From what I've seen it looks like they like suburban shopping areas. In most of the videos they are in the parking lot of a Marshalls, TJ Maxx, or Target.
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From what I've seen it looks like they like suburban shopping areas. In most of the videos they are in the parking lot of a Marshalls, TJ Maxx, or Target.
I remember trying to talk to one of these guys about the pan flute and asking how hard it was to play etc. It turned out he couldn't even make the thing make a sound. He was just faking it to the CD of somebody else that he was trying to sell. The tasty reverb on his flute and the lack of any microphones should have been a dead give away.
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Oh well, I saw a video the other day of one gang of looters looting another gang of looters !!
At least this guy is providing SOME FORRM of entertainment as opposed to just sitting with a sign.
At least this guy is providing SOME FORRM of entertainment as opposed to just sitting with a sign.
Good point. I ALWAYS enjoy the Devil's advocate position. My first initial response was to be mad and offended as a musician, but at least they are not robbing you with a gun or shoplifting. Now if it is KNOWN to be faking in the name of comedy would be a totally different and acceptable form of entertainment.
That being said, I TOTALLY agree with @iammr2.
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True story: The creator of Milli Vanillia, Frank Farian, is also responsible for Boney M, most famous for the "Mary's Boy Child" earworm we hear on the holiday stations this time of year. A lot of people thought Boney M was a Caribbean group, but they were actually the same German guy as Milli Vanilli, lol.
There used to be a local celebrity in my town...this old dude who people thought to be a blues legend from down south. He carried around a battered guitar and couldn't play a lick. He was a total fraud, musically speaking, but locals loved him anyway because he was friendly and cordial and always thankful for every penny in his bucket. If you relied on outward appearances, you would think he was probably drunk or a drug addict – when in fact he was sober. He was also mentally ill. He didn't need the money – he lived off some sort of pension or assistance. Busking, or whatever you want to call it, is what gave his life meaning and got him through the day.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakey_Jake
I feel like there should be a moral to this story, but I can't quite put my finger on it. Sure, there are scam artists in every walk of life who take advantage of people's generosity. There are also a lot of people who are desperate for whatever reason. Do some "deserve" help more than others? Maybe, but who am I to judge?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakey_Jake
I feel like there should be a moral to this story, but I can't quite put my finger on it. Sure, there are scam artists in every walk of life who take advantage of people's generosity. There are also a lot of people who are desperate for whatever reason. Do some "deserve" help more than others? Maybe, but who am I to judge?
Long ago Einstein played electric violin.
Start at 3:56 if you're in a hurry.
Start at 3:56 if you're in a hurry.
I believe the sociology folks would start a days-long seminar about "the poor" vs. "the deserving poor," and how people are more likely to give $$ to people who seem to be willing to work for it in some way.
I note that I read about this somewhere, long ago. I am not a sociologist, nor do I play one on TV.
Einstein did actually play violin. Its name was Lina and it sold for nearly $500,000 at auction a few years ago. I think he was reasonably accomplished & loved Mozart. I don't think anyone suggested that he quit his day job, however.
It's less aggressive than say porch pirates, which is a big issue in my neck of the woods.
I am positively flummoxed by the notion that someone in this country would intentionally misrepresent their abilities, intentions or products in order to secure a profit. Absolutely flabbergasted.
Funny you mention a busking scam with a violin. Last week here in Jax I saw two women who really didn't look like they needed a dollar panhandling in a Target parking lot. One women had an electric violin that looked to cost more than any of my basses.
Perhaps they travel around. I didn't see a speaker. The bushes blocked my view. I thought it odd.
Here every corner has someone begging for money. About 95% of them are scam artists. The other 5% are sad and needy.
The only time I am okay with lip singing is the save track they use in the Super bowl half time show but the guy who puts that show together said they haven't used it and I know that is for logistic reasons. That is why I will never attend pop concerts.
There was a young girl - maybe not even 12 doing it at the Sprouts supermarket parking lot. She did tune a couple times and she employed many bowing techniques like spizzicato, sul tastu , maybe even some ricochet which is pretty difficult to fake. She was playing some pop and Christmas songs. But then it is next to the intersection where there is a beggar mafia possibly.
There was a young girl - maybe not even 12 doing it at the Sprouts supermarket parking lot. She did tune a couple times and she employed many bowing techniques like spizzicato, sul tastu , maybe even some ricochet which is pretty difficult to fake. She was playing some pop and Christmas songs. But then it is next to the intersection where there is a beggar mafia possibly.
Was this guy in Maryland? I've seen him several times, if so. He'll sometimes be by himself and other times with his family. I whipped out my iPhone and used Shazam to detect what he was playing and Shazam detected it. So, he's faking. Any variances would have thrown off the detection algorithm. Then looking closer at his hands you can see that he's faking it.
I'veen numerous acts with full recorded backup playing fiddle tunes or guitar vocal stuff. Even that seems a bit "fakey" to me. I mean I get it if a solo act is doing cocktail lounges but on the street, nah...
I have a Czech friend who busked with an electric violin he made himself out of a chair leg and a vintage neck. He was hot and could captivate an audience with just his playing.
Of course his waist length silver-gray hair and the fact that he was balancing on a unicycle at the same time helped.
I have a Czech friend who busked with an electric violin he made himself out of a chair leg and a vintage neck. He was hot and could captivate an audience with just his playing.
Of course his waist length silver-gray hair and the fact that he was balancing on a unicycle at the same time helped.
I saw someone pan handling wearing a Canada Goose jacket that are $1200. Posted something online about it and was told that maybe someone gave it to her, right, and that I'm a bad person for coat shaming or whatever it was.
I guess it's still technically performing or at worst panhandling with music. We don't have any federal standards for busking quality. If busking is legal in the area, I say let it be. If shoppers/walkers are entertained and feel inspired to part with their money, no one is getting hurt. It would be funny to set a pro violinist busking across from one of these guys and see what happens.
