To any starting buskers, expect that no soul will care. If I get money, I still have that feeling like "wow you give me money for me playing some songs". If you expect a lot of money, you're gonna start being annoyed. Respect that people are not obligated to do anything, so any wink, wave, donation or anything they send your way, is from the kindness of their heart. Keep respecting that.
You dont need to wait until you have 30 or 60 minute sets. I started when I had only 20 minutes. I only play my set once though so it probably wont annoy people as much. The great thing is that you dont need to practice those songs that are in your set anymore because you play them regularly already, so you can focus your entire practice time you set aside for busking on new songs. Start with whatever you have, play 2 or 3 times or whatever every week and just add one or two songs every week. I am about 6 months in and I have about 2 hours solo and 30 minutes duets. It is so much fun, you get a bunch of experience performing, you get a bunch of compliments, a lot of money, are outside, play the songs you love. Its great. And you build a repertoire. Last time I was asked to play in some bar. I didnt call them yet, but yeah.. there's that. And you get to know more people. Some of the people I talked with while busking I met again. It happens surprisingly often that you have a nice chat with strangers and then exchange numbers. Especially to connect with other musicians in particular. And I am no one who has an easy time meeting new people outside of busking. So just start now and build the repertoire while you go. Just keep on doing it.
I have been busking for many years, not getting rich on it but music is not just about making money, my attitude that gets me through is the belief and desire to create something beautiful to bless others. Motivation matters.
I'm a saxophone busker, having a broad repertoire of songs from many genres and eras works well I find as you can target your song choice to the demographic you notice in the vicinity 😍
There is a returning busker in my city. He comes back every christmas and sit with his accordion playing Jingle Bells and Feliz Navidad on repeat. Everyday. In the same spot. For 4-6 hours. For the entirety of november and december. Not even kidding.
Every time you tell a non-musician how much money you make that’s one less dollar that he’s going to give you There are trade secrets that everybody should not know should be kept among musicians only I don’t know how you can run your podcast and not expose certain secrets at the same time but I like your ass that up sounds good I’ve been doing this for 37 years if you have any questions feel free to ask here in Washington DC
Hello I am an amateur hobby guitarist, when I am alone I can play pretty well, but man, if anybody looks at me I start to fumble, so I have this ideea to start busking, just to practice to man up and look for a band. Thanks for the video
The tip on the farmer's market is good. You may have to rent a space. Find something to sell and then play while people are walking by. You can quit when they stop by your booth/space. Buy a big bag of peanuts and then separate them into small sandwich bags and sell peanuts.
Sorry for the late reply! I've been working on new music and haven't been very active on my UA-cam channel lately, but I intend to change that and I will get working on that busking equipment rundown video very soon!
Awesome video man, I'm building up the courage to busk in Ireland, moving there in August, but it's a biiig barrier for me to whip out the guitar in public and do it, you know? Subbed and belled for sure, hope you make more videos about busking =)
I've been paying my bills for the last month or two busking. The first time I went out I drove all the way to the spot and almost turned around and drove home because I was so nervous. Took me 20 minutes to actually pick up my guitar and start playing. Now it's fun to busk. It helps that I get a lot of people telling me I sound great and getting $5 $10 and sometimes$20 tips. It actually took a few times out to start getting better money. I've been getting a better feel for what people respond to. In southern California.
About promo material. When I was in printshops . I always told street artists never to buy business cards. They should always buy an arsenal of 2 or more rubber stamps and make your own prints.
I have an important questions that i can never figure out myself, how does the vocalist hear/monitor themself? The pa is mostly pointing on the audience and the performer is always standing behind the speaker, I played in studio and i need my monitor to point on me when i play and or sing.. Help me anyone, Im taking my audition for the license for busking next month
Sorry for the late reply! I haven't been super active on my UA-cam account recently and I intend to change that. When I'm busking and don't have an extra monitor, I always place my speaker slightly behind myself and to the side so I can still hear myself. When I'm playing a regular gig with my PA and don't have a monitor, I position my speakers slightly behind myself and angle them in a criss-cross position so I can still hear myself, but I'm carefuly not to aim them directly at the microphone as not to cause feedback. Hope this helps!
Im a drummer looking into doing some busking. I've got the area figured out and what not but my biggest fear is the noise. Do people get frustrated by that? Do you have any friends who busk as drummers?
Hi Mya, I've seen three buskers playing drums. One on a busy street corner, outside a noisy pub, on a Saturday night. One on a bridge over a river. One nears shops, after the shops had closed for the night. Location is key. Don't play where you will annoy those nearby. Playing near a noisy venue might work, because they are the loudest noise, not you. These guys were all good drummers, but they weren't showing off. They just played grooves and beats that make people want to move, or dance. Playing too many notes (being too busy or too loud) will annoy people. Also maybe use towels or something the muffle the volume. That way you get the grooves without being too loud. Good luck and have fun!
I would like to start busking on the street playing renditions on electric guitar just ambient songs that carry a mood across, I’m not focused on money but I’m stumped on what songs to learn, anybody got any advice?
great tips and tricks, thank you man. I'm going to try busking in a few weeks. It'd be amazing if you checked my channel and give some feedbacks to my music. You seem to be a good musician. Which of my songs should I play on the streets?
Step number one 1a) Get a voice 1b) Get a decent guitar Otherwise forget it. And be prepared for negative and 'meh' feedback. You have to have a thick skin.
When a little four year old is dancing and grooving when I play is the absolute best tip of the day.
To any starting buskers, expect that no soul will care. If I get money, I still have that feeling like "wow you give me money for me playing some songs". If you expect a lot of money, you're gonna start being annoyed. Respect that people are not obligated to do anything, so any wink, wave, donation or anything they send your way, is from the kindness of their heart. Keep respecting that.
I’ve started busking again. What a joy! Great tips. Thanks!
You dont need to wait until you have 30 or 60 minute sets. I started when I had only 20 minutes. I only play my set once though so it probably wont annoy people as much. The great thing is that you dont need to practice those songs that are in your set anymore because you play them regularly already, so you can focus your entire practice time you set aside for busking on new songs. Start with whatever you have, play 2 or 3 times or whatever every week and just add one or two songs every week. I am about 6 months in and I have about 2 hours solo and 30 minutes duets. It is so much fun, you get a bunch of experience performing, you get a bunch of compliments, a lot of money, are outside, play the songs you love. Its great. And you build a repertoire. Last time I was asked to play in some bar. I didnt call them yet, but yeah.. there's that. And you get to know more people. Some of the people I talked with while busking I met again. It happens surprisingly often that you have a nice chat with strangers and then exchange numbers. Especially to connect with other musicians in particular. And I am no one who has an easy time meeting new people outside of busking. So just start now and build the repertoire while you go. Just keep on doing it.
I have been busking for many years, not getting rich on it but music is not just about making money, my attitude that gets me through is the belief and desire to create something beautiful to bless others. Motivation matters.
Really great video! I just started playing in our subway stations in Vienna Austria. Super helpful words! Thank you!
I'm a saxophone busker, having a broad repertoire of songs from many genres and eras works well I find as you can target your song choice to the demographic you notice in the vicinity 😍
@YB's Ropey Mumma 😂 soooo often!
There is a returning busker in my city. He comes back every christmas and sit with his accordion playing Jingle Bells and Feliz Navidad on repeat. Everyday. In the same spot. For 4-6 hours. For the entirety of november and december. Not even kidding.
kill me
Every time you tell a non-musician how much money you make that’s one less dollar that he’s going to give you
There are trade secrets that everybody should not know should be kept among musicians only I don’t know how you can run your podcast and not expose certain secrets at the same time but I like your ass that up sounds good I’ve been doing this for 37 years if you have any questions feel free to ask here in Washington DC
interesting tip. how do you answer the money question?
Really great advice! Thanks from Vancouver!
Hello
I am an amateur hobby guitarist, when I am alone I can play pretty well, but man, if anybody looks at me I start to fumble, so I have this ideea to start busking, just to practice to man up and look for a band. Thanks for the video
The tip on the farmer's market is good. You may have to rent a space. Find something to sell and then play while people are walking by. You can quit when they stop by your booth/space. Buy a big bag of peanuts and then separate them into small sandwich bags and sell peanuts.
Thanks for the tips, man 🙏🏻 good advice
Thank you Zack for the time you put into this video. Time well spent ✌️😎
Nice one … great speech 🤝🎯
Great advice. Thank you!
damn, waiting for that busking equipment rundown
Sorry for the late reply! I've been working on new music and haven't been very active on my UA-cam channel lately, but I intend to change that and I will get working on that busking equipment rundown video very soon!
Very good advice man, appreciate your video!
Thanks Zak!
Great video. It was very helpful
Thx, this is really helpful.
Awesome video man, I'm building up the courage to busk in Ireland, moving there in August, but it's a biiig barrier for me to whip out the guitar in public and do it, you know? Subbed and belled for sure, hope you make more videos about busking =)
I've been paying my bills for the last month or two busking. The first time I went out I drove all the way to the spot and almost turned around and drove home because I was so nervous. Took me 20 minutes to actually pick up my guitar and start playing. Now it's fun to busk. It helps that I get a lot of people telling me I sound great and getting $5 $10 and sometimes$20 tips. It actually took a few times out to start getting better money. I've been getting a better feel for what people respond to. In southern California.
Thanks for the video!
Thanks so much
About promo material. When I was in printshops . I always told street artists never to buy business cards. They should always buy an arsenal of 2 or more rubber stamps and make your own prints.
great!
❤
Subbed
Tyler Rand so glad I ran into you!! Would love to talk to you in person or on phone!!
This is interesting
I have an important questions that i can never figure out myself, how does the vocalist hear/monitor themself? The pa is mostly pointing on the audience and the performer is always standing behind the speaker,
I played in studio and i need my monitor to point on me when i play and or sing..
Help me anyone,
Im taking my audition for the license for busking next month
Sorry for the late reply! I haven't been super active on my UA-cam account recently and I intend to change that. When I'm busking and don't have an extra monitor, I always place my speaker slightly behind myself and to the side so I can still hear myself. When I'm playing a regular gig with my PA and don't have a monitor, I position my speakers slightly behind myself and angle them in a criss-cross position so I can still hear myself, but I'm carefuly not to aim them directly at the microphone as not to cause feedback. Hope this helps!
i wanna start busking but i am really shy lol
Im a drummer looking into doing some busking. I've got the area figured out and what not but my biggest fear is the noise. Do people get frustrated by that? Do you have any friends who busk as drummers?
change to another smaller instrument with backing track...is gonna be ok.drum it is too big you will end broken
@@gonzalojimenezrivero9666 I have small drum set, it collapses. It makes little noise, but maybe back it with music then it's okay?
Hi Mya, I've seen three buskers playing drums. One on a busy street corner, outside a noisy pub, on a Saturday night. One on a bridge over a river. One nears shops, after the shops had closed for the night. Location is key. Don't play where you will annoy those nearby. Playing near a noisy venue might work, because they are the loudest noise, not you. These guys were all good drummers, but they weren't showing off. They just played grooves and beats that make people want to move, or dance. Playing too many notes (being too busy or too loud) will annoy people. Also maybe use towels or something the muffle the volume. That way you get the grooves without being too loud. Good luck and have fun!
I would like to start busking on the street playing renditions on electric guitar just ambient songs that carry a mood across, I’m not focused on money but I’m stumped on what songs to learn, anybody got any advice?
Anything by pink Floyd will do !
Is it legal to do so anywhere?
Local laws differ
great tips and tricks, thank you man. I'm going to try busking in a few weeks. It'd be amazing if you checked my channel and give some feedbacks to my music. You seem to be a good musician. Which of my songs should I play on the streets?
Step number one
1a) Get a voice
1b) Get a decent guitar
Otherwise forget it.
And be prepared for negative and 'meh' feedback.
You have to have a thick skin.