mac1012
46 posts
May 23, 2014
8:53 AM
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so just wondering of street performers out there i would like some feed back in how you perform.
such things as blues or songs in straight harp ? or both ?
and for blues do you use backing tracks of songs or just amp and a rhythm /beat ? be interested how you set up and what works for you
Also if you play straight melodys whether you use tracks , rhytm etc
i have decided on a amp which is the vox mini 5 rhythm need to sort a mic yet
but not sure whether to use tracks or just harp and a rhythm etc
be good to find out what works for you
mark
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BronzeWailer
1281 posts
May 23, 2014
11:33 PM
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Hi Mark
I prefer to busk with a guitarist, but when one isn’t available I tend not to use backing tracks. Nothing against them, but I am trying to work on my timing, groove, etc. 90% plus is blues. I will try to sing on at least half of them. Sometimes I just sing a capella as well, as I am working on my singing. Sometimes I will go somewhere with good acoustics and steady traffic (tunnel near train station) with about half a dozen harps and no amp. Other times I will take my rig: bulky solid state amp (Roland BA 330), Shure 58 and Blows-Me-Away mics, and Lone Wolf harp tone plus pedal and got to a busy street. Material is a combination, including my versions of kudzurunner’s Sonny Terry, Goin’ Down South and John Lee Hooker groove, and Back the Same Day, Amazing Grace, Trouble in Mind, Trouble so Hard, Key to the Highway, Gettin’ out of Town, Grinnin’ in Your Face, Evan’s Shuffle, Shortnin’ Bread, Got to Move, Hoochie Coochie Man, Dust My Broom, When the Saints, the old boogie woogie, originals, stuff I have learned from lessons, and anything I might be working on. I recently got a stompbox which I am learning to use. I will play Jingle Bells around XMAS.
Check out this thread for more info
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/774123.htm
Cheers,
Eric
BronzeWailer's YouTube
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slackwater
55 posts
May 24, 2014
12:16 AM
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The only busking I've done is outdoor markets sort of thing. You get a position like any other market stall but usually don't have to pay a sight fee because the people running the markets accept that you're giving entertainment whether anyone chucks some money in your can or not.
With a guitarist and, I've got one of those stomp percussion things with a high impedance 1/4 out, just to put some bottom and a little rhythm into things.
We mix it up with blues and our particular version of country, 60's Brit invasion stuff and some of our own stuff, anything. If we hit on something that seems to go over well in a certain place we do it again a little later- the thing is your audience keeps moving, so if you play it again in 20 minutes, you're playing it to different people...except the other stall holders around you. In fact, the ones that those stall holders dig and ask for again get a few spins...the ones that make people sort of hang around a little and maybe buy something of them.
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mac1012
47 posts
May 24, 2014
6:38 AM
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thanks for taking your time to reply guys i appreciate it the stomp boxes look really cool and a neat idea i am afraid i have all on keeping time as it is lol not sure if i could operate that while playing the harp maybe one day .....the vox mini 5 rhythm has a ....well rhythm section with diff settings so i will be interested as to how it sounds i have money for amp but not got round to ordering yet as not in a rush because the liitle guitar amp i got and mic are working well for practice.
my repertoire consists of a backing for dust my broom that i just jam along to only basic stuff but my 16 year old daughter was quite impressed when i ran through it , i have a backing track for you got a friend in me that i just sing to and i have a nice backing for a upbeat version of somewhere over the rainbow/ wonderful world by isralie that i part play melody and part improvise so thats my busking list so far !! i not perfect and will be a while before i feel confident to go on street i would like to maybe just do some slow solos with maybe a rhythm beat from the vox on some other songs that way i less chance of making a total hash with a backing track lol
mark
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jbone
1627 posts
May 24, 2014
6:49 AM
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Jawbone and Jolene do all live, mostly un-amplified. Guitar and harp and vocals. Today we're taking the p.a. and little Silvertone 12w amps out and playing at a retro furniture store front for a couple of hours, having our grandson come sit in hopefully on guitar. It'll be a bit electric but still very much roots and blues. Jo will have her Telecaster out and I'll blow harp through either a Shure 585s or a EV m43u dynamic mic, modded by Greg Heumann to be as badass as it can be, which is baaaaaaad. Nice thing about amping is I can use chromatic harp more effectively with a bit of volume boost, as well as diatonics. I'm also bringing the Lone Wolf Harp Delay pedal along for that added depth.
There is a fest going on across the river here so a lot of foot traffic will be out and about.
We do some old classics like John Henry, Love In Vain, This Train, some Jimmy Reed, Little Walter, Cotton, Muddy, Wolf, Big Joe Turner, and mix in a little Dylan, Hank Sr., and the Man in Black as well.
I play in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd positions depending on song and how we've arranged it. This gives a lot of variety so songs are less likely to sound as much the same.
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http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa7La7yYYeE
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Rustydusty
8 posts
May 24, 2014
7:09 AM
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I spent a couple of years busking from Cape Cod to Key West from my sailboat. (A 30' Snapdragon.) A lot of places I played required permits and didn't allow electronic amplification. I played guitar with the harps in a rack. I made more money on the streets than I did in the bars I played in! One thing I found was that certain tunes were "money songs" and always produced tips, and other songs that I thought were good produced nothing. The fact is the audience continually changes and the "money songs" can be played fairly often. Good luck and don't forget to "salt the pot" with a few bucks to get things started!
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jbone
1629 posts
May 24, 2014
8:41 AM
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Rusty, live the dream man. Beautiful!
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http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa7La7yYYeE
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KingoBad
1472 posts
May 24, 2014
11:56 AM
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I agree. You can make lots more money on the street.
The best thing for you to do is just get out there. I feel it is the greatest measuring stick our your talent to play on the street. If they are tossing money in, they like what you are doing. If they don't, they won't. It is simple and honest. You need tough skin if you're going to be a performer anyway.
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Danny
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jbone
1631 posts
May 24, 2014
9:12 PM
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Last night we made $2 and had a blast anyway. Today, same place, we made about $32 and also had a blast.
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http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa7La7yYYeE
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rockmonkeyguitars
88 posts
May 25, 2014
6:06 AM
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If money is what you are after then you should really look at getting a guitar player to play with you. When you add more instruments then you become greater than the sum of your parts. 2 of you working together will get more than double the money either of you would have gotten alone or with a backing track. It's also been my experience that if you play with an backing track you have to play pretty aggressively so that people don't notice the backing track. They like having the space filled, but they want to feel like they are listening to you. We have all heard the pan flute music played to a backing track where we cant tell if the person is actually playing or not. That is not good for business. People have to know exactly what is you and forget about what is in the background.
Other things I've noticed people like
The competent use of a loop pedal. People absolutely love these things especially on the street but only if you use it well. I have had one for nearly 8 years but would never busk with it because I'm simply not good enough at using it. Poor use of a loop pedal will make people run.
Doing 2 things at once. If you can play guitar while you play harp then people love that but only if you do it well, if you do it poorly they will hate you. If you can keep a rhythm with your feet then get yourself a small wooden box and stomp on it while you play or do what Adam does with a bass and tambourine. Or even if you play a riff then sing it people still respond better just playing harp.
2 hole draw bent a whole step for long periods of time that eventually lead into something musical. That distinctive bend makes people look at you so hold it long enough to get people to look then you can vamp chords or play a bluesy or jazzy riff and again people respond well.
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BronzeWailer
1440 posts
Sep 09, 2014
5:33 PM
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I have been thinking about "money songs" as I have been out busking fairly often recently after a bit of a hiatus.
Here are some crowd pleasers/tip bringers, not necessarily all blues but blue-tinged, anyway:
Bring it on Home (referencing Sam Cooke/Sonny & Brownie). I have been doing this solo (a capella with a bit of harp) and in duo context.
Folsom Prison Blues
Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights)
Let Me Explain (SBW II)
9 Below Zero
Crossroads
JL Hooker groove a la kudzurunner lesson
The song may be fast or slow, but as long as the groove is there, people respond.
Bring it on Home was a surprise. I started singing it because I love the song. Apparently lots of other people do too!
Have you been out yet, mac1012?
Anyone else? Any money spinners you'd care to divulge?
BronzeWailer's YouTube
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nacoran
7988 posts
Sep 09, 2014
8:48 PM
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I've never actually thrown down a hat for donations, but I occasionally play harp on the corner or in the park and I find that watching the audience will give you clues. I was sitting on my car's hood once in the park and a lady was walking by not paying me much attention. I noticed, as she was getting into her car, a bumper sticker that suggested she might be more of a PBS Masterpiece Theater sort, so I played a snippet of the theme. She heard it as she was climbing into her car, stopped for a moment and smiled, climbed part way back up and yelled out 'Masterpiece Theater'. She gave me a thumbs up and smiled again before leaving.
If you see someone in the audience with band t-shirt and you happen to know one of their songs, whip it out. If the crowd seems younger, pull out some pop they might know. Crowds seem to love bent notes and wails.
I'll second loop pedal use. I've seen it done well, both at full blown concerts and open mics and they'll wow part of the crowd. Personally, I love watching someone who knows what they are doing use them. (There will always be one or two musical purists though who will complain that it's not music!)
Another trick I learned, in a related field, is you need to seed your tip jar. I briefly went door to door for a non-profit soliciting donations and they taught us to always leave some of the big checks on top of our clipboards where people could see them (this was before identity theft was in the news so much) and you'd see people flip through them to see what their neighbors donated. I remember one door in specific the guy saw what his neighbor donated and made a point of doubling it. People donate what they think is appropriate. You don't want to discourage small donations- they add up- but you really want to show off the big donations. Part of it is peer pressure, part of it is big shots showing off, but it all goes in your pocket at the end of the day (unless you are collecting for charity!) Put some money that folds in the jar before you start and you'll see better results.
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Nate
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STME58
1057 posts
Sep 09, 2014
9:07 PM
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Like Nate, I play out in public a lot but have yet to throw down a hat. It does become obvious if people like something, they dance, sing along or make a comment. Two songs I play that people seem to like are both by Harold Arlen, "If I only had a Brain" and "Over the Rainbow". Folks skip or dance to the first and sing along to the second.
Kids are much more willing to show interest than adults. Playing the "Pokemon" theme when a kid wearing a Pokemon shirt walks by will usually get a reaction. THe "Zelda" series of games has some great music, some of which is quite playable on the harp. I have a couple of those ready in case someone walks by wearing a Zelda shirt.
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BronzeWailer
1441 posts
Sep 10, 2014
2:28 PM
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Hmmm... you play in public, know what people like AND how to play it.
Sounds like you're ready for the fame and riches of busking, Nate and STME58.
BronzeWailer's YouTube
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Ugly Bones Ryan
111 posts
Sep 11, 2014
7:48 AM
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I use a VOX mini as well (not with the beatbox though to pricey). Personally I like to mix it up, one minute I'll play some blues, then something in 12th position, then some Jazz. People get sick of the same 3 chords all the time believe me.
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chopsy
32 posts
Sep 12, 2014
9:21 AM
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Minglewood Blues always lights up the crowd in my experience, gets them dancing and tipping which is the best combo out there
C.C. Rider also goes over well
>>Hmmm... you play in public, know what people like AND how to play it.
that *is* the trick! and since there are a lot of deadheads in my neck of the woods
Deep Elem Blues & Friend of the Devil
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STME58
1060 posts
Sep 12, 2014
7:34 PM
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Typing this from the Hong Kong Airport. Access to MBH has been spotty in China, had access from the factory (where I am supposed to be working, not posting) but not from my hotel.
I was playing in a large plaza near my hotel most every night. It got to where the guards would ask me to play as I walked by (security guards are an appreciative audience as they are usually quite bored). It didn't matter much what I played here. A 6'6" tall guy with a full beard playing harmonica in public gets peoples attention.
I played a bit in a subway escalator well that has a great natural reverb. It was getting to be a bit of a hazard as people would trip at the top of the escalator or nearly try to go down the up as they were watching me. As always, reactions were neutral to positive. Lots of smiles and thumbs up and lots of people pretending I wasn't there. It did not put a hat out in part because I have just not overcome that hurdle yet and in part because it would probably violate the terms of my visa. I did have fun though.
I have nearly learned the Chinese national anthem but I did not learn it well enough to play it in public on this trip. I was concerned that a half-assed rendition might be an affront. Next trip I will be ready.
Last Edited by STME58 on Sep 12, 2014 7:37 PM
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JustFuya
488 posts
Sep 12, 2014
7:40 PM
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I don't busk much at all but I have found that the hat is essential. Seems that many people feel better expressing their pleasure that way.
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BronzeWailer
1447 posts
Sep 13, 2014
12:12 AM
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This is very encouraging, STME58. You are clearly on the busk cusp! Let us know how you go!
I was out last night for the regular three-hour shift. Had a blast as always...
BronzeWailer's YouTube
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oldwailer
2012 posts
Sep 13, 2014
8:55 AM
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I've been following this thread for a while--thought I'd throw in 2 cents. I have done a little busking off and on since back in the 70's. I do it mostly just for the fun of it--but it's also fun to bring home a little money.
This summer has been the best year ever as far as income from busking--I discovered that there are some Farmer's Markets around this area that actually pay for buskers! It's not like I can quit my day job or anything, but with $75 dollars pay plus tips, it can become a nice supplement to income and a great way to justify buying more harps and other gear.
One great money song around here is "America." I stole Keb Mo's version--Keb plays a wonderful version in open D on the guitar--I adapted his blues feel to standard tuning, since I hate re-tuning all the time--and I found it super easy to play on an F Melody Maker harp. I have had people come up, throw in a buck--then thank me for playing it. . .
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"Too Pretty for the Blues."
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STME58
1063 posts
Sep 13, 2014
11:16 AM
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oldwailer, I wonder if busking income is a leading economic indicator. Or an indicator of consumer confidence.
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KingoBad
1533 posts
Sep 13, 2014
11:57 AM
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I find that busking is better and brings in more money around people with less than people with more...
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Danny
Last Edited by KingoBad on Sep 13, 2014 11:58 AM
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oldwailer
2013 posts
Sep 13, 2014
12:56 PM
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@STME58--I have been hoping that's true--there have been some pretty skinny days when the tips are counted in the last few years--I think this year has been much better--at least for me.
@KingoBad--I might want to put that on a t-shirt. Reminds me of when I was a garbage man for a summer job in the mid-60's--the best place to fine neat shit was in the poor neighborhoods. The places I've been playing tend to be pretty blue-collar areas. . .
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"Too Pretty for the Blues."
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JustFuya
489 posts
Sep 13, 2014
1:20 PM
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I like raw acoustic buskers although lightly amplified guitar is OK.
I was invited to sit in with a guy (Daniel Kane) at the Wharf SF and was schooled on the local scene.
He rented his spot which came with an overhead light and an electrical outlet. I had no idea it was so commercial but he made a decent living from his hat and by selling his CDs. He also got some studio work at PBS from a passerby.
When I bartended I found other bartenders to be my best tippers. Where are fellow musicians likely to pass by?
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BronzeWailer
1450 posts
Sep 13, 2014
3:45 PM
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I see it as a bit like fishing. If you are near a steady stream of people the tips are more consistent. A sidewalk that is wide enough that people can pass by without difficulty but not super-wide so they can totally avoid you is best, in my experience.
I have worked the plaza (wide open) in the financial center of town many times and often come away disappointed.
If you go near bohemian centers, near universities, e.g., where people appreciate the arts and aren't focused too much on paying down their 3rd MW, people have more time and tips may be a bit smaller but more consistent.
We scored a 21st birthday part gig last week through busking. Got to play indoors, more than doubled our "pay" and got free beers.
Also got a two-year cafe residency through busking.
BronzeWailer's YouTube
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