JustFuya
445 posts
Aug 31, 2014
8:07 PM
|
I brought a couple of harps to a car show yesterday figuring I'd busk if I felt like doing so. I was pretty sure I did but it wasn't an obligation. One of my neighbors had invited me to hang with him and his wife while he showed his customized Ford hot rod. I played a few tunes and he requested Low-Ri-Duh on the flute I didn't have with me. He was so insistent that I walked the 4 blocks home, in 100 degree weather, to please us both.
And then I played. I was basically busking but I had other friends about so if it got uncomfortable for me I had another neighbor who was showing a '48 Fleetline and I knew that vehicle very well. I helped slam that beast and figgered I could cozy thereabouts if I needed a plush and comfy back seat.
But none of this has anything to do with the reason for my post.
I have busked and have been graciously invited to join in with other street musicians. What I experienced yesterday was not mind bending or life changing but it was a reminder of something I had forgotten.
Regardless of motivation, if you do not have a hat out there it can be frustrating for people who want to show their appreciation. I went there to schmooze, play some music if I felt like it and look at some crazy nice cars. It turned into more than that. I borrowed a fedora and made $38.27. That's not money. That's tribute from people who believe that their smiles and applause are not enough. Bless 'em all.
In leaner times I would have had props and looked more pathetic. Just sayin'. But I had a blast.
|
BronzeWailer
1421 posts
Aug 31, 2014
9:54 PM
|
Thanks for sharing that, JustFuya. I am not generally a hat wearer because they tend to look silly on my blockish noggin. I have a hat in the back of the car for going to the beach but when I busk I usually use a melamine bowl. You have a good suggestion. I will take a hat next time I am just out playing.
BronzeWailer's YouTube
|
jbone
1749 posts
Aug 31, 2014
10:10 PM
|
We busk when we get the chance- not too hot or cold, halfway decent traffic. We do about 2 hours usually and our take is less than yours JFY. But mainly we use the opportunity to keep honing skills, working songs into total natural sync, and for that undefinable goodness of seeing people check us out, or the kids go crazy in their strollers, or the octogenarians stroll by with a pep in the step to some Jimmy Reed, Little Walter, or an original.
Some of our first public playing was busking and we have come so far as a duo in recent years.
Possible next step for us will be wireless with a Four Square card reader so folks can buy a cd or tip with plastic. Somewhere up the road.
For now we're just going with whatever the winds of fortune bring us. We have a couple of pretty cool dates coming up, busking and also being a part of a gospel outdoor tip deal with several other acts, about 20 miles away. Any time we want we can set up in front of one guy's vintage storefront and it's sometimes a very happening spot.
It's partly about the money. Nice to sort of break even. Sometimes! It's more about turning on a new generation to some possibility. A real instrument or two and a voice and who needs electronics?
----------
http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa7La7yYYeE
|
JustFuya
447 posts
Aug 31, 2014
11:34 PM
|
I've had leaner times, believe me. I've begged and hustled to pay for what I 'needed' when I was younger.
But this busk brought back the memory of standing in a queue on a St. Patrick's day during a time when I was gainfully employed non-musically. I brought some fellow workers to a pub in SF where I had family connection. I was invited inside but my 5 friends were stuck in line and my pull didn't include strangers. I was tolerated but they certainly had no desire for more than one of my ilk.
I couldn't leave my buddies outside so I stood in line with them and broke out my harp. I blew off attempts to accept pay for my play and some actually got aggressive about it and shoved money in my shirt pocket. I simply wanted to entertain but a bulb lit up and I borrowed a cap. I love a good fight but fighting off people who want to give you money is ridiculous.
We finally made it into the pub and it was classical Irish music. I respect the music and have no 'bones' about that but it's not my taste. We left almost as soon as we made entry but I'll never forget the wait.
Last Edited by JustFuya on Sep 01, 2014 11:21 AM
|
MN
336 posts
Sep 01, 2014
4:27 AM
|
JustFuya wrote: "I borrowed a fedora and made $38.27. That's not money. That's tribute from people who believe that their smiles and applause are not enough. Bless 'em all."
======================
Nice observation. And very nicely put.
|
SuperBee
2182 posts
Sep 01, 2014
2:14 PM
|
.27 hey? You still have pennies in the states then? We're down to 5c as the smallest denomination, and there is rumbling about getting rid of those...you get em in change but seldom pay for anything with them...personally I like them, but only because of the echidna. I don't like getting them in my hat.
My mate who is a professional street performer...does a sword swallowing and contortion act...tells his crowd 'if you only have silver, that's fine, you need it more than me'.
|
JustFuya
449 posts
Sep 01, 2014
4:08 PM
|
We still do pennies here but whenever I get them (or any change) I add them to a collection. I hate to be the one that will hold up a line while I dig around for the exact amount. You are way ahead of us. (Down under?)
There were some bills in the hat but the contents were mostly pocket remnants that included what I call bar dollars. Crumpled bills and lint.
There was one five dollar bill but I have no idea who tossed it in there. Probably for the best. Had I noticed I would have stopped the music, given them a hug and then tried to hang with them to more fully understand generosity.
I still have one coin that I set aside from the pub busk in SF. It is Irish (eire), dated 1966, penny colored and a little over an inch in diameter. The value is 1d(?). I used to carry it as a good luck charm. I had so much bad luck during the following years that I lost faith in charms but tho I still treasure the coin I don't carry it or ascribe special powers to it. I have it in hand as I write this only because it has a place in the knick-knack drawer of my desk
I have been told by natives of the country that the coin is obsolete and has no cash value. I beg to differ with the obsolete aspect but I have to go along with the cash evaluation. It's simply a priceless treasure to me.
|
Frank
5200 posts
Sep 02, 2014
4:56 AM
|
looks these guys set up shop in hospital :)
|
BronzeWailer
1424 posts
Sep 02, 2014
5:23 AM
|
Nice! I have thought of playing in an old folks home but some of the songs might not strike the right chord....
BronzeWailer's YouTube
|
BronzeWailer
1425 posts
Sep 02, 2014
5:27 AM
|
Some young guys stopped by last Friday when we were busking, grabbed a card and asked if we did parties. Sure!
I gave them our hourly rate and half expected never to hear again but they emailed me today so we are doing a house party next Saturday night.
BronzeWailer's YouTube
|
Frank
5203 posts
Sep 02, 2014
7:36 AM
|
Here is a youngin with a hat :)
Last Edited by Frank on Sep 02, 2014 8:04 AM
|
BronzeWailer
1426 posts
Sep 02, 2014
1:50 PM
|
You found me Frank! I thought my secret was safe on the internet....
BronzeWailer's YouTube
|
Frank
5207 posts
Sep 03, 2014
5:53 AM
|
Eric...Here is a new trick to get a coin in the hat :)
|
BronzeWailer
1430 posts
Sep 03, 2014
2:29 PM
|
Frank, the only contortions safe given my age and physical condition are in the realm of logic...
Cheers,
Eric
BronzeWailer's YouTube
|
