 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Katfish
Date: 2002-07-15 16:02
Just moved to a small city. I have the chance to go busking at the farmers market with a young bassoonist I met at community band. Any advice from anyone who has done this would be helpful. ( I've got sun screen and clothes pins. )
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Author: Jas
Date: 2002-07-15 19:45
7 WORDS....
aytch, ay, vee, eee
eff, you, enn.
---- People can tell if you're not. Look at the crowd once in a while and landsakes alive, SMILE. Busking is a little more personal than sittin' onstage at a concert. Look like you're havin' a good time (as I'm sure you will)
Bring plenty of water to drink, especially if its hot,
and keep a reed or two soakin' in another batch of water.
I did a concert outdoors yesterday... man, was it hot (HOW! HOT! WAS IT!) It was sooo hot, my reed kept drying where my lips weren't touchin' it. And when I swabbed out the instrument afterwards, the thing was already bone dry inside. Not a word of a lie.
aytch, ay, vee, eee
eff, you, enn.
Jas. :o)
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2002-07-15 21:30
Some "enlightened" city councils consider it their perogative to require you to have a "permit" of some kind or other--which you may or may not have to pay for. Check and be sure you do not require some form of written permission so as to avoid being "rousted" by the local constabulary. Bob A
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-07-15 23:53
Busking is performing on the side of a sgtreet, or courtyard, etc, and hoping people will put coins in a receptacle in return for listening, or acknowledging your courage!
My nephews learnt that you don't busk where the people are wealthy. On the whole they are wealthy because they are not generous with their money.
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Author: Steve Epstein
Date: 2002-07-16 04:29
Keep the tunes easy so you don't have to bury your heads in the music. That way, you can have more audience eye contact.
Don't play right beside an automatic teller machine - the change people are getting is too big. But do, uh, "seed" your instrument case with a few one-dollar bills to implant in people the idea that they should be putting greenbacks in instead of shiny silver stuff.
Spend all the money you get at the end, recklessly, and right away - don't worry, there won't be that much.
Don't quit your day job.
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Author: John Kelly - Australia
Date: 2002-07-16 06:15
Make sure you put a hat on the footpath or somewhere. I do when I busk and you always end up with something - some people actually make a living out of it.
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2002-07-16 12:56
This can be good or bad depending on how you make it. If it works, it can be great fun!
I busked with a bassoonist quite a bit in the 1970's in Ann Arbor, MI. We played our own transcriptions of Bach 2-part inventions, the Beethoven duos, and some other stuff. We had everything arranged, with easy page turns, put into plastic page covers in looseleaf binders, with tabs for easy access.
The Farmers Market location was fun but not as lucrative as other locations. Our favorite was in Nichols Arcade, a shop-lined two-story atrium that cuts through the middle of a city block near U-M campus. After a few weeks we knew the best time for donations and played only during those few hours.
Remember that you are guests. Be sure that the property owners approve of your presence. It sure is a bummer to get all set up only to be kicked out. The farmers' market people may let you use an empty stall, or suggest some other location. They may also tell you to take a hike, which is their legal right. Don't create a scene - this won't be fun for you. We established up-front that the arcade businesses liked having us there, and then they actually paid us to play for a jewelry store's annual sale, and several other occasions.
Take only what you need. If you don't need your A clarinet, leave it at home. If you do need it, take a small stand and keep the instrument in your direct line of sight, but not where small children can grab it. Keep spare stuff - cases, umbrellas, whatever - where they are less likely to disappear.
Arrange things as with any performance. Setup only when you are ready to start playing - you can hobnob with friends after you have packed up. Keep your music varied - every couple of pieces play something with some novelty. Decide ahead of time when you are going to stop, which can be at a given time, when the sun gets in your face, when donations die down, etc. When you decide to stop playing, pack up right away - don't leave instruments or music out while you gab.
Have Fun!
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-07-16 13:46
Play tunes the general population knows and loves - tunes that stir their emotions.
If you get an album of tunes an older generation (with the money)knows, even Christmas carols, and you don't know them yourself, find out first how fast they ought to be played, otherwise you only make a fool of yourself.
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-07-17 04:48
How to make Millions Busking - by diz
When I was a youngster and at college I busked in a quartet. When we played arrangements (illegal ones) of popular (rock tunes, etc) we made no money. When we played Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, the Fireworks Music, and other POPULAR classical works we made a fortune.
If you play out of tune or badly, you'll not get a good response. Also, a permit may very well be needed or the sheriff'll turn up and tell you to bugger off (pardon my aussie vernacular).
good luck and, HAVE FUN!!
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