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Dishonesty sucks no matter who's involved. Just because people that make millions are dishonest doen't lesson the dishonesty of the fake buskers. I won't reward fakers, whether it's a fake violinist, or a fake sign.
I'd rather give to one of the local charities, or the homeless shelter. At least then I know what the money is being used for.
We have a troop of the "homeless" that travel around my area in a motorhome that have been cleaning up locally. Another local "homeless" man was followed to his car, and then to his house by local news. it was ridiculous how much he was making. Especially since he admitted that he was perfectly capable of working.
I'd rather give to one of the local charities, or the homeless shelter. At least then I know what the money is being used for.
We have a troop of the "homeless" that travel around my area in a motorhome that have been cleaning up locally. Another local "homeless" man was followed to his car, and then to his house by local news. it was ridiculous how much he was making. Especially since he admitted that he was perfectly capable of working.
As a former busker in Santa Monica several years ago I have to say that faking it is right out!
The faker does a disservice to those who legitimately play or perform.
We all had to apply for a permit to perform on the 3rd st promenade in downtown Santa Monica. It was well regulated for how many performers could be working at a given time, as well as noise level control.
We, the performers welcomed this as it kept the phonies out and provided a level playing field for all concerned.
People visiting the area enjoyed the variety of performances and it provided a few extra dollars to the artists. If you can't play live then you have no business out there!
The faker does a disservice to those who legitimately play or perform. We all had to apply for a permit to perform on the 3rd st promenade in downtown Santa Monica. It was well regulated for how many performers could be working at a given time, as well as noise level control. We, the performers welcomed this as it kept the phonies out and provided a level playing field for all concerned. People visiting the area enjoyed the variety of performances and it provided a few extra dollars to the artists. If you can't play live then you have no business out there!
Seen it in my area too. It's a free country, caveat emptor. If you can fool me, well, then you have earned it!
A few months back while entering a supermarket I encountered a smooth jazz violinist playing? to backing tracks. He had a sign that indicated he was not a scammer, He merely needed to raise money for his family.
The sound was almost too good & while I didn't have a lot of time to stop & listen I do recall thinking why is this fellow not gigging somewhere? The sound was fantastic!
A stone's throw away was a panhandler perched at their normal spot, at the traffic light just beyond the shopping center.
These folks are there every day, on time & in all types of weather, They can all stand, walk and maybe even make change?
There are countless businesses with Help Wanted signs in the area, Big box stores that offer benefits, I'm thinking instead of money offer the fellow/gal a job application?
i just don't get it?..
The sound was almost too good & while I didn't have a lot of time to stop & listen I do recall thinking why is this fellow not gigging somewhere? The sound was fantastic!
A stone's throw away was a panhandler perched at their normal spot, at the traffic light just beyond the shopping center.
These folks are there every day, on time & in all types of weather, They can all stand, walk and maybe even make change?
There are countless businesses with Help Wanted signs in the area, Big box stores that offer benefits, I'm thinking instead of money offer the fellow/gal a job application?
i just don't get it?..
My wife and I encountered a woman doing the fake violin thing outside of a Whole Foods in Colorado. I do consider it a scam, because it is using deception to get money from people. It is taking cynical advantage of people's goodwill, tricking them into giving under false pretenses. And it also has a detrimental effect on legitimate buskers.
It reminds me of the scam of guys pretending to be Buddhist monks, where they'll grab your hand and slip a cheap bead bracelet on your wrist, then ask for a donation (and sometimes become quite belligerent if you don't comply--I know from personal experience). Like the violinists, they're imposters.
It reminds me of the scam of guys pretending to be Buddhist monks, where they'll grab your hand and slip a cheap bead bracelet on your wrist, then ask for a donation (and sometimes become quite belligerent if you don't comply--I know from personal experience). Like the violinists, they're imposters.
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The world is full of scams and fake everything. The stock market, crypto, news media, government agencies and politicians, and of course the music industry. All based on illusion, deception and image manipulation. Fake buskers can do what they want- it's just another rancid drop in a toxic ocean.
But when I plug in my bass at some bar full of happy revelers, and hit that first big low E that rattles the rafters, that's real baby! LOL...part of why I love it! Playing in a lowly bar band (and not using tracks) may not be much to write home about, but we can be proud that we're part of the real people keepin' it real everyday!
But when I plug in my bass at some bar full of happy revelers, and hit that first big low E that rattles the rafters, that's real baby! LOL...part of why I love it! Playing in a lowly bar band (and not using tracks) may not be much to write home about, but we can be proud that we're part of the real people keepin' it real everyday!
Now I know what to do in my retirement…
A lot of scammers out there, but there are some that are the real deal. An anecdotal story:
From the early 80s to the late 90s there was always a little dude just outside of the Imperial Palace doorway in Las Vegas, he had no arms or legs. We'd stay there every two or three years. A lot of people, me included, would put some money in his metal can when walking in and out. A lot. I never thought much about it.
Then one day after seeing him for probably the fifth or sixth occasion over 12-15 years, about 7PM some guy pulled up in a limo, picked him up and sat him in the back, and they drove away. So the next day I thought I'd sit for a while and chat with him, seemed that nobody else ever did. And he was very talkative, very honest and appreciated someone actually interested in him. I got to hear his story. He said that the hotel didn't mind him being there, it would make actually make guests feel better when they gave, doing something good in sin city; guests that feel good gamble more. And he was always well presented and pleasant, never actually asking for anything. It was "his" spot, so nobody else ever worked it. (Hotel security made sure of that and watched over him!) It turns out that even back then he was bringing in about a hundred fifty grand a year! And the guy that transported him was his employee/caretaker! Plus HE actually organized and gave a LOT to numerous charities around the city to people "that really need it!!" And I heard that from other locals, too.
I still chipped in a couple bucks whenever I saw him for a number of years, I was glad to, and he'd always remember me and smile . So did I. I wonder what ever happened to that guy, hasn't been there in over a decade, hope he did OK as long as he wanted. There are some good ones.
From the early 80s to the late 90s there was always a little dude just outside of the Imperial Palace doorway in Las Vegas, he had no arms or legs. We'd stay there every two or three years. A lot of people, me included, would put some money in his metal can when walking in and out. A lot. I never thought much about it.
Then one day after seeing him for probably the fifth or sixth occasion over 12-15 years, about 7PM some guy pulled up in a limo, picked him up and sat him in the back, and they drove away. So the next day I thought I'd sit for a while and chat with him, seemed that nobody else ever did. And he was very talkative, very honest and appreciated someone actually interested in him. I got to hear his story. He said that the hotel didn't mind him being there, it would make actually make guests feel better when they gave, doing something good in sin city; guests that feel good gamble more. And he was always well presented and pleasant, never actually asking for anything. It was "his" spot, so nobody else ever worked it. (Hotel security made sure of that and watched over him!) It turns out that even back then he was bringing in about a hundred fifty grand a year! And the guy that transported him was his employee/caretaker! Plus HE actually organized and gave a LOT to numerous charities around the city to people "that really need it!!" And I heard that from other locals, too.
I still chipped in a couple bucks whenever I saw him for a number of years, I was glad to, and he'd always remember me and smile . So did I. I wonder what ever happened to that guy, hasn't been there in over a decade, hope he did OK as long as he wanted. There are some good ones.
Dear God, if only our local buskers would use canned music it might be listenable.
John
The crappy thing is that if you were funny enough...you could go make some extra money by representing yourself as the "Worlds best Air guitarist" and mime along to some music. People love that kind of thing if its done right. It would probably net you more money than using a deception tactic.
Or "world's worst" and just stand there and listen to music all day.
A few years ago there was a guy near my office that had a drum set with a sign that said what radio station he was playing along to. I think he did ok. He must have gotten some noise complaints because he switched to bass a few months later.
Aw shucks…. People pretend to play musical instruments and win Grammys these days….
I read a newspaper piece many years ago about a guy in NYC who was making six figures and living in a swank apartment playing classical violin in the street. The interesting part was that he deliberately chose to look rumpled and down on his luck while performing to get more people to toss money into his fiddle case. When asked why he didn't just a normal job in an orchestra somewhere, he said this was way better.
These people are genius.! I'll spend 20hrs practicing during the week, drive 260 miles round trip paying California gas prices ($4.60 gal)in a old car that gets maybe 16mpg, with $10,000 worth of instruments and gear, then play for 4hrs and get paid $100. I give them credit for being smarter than me. 
I busked years ago. Really enjoyed it, freedom. I think a many passerby’s might have preferred that I use that trick of faking it.
I thought I was pretty good, I enjoyed the racket most days. Then one day a pigeon showed his appreciation on my right shoulder. If I recall correctly, that’s about the same time I went back to school.
I thought I was pretty good, I enjoyed the racket most days. Then one day a pigeon showed his appreciation on my right shoulder. If I recall correctly, that’s about the same time I went back to school.
