Yes, yes, I know.. MORE BUSKING STORIES.. Well, it IS the height of the supposed leaf color season.. The streets in Nashville, INDIANA are packed as early as 11 AM..I'm trying to do two, 1 1/2 hour stints but I may have to just do only one.. My left arm is suffering from all that fiddling.. Anyway, today there was me, a guitar player, another guitar player, two girls with buckets raising funds for charity and the Salvation Army bell ringer.. PLUS, those are just the people who I saw.. There may have been others... During my second stint, the guy who I mentioned a while back who didn't like out of town buskers...well, he walked by, guitar case in hand.. I said, "Hi Dave"... Guess what... he gave me the proverbial FINGER.. and kept walking.. Talk about bitter... Can't wait to see him busking some other day.. I'll say 'Hi, Dave'.. and leave him a tip.... As I may have mentioned in a previous post, he is young enough to be self important and I'm too old to choose to have an enemy..

I've got 3 Canadian quarters for that guitarist's tip jar if I'm ever in that area, Lee.

Jkjk

So, today as I was leaving the busking area I saw Dave busking with his guitar. I stopped and tipped him a buck. "Hi Dave, how's it going?".... He replied, "OK, and you?"... "Yep", I said, "I'm tired and going home."........Sometimes it is best to let people have a bad day.....and in this case, a simple polite comment was probably a simple way of apologizing.. although one wasn't needed....

What is the difference between performing and entertaining?? My busking friend, Roger, asked me that question today..(I'll make a general post topic about it..might get some good conversation going)...
When I was busking today there were several times when crowds of ten or fifteen people would gather to watch me and Harry Hare do our 'thing'... I noticed that there were two things that would keep the crowd enthralled for the longest time and would bring in several tips in close succession.. One was involving passing kids and adults (especially kids) by having Harry wave to them and stare at them.. Passersby love the idea that THEY are the center of Harry's attention.. The second thing and probably the most important is when a little tyke of maybe 3 years old would stand in front of Harry and engage him in conversation fully aware that Harry is actually REAL ... Sometimes these kids will interact for three or four minutes and that interaction pleases the crowds immensely..That is when several people will pull themselves from the masses and put tips in the basket..There is no fiddle playing going on at that time.. The kids and Harry are the act..Realizing this makes my heart grow one size larger..

I'd like to think that the above commentary is about Entertaining and not just performing.. 
SO.. entertaining vs performing... How do you see it?

I have Two cute stories today.. One, a nine year old boy hung out with us for about ten minutes.. He sang, danced and chatted.. then left... Another ten minutes went buy and he returned and said, " I want to tell you something.. I'm sorry that I don't have a dollar to give you." I replied, "Don't worry nobody owes me anything and you certainly don't owe me a dollar." A passerby overheard our conversation ...The passeryby pulled out a dollar from his pocket, handed it to the boy and just said, "Here."...... It was a truly touching moment..for all.

Earlier a young couple, maybe in their mid twenties, came by. The lady said to me, "My boyfriend wants to propose, so would you play something sweet?" To which I replied, "Thanks, but I'm already married".. she laughed and said, "No, Silly, he wants to propose to Me..."... I played, Too Young To Marry.... seemed appropriate.....

Me: Hey, Carl, I'm going to Nashville to busk today.. You're a busker. Wanna go along? I'm leaving at 11:30 sharp !
Carl: Sure. Pick me up.
Me: (11:30) Ready to go Carl?
Carl: Yep..just gotta get my instrument from the truck.
FIVE LONG minutes go by.. Carl gets in my truck.
We drive three blocks... Carl: Hey I think that I might need a jacket.. Can you go back to my house?
Me: Sure. (we go back).
Five miles later:
Carl:..DANG, I forgot my tip bucket..
Me..Use your instrument case.
Carl: It takes up too much room on the walkway.
Me: Use your hat.
Carl: No, I don't want get my hat dirty.
Me: Use MY hat..
Carl:..You really don't want to go back for it do you..
Me: No.
A few miles further..
Carl: Can we stop for coffee?
Me: Where?
Carl: Nah, forget it.. Do you have any water?
Me: No.
A few miles further...
Carl...QUICK, stop at that food truck.
Me...Too late. You should have told me sooner.. we've already passed it and there is no place to turn around.. I'll go up here a little further and turn around, ok?
Carl: . Nah.. lets just wait till we get to Nashville.
Carl: Where do you usually park?
Me: In the free lot on the edge of town. There is a gas station near there and you can get something to eat there.
Carl: OK, but don't drive off and leave me..
Me: I won't.
we get to the gas station and I wait in the car while Carl gets food. Carl returns with Two Loaded hot dogs.
Carl : Dang, they ought to be arrested for sellin' this stuff.. I'm on a diet.
Me..(trying not to laugh)
Carl.. Hey, can you drive me up to the busking area soze I don't have to carry my instrument case so far?
Me: Sure. No problem..
we drive to within ONE block of the designation..
Me: Ok.. you can get out here.
Carl: No, just drive around and wait for someone to get in their and we can get their spot..
Me; NO.. Get out Here !!!
I drive to the free lot and park..upon returning I see that Carl has chosen MY favorite spot in which to busk....Ok..

After busking.. we had home... I get a call...Carl: Hey, I lost my keys somewhere along the way.. Can you drive around your neighborhood and see if you can spot my keys? Me..Sure.....
It is a good thing that I like Carl......

Next time it's Carl's turn to drive.....ought to be a grand adventure for you.

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Originally posted by amwildman

Next time it's Carl's turn to drive.....ought to be a grand adventure for you.

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Yes.. Yes, it is.. Ya cain't make this stuff up...

Well, I've decided that Harry Hare just needs a Busker's license... Here is my first draft of that license.. Any suggestions?
"Be it hereby noted that HARRY HARE (aka Harriet Rabbit), is qualified to be a Street Entertainer, more commonly called a BUSKER... He has earned that right having practiced his skill for countless hours over numerous years..
He is hereby entitled to receive remuneration from passersby in the form of "TIPS" (usually given as freshly printed, crisp, one hundred dollar bills) that are placed in a suitable receptacle such as an instrument case, hat or basket. Furthermore, yada, yada, yada, blah, blah, blah..etc....signed, Elvis....

I would have thought Harry would have been busking for carrots.

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Originally posted by bees

I would have thought Harry would have been busking for carrots.

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Bob, Harry is more savvy than that..Plus, he realizes that a $1 Off Kroger coupon is not the same as A DOLLAR.. 

He is also suspicious of 'BIT COINs..."

You regular readers may have observed that my 'pet peeve' is a person who takes a video and doesn't leave a tip.. I have posted at my busking spot, various signs from time to time that have read:
"No tip, No Video"
"If you make a video, please leave a tip."
"suggested tip for a video---$2"
"Making a Video? Please leave a tip."
OK now.... How would YOU word a sign? In spite of these signs many people still take videos and just walk away..
I don't want to appear passive aggressive..
If I wanted to be passive aggressive, then I'd have a sign that read, "Please don't steal our image.. We are working here.. If you make a video and don't leave a tip.. you are STEALING..." OK.. now I feel better.. Can you tell that this is my pet peeve???

SO... What signage would you recommend? 

There seems to be a pattern but I can't quite put my finger on it.. When I am 'setting up' or 'tearing down' is often when the most interesting things happen.. Today, setting up, four people stood by and watched... stating that one of them had been a 'violinist " for 15 years.. unfortunately, she didn't have any cash to leave as a tip.. although they took two videos...( OK enough about my pet peeve)
Later, after having busked for a full hour and having made only $2....I started putting my puppet away.. it was just then that I realized that there were three people watching intently. It turned out that they had just played for the local contra dance last night and had heard about Harry Hare and me.. We chatted for a LONG time and they left me a $5 tip... I'm sure I'll hook up with them next year at Clifftop because the guy said that he has attended the festival for 20 years.. ..........Life is interesting....

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Originally posted by TuneWeaver

You regular readers may have observed that my 'pet peeve' is a person who takes a video and doesn't leave a tip.. I have posted at my busking spot, various signs from time to time that have read:
"No tip, No Video"
"If you make a video, please leave a tip."
"suggested tip for a video---$2"
"Making a Video? Please leave a tip."
OK now.... How would YOU word a sign? In spite of these signs many people still take videos and just walk away..
I don't want to appear passive aggressive..
If I wanted to be passive aggressive, then I'd have a sign that read, "Please don't steal our image.. We are working here.. If you make a video and don't leave a tip.. you are STEALING..." OK.. now I feel better.. Can you tell that this is my pet peeve???

SO... What signage would you recommend? 

 

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Unfortunately, if those haven't done the trick, nothing will.  You could try harsher signs like 'NO VIDEOS" or 'VIDEOS BY PERMISSION ONLY" but I fear those only give the same vibe as what you've already tried.  If you get any more strict, you might give off the impresison of being unfriendly, and might ultimately drive others away, give yourself a bad reputation, etc.  

IMO, any street performer in a tourist town is generally considered part of the ambience.  People are videoing you because you are part of the day's adventures.  Crowds are generally clueless and often entitled, but I don't think you are going to change an entire two or three generations of such people wiht a sign. .  IMO, you get what you get with crowds, and you mostly have to go with the flow.  

Outside of a tourist town, a street performer would probably just be considered an oddity.  I don't know if signs would help or not.

FWIW, when it comes to taxes and such, tips are no different from any other income., so I would be inclined to post a sign with a specific rate.  "Videos $2 and up.  Ask first"  Not sure what other considerations might exist, but this is where my mind went first.

I think I mentioned in an earlier post that I never heard the term "busking" until I joined FHO so most people probably don't know, as I didn't, what exactly is going on. Personally I hate tipping. At a restaurant isn't so bad, but it seems everyone everywhere has their hand out for an extra piece of the pie. I order a coffee, the person behind the counter fills up cup and just hands it too me and I'm expected to tip for that? Tipping is to show an appreciations for good service. In my example, what good service? You didn't spill it on me?

Perhaps revamp your signs with one defining busker:

"Busker", noun, a person who entertains in a public place for donations. First known use of the term, 1851 (Merriam-Webster.com).

With another sign that reads something like:

If you like the entertainment, please consider showing your appreciation. Not sure what's appropriate? Just ask or just anything at all. Harry Hare thanks you!

I chose the term "entertainment' because, with Harry there, it's more than just performing. Could just say "music", "mini-concert", etc. Something people are used to paying for. Granted, I'm only a population of 1, but signs like this would be much more effective on me because a) I better learned what's going on and that there's a term for it and b) I'm not being 'dictated' to as to what I should pay.

Aaron, your comments are 'spot on'..I agree that I don't want to sound unfriendly or passive aggressive.. I often remind myself that a pet peeve is just that .. MY PET.. Frankly, I try not to let it bother me but it at times does.. For those people who think that getting tips should not be what it is all about, well, if I couldn't put out a tip basket then I'd probably not busk at all. So, it really is about the money....The tips that I derive from busking have helped me cover an important expense that I'd be hard pressed to cover without busking.

Furthermore, I realize that there are always going to be a few people who will do anything to get a video without paying...some of those people would steal from their employer.. fortunately, they are a small minority of passersby.. Most people are appreciative and friendly and DO ask before they make a video or upon seeing the 'please tip' sign will tip afterwards...Thanks for letting me vent...!!! I feel better now..(wink)

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Originally posted by tpquinn

I think I mentioned in an earlier post that I never heard the term "busking" until I joined FHO so most people probably don't know, as I didn't, what exactly is going on. Personally I hate tipping. At a restaurant isn't so bad, but it seems everyone everywhere has their hand out for an extra piece of the pie. I order a coffee, the person behind the counter fills up cup and just hands it too me and I'm expected to tip for that? Tipping is to show an appreciations for good service. In my example, what good service? You didn't spill it on me?

Perhaps revamp your signs with one defining busker:

"Busker", noun, a person who entertains in a public place for donations. First known use of the term, 1851 (Merriam-Webster.com).

With another sign that reads something like:

If you like the entertainment, please consider showing your appreciation. Not sure what's appropriate? Just ask or just anything at all. Harry Hare thanks you!

I chose the term "entertainment' because, with Harry there, it's more than just performing. Could just say "music", "mini-concert", etc. Something people are used to paying for. Granted, I'm only a population of 1, but signs like this would be much more effective on me because a) I better learned what's going on and that there's a term for it and b) I'm not being 'dictated' to as to what I should pay.

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Pat, those would make good signs.. My concern would be ..will people bother to read something so long.. but then again, I had planned on posting a copy of Harry's buskers license, and it would be about that long.. I may have mentioned in another post that I recently met a busker who had never heard the word before... funny....I'll get to the bottom of this...The ultimate solution would be for me to adjust my own thinking and chain up that Pet peeve of mine..

Well, hard to say. The first sign may take 5 seconds and I think if they read that one, they'll read the second.

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Originally posted by tpquinn

Well, hard to say. The first sign may take 5 seconds and I think if they read that one, they'll read the second.

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What did you think of the wording of Harry's license?? I thought that by mentioning the $100 bills that I'd get a few tips using humour....see below.

"Be it hereby noted that HARRY HARE (aka Harriet Rabbit), is qualified to be a Street Entertainer, more commonly called a BUSKER... He has earned that right having practiced his skill for countless hours over numerous years..
He is hereby entitled to receive remuneration from passersby in the form of "TIPS" (usually given as freshly printed, crisp, one hundred dollar bills) that are placed in a suitable receptacle such as an instrument case, hat or basket. Furthermore, yada, yada, yada, blah, blah, blah..etc....signed, Elvis....

Busker is a European term. Not common this side of the pond. Street performing in general is not a thing here. This means that the general public is not overly familiar with the term, or, indeed, the concept.

I think the solution is education, in the form of more buskers.

Certainly worth trying. I would, however, replace "TIPS" with "donations". Might want to be ready to produce your own license 'cause some smarty pants will probably ask. Also, since Harry has his own license, he should have his own little basket. I'm wavering on the "freshly printed, crisp, one hundred dollar bills" line though.

And is Harry a boy or a girl? Harriott or Harrison?

It depends on who I'm talking to.. Sometimes I say, that in this day and age.. Harry is a TRANS.. used to be a Rabbit named Harriet, but is now a Hare named Harry.. again, I wouldn't say to just anyone..I try to keep my lines of humour open ... With little kids, Harry is just a rabbit...I do have a separate tip basket that is guarded by BUSKER BEAR, who leans into the basket when the right string is pulled.. I tease people saying that me and Harry are doing all the work but they are putting the tip in Busker's basket... Having a line of BS is 1/2 of the act..

Here in God's country it has been too cold to busk..If it is under 50 degrees F, my fingers just don't work and Harry gets cold...It is time to hear some busking stories from people who live in more temperate climates.......
Sometimes I feel like I'm the only busker on the Hangout..You others have NO idea just how much fun you could be having..and the tips...well, they just roll in the ..um..er.. by the ones of dollars.......
.Did I mention that recently a college kid asked me why I felt I had to "do this" to get money? Couldn't I just get a JOB?
I told him that 'This IS my job."... Geez...it is not like I'm begging. ( some of my friends actually think that that is exactly what I am doing...Go figure.. SO.. What do YOU THINK ABOUT BUSKERS.. Are they begging????

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Originally posted by TuneWeaver

Here in God's country it has been too cold to busk..If it is under 50 degrees F, my fingers just don't work and Harry gets cold...It is time to hear some busking stories from people who live in more temperate climates.......
Sometimes I feel like I'm the only busker on the Hangout..You others have NO idea just how much fun you could be having..and the tips...well, they just roll in the ..um..er.. by the ones of dollars.......
.Did I mention that recently a college kid asked me why I felt I had to "do this" to get money? Couldn't I just get a JOB?
I told him that 'This IS my job."... Geez...it is not like I'm begging. ( some of my friends actually think that that is exactly what I am doing...Go figure.. SO.. What do YOU THINK ABOUT BUSKERS.. Are they begging????

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Anybody who can tolerate the working conditions should be happy to accept compensation.  My sense of the local city Fathers (and do allow me to assure you that I have been known to refer to them as Mothers...) is that they're all in favor of all the local color you want so long as it's beige.  They try, but spontaneous outbursts of home-grown music unsettles them. 

Greetings from England. I busked today, but only for half an hour before it rained. Temperature was 8 degrees Celcius, [about 46 degrees F.] I used to busk back in the 1980s, on guitar and vocals. This time round, have been busking nearly two years on fiddle. I have only been fiddling about two and a half years. Started aged 70 . I am working on building a marionette, but having problems. First question is, where do you attach the thread, on your arm?> On the bow? where exactly. Secondly, does the working of the marionette have any restriction on your bowing? Thirdly, the marionette is obviously smaller than I am, so his bow stroke will be proportionally shorter. On slow tunes, I tend to use full length bow strokes. Short of some kind of pulley system, I cannot see any way to overcome this. Any ideas? I have lots of busking tales, but will tell them in a later post.