busking,why i can't?

[AshInAmsterdam]

In the UK people are generally embarrassed by buskers. They cross the street rather than walk past to not give money. It's a strange thing. I once considered doing it, but was intimidated by the way I saw friends and acquaintances react to other, perfectly good, musicians.

It's even worse in London - no one there has time for anyone else....

Still, you have the guts to do it, as you've demonstrated. I say stick with it, learn your place in the system, and get better every time.

 

[danieledanny]

In the UK people are generally embarrassed by buskers. They cross the street rather than walk past to not give money. It's a strange thing. I once considered doing it, but was intimidated by the way I saw friends and acquaintances react to other, perfectly good, musicians.

It's even worse in London - no one there has time for anyone else....

Still, you have the guts to do it, as you've demonstrated. I say stick with it, learn your place in the system, and get better every time.

?i thought in UK was better,too many busker say me that in UK or north europe is better,the most people that put money are the japanese,i think they love busker!

 

[Slapstyle]

If peoples reaction to a bass solo in the pub is any indicator, I'd think that busking on solo bass would be very difficult, unless you were doing some serious full songs, with basslines and harmonies, crazy slap stuff or something that was especially interesting, like setting yourself on fire. Just playing the bassline from an Amy Winehouse tune isn't going to generate any interest. You would definitely be better off singing off key and playing acoustic guitar, and it's easier to carry.

Give them something they haven't seen before.

 

[Dana R Gregory]

For solo bass playing I think you need to learn to play light jazz and new age. You also need to improve your skill which will take a while. Please look for work, busking should be for extra money, not primary income. It is a nice idea but I don't think you can earn enough money right now. Good luck.

 

[Bass'd on a true story]

That video is so depressing to watch. But I also think that he has major presentational issues. He is kind of collapsing in on himself, which is a major turn off. He needs to sit with his shoulders back and his chest out more. He needs to take his hood off and have nothing obscuring his face. He needs to look at the people walking by and at least attempt to smile or look engaging. His playing is also mostly self-indulgent, even if it's good.

I think he also needs to ditch the plastic container. He's dressed too similarly to a homeless person. Busking is NOT begging. People are looking at him like he's a begger. A change of attire and the way he houses his equipment would help him a lot. He also needs to play things that people will recognize. It's harder on bass, but it can still be done.

Look at this guy's performance. This is a great example of what to do. He dresses cleanly, as if he is going to a gig. He plays an arrangement of a very famous pop song, but still displays virtuosity. This kind of performance would be perfect for busking.

 

[bolophonic]

I didn't assume anything. He said as much in his post. He is out of a job and is doing this between a job or as a job. Not sure what you are reading. I have zero comprehension issues. If giving advice that can actually do him good is not PC enough for you, so be it. He posted asking advice. I gave the best advice, in my opinion, that will do him the most good. I don't know your situation but I sure as hell couldn't pay my bills and feed my kids on 30 eu a day. And for the record, you can indeed get a job without spending money. You see, I've done it before. smh.

I don't think it is politically correct to point out that the OP asked for advice on busking, not for a bunch of lectures about how Funky Ghost would properly conduct a job search for himself in Italy.

 

[danieledanny]

If peoples reaction to a bass solo in the pub is any indicator, uoI'd think that busking on solo bass would be very difficult, unless you were doing some serious full songs, with basslines and harmonies, crazy slap stuff or something that was especially interesting, like setting yourself on fire. Just playing the bassline from an Amy Winehouse tune isn't going to generate any interest. You would definitely be better off singing off key and playing acoustic guitar, and it's easier to carry.

Give them something they haven't seen before.

i saw all yours video,ojay bassist!

 

[bolophonic]

If peoples reaction to a bass solo in the pub is any indicator, I'd think that busking on solo bass would be very difficult, unless you were doing some serious full songs, with basslines and harmonies, crazy slap stuff or something that was especially interesting, like setting yourself on fire. Just playing the bassline from an Amy Winehouse tune isn't going to generate any interest. You would definitely be better off singing off key and playing acoustic guitar, and it's easier to carry.

Give them something they haven't seen before.

That video is a perfect example of a busker that I would cross the street to avoid having to interact with. Everything about it is off-putting and pathetic looking.

 

[danieledanny]

i play solo fur elise,stand by me,profondo rosso theme,twin peaks theme,seven nation army,and some jazz lines that i learned,it's good i see people are interesting,i know when i play these somebody pay me often

 

[InnerBass]

I just keep looking for a period.

 

[Remyd]

Busking is fairly easy, but doing it well takes preparation.

(snip amazing list)

I am saying all of this as someone with 1 year of busking as my only job. I had nights where i played 4-5 hours and made less than 10 dollars. I had nights where I played for 2 hours and pocketed nearly 300 dollars. Those are the most solid bits of advice I can give.

+1000 on these. Sage advice for sure!

I get a lot of love with a silly hat and a db (slapping de rigueur), but dancing with drunk college girls doesn't necessarily fill the tip jar. Crowds beget crowds, tips bring tips, it's not music; it's entertainment.

 

[Tuur Geldhof]

hi guys,from 3 month i decided to try busking with my bass,i lost my job so while i'm waiting to get other job or between a job and other i play bass around rome,so now i understand it's hard work,playing hours,move on place to place with all the baggage,bus,metro,to contend with other busker,somebody pleasent people,other no,with the police,of course i get the license you can play 2 hour day in a one place,but it's impossible,we are too much here,often the place are busy so you must change,but the problem is that i don't lear enough,i know well,i'm not a talent,i play from 1 year and some month the bass,i play with musical base,my principal best song are back to black amy winehouse,the passenger,walking on the moon,message in the bottle,love is a losing game,with you or withouth you,nothingh else matter,you don't know i m not good,roxanne,zombie and other 2 3 that i don't remember,easy song i know that bynow i do easily,my best day i done 30 euro and more,but then hours maybe 3 4,maybe i've no enough charisma,maybe my song don't like,but too many people are stopping for hear me,somethingh it's wrong,maybe the bass it's no so good for this,i see who sing with guitar learn much more money,i don't know,i think that i 'll try to change,maybe i'll take an acoustic guitar,i can't sing,very out-key! sometime i'm very downhearted,so i take your council!

Try using a loop pedal, It's awesome for solo playing!

 

[itsalljustaride]

And here's a tip: Get a dancing monkey or at least a cat or ferret on a leash ... people give extra for cute (but then you've got another mouth to feed.)

Or do something like this:

 

[Afc70]

What's the best bass for busking ?
Also, is maple or rosewood better for busking?

 

[bolophonic]

Busking is fairly easy, but doing it well takes preparation.

1. Call people out directly. When people stop to watch you, address them directly. Acknowledge people who give you money immediately.

2. Similar to 1, but do everything that the Internet can't do. Interact with the crowd. Have fun. Move around while you play. There are videos of incredible performers on Youtube. The one thing that Youtube can't give them yet is an interactive experience that puts them in the action

3. Play stuff people know. This is not the time to play originals or King Crimson B-sides. This is the time to play your arrangement of Bruno Mars or Taylor Swift.

4. After every 1-2 songs, pocket any money in your case/cup. People stealing is a real thing. I've also found that the less money I display the more people tend to give me.

5. People will come in waves. On average people will watch you for 1-2 songs max. You don't need a big repetoire. It's much better to have a small repetoire that you know so completely that you kill it every time and can even modify it or play around.

6. Stand out visually. On days where I dress to attract attention, I do way better.

7. Choosing your time and location carefully is the single most important thing you can do. Don't go somewhere with nothing but office buildings at 10am. Go to places with high concentrations of bars at 7-12 at night. Go to museums mid afternoon. Go to areas with lots of tourists. Find a place where people go to have an experience and make yourself an enhancement of that experience.

I am saying all of this as someone with 1 year of busking as my only job. I had nights where i played 4-5 hours and made less than 10 dollars. I had nights where I played for 2 hours and pocketed nearly 300 dollars. Those are the most solid bits of advice I can give.

+1

Anyone who wants to succeed at busking should take a look at real successful busking operations. I always keep an eye out for good busking and I have been refining the idea of throwing down a busk near the farmer's market around here on the weekends. I watched a young dude, maybe 14 or 15 years old, playing some serious fusion on the VIBES in Boulder Colorado and threw like, $10 in the hat immediately. Later, there was a guy grooving out nicely on a couple of congas who got my last three or four dollars. The video with the guy wanking on the bass looked like such a missed opportunity. Imagine if he had been standing up, engaging people as they approached, and generally having fun. Instead, it looked like he was incorporating either a real or feigned "drug addict" theme into his shtick. That all-day, nuisance thing in a place where people are just trying to walk by to get somewhere else simply grosses people out. It's basically panhandling.

I saw a powerful bluegrass combo thumping it out with a washtub bass near an outdoor festival last summer. They were polished and coherent and they just commanded your attention. Another time, I came out of a store in Philadelphia (I think) and there were five old men doing doo-wop on the corner. I almost fell over.

 

[Biggbass]

perhaps you'd be better suited to perform as a living statue-maybe of a famous rock star...
Then you wouldn't have to sing or haul gear.

 

[bolophonic]

perhaps you'd be better suited to perform as a living statue-maybe of a famous rock star...
Then you wouldn't have to sing or haul gear.

This is awesome... You could even just dress up like Jimi Hendrix or Meatloaf every day in real life and watch the bills roll in all day long!

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

+1 to playing songs people recognize.

I only know how to play one song in the piano: The Super Mario theme. And I've added all kinds of unique flourishes to it but the song is still the same. Whenever I find a public piano I play the hell out of that song. People gather around every time and stick around through the whole song, because it's familiar and everyone loves it. Not busking, just playing a song I love

 

[Plutonium244]

Dress, act, and play like this guy: "The King" of State Street, Austin TX.

Not sure if he is still around, but he made good money. Visually entertaining, smiling and engaged with passers-by, played a lot of slap cuz people like that for some reason, sang some. He also took requests, and when he was able to play "Atomic Dog" by George Clinton for me, he got some of my $ for sure.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Solo bass, especially without vocals, is a tough sell unless you are supremely talented. Remember, it's a performance.