I love playing my fiddle and performing and someday fairly soon i hope to start busking. I've been doing some research into it and always enjoy watching buskers, and i was just wondering if anyone has any busking stories (good or bad) they wouldnt mind sharing with me?
I've busked once or twice and thoroughly enjoyed it. Only problems were it's all folk songs I sing, so when someone comes up with a request, i's like "naw". But I made £28 in an hour n stirling once, so can't complain at that! The trick is to play louder and better when tourists are near for maximum profit!
Actually chad it can do more than that. Busking income depends to a large degree on your sound, the better the sound the better the income. I dont mean quality of playing but a more amorphous concept , to do with the 'size' of your sound.
I've done better with a guitar backing me than solo pipes. At least in Colorado. Haven't yet tried having a backer on this side of the pond yet and may have to wait until summer for that experiment, as it's too cold to play now.
We've been busking as a main source of income for the last twelve years - mainly in France and Spain, but now in England. I play with my partner so we get to share the income - although now we have a nipper we have to take it in turns. It is much more fun when we can play together. We play largely trad tunes on fiddle, tenor banjo and (amplified) octave mandola.
Some advice -
1. Enjoy yourself. If you are giving out a good, happy vibe then your takings will always be better than if you are looking sad and bedraggled or too serious - the punters appreciate being cheered up!
2. The energy you put onto playing is much more important than technical ability (see point 1). (so not sure we agree with jig on that one).
When my girlfriend and I started travelling and busking a dozen years ago we were pretty musically dodgy but we were so happy to be free of the 9 to 5 system and making money doing what we loved. We always made money. Now we are loads better musicians and we still make about the same amount each time we go out (currently two or three times a week).
3. Mornings, on average, work much better than afternoons or evenings.
4. Touristy places are not necessarily the best for takings - sometimes tourists seem to expect entertainment laid on for free. Many times we have been filmed or photographed by tourists who dont even drop us a penny afterwards!
5. Don't play within sight or earshot of another busker - it screws things up for you and them.
6. Carry a card so people can contact you to book you for a gig..
Best stories - there are hundreds - one time in Galicia we were playing a street corner, doing quite well when a posse of teenage locals turned up with pipes, flutes, fiddles and drums. They asked if they could play with us and off we went. Instant big crowd of spectators and half an hour later we had 140 quid which they refused to share.
Busking a terrace in Brittany (restaurant terraces are lucrative if you have the nerve and pass the hat) with a couple of friends. We finished a song (dirty old town(!!?)) and the whole terrace stood up cheering and clapping.......
Watch out for the grim days - when there is a hurdy gurdy player on the only pitch, when the police stop you or the shopkeepers complain just when the coins are dropping in the hat...
bodatcha, we do agree, its not technical skill that matters in this situation, though youd need some to play the instrument, but 'size' of sound I cant really explain.
But i will quote you on this;
>>music is about joy and energy and positive vibe<<
Yeah silver spear, i can relate to that, but its the 1 or2 piece south american pan pipe acts with a PA, playing their CD , loud, and standing round selling the Cd that annoy me!
Any busker setting up too close to another is looking for a problem.
The other point id like to mention is be considerate, to the best of your ability. Dont dominate one good pitch all day, share.
I allways look for a closed shop front as my first choice of pitch, you wont be in anyone s way there.
"Two people is more fun, but I don't believe it more than doubles the take!"
It depends. Sometimes you could end up splitting two ways the same amount that you would have earned alone. Sometimes, if the chemistry is right, it could quadruple the takings. I've done quite a lot of solo busking, and generally had fairly modest takings. On several occasions when I have joined forces with other buskers, the takings have definitely been multiplied by more than the number of players. But I don't think there is a direct relationship between the takings and the number of players, all though that probably plays a part. I think has more to do with the power of music you produce, whether there is one or 21 of you. If you can play great music on your own, then pairing up with a mediocre musician might well be a hindrance to your playing and thus lessen the overall quality of the music, so any potential increase in takings due the increase in numbers is counteracted by the relative drop in takings die to the drop in quality of the music. I am aware, of course, that I am putting this in very simplistic terms - the actually quality of the music (albeit subjective) is probably quite a small factor in inciting people to drop money in your case.
For the record, by highest single drop was on New Year's Eve 2006 in Viseu, Portugal. A man stood listening for a couple ofg minutes and droped in some loose change, then disappeared into a bank, came out again and dropped a white envelope in my case. On opening it, I found it contained 40 euros.
"SIze" of sound. Not quite the same as loudness. I'd suggest it equates more with "projection".
A not-very-loud sound of the right sort of quality (good signal-noise ratio) can project more than something that's louder. It may be something to do with some sorts of sound have a high percentage of higher-frequency noise in them which makes them sound loud close-up; but that noise doesn't travel so the overall sound isn't as loud as you'd expect some distance away.
Apologies to jig - didnt really read his post carefully enough - yep 'size of sound' is key - and yes lazyhound some frequencies project better than others. I think jig is driving at something else, which I would agree is "projection" but is also influenced by the busker's "presence" on the street.
well said bodatcha, presence, An intangible concept, but that is what i am talking about.
Yes lazy, your point is very relevant, but not really what i was getting at with 'size', but , now you mention it, that is one aspect of 'size', along with projection, presence and i would add 'warmth' or fullness of sound.I think this comes, to some extent, from the combining of tones overtones etc, if your control of the instrument allows it to vibrate fully and freely the sound will be much fuller and stronger,
You need to find an acoustic space that complements your instrument. Different instruments have different volumes and' as lazy points out, frequency's.
There's no point playing your heart out if no one can hear you! well as far as earning goes
Haven't done it for 25 years or so (except the odd spontaneous "assist" to a street busker, like bodatcha's Galician pipers)
but the basics seem the same
busking with a partner helps keep your spirits up - it's not just about the sound
It goes without saying that standing is about 500 times better than sitting in most cases - yet you still see buskers sitting strumming aimlessly
tunes are good but songs are better (if you can sing)
our best pitch was a big suburban food market
the traders had their special requests which we would go home and learn for the following week and they would commend us to the customers queuing at their stalls
Your own mental attitude is really important - a friend used to busk classical violin pieces, and he said on a day when he hadn't got his attitude right before he started he made noticeably less money.
Interesting, Guernsey Pete. I've always suspected the right attitude is important but have never seen anyone refer to "measurable" evidence of the effect of not having the right attitude - ie less money in the pot!
PS are there certain types of shopkeeper who complain more than others? I vaguely remember hearing someone say that Jewellery shop owners tended to be particularly upset by buskers...
Id have thought it would depend more on the personality of the shopowner more than the type of shop they work in. Hard to belive though it is i guess not everyone loves the sound of a fiddle. Madness...
Busking
Busking
I love playing my fiddle and performing and someday fairly soon i hope to start busking. I've been doing some research into it and always enjoy watching buskers, and i was just wondering if anyone has any busking stories (good or bad) they wouldnt mind sharing with me?
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by novicefiddler
Re: Busking
This topic comes up now and again--some interesting tid bits and stories on these old threads:
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/5508
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/8419
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/8426
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/1823
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/10735
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by Will Harmon
Re: Busking
Cheers
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by novicefiddler
Re: Busking
Find a backer. A two piece will be a lot more rewarding on a number of levels.
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by piobagusfidil
Re: Busking
Hmm, good idea. Fiddle and guitar sound great together i think. Must persuade my boyfriend to start guitar lessons lol
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by novicefiddler
Re: Busking
I've busked once or twice and thoroughly enjoyed it. Only problems were it's all folk songs I sing, so when someone comes up with a request, i's like "naw". But I made £28 in an hour n stirling once, so can't complain at that! The trick is to play louder and better when tourists are near for maximum profit!
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by TheBlueBandana
Re: Busking
Two people is more fun, but I don't believe it more than doubles the take!
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by TomB-R
Re: Busking
Just got back from some busking!
Solo record: £37 in 20 mins
Group record: £60 in 20 mins
This is all with ideal conditions. This week we made about £35 between four of us for about 2 hours. But it was great fun.
# Posted on October 29th 2007 by mehitabel23
Re: Busking
Actually chad it can do more than that. Busking income depends to a large degree on your sound, the better the sound the better the income. I dont mean quality of playing but a more amorphous concept , to do with the 'size' of your sound.
# Posted on October 30th 2007 by piobagusfidil
Re: Busking
I've done better with a guitar backing me than solo pipes. At least in Colorado. Haven't yet tried having a backer on this side of the pond yet and may have to wait until summer for that experiment, as it's too cold to play now.
# Posted on October 30th 2007 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Busking
We've been busking as a main source of income for the last twelve years - mainly in France and Spain, but now in England. I play with my partner so we get to share the income - although now we have a nipper we have to take it in turns. It is much more fun when we can play together. We play largely trad tunes on fiddle, tenor banjo and (amplified) octave mandola.
Some advice -
1. Enjoy yourself. If you are giving out a good, happy vibe then your takings will always be better than if you are looking sad and bedraggled or too serious - the punters appreciate being cheered up!
2. The energy you put onto playing is much more important than technical ability (see point 1). (so not sure we agree with jig on that one).
When my girlfriend and I started travelling and busking a dozen years ago we were pretty musically dodgy but we were so happy to be free of the 9 to 5 system and making money doing what we loved. We always made money. Now we are loads better musicians and we still make about the same amount each time we go out (currently two or three times a week).
3. Mornings, on average, work much better than afternoons or evenings.
4. Touristy places are not necessarily the best for takings - sometimes tourists seem to expect entertainment laid on for free. Many times we have been filmed or photographed by tourists who dont even drop us a penny afterwards!
5. Don't play within sight or earshot of another busker - it screws things up for you and them.
6. Carry a card so people can contact you to book you for a gig..
Best stories - there are hundreds - one time in Galicia we were playing a street corner, doing quite well when a posse of teenage locals turned up with pipes, flutes, fiddles and drums. They asked if they could play with us and off we went. Instant big crowd of spectators and half an hour later we had 140 quid which they refused to share.
Busking a terrace in Brittany (restaurant terraces are lucrative if you have the nerve and pass the hat) with a couple of friends. We finished a song (dirty old town(!!?)) and the whole terrace stood up cheering and clapping.......
Watch out for the grim days - when there is a hurdy gurdy player on the only pitch, when the police stop you or the shopkeepers complain just when the coins are dropping in the hat...
Its a good life.
# Posted on October 30th 2007 by bodatcha
Re: Busking
My other favorite is when a highland piper takes up shop across the street from you.
# Posted on October 30th 2007 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Busking
bodatcha, we do agree, its not technical skill that matters in this situation, though youd need some to play the instrument, but 'size' of sound I cant really explain.
But i will quote you on this;
>>music is about joy and energy and positive vibe<<
Yeah silver spear, i can relate to that, but its the 1 or2 piece south american pan pipe acts with a PA, playing their CD , loud, and standing round selling the Cd that annoy me!
Any busker setting up too close to another is looking for a problem.
The other point id like to mention is be considerate, to the best of your ability. Dont dominate one good pitch all day, share.
I allways look for a closed shop front as my first choice of pitch, you wont be in anyone s way there.
# Posted on October 30th 2007 by piobagusfidil
Re: Busking
"Two people is more fun, but I don't believe it more than doubles the take!"
It depends. Sometimes you could end up splitting two ways the same amount that you would have earned alone. Sometimes, if the chemistry is right, it could quadruple the takings. I've done quite a lot of solo busking, and generally had fairly modest takings. On several occasions when I have joined forces with other buskers, the takings have definitely been multiplied by more than the number of players. But I don't think there is a direct relationship between the takings and the number of players, all though that probably plays a part. I think has more to do with the power of music you produce, whether there is one or 21 of you. If you can play great music on your own, then pairing up with a mediocre musician might well be a hindrance to your playing and thus lessen the overall quality of the music, so any potential increase in takings due the increase in numbers is counteracted by the relative drop in takings die to the drop in quality of the music. I am aware, of course, that I am putting this in very simplistic terms - the actually quality of the music (albeit subjective) is probably quite a small factor in inciting people to drop money in your case.
For the record, by highest single drop was on New Year's Eve 2006 in Viseu, Portugal. A man stood listening for a couple ofg minutes and droped in some loose change, then disappeared into a bank, came out again and dropped a white envelope in my case. On opening it, I found it contained 40 euros.
# Posted on October 30th 2007 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: Busking
"SIze" of sound. Not quite the same as loudness. I'd suggest it equates more with "projection".
A not-very-loud sound of the right sort of quality (good signal-noise ratio) can project more than something that's louder. It may be something to do with some sorts of sound have a high percentage of higher-frequency noise in them which makes them sound loud close-up; but that noise doesn't travel so the overall sound isn't as loud as you'd expect some distance away.
# Posted on October 30th 2007 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Busking
Apologies to jig - didnt really read his post carefully enough - yep 'size of sound' is key - and yes lazyhound some frequencies project better than others. I think jig is driving at something else, which I would agree is "projection" but is also influenced by the busker's "presence" on the street.
# Posted on October 30th 2007 by bodatcha
Re: Busking
well said bodatcha, presence, An intangible concept, but that is what i am talking about.
Yes lazy, your point is very relevant, but not really what i was getting at with 'size', but , now you mention it, that is one aspect of 'size', along with projection, presence and i would add 'warmth' or fullness of sound.I think this comes, to some extent, from the combining of tones overtones etc, if your control of the instrument allows it to vibrate fully and freely the sound will be much fuller and stronger,
You need to find an acoustic space that complements your instrument. Different instruments have different volumes and' as lazy points out, frequency's.
There's no point playing your heart out if no one can hear you! well as far as earning goes
# Posted on October 30th 2007 by piobagusfidil
Re: Busking
Haven't done it for 25 years or so (except the odd spontaneous "assist" to a street busker, like bodatcha's Galician pipers)
but the basics seem the same
busking with a partner helps keep your spirits up - it's not just about the sound
It goes without saying that standing is about 500 times better than sitting in most cases - yet you still see buskers sitting strumming aimlessly
tunes are good but songs are better (if you can sing)
our best pitch was a big suburban food market
the traders had their special requests which we would go home and learn for the following week and they would commend us to the customers queuing at their stalls
# Posted on October 31st 2007 by Bren
Re: Busking
Your own mental attitude is really important - a friend used to busk classical violin pieces, and he said on a day when he hadn't got his attitude right before he started he made noticeably less money.
# Posted on November 1st 2007 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Busking
Interesting, Guernsey Pete. I've always suspected the right attitude is important but have never seen anyone refer to "measurable" evidence of the effect of not having the right attitude - ie less money in the pot!
# Posted on November 1st 2007 by Mark Harmer
Re: Busking
PS are there certain types of shopkeeper who complain more than others? I vaguely remember hearing someone say that Jewellery shop owners tended to be particularly upset by buskers...
# Posted on November 1st 2007 by Mark Harmer
Re: Busking
Id have thought it would depend more on the personality of the shopowner more than the type of shop they work in. Hard to belive though it is i guess not everyone loves the sound of a fiddle. Madness...
# Posted on November 1st 2007 by novicefiddler
Re: Busking
Make sure you have a Euro account - I got as much Euro as English currency.
# Posted on November 4th 2007 by geoffwright