10 BUSKING TIPS: What you need to know before you start. 

Well said! 🤘

Lol. Busking is almost exclusively for making money. Sure, if you're good at it you can have some nice experiences and interactions with people. But I would have never gone out there if I knew I wasn't going to make money. I'm now at the point of getting enough gigs not to have to busk, and I don't miss going out there at all. Different strokes...

Hmmm... there's an equilibrium to be found. I thought the 'Have Fun' rule applies here. If you're feeling dead broke or you have a bill you have to pay, and you think to yourself 'I HAVE to get off this spot with [whatever amount of money]' any charm you have as a musician may get blown off by people because there's some angst about you. I busk for a living, but I think I know when to quit and have a day off. You have to spiritually pitch yourself a little outside of the day-to-day financial or emotional problems you might have. If you're doing what you love then the fun element is usually there, despite the more difficult days. But - in the obverse - are you totally aloof to whatever might happen on a busk? No. Which is to say I go busking to make money. If I didn't make enough to feed and shelter myself I'd go and do something else. Is busking better than gigging? Depends on the gig. I've had the occasional small gig where it was no hassle, you get paid fine and whoever employed you is a happy camper. Then I've had people pay me in drinks when I asked for a certain amount of cash, or played to drunk people who essentially told me what to play. I've had gigs where I could've easily made more money on a busk. Sometimes it doesn't matter because the people are cool (busking or gigging) or whatever. Maybe it depends on what you want out of life. I generally prefer busking... but do I like being panhandled five minutes into a spot? Or breaking strings after an hour of off-and-on drizzle? Or playing like a demon for two and half hours, and raising 8 quid or something. Obviously not. Ultimately, though, busking is a spiritual discipline. It exists to allow people to test their skill and devotion to whatever music they might be playing, with or without the interaction of an audience. I like it because it is a very honest, direct thing... often when a lot of things about our world seem not to be of this nature. You try your damnedest to do a certain thing to the best of your ability, and sometimes you are rewarded for this, and sometimes you are not. Well, how you deal with this state of affairs is your own problem, but - in the mean time - you are very viscerally growing spiritually. Perhaps if you had not busked, and done something else to support yourself... that same amount of growth would've taken a hell of a lot longer? That's how I see it anyhoo. And, yes, putting a few coins down for yerself at the start of a busk probably doesn't matter very much. I do it for the old ladies who sometimes don't know where to throw their change, and would otherwise attempt to interrupt a song to do so hehe

So true. I'm manager for a pro violinist busker. All about bringing the love

I've seen people get permission to play at grocery stores in the suburbs where the cars pull in and out, and they make TONS of cash.. Let's say close to 100 cars go in and out per hour, and he gets 1 dollar per 5 cars (which probably is much more in reality) that's 20 dollars an hour, more than double minimum wage for simply playing music. In the case I brought up, it was a man playing his violin, and almost every car stopped to tip him (even I stopped to tip 5 dollars..) He probably made like 90 dollars per hour that day, if not more..

Good on you!! Thanks! Hope it goes well! 😊

How’d it go

I hope it went Well but Also i think you should wait a bit. Dont know how skilled you are at playing/singing but i think you should be Little bit older.

@@inkognitopracholochos it went amazing I have gone a couple times and I made 140 dollars in only 2 hours! I play guitar, ukulele, and I sing I have an amp, a mic, and a music stand for my lyrics

@@inkognitopracholochos I really appreciate the advise I only have ever performed at a small farmers market up the street I also have a small you tube channel its called Stella's music life if you ever wanted to check it out

😂

gee which city

I thought there are more serious crimes to chase!!!!! Actually busking is not a crime ...... Keep going

Haha keep at it and put a hat out! People appreciate live music!

It showed me that music performance is a two way interaction. The listeners want to fulfill their part, with a tip or applause or some “reply”. I also learned that it good to end a piece. The end gives them a chance to clap and conclude the experience. They like that. Sometimes I’ll be playing some one chord boogie woogie thing and forget to let them off the hook.

Amazing! Goodluck with it!! 😊

You're welcome Julia! Glad to help! 😊

No worries Lochie!

Yew! you got this Rick! 🤘

@Rick McKeon I am just getting ready to busk as soon as Toronto opens again on Wednesday. I have never busked before. I am so good to go. Have you done it yet? 🇨🇦❤️

thanks very much!

Definitely. I've seen some buskers out, but I haven't been busking since covid. The other day I bought some hi-vis rope, I was thinking I could use to make a circle around myself. I also considered making a water/bleach solution in a bucket to sanitize donations.. But still haven't gone yet..

tomsoutheymusic Yeah it’s difficult to know what is smart in this climate unfortunately

Play in front of someone you know then ask if they think it sounds good enough to play in front of people. Improve your skill level over time and people will tip more when they're impressed by your skill vs hearing you play simple chords

Absolutely! When I first started I was shitting bricks. Ahaha every time you go your confidence builds. Just do it, and you won't regret it. Mistakes happen.. the truth is that most people actually won't notice. You are your own worst critic! Just brush past it, it's how you improve! Goodluck on your dream mate!!

Thats a good motto to start with. I remember my first time looking out the car window at the crowd. Almost went home without performing. Looked in my rear viewmirror noticed my T shirt, “Just Do It” blazened across my chest. So I just did it!

Tell me more?

Heya mate! That's a good question. I've seen some brilliant drummer buskers. One that springs to mind on RU-vid is "The Bucket Boy". He has a novelty aspect using buckets and he obviously has skills. I also figure maybe those buckets work well because they're not too loud? Compared to a full kit? I think people appreciate all types of music and talent, maybe just start somewhere that had the "least potential complaints" (as in, not many shops or apartments nearby). And see how you go. Try researching other busking drummers on RU-vid and look closely at their equipment and styles! All the best man!

I'm sure there 20+ musicians on your block who would love to go busking with a percussionist!! I've considered paying someone to come out with me, lol. It elevates the music, and there are so few percussionists out there.

I think if you're singing to songs like there's no tomorrow, people will feel that positivity and be more generous. I think it's very important that you get into it and don't just stand there singing nervously because being nervous can really mess me up

Sometimes I think the rules can be abit over the top. The boss S1 is very small in size, and in that way it's a great "small" option. I think if you don't crank it too loud you shouldn't have any issues. The power rating in "Watts" is always abit of a silly measure, realistically they should measure your speaker in dB of actual volume. I'd just use the Bose S1, and turn it down a little if you think you may get complaints or council workers nearby. Maybe even craft a label that says 20watts with a label maker and stick it to the back lol. 🤘

You're welcome goodluck!! Any other q's shoot me a message :)

How did it go??

@P Huang • 🐯 🐯 🐯 Stay home and stop bothering other people ! ( 29 January 2021 )

@@Code_breaker_ haha

@@dorapinkdorapink6212 @ P. Huang 🐯 🐯 🐯 🐯 🐯 Wow, changed your username already ! Here's some free tips for busking : Humiliation. Embarrassment. Being told to get a job. People look down on you. People ignore you. Yeah, sounds like a great gig ! Why doesn't everybody do busking, I wonder ? 2nd February 2021

You don't have to really ask for it, you can just put a jar or case that says "tips" or "donations". You might be surprised how many people want to show their appreciation! 😊 Good luck mate!

I don’t ask for money, I am a magnet. I think abundance. I often stop and talk to those wonderful people who obviously love what I’m doing. I don’t go to a street performance to make money, it happens while I’m having a good time.

Hahaha cheers!!

AER Compact 60, and now for other gigs I use a QSC K10.2

It's true, unfortunately local councils here have the authority to do what they like 😑

They should be in jail for denying personal expression

@@tomsoutheymusic there is something called the first ammendment but for some time it died as far as musicians are concerned at least on east coast!

Yeaah will be fine!

Purchase a foldup stairclimber luggage trolly, put all ya gear on it, Affix ya signage to the back of it. I prefer all acoustic cos I don’t need ten minutes to plug all that shit together. I play slide n blow harmonica. I use the trolly to lug the resonator n cajon. Have fun! I do.

Does inverter also need power supply?

Hey aw nice! I hope things get better in the US soon!! Once things get better people will want to hear your music I'm sure!!

@@tomsoutheymusic nj is not very musician busker friendly AT ALL

Roland Street Cube & Shure SM58 :)

@@tomsoutheymusic thank you! but scared to make the investment, but so know it will get good use and obviously want something that’s good quality 😊

Hey mate! I don't actually have an Eko. I think the guitar you're looking at is my Martin GPC-Aura GT!

Shure SM58 is a very good starter mic! And a Roland Cube Street or (EX) as a speaker.

The Cube Street is now available in a great, new version called Cube Street II (2) - rebranded as Boss rather than Roland. A lot better than the previous model! As for mics, I love my AKG headset condenser mic with a phantom power supply clipped to my belt. No need for a mic stand, then. And faster to break down and carry to the next spot.

hahaha ahh you've got it good on the west coast

Australia is east coast, not west.

I have a double A powered Amp I got on Amazon. Like 2 pounds and can make the electric as loud if not louder than an acoustic along with more variation such as grain and reverb