Busking today (as usual) a Lady walks by, half way thru 'Over the Rainbow' she asks if I will play it again, so I play her my 2 octave version, and she gives me $20.

very grateful when that happens.

Dave, I think I have asked you this question before. But do have a way of making an MP3. I would love to hear you play. If not thats ok. Jerry

Nope. I don't have the technology, or the know-how to use the technology. Busking hasn't been going very well recently. I have about 4 transit stations that pay pretty good, but they have just started inside renovations on 2 of them. This is supposed to go until end of August 2017. I can only busk them on Sundays when they are not working. I've tried a few other stations, but they are not as good. If you go to the same spots too often, people don't pay. busking income is going to take a dip for the rest of this year and most of next year. Nuts!

Wow, I didn't know these things about Busking till Henry explained it to me. So you just go out to somewhere and play..by your self or did you have someone with you. I mean really I don't know anything about this stuff

I'd be interested but I dare not go out....they might rob me..really I live near Washington DC

Perhaps I might try it...but what kind of tunes do you play..I know you don't play bluegrass. Do you play swing or bebop or something else.  I mean I could charge my children...but I don't thing that would go over well...besides they hear me all the time..haha.

I remember the great Joshua Bell (sorry might have spelled his fist name wrong) did this in a subway once as an experiment and no one listened to him play. Ain't no Mr Bell..so I'm doomed. Any way nice to talk you you. Jerry

quote:

---

Originally posted by fujers

....they might rob me..really I live near Washington DC

 

---

That could very well happen, so be careful where you go, you go where there is lots of people anyway, so you should be right.

You busk by your self if you want to take home all the money, or go with a friend if you just want to sell your CDs.

You play any kind of tunes, some people are bound to like them, or feel sorry for you.

I play my gypsy pieces and some light classical stuff with some Irish fiddle tunes in the mix.

That Mr Bell experiment was doomed to fail because he set up at the entrance to the station as people are rushing past to catch a train or get to work on time, no time to stop and listen or even throw a coin.

He should have set up on the platform where people are waiting for the train to come so they wait and listen, but some places don;t allow buskers near the trains.

I prefer the back streets or near the market places, but you can;t just go anywhere, there are restricted areas and there is plenty competition...

I guess busking isn't for me then

quote:

---

Originally posted by FacePalm
 

quote:

---

 

---

 

That Mr Bell experiment was doomed to fail because he set up at the entrance to the station as people are rushing past to catch a train or get to work on time, no time to stop and listen or even throw a coin.

He should have set up on the platform where people are waiting for the train to come so they wait and listen, but some places don;t allow buskers near the trains.

---

You are right about the Bell experiment Henry. Where you position yourself is very important. I have it pretty good busking inside the Light Rail Transit Stations, out of the weather, no danger of being robbed. I get people as they are coming up the escalator and stairs from the platform...gives 'em time to hear me and get their money out. Would sure like to hear your Gypsy tunes, Henry. I bet they're pretty durn good! 

Jerry: I posted a list of my busking tunes quite a while ago. I brought it to the top of this topic category for you. 

Aaron, I understand now. But these are the kind of people I grew up with that did all the things you say. I just didn't know what busking meant...it's a new word to me. Know... I know what you mean. Shoot, I grew up in the south. You would see this all over the place and don't remember them ever saying this word...but of course I was younger them and didn't play an instrument...so what do you care. Thanks for pointing that out to me I really appreciate it. Jerry

quote:

---

Originally posted by bluesmode

Would sure like to hear your Gypsy tunes,

---

I posted one of the easy tunes here, it's  Romanian. And I got one on my facebook profile.

Very Nice Henry. I like your playing

Thanks Jerry.

Here is the other tune.......................

YES! I really liked Patotas. pretty fancy finger work there....and speaking of fingers, I thought I had fairly long fingers...until I saw yours. Long slender fingers are good for violin, yes?

Thanks for posting that!

I think the fingers thing is deceptive....because I am tall I thought my fingers are long. I have a friend who is quit short, and we measured our fingers, I was surprised to see that his fingers were just about the same length as mine, however, his palm was very small compared to mine...so, a big palm is good...?

Nice classical fill. I like it

Jerry, what is a ''classical fill''....?

I have no idea and hope I don't find out

oh you meant ''classical FEEL''................yeah, I practiced much the classical feel.........

We just got back from the UK where I had a good time busking in Scotland and England.  Here are some busking photos..I wish I knew how to rotate a photo once it on this site.. they are erect on my home computer...

I did note that in the UK there is no one pound note (bill)... so I only received coins.. LOTS of coins... Heavy pocket coins.. but I had a wonderful time earning them.

Watch this video.. I plan on making something similar to replace 'Busker Bear".. The lady who created Eduardo was at Clifftop this year.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwRemrXISPY&app=desktop

That little guy looks like he would want some of the money. Has the bear ever given you any trouble about that?

quote:

---

Originally posted by Astrang
 

That little guy looks like he would want some of the money. Has the bear ever given you any trouble about that?

---

Yeah, I'm gonna have to sit them down and have a  little chat.. That bear bites when he is upset...Can't wait to show you the new guy...when I get him made..

Here is a video of me and banjo student Emily Buis, busking with CORN JOHNSON and FIDO, the Wonder dog..

I'd LOVE your comments on this guy... The marionette, Corn Johnson, is an effigy of the real Corn Johnson who I met at Clifftop last year.. He'll love this..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNNhvTzTcqk

I like him! Nice bowing and I've never seen a left hand with such economy of motion. 

You might end up needing to go into production, nice work.