in researching information for the lee oskar thread, i came across this quote.
Is it true you started out playing the streets of New York?
I did try. You had to be aggressive at pan handling. I put my hat out and played. Some people make a living at it, but it’s not something I made a profession out of. If I had courage enough, I’d do it on the street, but my goals were different
i somehow find it amusing that everyone insists that when playing on the streets, they call that busking. to me it is just a polite word for panhandling. but it seems people are afraid of that word. even the spell checker does not recognize the word busking.
i think of busking as a European word, and here is someone from that part of the world who chose the other word, panhandle.....i guess i am easily amused.
I'm in NYC and yeah, many "buskers" are really more like panhandlers. But, there is a large sanctioned street music here with some very fantastic entertainers.
Myself, I play in parks mostly. I dont put out a hat because it somehow stresses me out too much. But, often people attempt to give me money and they say, "hey get a hat" as the fumble with the bill looking for a place to stick it. So, in a sense, I feel I'm not fulfilling my end of the experience. People seem to want to play a familiar roll with a complete conclusion.
Im pretty sure some people think I'm pa handling. Once some foreigner gave me some pizza. It was fancy type. When he saw me happily gobble it up, is says I'll go get you more. He comes back with two pies "to share with your friends". Lol, as if I had a hobo camp over somewhere.
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Last Edited by JInx on Sep 12, 2016 9:51 AM
There really is a difference, though, between panhandling ("Any spare change?") and busking (doing something entertaining, with an open guitar case or whatever available in case people want to show their appreciation).
I agree with Frank about the difference between busking and panhandling, although in many jurisdictions, the law makes no distinction. I play in public places a lot and like Jinx, I don't put out a hat. My interaction with the public has been very positive. I have had people walk up and give me money, but on the whole, I think I have handed out more cash to folks in need than I have collected. There are people who seem to think I am playing because I am broke, I have had people offer to buy my lunch and I get the sense it was out of charity rather than musical appreciation. There are also those who express an honest appreciation for my music. I have had several people tell me they have never heard a harmonica played as well as I play it. (they must not have access to much music, but I appreciate the complement!) I have also gotten a couple of gigs from people who heard me playing in parks or shopping centers. This has been posted before but ti does show some of what Jinx is talking about about the value of street performers and the difference between busking and panhandling.
I'v always wanted to give it a go but most on my guitar playing buddies turn there nose up at the idea. I think it would be fun. I have sat on a park bench or a fishing hole and played for anyone who cared to listen. Met some cool folks but never did the hat thing. I don't think of it the same as panhandleing though. I think of it more as a musicale whore. You provide a service in exchange for cash.
"Street performance or busking is the act of performing in public places for gratuities, though "busking" is particularly associated with singing or playing music. In many countries the rewards are generally in the form of money but other gratuities such as food, drink or gifts may be given."
"Begging or panhandling is the practice of imploring others to grant a favor, often a gift of money, with little or no expectation of reciprocation."
Anyway, I have spent hundreds of happy hours busking or pandhandling with musical accompaniment. It helps defray the cost of buying harps and gear, so I'm surprised more harp players don't do it.
I have been given bottles of wine, champagne, bourbon and cola, beer, a tiny bottle of Bailey's (airplane drink size), CDs from musos with no money (surprise surprise) an unidentified white pill (which I tossed out), and 1/3 of a bottle of Jack Daniel's which I gave to a guy who befriended me on the street.
Busking regulations vary from council to council in Oz. I have been paying $45 p.a. for a licence from the City of Sydney.
I always have something noteworthy happen while busking, usually good. It makes getting up and performing wherever a comparative cinch, so I never have stage fright now.
"Panhandle Pete blew, plucked, picked, elbowed and kicked his way into Haywood County (North Carolina) musical history as a one-man band carrying around his 104-pound instruments that were strapped onto his body.
I think, like everything, there is a continuum. There are probably signifiers that point out who is doing what. It runs maybe from 'begging' to 'drum circle' to 'busking'. If you've got gear beyond just an instrument I think most people probably realize you are an entertainer.
It's funny, I've argued, in the past, against the aesthetic of dressing up 'sharp' for a show. I was more of a grunge kid. The aesthetic was to look like you woke up like this- but still somehow look good. The look my heroes were going for was sort of 'anti-style'. I still might lean that way if I was doing a gig- you are on stage, people know why you are there- but busking I'd be more inclined to dress up a bit specifically to let people know I wasn't panhandling- that I wanted their money if they liked what I was doing, but wasn't looking for a hand out to help with my poverty ridden state.
I think any time you perform in front of other people you are learning skills you won't learn playing in the woodshed. Busking is sort of like a practice ground for honing your set for set pay gigs. I don't put out my hat when I play in the park, but mostly because I usually am not playing a set. I feel you need a few polished songs you are going to do in a rotation if you are going to put out the hat, and most of my 'finished' songs were arranged for a full band.
Nate u never thought of it that way. Makes me want to grab my little DA5 and set up shop.
"I think any time you perform in front of other people you are learning skills you won't learn playing in the woodshed. Busking is sort of like a practice ground for honing your set for set pay gigs."
EDIT: Sorry Nate .. I meant I never thought of it that way. Not U. Stupid phone. That happens all the time.
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Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Sep 15, 2016 5:39 AM
I have friend who spent some time travelling around Europe with a cheap guitar. He would busk and make enough in a day for a meal, a couple of beers and a night in a hostel, eventually saving up enough for a train ticket to the next town. Once he got mugged and his guitar stolen, at which point he begged (panhandled) to get enough to buy another guitar and start over.
He had this to say about the distinction between begging and busking:
If you're begging, take all of your money out of your hat.
If you're busking, leave it all in there.
Why? Begging works on pity, so look as poor as you can. Busking works on appreciation, and it seems to work best if people feel other people are appreciating the same thing.
I always dress up at least a little (and often go full suit and tie) when busking, partly not to be taken as a beggar. I have had a drunk woman yelling into her phone that she was hanging out with a couple of homeless guys when we were wearing jeans and run-of-the-mill shirts and then been called a "solicitor" ("You blokes look like you don't need the money,") thrown at me when suited up. It's part of the Investment Buskers shtick though.
Nice point, BT. I always "seed" the tip basket with a $5 bill, a $2 coin and $1 coin, and clear out the takings at the end of the session.
Last year at the big farmers' market here we had set up in front of a friendly vendor and halfway through our hour-plus set we heard the vendor say to a helper- "They are PRACTICING!" Which is true. What you have is an open air rehearsal venue.
If you want to learn dynamics I recommend you get out and learn the limitations of the reeds in your harp, your voice, etc. You may learn quickly how to use low volume as an attraction and how important for your instruments' longevity, that you don't blow the grout off the walls.
WE like to break even when playing like that, anything else is gravy. But money or whatever is just part of it. Seeing people respond even when they don't know they are, that's pretty cool. And the kids, before what I call the "age of shame", will just boogie down if they like what they hear. It's an infectious validation of a shared joy.
I'd starve to death if it was my only income so there must be a higher reason to do it. As above.
I was standing in a long queue w/ buddies outside a SF pub when I pulled a harp out of my shirt pocket and played. A well meaning fella offered a few bills which I politely declined. "I'm just waiting like all of us." He then jammed the bills in my aforementioned pocket causing a ruckus.
I agree that donating is a necessary element for some folks in order to complete their experience. I had no sympathy for this guy since he ripped my shirt as we neared the completion of his experience. After things calmed down one of my group proffered his cap. We made enough to cover a couple of rounds even at inflated St. Patrick's Day prices. There's nothing like a crowd of drunks with money.
I would like a replacement for the word 'busking'. Too aggressive.
Edit: to add one word.
Last Edited by JustFuya on Sep 19, 2016 7:31 AM
Was at Balboa park today while my son was rehearsing with the Youth Symphony. I had a 93 year old who is confined to a wheel chair with me, but that did not stop me from playing a little harp on a park bench. After playing a slow blues, I had a young man come up and say. "you play very well, the sounds you got out of that harmonica were amazing". I played an uptempo shuffle that got 3 young women walking by to dancing. One of them pulled out here cellphone and recorded me as she danced up to me. It's not just about the tips!
Last Edited by STME58 on Sep 18, 2016 12:41 AM
what a powerful video, here is someone who has lost his job. it "begs" the question, what did he do for a living? he seems well educated, however he speaks broken english. was he in the symphony, perhaps a professor? it shows how what we do for a living can define who we are. this surely blurs the line between panhandling and what we politely like to call busking. this person is desperate, he feels shame, how did "I" get here? did he lose his job because they cannot fund the philharmonic? was it a health issue that wasn't covered by insurance?
i would call this blues violin, some powerful emotions at work here.
i am beginning to be inspired to bring my harp out to do a little begging myself. perhaps i could pay for my lunch if i find the right location. ---------- .
