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"Busker's Corner"
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BronzeWailer
666 posts
Jun 29, 2012
7:32 AM
Nice story, Mr S&S. Many times I have been busking or playing and people come up and say something nice. This ittle instrument definitely builds bridges.
Miles Dewar
1297 posts
Jun 29, 2012
12:43 PM
Great stuff BronzeWailer! Please keep them coming!

Seriously. Post all you have.
BronzeWailer
668 posts
Jun 30, 2012
4:42 PM
@Miles. You asked for it...
I have a lot of busking footage. Too much, probably. Here's one from the archives (pre XMAS last year). My playing ain't great, and it's using my crappy 520DX mic, but a couple of interesting and illustrative things happen.

CarlA
53 posts
Jun 30, 2012
6:30 PM
LMAO!!! "turn it down, everyone's complaining".
Five seconds later money is showering down. Lol

I think the only person complaining was the barman because everyone was outside listening to you rather than inside drinking-lol!
Steamrollin Stan
464 posts
Jun 30, 2012
10:55 PM
I would have made the barman give me 20 bucks to go away, then move to some posh joint and do the same thing, another 20, move to the next posh joint, etc, etc,...for a hundred i'll keep away for...mmm...3 weeks, and do it all over.
BronzeWailer
669 posts
Jul 01, 2012
12:13 AM
A guy once gave me $20 to move a block down the street.
These barman should be paying us. Another pub I play across the street from is always trying to move us along. Even though his customers sometimes think we are playing in the pub (they've told me) and throw money at us from the balcony. One guy came over and gave us $15 and said how much did we want to play in the pub. Too bad he was just a customer...
SuperBee
355 posts
Jul 01, 2012
6:48 PM
@BW. What do you know about Gonna Ball? I know this from Jim's book, but I've never heard a performance before yours above. Presumably it's on a record, but all I've found so far is the Stray Cats, which I think is somewhat different. Interesting progression Matthew is playing here on bars 7 & 8. I need to listen a few more times to properly hear what he's doing. I think there's a quick IV as well, but maybe not every time?
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BronzeWailer
671 posts
Jul 01, 2012
8:24 PM
@SuperBee. The only version of Gonna Ball I have ever heard is from Jim's book too. He told me it was from a solo Ron King from the Foreday Riders did. I had a look on YouTube for it once and didn't find anything. As for Matthew's geetar, sorry I am a musical ignoramus - just play by ear - so can't shed any light there...

Last Edited by on Jul 01, 2012 9:02 PM
SuperBee
357 posts
Jul 01, 2012
9:14 PM
Look for Robert Jr Lockwood, we're gonna ball tonight. There is no harmonica but the guitar rhythm is very suggestive of the basic rhythm you play and I'd say it's the inspiration.
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BronzeWailer
672 posts
Jul 01, 2012
10:50 PM
Thanks SuperBee. I'll check it out! :)
SuperBee
363 posts
Jul 01, 2012
11:39 PM
Oh, and speaking of Ron King and the Foreday Riders, I'd love to find some of their recordings. I think they made a couple of albums but they must be scarce. I expect if they are anywhere it would be in Sydney
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BronzeWailer
674 posts
Jul 02, 2012
12:07 AM
I'll keep my eyes out. They are playing this weekend, I think.
Gig74
118 posts
Jul 04, 2012
8:50 AM
Well I finally bit the bullet and did some busking for the first time.

I went up to Dundee, Scotland for the Blues festival there. I thought it would be the best place to give it a go for the first time being I thought there would be more people appreciative of the blues kicking about. I intended to just give it a shot on the Saturday for an hour, before going to see some bands. It took me about four trips up and down the main street before I finally got the bottle to set up and start playing.

I've got to say it went well and after a few tunes it was less nervy and more fun, even got a few children coming up with parents and dancing, which was nice. I enjoyed it so much I went out on the Sunday to give it another go, only did an hour again as had bands to go and see but all in all a good experience. and the hourly rate wasn't to bad either. I'd recommend giving it a go if your trying to get up the courage.

Cheers
Greg
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Living the dream and learning the blues one little trouble at a time.
Steamrollin Stan
470 posts
Jul 04, 2012
11:57 AM
@Gig74, did you have a small amp or anything?
Miles Dewar
1309 posts
Jul 04, 2012
12:25 PM
@Gig74,

Wonderful! It sounds like a familiar experience. If the people are dancing, then you know you are doing it right.
Gig74
119 posts
Jul 04, 2012
3:09 PM
@ Stan I did indeed, I had a vox mini 3, set to just a little delay to give my sound a little bit of a boost. I also had some backing tracks on my ipod which I used for a few songs which I could also play through the amp.

@ Miles, thanks. I really enjoyed it, it gives quite a buzz so I'm sure I'll be out on the street again before too long.

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Living the dream and learning the blues one little trouble at a time.
BronzeWailer
683 posts
Jul 04, 2012
4:02 PM
@Gig74

Well done! Sounds like you will be doing it again soon.
But did you know busking has been scientifically* proven to be habit-forming due to the following:
you make people dance
pretty girls may smile at you, give you money etc.
you can practice without sending family members insane, and maybe get some coin for a new harp
you meet new people
you meet old friends by accident, sometimes after many years
playing music is fun

*depends what you mean by science

I myself get antsy if I haven't been busking in a week.

All you others thinking about doing it, get out there! The people need to hear blues music. It's a public service.
SuperBee
367 posts
Jul 04, 2012
6:35 PM
I had a plan but it didn't work out. If I wait for the guy with the guitar it'll never happen, so it's gonna be solo or nothing. I think I'm okay with playing in public; I play a lot while waiting for the bus, or just walking around. But I've never put a tip box down:) anyway, I'm a little freaked out by the prospect of dealing with requests but I think I probably have enough material otherwise. I was talking about it with one of my band mates the other night. I guess if I get requests I'll find out what to learn. I have a pignose I guess I could rig with my delay. Hadn't thought about backing tracks, but I guess that could also run through the pig if I just used a y splitter? That seems a bit formal though. Better work on that list and try a few things out at home I guess.
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BronzeWailer
684 posts
Jul 04, 2012
6:55 PM
@SuperBee

Requests are relatively few in my (relatively new, just over a year) experience. When I first busked I could only play -- bits of -- about 10-12 songs.
When I go solo I usually do without backing tracks because I want to develop my timing etc., but they can be a big help. ow I have enough material that I cna play for at least two hours without repeating.
With nerves I just tell myself "I am the busker. This is my space, the busker's space, and I'm going to bring some music to you."
I used to have to Emcee a conference with a couple of hundred people and an internal voice would say "Why will they listen to me?"
Answer "Coz I'm the guy standing at the front with the mic." It's about adpting a persona -- for me anyway.
That's my two bits worth. Do it!
Steamrollin Stan
472 posts
Jul 05, 2012
12:53 AM
@Gig, gotta get one of those amps, i have heaps of backtracks from harmonicajam.com and need to get my fat arse out there. Need to get a permit thing from the local fun police tho.
BronzeWailer
692 posts
Jul 08, 2012
5:52 AM
Another vid of busking on King Street Sydney with my mate Matthew from a couple of months ago. The main reason I like this one is the enthusiastic toddler bopping along.



Keen to see what you other peeps are doing on the streets...
grahamonica
34 posts
Jul 08, 2012
11:24 AM
@Gig74...wiz that you I saw in Dundee in front of the shopping centre on Sun playin along
to sonny boy williamsons Help me ?
Good on ye if it was.
Was a great weekend !!
Miles Dewar
1328 posts
Jul 08, 2012
10:35 PM
"Investment Buskers" ;)

....It might just be me but this video doesn't seem to be loading. Anyone else get it to work? I can see the title just fine. It has to be my iPod.

Last Edited by on Jul 08, 2012 10:36 PM
Steamrollin Stan
475 posts
Jul 09, 2012
1:17 AM
@bronze, kids are funny eh?
@miles, it works fine on me laptop.
BronzeWailer
699 posts
Jul 09, 2012
2:19 AM
Stan, kids under the age of two or so are confused by the harp. Then they discover dancing...
BronzeWailer
740 posts
Jul 29, 2012
4:28 AM
Did the "World's Largest Busk" attempt again today. (We broke the record last year). Made a lot of noise and new friends -- including ladies who did some dance busking and came along to join us and a bloke who played with us for a few tunes...

You who are thinking about busking -- look what you may be missing.

Rubes
555 posts
Jul 29, 2012
6:02 AM
I'll have what she's havin'......!

Seriously, great work Bronzie..good vibe..
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One of Rubes's bands, DadsinSpace-MySpace
Old Man Rubes at Reverbnation
Steamrollin Stan
499 posts
Jul 29, 2012
7:53 AM
Wheee Haa!!!!!!...great work!! Wonder what would have happened if you slid in a few bars of "the stripper" to see what would eventuate?

Last Edited by on Jul 29, 2012 7:55 AM
lumpy wafflesquirt
602 posts
Jul 29, 2012
10:48 AM
I took a harp to the subway in Hereford the other day. I didn't put a hat down but played for about 15 minutes, just to see if I could and what the reaction would be. I think one or two people might have been looking for a hat and I could see that some seemed to walk along the far side of the subway to either try and get away from the noise or to avoid 'the hat'. Must do some more sometime. :^)
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"Come on Brackett let's get changed"
BronzeWailer
741 posts
Jul 29, 2012
2:39 PM
Thanks Rubes and Stan.
@Lumpy, good on you for doing it. It takes guts. Don't give up. Commuters are often in a hurry by definition. It might also be the location. I play one tunnel where I get a steady stream of tips from the steady stream of people. There's another I have tried; exactly the same tunes, and got four miserly tips in an hour. I was feeling totally disheartened. I was thinking dark blue thoughts and started playing my saddest song and a guy came up and said, "That's exactly how I'm feeling. I don't have enough money to pay what you're worth, but thanks." Sometimes that's thnaks enough. You never know who's listening.
BTW my head is too big for a hat.
I have a red square melamine basket I use for tips. Red so it is visible, and square so people can throw money at it and it will bounce off the walls and down. I put a cloth shoe bag in the bottom so the coins don't bounce out which I use to carry the loot in after. And I always seed it with a $5 note (our smallest denomination) and a $2 gold coin. Since I started putting the fiver in the seed money I have only failed once to get at least one...
Have fun!
Aussiesucker
1171 posts
Jul 29, 2012
6:45 PM
BronzeWailer that looked like great fun. Would love to busk with you as you really know what you are doing.
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HARPOLDIEā€™S YOUTUBE
BronzeWailer
746 posts
Jul 29, 2012
10:46 PM
Thanks for the kind words Aussie! Luck of the draw plays a big part too I think -- although I am out doing it 2-3x/week...
BronzeWailer
776 posts
Aug 17, 2012
2:40 PM
From yesterday. Just down the road from the Reserve Bank in Sydney.

Gig74
123 posts
Aug 17, 2012
3:21 PM
@ grahamonica

Sorry for late response, but yes that was me doing my best not to murder Sonny Boy :o)

It was a good spot on the Sunday, very chilled.

Cheers
Greg.
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Living the dream and learning the blues one little trouble at a time.
Miles Dewar
1393 posts
Aug 18, 2012
8:53 AM
I hate to say it but, she's got the moves like Jagger. Nice stuff, that World Record would have been a blast.
BronzeWailer
777 posts
Aug 18, 2012
2:07 PM
@Miles. Found out she's mainly an actor. I turned on the TV on Monday and there she was playing a gangster's daughter... (Underbelly Badness for all you Aussies)
BronzeWailer
837 posts
Jan 02, 2013
2:20 PM
Happy New Year!

This busking thread has been dormant so I thought I would give it a bump.
A bit of action from yesterday.


Where are all you other guys and gals? I would be very interested to see how and what you play out busking? Anyhow, greetings from Down Under...
BronzeWailer
838 posts
Jan 03, 2013
12:58 PM
@Stan. And this was 1pm on a Wednesday! Old guy with him asked if we had a "steam train" song. We have three, so we played him a "train set". Another woman came up and was holding her phone up saying "The Investmen Buskers" are playing. She said she was afraid we had got jobs because she hadn't seen us for a whiel. Good times...
SuperBee
816 posts
Jan 12, 2013
3:51 PM
Finally lost my busking virginity! Woohoo!
After taking expenses and sharing with the guitar man, (and a bass for 1 session) I netted about $80 (personally)from a total take of around $200.
We put in pretty long hours for that, probably 8 hours in 4 sessions, but I'm not disappointed. I could have made more $ mowing lawns but I think I probably had more fun playing these songs on the street.



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kudzurunner
3796 posts
Jan 12, 2013
6:54 PM
Jesus, $80 isn't bad, although an 8 hour day is a long day. Congratulations, in any case. You have now planted your feet firmly on the Dark Side. The rest of your life will be anti-climactic. This was the big move.

"All you REALLY need to do," a new acquaintance once told me, "Is breed and die. All the rest is conversation." But he left out busking.

Breed, busk, and die. Or--ideally--busk, breed (she noticed you because you were blowing harp), and die (not yet!!). :)
SuperBee
817 posts
Jan 12, 2013
9:37 PM
Cheers Kudzu. Hey yeah. It FEELS like it was important.. Much different to being a sideman in a band. So immediate, direct, accountable...
I feel like I learned a heck of a lot.
2/3 of that dough came in half the time. The first session was in a bad spot, and the last session was 10 -1130 pm, we had a grooving crowd for a while but the drunks were about and money had been spent, then a brawl broke out and scared the nice folk away...and I had to split 3 ways on that session. I put in the hours though, because the bassman is my mate and puts in for me...but it was not a high return session...someone gave us each a can of beer though.
I actually brought home $120 but I had fuel costs and the guitar player drank all the bourbon...so you know...nett return.
I only need to do about 50 more festivals without buying more gear and I'll be in the black!
Now I'm thinking how I can do this as OMB.
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SuperBee
818 posts
Jan 12, 2013
9:47 PM
Oh, and...
A huge THANK YOU to everyone on this thread for inspiration, especially Kudzurunner, without whom I doubt I'd have ever considered doing it, let alone for all the info you've shared, and also BW for just keeping this thing on the bubble and showing your videos here. but also everyone who shared their stories. I'm pretty sure that was THE best performance experience I've had.
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BronzeWailer
847 posts
Jan 13, 2013
2:16 AM
Well done SuperBee! I bet you had a blast.
You sure meet all types out on the street. Last week, for instance. We had a guy who'd had his voice box removed (I think that's what happened) and wanted to jam with us. He had a bandage over his throat and a small metal electronic tube thingy through which he pressed against his throat to talk. I cranked up my vocal mic to max and let him at it but he coudln't get enough volume. He said 'thank you' anyway and disappeared into the night.
I am addicted to busking now and get itchy if I haven't been out for a week.
Look forward to seeing your videos!
Steamrollin Stan
681 posts
Jan 13, 2013
3:43 AM
One day i'm gonna get out and just bloody well do it!!!...(perfomance phobia)...so i've been told.
Miles Dewar
1443 posts
Jan 14, 2013
12:57 PM
Congratulations SuperBee, that is a hell of a take! I hope you make this a regular thing (except for the grueling hours!).
BronzeWailer
921 posts
Mar 28, 2013
2:59 PM
The Investment Buskers returned yesterday after a two-month absence due to scheduling issues, illnesses and dare I say, interference from having day/night jobs.
It started off very slowly. Only two tips (one from a regular) in the first hour. Not helped by having worthy causes - the Surf Life Savers and a charity sausage sizzle - right next to our spot.
Things picked up a bit later and we got a half-decent take in the end ($35 each for two hours), thanks to a few folding tips.
The highlight was a lady buying us some ice-cold bottles of water from the supermarket and putting them in the tip basket. It was a hot day, over 30 degrees Celsius, and it hit the spot perfectly.
Yesterday's songs:
Guilty, Nine Below Zero, It Takes a Train, Tied to the Whipping Post, Dust My Broom, Four Till Late, Gonna Ball, Work Song, Getting Off at Redfern, Folsom Prison Blues, Princess and the Garbage Man, Hoochie Coochie Man, Got to Move, Where My Baby Used to Lay, Addition to Blues, Don't Play Guitar Boy, Foxy Lady, Rising Up to Heaven, Crossroads, Kansas City, Boom Boom Boom Boom, Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights), Key to the Highway, Clever Woman Blues, I'm a Man/Jean Genie, Sloppy Drunk, Help Me, Hound Dog. Might have done a few more but that's all I remember.


My YouTube
Rubes
679 posts
Mar 28, 2013
7:50 PM
Nice one Eric! Good to hear you're back on the street!
My mate Benny and I went in the busking comp for the Central Coast Country Music Festival a coupla' weeks back, scored a not so good spot away from the main action, but netted $80 between us (four hours or so) which kept us smiling. :~}
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One of Rubes's bands, DadsinSpace-MySpace
Old Man Rubes at Reverbnation
BronzeWailer
923 posts
Mar 29, 2013
3:41 AM
Good one Paul! Glad to hear you are out and about. It's nice just being out there, especially with a mate. And sometime, just looking at the view can be reward enough...


My YouTube
BronzeWailer
949 posts
Apr 12, 2013
3:49 PM
Did the solo busking thing again last night. Highlight was a young couple slow dancing while I sang Trouble So Hard. They came up after and said thank you. So it wasn't just my fevered imagination. Strangely satisfying and gratifying...


My YouTube
STME58
418 posts
Apr 13, 2013
11:37 PM
I haven't put a hat out yet so I am not really busking, just playing in public. I have been stopping by a shopping mall in the mornings that has a corridor with great acoustics. When I get there they have not turned the Muszak on, but there are a few people about. I have had two people approach me with the same comment, "I heard you and thought it was coming over the loudspeaker, I thought the mall had decided to play good music for a change." I must be doing something right.

Playing were people can hear you certainly changes the dynamic from practicing in your own private space.


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