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Double Bass Busking tips

Tonysuarezbass

Tonysuarezbass

Nov 23, 2015
67
87
26
Hudson County New Jersey
#1
I'm going to the NYC today to do some busking to make some extra $ to send my new double bass into a shop. I'll be taking this bass alone to the subways.
I have a few classical pieces to play, as well as some standards. I was thinking I'd play the melody, a chorus of playing the changes, a few choruses of solos (maybe mixing in the changes with them) and the head out
Any tips?
What to do/ what not to do?
 
#4
bassmastan said:
Bass+Subway=Bad Idea... Very humid down there today. People walking around may bump into it. Subway stench may never leave the instrument. Subway rats looking for a new nest.
Click to expand...

Not really. I mean, I wouldn't take the Panormo, but neither would I wear the Hope diamond. But it's been done for decades, there's some guy who sounds nice who shows up at Grand Central every once in awhile with a nice American Standard, duo with a guitarist.

If you aren't part of the MTA Music Under Ground series, cops can chase you. But they usually leave you alone if you're 1. not being a jerk or 2. not interfering with someone else's commerce. If it's not raining, you might do better out on the streets. Pick a place near a tourist spot or where office workers escape for lunch, prepare to play two long sets (lunch is 11:30 to around 4 and rush can be 4:30 to 7PM), be respectful of performers who got there before you and stay out of their sound "neighborhood", keep your eyes on the money.
 
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#7
Tonysuarezbass said:
I'm going to the NYC today to do some busking to make some extra $ to send my new double bass into a shop. I'll be taking this bass alone to the subways.
I have a few classical pieces to play, as well as some standards. I was thinking I'd play the melody, a chorus of playing the changes, a few choruses of solos (maybe mixing in the changes with them) and the head out
Any tips?
What to do/ what not to do?
Click to expand...

Joshua Bell made $32.17 in 43 minutes in DC.

Link Removed
 
#8
"His parents, both psychologists, decided formal training might be a good idea after they saw that their son had strung rubber bands across his dresser drawers and was replicating classical tunes by ear, moving drawers in and out to vary the pitch."

Great quote!
 

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