My roomate and I (who happens to play Irish guitar) decided to go busking down at Huntington Beach Pier last Saturday. First, the white skin Gods have cursed me and I neglected to bring sunscreen which inexorably leads to me shaking my angry fist at them as they laugh at the crazy red faced guy (no its not from anger). That aside, we both didn’t have much to do on a Saturday and were tired of paying for beer out of our pocket. So a few hours on the pier playing many traditional songs along with several other Billy Bragg songs and we supplied our habit for the week. A short trip to Beverages and More and we are set for the week. I must say I had a great time (the sunburn aside) and it was great practice.
I realized that playing in the wind really screws up playing the whistle and flute. I had to block the wind with my body to even get a note out…things I would never have thought about before I actually went. Also, I will bring water next time…and sunscreen.
we routinely busk at the local outdoor market in town. This is “high class” busking, because they actually set up a tent and have electricity, and schedule “acts”. But we are still playing for filling the old case (in our situation, we went to using a nice, woven basket) and any tapes we sell or students we can talk into taking lessons. We’ve also gotten a few PAYING jobs because of it.
If you want to have your playing lead to other things - have some business cards with you for people to contact you. As I said, we sell our CD’s, so I have those in another nice basket, with tune listing and price, and a bag for the money, so people can “help themselves” while we are playing. We’re usually playing mountain dulcimer (although we have whistles, bodhrans, etc. with us), so I found (on eBay) shirts that say “Mountain Dulcimer” and a definition, so we don’t have to stop playing when someone asks “What’s that?”.
Water is good. A seat or stool is good. Pen and paper is good (in case you need to copy a phone number or contact).
Oh - and always “seed” your case or whatever with a couple of dollar bills. Seems that no one wants to be the “first” - but they’ll gladly add to what is there.
Of course, Cincinnati doesn’t “quite” have the whole idea of busking down yet. Some days we do VERY well, others we’re lucky if we get lunch (cheap).
Missy is right. Always put some coins in the case first,the rest comes naturally to people passing by.
I spent many happy hours busking in Dublin in my youth, and many the American girl I met,not to mention a few European types as well. Jesus,there was even a few Irish Girls I met but they would not be seen dead with a Busker.
Enjoy every minute of it, and as my dear departed Mother used to say"Keep up with your book learnin’ as well".
