A little aside story about my homeless friend Gene.. He Never asks anyone for money but I often see him looking into garbage cans for food/drink.. He is lately dressed in a blanket and a sleeping bag and walks around like that.. He is easy to spot.. He is about 35, I'd guess.. Has a million dollar smile, is polite and friendly. Yesterday I asked him what I can do to help him get off the street.. He says he is on a list to get an apartment, but he said that two years ago.. I've purchased restaurant food cards for him...(I told him in the winter, "Gene, I don't know why you are on the street but if nothing else I'm going to be sure you are a well fed person")..He can get food elsewhere.. he has lots of options, but I WANT to help keep him fed...I don't see it as enabling.
Opinions will vary... .......Somehow......I just like the guy...

Fun busking today, another day another story. This man and wife stopped with their 4 year old son. He was holding a penny whistle made of bamboo and he wanted to play along with me and Harry Hare. I directed the lad to stand right behind Harry while I played Old McDonald Had A Farm. Naturally, I expected the boy to just blow random notes.. I watched his fingers as I played the tune.. At first there wasn't much but by the time I'd played the tune twice the kid was actually playing along in tune and on time.. I expressed my surprise to his parents and they said they had JUST purchased the instrument about ten minutes ago and that this was his First time to play it.. They added that he has a 'good ear'.. I'll say.. We were all impressed and I suggested that they get him some lessons soon... What he did was over the top amazing . That child may have a future in music.
On my way home I stopped by the local 'establishment' for a beer. Chatting with the bartender brought out the topic of busking and he, the bartender was a trumpetist (?) and said I'd given him the 'bug' to get out on the street. He was really excited. His enthusiasm, along the the incident with the four year old, really made my day........

I really enjoy your stories Lee. I have not graduated to busking yet, but I have sat outside and played where people can hear me.

quote:

---

Originally posted by doryman

I really enjoy your stories Lee. I have not graduated to busking yet, but I have sat outside and played where people can hear me.

---

I appreciate the comments from those who read my little stories... On Facebook  the stories often get a couple score of comments while here I'm lucky to get a couple of  'likes'... However, obviously, I'm not deterred from posting.. I'm assuming from comments both public and private that the stories are appreciated.  What am I trying to accomplish?? I have no idea.  If anything I'm trying to make busking appear as interesting as it is!!!!..I like telling short stories and in a way I guess I'm narrating an important part of my life..  Hangout comments also tell me that there are unheard of people reading and enjoying.. If I can make someone smile...I've been a success..  Thanks, Doryman, Cheers and thanks to all..

quote:

---

Originally posted by doryman

I really enjoy your stories Lee. I have not graduated to busking yet, but I have sat outside and played where people can hear me.

---

We consider ourselves at same level then, I just recorded myself in the veranda which is not really closed off well, so practically it IS outside ,  neighbours could hear me IF they had been outside.

I played a couple of AEAE tunes I know well in A#FA#F, noone yelled or came to ring at my doorbell to ask me to stop hehe. Busking : I want to , but I am trying to find another instrument to get ready for a far in the future busking project.

Part one. "Pain is inevitable but suffering is optional'' the old saying goes.. While busking I often come across this one guy who is usually drunk by noon and stays that way all day. He has cirrhosis of the liver, never goes to a shelter, sleeps 'out' on the ground EVERY night of the year and is happy to tell about it.. He is NOT suffering by the definition most people use. He loves his life, really.. We've talked about it..
Part two. Another guy I met last week was SO excited because he and his wife were finally at the top of the housing list and got their own apartment.. This week I saw him again and he said his doctor said that he only has 6 months to live because of a bad heart condition and add to that, his wife kicked him out of the apartment and he is back on the street.. and yet.. he doesn't seem to be 'suffering'.. he is ok with his life situation, (So it seems)...
Part Three.. (not busking related but Post related) This week I sent, via Western Union $70 to a friend in Nicaragua. He needed the money to put a roof on his new 'house' (posts in the ground and black plastic walls 15x15ft sq)..I added a little more money to cover the cost of getting a waterline and electricity to the 'cabana'..He is ecstatic that now he has his own home. Who of us would be excited to have a plastic walled home? My friend is not 'suffering' . He is anything but that..... Just another example.. of Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional..
I don't just love busking...I love the people I meet while busking.. They humble me.

Often I get tips while NOT playing my fiddle while busking. Yesterday, I stopped to tune the fiddle  and a young lady came out of a coffee shop and offered me a cookie.. While I was having a bite, I received a $5 tip.. Later, again while having a bite I received another tip..while putting my fiddle away I received a $5 tip and when is was just getting into my car to go home, a young child ran up and gave me a dollar...I now have to rethink my game plan

quote:

---

Originally posted by TuneWeaver

Often I get tips while NOT playing my fiddle while busking. Yesterday, I stopped to tune the fiddle  and a young lady came out of a coffee shop and offered me a cookie.. While I was having a bite, I received a $5 tip.. Later, again while having a bite I received another tip..while putting my fiddle away I received a $5 tip and when is was just getting into my car to go home, a young child ran up and gave me a dollar...I now have to rethink my game plan

---

I'm gonna tell you again, your sign should read "1$ to keep playing, 5$ to stop" or something thereabouts. It sounds like you would make some bank.

quote:

---

Originally posted by ChickenMan

quote:

---

Originally posted by TuneWeaver

Often I get tips while NOT playing my fiddle while busking. Yesterday, I stopped to tune the fiddle  and a young lady came out of a coffee shop and offered me a cookie.. While I was having a bite, I received a $5 tip.. Later, again while having a bite I received another tip..while putting my fiddle away I received a $5 tip and when is was just getting into my car to go home, a young child ran up and gave me a dollar...I now have to rethink my game plan

---

I'm gonna tell you again, your sign should read "1$ to keep playing, 5$ to stop" or something thereabouts. It sounds like you would make some bank.

---

I'm still drawn to a sign that says, "It it awkward for me, too"... Years ago we DID use a sign that said, as I recall Play more $1, Stop playing $3..It was a 3 ft x 3 ft sign.. got lots of laughs..

I just signed a lucrative contract (we shook hands, actually) with a friend who has been an active HOBO for many years.. There is an annual Hobo Convention in Britt, Iowa...(Billy, do you know about this?).. There is even a HOBO Museum in Britt...Anyway, the 'official' hobo instrument is called a Stompf (Stump, Stumpf)...spellings vary from hobo to hobo.. Anyway, I'm going to collaborate with my friend Timm, and make a puppet that plays a stmpf fiddle (not at all actually a fiddle)... Ours will play a washboard and have bells and 'stuff'..on it.. I'll post a photo when it is done.. Here is a video of a performer using a stumpf instrument...https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=KUSPk7vREDc  Into the second Minute of the video there is a detailed explanation of the instrument..

I told Timm that to make it an official busking instrument.. he and I will have to 'take it to the street'....and we will

I used to live close to Britt and am well aware of the Hobo gatherings that have been going on there for a long long time.

quote:

---

Originally posted by ChickenMan

I used to live close to Britt and am well aware of the Hobo gatherings that have been going on there for a long long time.

---

The actual goal of the Hobo Organization is to educate people about the origins of hobos post Civil War and into the Great Depression.. Guys would grab a hoe and head out looking to do honest work, hence the term Hoe-boy, Ho bo, hobo.. as I understand it..

My buddy Timm is also an authority, really, on the topic of White Castle Hamburgers.. He has been honored by the company for his participation in educational subjects... White Castle was among the FIRST companies to introduce hamburgers to the public....Timm can talk by the hour (puts me to shame) about the history of the White Castle company.. Frankly, I sneak away about once a month and order 4 'sliders'...I love those little burgers..This may SEEM to have nothing to do with busking but I'm going to have a small sack for me and Harry the next time I go out.. When I see my favorite homeless, (er, unhoused..want to be PC)... guys, I'll offer them  a burger.. really.. gonna do that..

Uh-oh might have corrupted another young soul to dark side.

Was over at my fiddle neighbor's house and was talking to his 12 YO son (learning fiddle) complaining about nothing to this summer, and wanting money to build a high end computer; so told him about busking at the market, and how my son at same age used to busk. Initially bit hesitant, nervous about his sill and playing in public; so I told I would take him downtown to market, where to set up, how before noon is best. I told him, he's gonna make some money (even $20 is good for 12YO) and if anything was good practice. Sat was beautiful sunny day; unfortunately I had band practice early, so planned on later. But he decided to show up early without me. He made $140 in few hours; wiped away his nerves playing in public. Then I told him about that I was downtown I went busking later, where the tourists all are (made $150); and how tourists are there every day; so he decided to take bus today, and made $75 in hour or so. Now he's hooked, tells his mom not to make any other day plans for him this week.

That is a great story George. I'll bet being young benefits him in the donations department 

Serious money for 12yo! 

That's serious money for any busker in my area

I just think there's something very pure, about a ladd, or lass simply standing there and playing tunes. Good on him!

quote:

---

Originally posted by alaskafiddler

Then I told him about that I was downtown I went busking later, where the tourists all are (made $150); and how tourists are there every day; so he decided to take bus today, and made $75 in hour or so. Now he's hooked, tells his mom not to make any other day plans for him this week.

You wouldn't happen to be in Sitka?  I was there a month or so ago and saw a couple of fiddlers busking in the middle of the street.

Anchorage.

Not the best busking town, but can do to some degree. There are a lot of older grandparent tourists, that respond well to 12YO. My son used to be good at playing that card... and his sign read

Suggested Donation = 1 smile
Photo and Hugs are allowed

($$ also welcomed here)

My son was complaining that he can't access practice rooms on campus because of summer music programs for high school kids, and he can't practice French horn in his apartment. I told him that he wasn't terribly far from a park in a trendy neighborhood, and to practice in the park. "And leave your case open. Maybe throw in a couple of singles."

He has yet to do it, but I've told him that it really was a serious suggesttion.

quote:

---

Originally posted by hokelore

My son was complaining that he can't access practice rooms on campus because of summer music programs for high school kids, and he can't practice French horn in his apartment. I told him that he wasn't terribly far from a park in a trendy neighborhood, and to practice in the park. "And leave your case open. Maybe throw in a couple of singles."

He has yet to do it, but I've told him that it really was a serious suggesttion.

---

That's a bit where my little friend was. He was hesitant. Of course the realization could make some $$$ was pretty good incentive (even just $10-$20, was all he expected).

I told him not to focus on money too much, but other reasons and benefits. As Lee and others has mentioned, it can be really good way to practice... not only the tunes, but playing in public, interacting with listeners, meet others, (maybe cute girl) and learn not take too serious, the "have fun" part of playing music. Mostly folks are not to judgmental and are encouraged in seeing young playing. Might initially be less intimidating, and more fun if can find a buddy to go along. Still the $$ is a good incentive.

quote:

---

Originally posted by alaskafiddler

quote:

---

Originally posted by hokelore

My son was complaining that he can't access practice rooms on campus because of summer music programs for high school kids, and he can't practice French horn in his apartment. I told him that he wasn't terribly far from a park in a trendy neighborhood, and to practice in the park. "And leave your case open. Maybe throw in a couple of singles."

He has yet to do it, but I've told him that it really was a serious suggesttion.

---

That's a bit where my little friend was. He was hesitant. Of course the realization could make some $$$ was pretty good incentive (even just $10-$20, was all he expected).

I told him not to focus on money too much, but other reasons and benefits. As Lee and others has mentioned, it can be really good way to practice... not only the tunes, but playing in public, interacting with listeners, meet others, (maybe cute girl) and learn not take too serious, the "have fun" part of playing music. Mostly folks are not to judgmental and are encouraged in seeing young playing. Might initially be less intimidating, and more fun if can find a buddy to go along. Still the $$ is a good incentive.

 

---

Finally, I'm at a place where I can log in.. Hey, George!.. You probably did more than you think when you encouraged him to busk.. Now, he will be telling You busking stories..The Street is his stage..!!

Part of my 'Giving it all up" attitude involves letting thing happen... A two hour busking stint was scheduled today and about 1/2 way through it a bright girl in her mid twenties came by and showed great interest in Old Time music. Apparently her and three of her siblings all play Irish music together. She used my fiddle to demonstrate her ability (which was High)... I then proceeded to trade my fiddle back and forth for over an hour, right there on the sidewalk, showing her about 6 ways to get the old time rhythm she was interested in getting. She quickly picked up on the bow techniques and I charged her with working on them alone until she felt comfortable with them and only then show her siblings what she had learned...
I received NO tips while her and I were working together but it still was a memorable busking experience.. I'd been recently thinking about how I like to teach those Very techniques and here this young lady shows up.. Sometimes things are just meant to happen...This seemed like one of those times..

Temperature 95... To busk or not to busk.. I chose to busk.. Had I stayed home I would not have had the opportunity to introduce two friends who Had to meet. I would not have met the young woman who is an experienced OT fiddler looking for contacts.. I'd not have met the father of one of my daughter's baristas.. First tip was a $20 before I even had the fiddle out of the case and the second tip was a $10..I've learned long ago that it is not always my decision to go busking but rather the decision of Something that tells me to go.. and I always trust that Thing..whatever it is, and it is always rewarding... Have I mentioned lately that I Love Busking? Funny but I've been busking under the canopy of the Buskirk-Chumley Theater... I'm now calling it the BUSKING-Chumley Theater...

FaceBook friend Tom Roznowski, who has the Porchlight radio show, gave me and Harry Hare as buskers a few minutes on his show... Only one thing was missed. He didn't ask what I like best about busking.."It is always my turn."...musicians will understand that..! Thanks, Tom.