Jagrowler
102 posts
Apr 07, 2014
3:30 PM
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Ok guys, been very low profile for a while, but thought I'd share an incident with you.
Forced into a shopping expedition last Sunday with the family, only to be sent my own way while wife and daughter concentrated on there purchases. Came across an old fella busking as a 'one-man-band' (vocals/ electric guitar/ tremolo harp/ bass drum/ foot tamborine). He was truly awful - never actually finished a song (simply ground to a halt laughing), made mistakes every few bars, timing all over the place. No technique and no polish anywhere to be seen or heard. His rendition of some very well known songs were baffling.
However, he looked the part with his battered set-up and was continually smiling or laughing. And, his hat (actually his guitar case!) was full!
So, what do we all think? - is 'personality' the most important attribute for the budding busker? On second thoughts, is it mainly down to confidence?
Looking forward to your opinions, Jag
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STME58
736 posts
Apr 07, 2014
3:34 PM
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In the busking documentary "On Every Corner" it was mentioned that panhandlers generally make more than buskers. No documentation on this, just an observation by a busker. This was Philadelphia. I wonder if this is a regional thing.
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tookatooka
3645 posts
Apr 07, 2014
4:02 PM
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Jim Rumbaugh
976 posts
Apr 07, 2014
5:48 PM
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I'll re=word something I've said in the past.
You can be a good musician and not entertaining.
You can be entertaining and not a good musician.
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theharmonicaclub.com (of Huntington, WV)
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eharp
2144 posts
Apr 07, 2014
8:03 PM
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I have seen some great musicians on the corner busking.
They know lots of songs and are truly good at playing their music.
But they have no rapport with the crowd.
Then there is the guy that plays a duct taped guitar with 4 strings.
But, even though his music isn't as tight, he sure looks like he is always having fun. And the crowd seems to be having fun, too.
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JustFuya
55 posts
Apr 07, 2014
11:04 PM
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Smiles are contagious. Even sympathy dollars are legal tender.
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STME58
739 posts
Apr 08, 2014
10:33 AM
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This morning was rather ironic with respect to this thread and busking vs. panhandling. I was playing ( not busking, just using the space to practice) in a nearly empty mall where I frequently practice because the acoustics are good. A woman heard me playing an excerpt from Dvorak's New World Symphony and stopped to tell me how beautiful she thought it sounded and handed me some change. As I was leaving the mall I was approached by a person who said he had just been released from the hospital and needed 60 cents more for bus fare home. I gave him the change.
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BronzeWailer
1252 posts
Apr 08, 2014
2:00 PM
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Nice story, STME58. I have personally witnessed a world-class player busking in a busy area and only one person stopped to listen. I thus feel in good company when I get ignored too. My mantra when busking (and being ignored) is that it is "character building."
BronzeWailer's YouTube
Last Edited by BronzeWailer on Apr 08, 2014 2:02 PM
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nacoran
7680 posts
Apr 08, 2014
4:11 PM
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I was sitting on my car one say in the park and a lady came walking by towards her car. I was playing what I thought was decent blues. I wasn't busking, just playing, but it irked me a little that she didn't even make eye contact. I looked at her bumper stickers and made a snap judgement. I started playing the little bit of the Masterpiece Theater theme I knew. She'd already gotten into the car. She stuck her head out and said, "Masterpiece Theater?" I smiled. She smiled back approvingly.
There are all sorts of things besides musical proficiency that go into getting an audience response. :)
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Nate
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STME58
741 posts
Apr 08, 2014
11:03 PM
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Choosing an appropriate tune makes a difference. I have had people stat to dance to "If I only had a brain" and sing along to "Over the Rainbow". IF I see a kid wearing a Pokemon shirt I play the Pokemon Center theme from the game. I am trying to learn an array of topical tunes like this than I can break into when I see an obvious clue. The right tune at the right time can work well even if the musicianship is a bit off.
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eharp
2146 posts
Apr 09, 2014
5:05 AM
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A friend of mine has learned several college fight songs.
This is a good way to get a crowd to gather.
Of course, someone needs to be wearing a college shirt or you need to be busking in a college town, especially during a football game.
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nacoran
7684 posts
Apr 09, 2014
12:55 PM
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I've never learned the whole riff, but for those of us of a certain age, just starting to play the Star Wars theme is a call to attention.
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Nate
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