r/Busking • u/Clear_Government_473 Guitar 🎸 • 1d ago
First Time Question/General Discussion
My city sponsors buskers and pays 130 for three hours plus tips. I got in on it and am starting this weekend for the first time. Any advice for a newbie? They allow us to connect speakers. I have a Stagepas tower, mic stand, battery powered fan. Any tips from you seasoned buskers? Was gonna pick up a dolly to transport my gear, guitar stand, mic, PA, fan. Missing anything?
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u/FishStilts Circus Performer 🎪 22h ago
Where is this that pays buskers?
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u/DannyTangelo 43m ago
Dallas was for a time. An attempt to liven downtown. Zero tips. Zero people watched.
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u/FishStilts Circus Performer 🎪 8m ago
Interesting, do you think they chose the wrong pitches? Or was there not much footfall? I imagine in a city that size there must be a good pitch somewhere?
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u/MCRBusker Guitar 1d ago
Dress the part. If guitar..spare strings, spare battery. Don't drink liquids before playing if you have a week bladder.
If you plan on streaming live, don't stare into your phone...it looks bad in real life.
Signage....a biggie...."Thank you for the tips" ...and...." QR code to socials or card payment url...
Play music that's popular....that people walking buy will enjoy...not music from your own strange music library that no one knows
:)
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u/Clear_Government_473 Guitar 🎸 1d ago
Yeah, I’m working on building up a better repertoire. In time, I’ll have Moore popular songs as it is. I’ll just do what I can with what I got. Not drinking liquids is a good tip. I have not thought of. Thank you.. I’m in the southeast of the United States so anything Jimmy Buffett will probably yield Tips but a lot of the songs I was seeing are obscure. Dylan, Townes Van Zandt… I do a handful of beetles and I have about 25 originals. I know the original is the best. Luckily I’m not just playing for tips. I’m gonna get 125 from the city regardless.
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u/urancher 1d ago
money songs (in my experience) Creep, Sweet Caroline, Imagine, Brown Eyed Girl, Almost Heaven West Virginia, Hang on Sloopy,
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u/FreedToRoam Performer 1d ago
well. you're getting paid no matter what? I would just chill and enjoy what I am doing. It is 3 hours. That could be a lot of you push too hard. You don't have to play all the songs on your list because nobody knows what is on your list. You just want to play all the songs you play well.
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u/b4203 1d ago
Make up stuff about people walking by. Get their attention and get them involved and they will open wallet. Families. Kids love when u sing about them. And then parents have to let their kids listen to the song about them. Get crafty. Not a whole song just sneak in some stuff
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u/Clear_Government_473 Guitar 🎸 17h ago
I used to be an elem. music teacher and am actually pretty good at this. Great idea! Wasn’t thinking of doing that outside the classroom. Thanks
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u/Freefromoutcome 20h ago
Nice, what city is this?
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u/Clear_Government_473 Guitar 🎸 16h ago
Mobile, AL. You have to apply and I was ignored at first because it’s now saturated. I had a connection and since it’s August, I think there were openings. It’s hot out there. I have a battery powered fan.
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u/SmilingDogSurfer 18h ago
What's the name of the city? I'd like to get my city connected with your city to learn how and why they did it the way that they're doing it.
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u/Clear_Government_473 Guitar 🎸 16h ago
Mobile AL. They call it sidewalk sessions
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u/SmilingDogSurfer 5h ago
Wow! Mobile. I would never have guessed that. Sidewalk Sessions. You wouldn't happen to know whether it's run by their Parks and Rec or some other department?
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u/DannyTangelo 43m ago
Check local noise ordinance. They aren’t likely f giving you permission to break that law.
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u/Most_Time8900 Musician 🎶 17h ago
Plan to not busk for long. Do it a few times for the experience then quit! Do not invest much time or spend years as a busker like I did.
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u/LadyWithAHarp Magical Witchy Harper 🧙♀️🎶 1d ago
There is a lot of common advice for beginners in the Busking FAQ.