Busking scam: electric violin

[1bassplayinfool]

 

[Ekulati]

I'm getting my music forums mixed up. Could have sworn we already covered this. But no, it was at thegearpage.net. Many many pages over there.

We have the guy here too.

 

[MikePlaysBass]

It was very obvious watching the video that most of the “violinists” were definitely not in sync at all with what they were supposed to be playing. They weren’t even close, but most people would never catch that.

You occasionally see out of sync playing on music videos when whoever edited it, did it with no regard for syncing the video with the sound or actually tried to and was still off by enough to notice, but those are still musicians who can actually play.

 

[J Posega]

Personally, I'm more upset about billionaires not paying taxes than someone making dozens of dollars pretending to play a violin.

 

[IamGroot]

I lip-synch but only on tuba.

Ask the violinist to play a request.

Why is this more a problem in Texas?

And what about that guy in NYC who plays in his underwear? Shrinkage factor that would make a groundhog envious.

 

[Durham52]

These scams are pretty crappy, but in the scheme of things, not much of a big deal really. I mean they're not scamming pensioners out of their life savings, on running Ponzi schemes, or stuff like that. But create a dog eat dog world and even the dogs on the bottom of the pack will find a way to eat.

I'm sure some of the "homeless" begging and busking are running a small scale con, but I recon a lot more are genuinely people with mental problems, addictions, real disabilities and the like.

I've never seen a busker who looked like they were miming, but if I did, I guess I might smile and shake my head and not give them any money, but if they were toughing it out in the cold, they'd probably get a couple of dollars anyway. Still it's better than them mugging people instead.

 

[Space Pickle]

Buskers miming to recordings?

Kill me now...

wait until you hear about the mimes recording to...busks...

 

[Space Pickle]

I'm here all week, guys.

 

[Count Bassie]

I'm totally okay with it. Lipsynching and air guitar are common at all levels of musicianship. It would be cruel as a society, to be okay with an aging millionaire celebrity playing air-guitar in a superbowl halftime show, but not okay with struggling amateurs at the local level playing air-violin for pocket change.

Given that lipsynching and air-guitar exist, and are standard tools of professional entertainers, I think it is elitist to say, these technologies should be forbidden for local amateurs. I think music-making should be democratic, and the tools should be available to anyone who wants to make a joyful noise. (Even beginners, posers, scrubs, losers, nerds, and geeks.)

Basically, I think it's elitist to say only rich, successful people are allowed to play the Milli Vanilli game.

It's never ok, no matter who you are.

 

[ToneMonkey]

The violinist with Trans-Siberian Orchestra mimes while playing with tracks. The bow is the dead giveaway. Kind of disappointing at that level. She must’ve gotten the job based on looks.

 

[LBS-bass]

running to get the work and compete with other hungry players. It’s a mockery.

It's a strange point for me. We're talking about people who are fake-busking. Are they really stealing work from accomplished players, though? How many concert level violinists do you see out there busking on the street corners? Is that something they want to do?

Honestly, I don't know. When I lived in Philadlelphia, busking was tightly licensed and there were very few of them, who set up week after week in the same locations along South Street. I remember a clarinetist who would set up every weekend. In DC just about anywhere was fair game, but I didn't see any stellar talent out there. In NYC it's probably different.

 

[TonyP-]

Wow...Wear do I begin...Just gross on every level

First off I only learned the term 'busking' like maybe 6 or 7 years ago...I will just say this. I have I don't look up favorably for the artists who do not try to perform in some kind of formal setting. IMHO its one part of being a musician and is part of the industry. Some might disagree with it, but that is ok...That is just how I feel.

Then to fake it...
Just sickening...Just totally sickening.

 

[badinage]

Thread related: "Scam" or not, the fakers are getting common enough nationwide now I think their days of escaping suspicion are numbered.

Semi-thread-related: A friend of mine was busking violin on NYC streets as an 8 year old child, having fled the Bosnian War with his father, who was a violin maker by trade. His fiddling efforts helped earn the money that brought his mother and sister to the USA. He's a bush pilot in Alaska now. Just the coolest busking story I know.

 

[2tonic]

Wow.....Busking with an accordian.
You have made some really poor life choices.

 

[60bass]

At a parking lot by the Harris Teeter supermarket close by where I live here in Charlotte NC, a guy was doing this exact same thing. I noticed him there yesterday Monday the 13th of December. He had a small portable amp and a violin and was playing along with some pre recorded music. I didn't walk over to where he was set up but I was parked close enough to see and hear him. He was in an area of the lot where curious onlookers could easily get to where he was but not in a high traffic area where someone running a scam might be noticed.

 

[Count Bassie]

Live music is great, and on the street for everyone to check out is great too. Not everyone can afford a high priced ticket for a real-deal pro performance, so bringing some musical heart to the people is a cool thing.
But if you're going to get me to watch you be a joke, and try to put the joke on me- who am genuinely interested- I'm going to decide you're insulting me with your hat on the street, beckoning.
FU bro.

 

[Astronaut]

Here is the news story I watched about it:

Wow! I initially thought this whole video was the scam. I honestly didn’t know this could be matter for a news channel. I’m from Europe, we have some pretty bad tv channels here; but the energy those presenters emanate is very scary. I’m really inclined to believe it’s a “second class” channel or some sort of canulard.
Anyway, the part they mention people’s being fooled to give their money to those “scammers” is just unbelievable. Wait; are you telling you want your money back from all the mall Santa’s because they don’t actually have flying sleds and reindeers? Do you really expect them to fit your chimney? Wha’?!
This thread only cements my argument, that, you buskers, must stop doing it. Stop giving music for free. Specially in these times we’re living.
Não há dinheiro; não há palhaços.

 

[IamGroot]

There was that guy who trained his pit bull dog to extinguish camp fires in tip jars. He would let them off the leash.....

 

[mking]

At the high school where I taught, the big yearly assembly was lip syncing. The administration treated it as if it were a great show of talent. I never saw the attraction.

 

[IamGroot]

Bag Pipe scamming....