Double Bass Classically Busking

[Tyler L]

Hope you all are fairing well in 2021! So a friend of mine and I have had the goal to busk classical music. We've busked jazz standards and jazz improv in the past, but I'm finally getting decent enough to play along side him with some more complicated music. He plays guitar. We happened upon the Burgmuller Nocturnes for guitar and cello a while back. They seem fairly easy (I'm by no means professional level, but they're within my means) and I like the acoustic guitar/DB combo for busking. No amps will be used. Also, it should be noted that we're not anticipating making any real money. It's just more for our own enjoyment.

Do you all have any tips or tricks you'd like to offer from your experiences? Odd question, but how about scouting a good location? Historically we've always camped out in front of a coffee shop which sits by a busier highway. It was fine for raucousy jazz busking, but seems like a bad idea for the nocturnes we have selected. The town we're planning on busking in is smaller so and doesn't really have major bus stops, subway stations, etc. Obviously playing outside offers the joys of fighting the elements so we're anticipating that! Also we are still planning on bringing our music and encouraging COVID-friendly social distance for any onlookers via signage.

Hope you all are looking forward to playing to an audience soon! (If you haven't already yet )

 

[Brad_Pearson]

Here in Vancouver outside of liquor stores is a popular busking spot, especially once they reach capacity and folks have to line up outside.

Keep in mind local authorities might break it up if too much of a crowd gathers.

Funny side story:
A good friend of mine, who is an absolute genius financially, found a great busking hack while studying for his bachelor degree. He's a guitar player, studying classical, but also played steel string, electric, sang ect. What he did is he applied with the city (Van used to have this "legal" and "illegal" busking thing pre covid...) and booked a spot right beside where the cruise ships docked (pre covid). He also got a hold of the ships docking schedule and only went on the days and times the boats were in. He said he started off playing and singing stuff he knew, but by the end he was literally learning and sight reading pieces, and making sometimes a couple hundred bucks a day. Hes the only dude Ive ever met who figured out how to get paid to practice!

 

[unbrokenchain]

The ideal spot is an old-style glass storefront with an alcove on a street closed to motor vehicles. Not every town has this, but I bet you can find something similar. Ideally not right in front of the fire station (which anyone who has busked in Asheville knows all about )

 

[buldog5151bass]

I would think you would be better off in a coffee shop or similar place where people are sitting down and relaxing. Especially with COVID, people are not loitering much on the streets.

 

[Tyler L]

Good points being made, but I think that a lot of coffee shops (see: ones that have employees wear masks) have actually put a hold on live music indoors at the time. A friend of mine told me that several places actually chose not to renew their ASCAP & BMI performance licenses for 2021 to save money and because they weren't planning on indoors concerts anyways. That being said, are the general consensus is leaning more toward like a private courtyard direction vs. a sidewalk?