Street Performance and You.

[mimicry]

My friend and I have decided that this summer we are going to busk on the streets of Baltimore. It was originally my idea because I love playing the violin, and as much as I love sitting around and playing to my heart's content, I like performing for people more. Taking it to streetcorners seemed like a natural progression.

We are trying to put together our act. Currently it is me on the violin with my friend singing and playing the tambourine. We've figured out a few songs and have more on the way. We also have other tricks up our sleeves for when we run out of songs we can play and sing together, but I will not mention them for brevity's sake.

What I really expect, besides people ignoring us, is for people to call out requests. My taste in music is... out-of-touch from most people's so I cannot anticipate them.

Basically, if you were going to request songs from a busker, what would they be?


Sorry for being long-winded.

[karatepop]

If I had a haaaammer, I'd a' hammer in the moooorning..

I'm probably more out of touch than you, but I'd love to hear that with just a violin and a tambourine.

There's a guy around here who busks with his violin.. dressed as Darth Vader. I don't think he takes requests, though.

[hark]

I suggest
-cover Oasis. That's what one of the guys does here and he makes a bloody fortune.
-do the occasional 'ironic' pop/R&B cover - may I suggest Don't Cha by PCD?

[stentorsrevenge]

i'll busk with you. i live about an hour from baltimore! i'll find a way to bring my microkorg. haha

[youwantthis]

I once gave someone 50p.
He was doing a very bad cover of Oasis, but he was buff so you know. It helps.

[obeseguy]

I always get asked to play Stairway To Heaven. All. The. Fucking. Time.

That would work well on violin though, if you can stomach learning it. To be fair, I used to like it.

Also learn Hallelujah (Jeff Buckley).

I do a neat version of Pure Morning by Placebo (you know, 'a friend in need's a friend indeed, a friend with weed is better'), but in 3/4 timing so it sounds like a sweet waltz type tune. I get old ladies dancing to it, and I like to imagine what they'd say if they heard the lyrics.

Definitely have some sort of long impro bit to hand. Say around a certain chord structure or something, that you can play ad infinitum with minimal effort yet sounds good and together.

Other stuff to consider:

You're not there to take requests, you're there to play your music. Requests are a nice bonus, but it can start to feel demeaning if you're just playing on-demand.

Make songs last as long as you can. It's completely different from a gig, 99% of people are only passing through, they hear at best a 2 minute snippet of what you have. Make it easier on yourself. Don't stop for too long between songs if you can help it.

Never trust children. They steal your money. I'm not joking. Always keep an eye on kids when they're near your takings. I have so many awful stories about kids, it's depressing.

Make sure you're ok with shopkeepers if you decide to play near their shops. Stay in one place for about 2 hours maximum so as not to make yourself a nusiance. You get yourself a long way by being polite. Not a pushover. If you'd like to play outside a shop and the shopkeeper isn't entirely convinced, say you'll be there an hour and a half and then you'll move on, that sort of thing. This might seem a bit like effort, but it's good to have people on your side, they're less likely to call the police to move you on and if you're extra nice they'll get you a cup of tea occasionally.

I know you didn't ask for advice, but I hope it might be useful .

Jx

[mimicry]

You all are great. Thanks a bunch, obeseguy (Jess, is it?) all the advice is appreciated! I should have thought of Stairway, thanks for reminding me.

I can definitely improv for as long as I have to.

if I have any further questions, I know who I'm coming to.

[fabbit]

i will come see you.
play near the aquarium! i love the aquarium!

[youwantthis]

Come to Derby. 50p on offer.

[Clare]

omgz1one said:

-cover Oasis. That's what one of the guys does here and he makes a bloody fortune.

I fucking hate the Oasis guy.

[birdwhistle]

There's an Oasis guy everywhere. And an "Everybody Hurts" guy everywhere. Just the way the cookie crumbles.

[fabbit]

AH! have you ever been to quebec city? they have the BEST street musicians there.
there was this one guy, who was like spray painted gold or something. or green? i dont remember.

[Xteenuh]

There was this dude called "The Beatle" at the ice cream place near the beach where I live. He basically sang a bunch of Beatles songs. He hasn't been there for a few years, though. I kinda miss him.

One of my life-long goals is to (seriously) be a street performer. Even if it's only for one day. I just need to find something I can actually perform...

[hark]

Oh man, it's totally easy. there's this really old guy here that just puts down his bowler hat and tap dances a little bit (he's really bad) and sings quietly to himself. I feel quite sorry for him.

[Mellifluous Poetry]

Does he get any money?

[hark]

Pity pennies, probably!

[Lauren]

I love the ironic pop song idea. Final Fantasy's version of Fantasy is so great.

I vote for Mmmbop (however it's spelled) because people seem to love reminiscing about the 90s.

[sanssouci]

omgz1one said:

Oh man, it's totally easy. there's this really old guy here that just puts down his bowler hat and tap dances a little bit (he's really bad) and sings quietly to himself. I feel quite sorry for him.

I swear every time I go to Glasgow I only ever encounter bagpipers... my favourite was standing outside Lauders reduced to smoking a cigarette outside because of the ban, when a piper started playing... y'know... that famous Scottish song... it was very much WELCOME TO SCOTLAND! I swear I must have LONDON tattooed on my forehead whenever I'm there.

anyway... busking, genius idea, I read somewhere about an actor busking outside the Globe theatre in London reciting Shakespeare monologues. that is the sort of busking I would love to do. you should record yourselves. yes do it! also you should maybe get some medleys and Britney into your busking sets I'd recommend listening to Kiki and Herb for genius ideas for medleys... my favourite is Suicide Is Painless, Smells Like Teen Spirit and Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer. inspired!

[mimicry]

I think the next thing we're doing is sea shanties. Also, we can both belly dance, but as I'm the one with the instrument, she is going to be the one dancing as I improv.

We discussed Oasis, and came to the conclusion that we'd rather do Blur.