The lads and I are not overly fond of wearing tags or wristbands, it clashes with the careful (pirate) kit each has developed for festivals. BUT they will get you into the green room! For a busking gig, I would think the tag would help, shows you're officially there and not some guy who decided to just set up. If you have your ticket stubs, perhaps the event AR person could get you a refund? I hope the show was worth the dosh!

quote:

---

Originally posted by wrench13

The lads and I are not overly fond of wearing tags or wristbands, it clashes with the careful (pirate) kit each has developed for festivals. BUT they will get you into the green room! For a busking gig, I would think the tag would help, shows you're officially there and not some guy who decided to just set up. If you have your ticket stubs, perhaps the event AR person could get you a refund? I hope the show was worth the dosh!

---

I'll be putting my green wrist band on Harry Hare, my rabbit puppet... If people ask what it is I'll say it is so he can get into the beer garden!!!

"shows you're officially there and not some guy who decided to just set up." Being "some guy who decided to just set up" is the very essence of being a busker. I always resented being required to display some sign of my submission to bureaucratic authority when I was busking, although I must confess that I often enough did make that grudging compromise with the square world.

quote:

---

Originally posted by alaskafiddler

Would rather see a few big tips... or many more small tips? Or which would feel was more successful?

---

I suppose it depends on your purpose for being there doesn't it? 

There was a time when I moved to Portland, OR, way back in '90, and I found myself busking for needed money as my cash dwindled and work wasn't coming. I wound up meeting a violin player while busking (I hadn't yet been bitten by the fiddle bug, she was also busking). We teamed up and easily doubled our individual take home by playing together. That was quite satisfying. We continued playing together after we got a jobs, for the fun and the beer money.

The last dozen times I busked, it was literally to pass the time at the farmer's market while my wife was at yoga in the park. Couldn't have cared less if I made any money and the only reason I left the case open is because as soon as I started playing, someone walking by wanting to give me a dollar. Can't even say how much I ever made in the 70-90 minutes I played, but it was usually enough to buy some food for the wife and myself from a vendor afterwards. Better hourly rate then back in Portland, for sure.

When I busk at these events I insist that I can put out a tip jar.. That works well here because the Festival Director is a fiddler and a friend..However I stopped busking at the State Fair because although I was receiving a stipend because on the third year, told me I couldn't put out a tip jar..I objected saying that to insist that buskers can't take tips ...is to teach the passersby that buskers should not be tipped.. Either let me busk and receive tips, or consider me a performer and pay me more!!! ...didn't go back..

Old Scratch, the comment was meant at a gated event, the event planners might not appreciate some guy just randomly deciding to set up.

i got a "GOLD WRISTBAND" at a festival once, and you ought to see the difference in services given to the "Stars", who often write and sing protest songs on behalf of the poor homeless, or deprived folk.. i think the term is "Champaign Socialists"...

EDIT: Whopss venturing too near to a political view ..Apologies.

Nobody seems to have noticed that I've not posted a busking story lately!!! Such is life.. Anyway, today a guy came buy with a stick poking out of a bag and the stick had one tuner on top and One string going into the bag.. I called out to him.. It was a one stringed instrument that had an old Whiskey CAN as the body.. I tightened the string a little and proceeded to play something on that one string.. Then, I fiddled and He played the one string instrument... Very interesting, fun moments..

I didn't notice because I wasn't around, have been away from the hangout for a week or so. Actually just said to myself, "oh look Lee's got a busking post! I wonder if it's gotten cool there yet.."

quote:

---

Originally posted by ChickenMan

I didn't notice because I wasn't around, have been away from the hangout for a week or so. Actually just said to myself, "oh look Lee's got a busking post! I wonder if it's gotten cool there yet.."

---

Yes, getting cool... almost too cool to busk.. 50 degrees or lower and I usually stay home.. This week the leaves are turning colors and Larry and I have been busking every day... Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday... record tips, but yesterday and today, even thought the crowds are larger, we both made NIL tips... We'll try again tomorrow and Sunday.. We have been busking long enough to realize that when you have a profitable day you can't explain it and when you have a nil day, you can't explain it.. such is the life of a busker..In the end EVERY day is a wonderful day in that we meet interesting people most of whom appreciate out music even if they don't tip....

Yesterday was a cold, dreary day but we decided to go busking anyway.. I put on wool socks, a scarf, down jacket and pullover hat and my tipless gloves...I was expecting to be cold.. Not only was I NOT cold, I made a record for the year amount of tips...all bills...except at one point a little kid of about 5 years approached me from my side and offered me One Penny as a tip. Interestingly, I don't remember any specific tips that came as bills but I DO remember that penny tip.......I love busking.

Lee, while this was not actually busking in one sense, my band played in front of the Rehoboth Bch Library on Sat, as a part of the Sea Witch Festival. The Library had screwed up the promo for the show and felt that playing outside in front would at least let the show be enjoyed by the most citizens and patrons. Man I almost forgot how much fun and how much the immediacy of the onlookers can contribute to the performance! And the boys have never really done any busking before. LOL, helps that my son's 1-1/2 yr old acted as a stage prop and was dancing around in front of us! While we were not soliciting tips or anything, this being a paid performance, the open CD chest was getting a lot of attention (likely due to afore-mentioned baby dancing!). We told the Library that we want to do this same way again next year! Viva le busking.

Lee, the instrument with one string and a whiskey can sounds like a canjo. I have one. It has frets with a diatonic scale like a dulcimer. I got mine for things like Halloween.

This post is ABOUT future busking.. Last night I happened upon some videos of Martin Hayes.. What an inspiration.. such a dynamic playing style..It probably isn't for everyone but I like it.. So, today I started making an actual Busking List of tunes that I THINK I can play with energy similar to that of Martin Hayes... We shall see........I've never had a designated tune list for busking in the past.. I'd just play what I wanted to practice or what popped into my head.....I'm 80.. Still learning..and hope to keep at it for a long time..

Member Wrench13 seems to be wondering how Harry Hare came to be...Here is the history.

When I started busking over ten years ago I had a simple basket for tips. I thought it would be more interesting if I had a Teddy Bear holding the basket.. That worked for about a week and I decided to put the bear and basket on a curved piece of wood so I could use a string, tied to my foot, to gently rock the basket ..you know, to get more attention. That worked for about a week. Then I made it so the bear could bend over and look deep into the basket when someone gave a tip. That worked for about a year. At Clifftop someone showed me this:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSJC1bAxAuo&list=RDYSJC1bAxAuo&start_radio=1

I was hooked.. I wanted one of those.  I tracked down the woman who made Eduardo and asked for permission to make something similar.  She said "Go for it." I didn't want to steal her idea.. I give her Full credit for the origin of Harry Hare. She told me that the important thing was to attache the puppet's bow by the Middle of the bow so it would look like it played on all strings.   Problem was, I didn't want to have to haul around a stage!!!  So.  I spent the entire trip back from Clifftop (8 hours) trying to imagine a 'free standing' puppet that would play a violin with me. The first puppet only had a moving arm, everything else was stable.  Then I put the waist on springs, loosened the violin and made the head turn.  I found a rabbit stuffed animal at Goodwill.   I was in business.. Now there is this: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-m2-i1iNgHk 

quote:

---

Originally posted by TuneWeaver

  I found a rabbit stuffed animal at Goodwill.   I was in business.. Now there is this: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-m2-i1iNgHk 

---

I wonder how anyone could walk by and not stop and smile.  That is a gift - in many ways.

Told ya I would read it!

I can't believe I've not subscribed to Lee's YouTube page.
We fixed that! Cheers!

quote:

---

Originally posted by tonyelder

quote:

---

Originally posted by TuneWeaver

  I found a rabbit stuffed animal at Goodwill.   I was in business.. Now there is this: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-m2-i1iNgHk 

---

I wonder how anyone could walk by and not stop and smile.  That is a gift - in many ways.

---

just can' figure out who's pulling who's chain ...not really, good stuff!

quote:

---

Originally posted by pete_fiddle

quote:

---

Originally posted by tonyelder

quote:

---

Originally posted by TuneWeaver

  I found a rabbit stuffed animal at Goodwill.   I was in business.. Now there is this: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-m2-i1iNgHk 

---

I wonder how anyone could walk by and not stop and smile.  That is a gift - in many ways.

---

just can' figure out who's pulling who's chain ...not really, good stuff!

 

---

For the record, Harry knows every tune that I know.. however, if he was taller he'd go busking without me..and he hesitates to share the tips.  I get no respect.

Having spent much time in person with Harry, that is an excellent video of him. Made me grin and get a little misty. I miss you my friend, might need to arrange for a trip your direction.

Harry's new shirt looks sharp.

Q: How does Harry keep his fur looking good?

A: With hare spray!

Well, I don't recall anyone saying so.... so, let me be the one to congratulate Lee.

I'm pretty sure this is the first thread / post in the history of FHO to surpass 100,000 views. History has been made!

Tell us Lee, how does it feel? How did you prepared for this occasion? Special training or diet?

quote:

---

Originally posted by tonyelder

Well, I don't recall anyone saying so.... so, let me be the one to congratulate Lee.

I'm pretty sure this is the first thread / post in the history of FHO to surpass 100,000 views. History has been made!

Tell us Lee, how does it feel? How did you prepared for this occasion? Special training or diet?

---

Diet? !!  It all feeds my big ego..If Someone (not me) was to compile all of the busking posts from all of us, there may be a book/movie somewhere... Maybe someone will do a PHD project on busking?  Did someone say 'cake'?

No fear, spicetje is here.

Happy cake to you my little crazy fiddle friend Lee. You do with it whatever you want or wish.