> <DIV>I've just ordered an XB40. It's not here yet, but I'm quite
anxious to try it. </DIV>
> <DIV> </DIV>
> <DIV>I am a little worried, though.</DIV>
> <DIV> </DIV>
> <DIV>What if I get hooked on the thing and it goes south? </DIV>
> <DIV> </DIV>
> <DIV>Will there be replacement reed plates, or am I doomed to hours of
gapping and tuning 40 reeds as opposed to 20?</DIV>
> <DIV> </DIV>
> <DIV>If I break a reed will I have to learn how to replace individual
reeds/buy a whole new harp?</DIV>
> <DIV> </DIV>
> <DIV>Any ifo would be appreciated.</DIV>
> <DIV> </DIV>
> <DIV>Will</DIV>
> <P>
> <HR SIZE=1>
> <FONT face=arial size=-1>Do you Yahoo!?<BR><A
href="http://pa.yahoo.com/*http://us.rd.yahoo.com/hotjobs/hotjobs_mail_signa
ture_footer_textlink/evt=23983/*http://hotjobs.sweepstakes.yahoo.com/careerm
akeover">Win a $20,000 Career Makeover at Yahoo! HotJobs
</A></BLOCKQUOTE></FONT><p>
> <hr size=1>
> Yahoo! Mail : votre e-mail personnel et gratuit qui vous suit partout !
> <br><a
href="http://fr.rd.yahoo.com/mail/taglines/*http://fr.rd.yahoo.com/mail/mail
_taglines/default/*http://fr.benefits.yahoo.com/";>Créez votre Yahoo!
Mail</a>
> <br><br>
> Dialoguez en direct avec vos amis grâce à <a
href="http://fr.rd.yahoo.com/mail/taglines/*http://fr.rd.yahoo.com/messenger
/mail_taglines/default/*http://fr.messenger.yahoo.com/";>Yahoo! Messenger
!</a>
> - --0-1514173846-1083614962=:75300--
>
> ------------------------------
>
> End of harp-l-digest V11 #128
> *****************************
>
> --
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