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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
U.S. Busking
U.S. Busking
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Hobostubs Ashlock
129 posts
Nov 16, 2009
7:13 PM
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any U.S. busker here? where are some good places to busk in the usa.Whats a good way to get started?any any laws to worry about ect.Any busking info greatly appreaciated.Hobostubs
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LittleJoeSamson
126 posts
Nov 16, 2009
7:40 PM
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Where do you hail from HA?
Don't let 'em push you around. There are federal cases defining the legality of busking.
The defining case was one that ruled begging is protected free speech. Busking is not begging.
There are some rules of etiquette to abide by, though.
You can't be an obstruction, or try to stop people with your body or device. You can't play where a degree of silence is par, such as near a library, school, etc.
Local businesses that feature music can ask you to stop playing/relocate. Obviously, playing on private property without permission is asking for trouble.
Playing overly loud will draw ire, but acoustic harp should not present much problems. I invented a device I call a Buskerdoo that is like a larger sized, but flexible, digeridoo; that amplifies harp...but not too loud.
I was told that I can't put a bucket out, or other receptacle for tips/donations. That's baloney.
You can't demand that people pay you, but if it is their free choice, there is no law to stop you accepting it; despite what some local gendarmes might think.
Maintain comity with fellow buskers. Don't intrude on anothers territory, and always ask to play with an accompanying musician. Some like the opportunity, while others wish to remain solo.
These are basic rules, but there always seem to be those that don't know it.
I carry around copies of the various court rulings, but I visit City Hall and inform them first that I know the law; both as courtesy and also to establish a timeline if later hassled.
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jbone
200 posts
Nov 16, 2009
7:56 PM
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it varies from place to place. you just need to check wherever you're planning to busk. some places are pretty well set against it and consider it trouble. some places consider it panhandling. some places realize the value of live music in their revitalization efforts esp around the art scene. here we have to play just in certain places and at certain times. there's one particular cop who lets us play on a hot spot on the street, other than that we play in front of a cafe in good weather and the big one we do is the big farmers market in downtown little rock during spring through fall. that takes a $25 permit a year but we make it back real quick, usually with the first or maybe second trip down there.
busking is a very cool thing aside from the mythical $$ to be made. frankly we sometimes have made just about gas $$ in a morning of playing, usually 2 hours or so. the real coolness about it for me and Jo is, we reach people from 2 to 102, and get a reaction from all of them. not every person but every age group and economic bracket, someone is always stopping to listen, maybe ask a question or 2, and generally make contact. to us it's definitely a way to share joy and love. may sound corny but it's the real deal!
the other cool thing is, if you're shy or self-conscious at all, this is the way to overcome that. you can basically ignore everything around you and just play, and with time you will notice that, hey, i'm playing, and playing pretty well, and it's in front of people, and it's suddenly ok!
it also can really improve your acoustic delivery. we don't use amps for this, just guitar, harps, and voices. it will teach you a lot about acoustic dynamics, hand tricks, and how to NOT blow out reeds but rather play at a reasonable volume and let folks come to you.
our town here is about to build a big open air farmers market also, and i am planning to get us in there. when my next year's crop of hot peppers come i9n i want to have a booth to sell them and we can sit and play blues for the folks to boot!
a lot of times even if there are ordinances against street playing, if you talk to a cafe owner or store owner, they will be up for the idea of you playing out front because it can draw business in.
the $$ is always hit or miss. one time we'll have dollar bills flurries and the next it'll be up hill all the way. we've learned to not worry about the $$, it comes when it comes, and we just go have a great time.
hope this helped some!
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jbone
201 posts
Nov 16, 2009
7:56 PM
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it varies from place to place. you just need to check wherever you're planning to busk. some places are pretty well set against it and consider it trouble. some places consider it panhandling. some places realize the value of live music in their revitalization efforts esp around the art scene. here we have to play just in certain places and at certain times. there's one particular cop who lets us play on a hot spot on the street, other than that we play in front of a cafe in good weather and the big one we do is the big farmers market in downtown little rock during spring through fall. that takes a $25 permit a year but we make it back real quick, usually with the first or maybe second trip down there.
busking is a very cool thing aside from the mythical $$ to be made. frankly we sometimes have made just about gas $$ in a morning of playing, usually 2 hours or so. the real coolness about it for me and Jo is, we reach people from 2 to 102, and get a reaction from all of them. not every person but every age group and economic bracket, someone is always stopping to listen, maybe ask a question or 2, and generally make contact. to us it's definitely a way to share joy and love. may sound corny but it's the real deal!
the other cool thing is, if you're shy or self-conscious at all, this is the way to overcome that. you can basically ignore everything around you and just play, and with time you will notice that, hey, i'm playing, and playing pretty well, and it's in front of people, and it's suddenly ok!
it also can really improve your acoustic delivery. we don't use amps for this, just guitar, harps, and voices. it will teach you a lot about acoustic dynamics, hand tricks, and how to NOT blow out reeds but rather play at a reasonable volume and let folks come to you.
our town here is about to build a big open air farmers market also, and i am planning to get us in there. when my next year's crop of hot peppers come i9n i want to have a booth to sell them and we can sit and play blues for the folks to boot!
a lot of times even if there are ordinances against street playing, if you talk to a cafe owner or store owner, they will be up for the idea of you playing out front because it can draw business in.
the $$ is always hit or miss. one time we'll have dollar bill flurries and the next it'll be up hill all the way. we've learned to not worry about the $$, it comes when it comes, and we just go have a great time.
hope this helped some!
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Hobostubs Ashlock
131 posts
Nov 16, 2009
8:32 PM
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thanks for the tips i like the idea of the growers market.I have thought about that here in oklahoma,we have a famers market on sat here,and like you said have a few vegitables and play while selling them,good idea,i wont feel so uneasy trying to busk for the 1st time.Has anybody used a small battery amp and stereo with a jamtracks?
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LittleJoeSamson
128 posts
Nov 16, 2009
8:52 PM
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I've used a Roland MicroCube, but I hide it under a jacket so as not to be too conspicuous.
A taped, MP3, iPod, or other canned music is kinda cheating, imho. Busking should be live performance.
I should also add that I have some kind of homemade sign that appears semi-political ( again...protected speech ). The one that gets the most attention is
"SAVE THE WAILS" purposely misspelled.
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nacoran
406 posts
Nov 16, 2009
9:33 PM
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I know it varies from place to place. I think in NYC you need permits, at least down in the subways. Do it somewhere with a lot of foot traffic, not just because there are more people likely to give you cash, but people are less likely to feel threatened. (In cities sometimes 'performers' will come up to you and ask for cash. I actually met a pretty decent street poet that way, but it was still kind of threatening on a dark street.) Think of the noise levels too. If no one can hear you you aren't going to be very effective.
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oldwailer
946 posts
Nov 16, 2009
9:44 PM
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I recently started studying this busking out a bit--I'm planning to do something more than just the occasional outing this next year. I'm even re-building an old Winnebago to go out in.
Anyway, I found an e-book at http://www.buskerworld.com/freereport/?hop=artisanpro It is a bit pricey--but there is a free series of lessons that you can sign upn for to see if you like it before you buy. I liked it a lot--basically 101 tips from a busking pro--mostly about busking in Europe. To me, it seemed to be worth the investment with some good ideas.
To find good places to busk--I haven't found a better source than http://festivalnet.com/index.html --there is a yearly fee to use the full services--but also a free membership that might be good. I got the level 2 one for a year for $59. What they do is list every festival that can be found--who to contact--how to book--etc. There are even a lot of festivals that pay you to busk--I don't know yet how easy it is to get that sort of gig--but it sounds interesting.
These are just things I'm liking right now--don't take this as any kind of affiliation or endorsement. I think I'll know a lot better next summer, after I get some experience on the road. . .
Last Edited by on Nov 16, 2009 9:47 PM
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Buzadero
198 posts
Nov 17, 2009
5:55 AM
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San Francisco is a lot of fun and well recieved.
My Christmas tune nights (about 3 or 4 a year) have been surprisingly profitable.
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~Buzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
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