subject: Busking Songs, Tips For Buskers [print this page] Busking Songs, Tips For Buskers Busking Songs, Tips For Buskers
Busking songs? How can anyone tell you or sell you the "best ones" or "the most popular ones" when in reality the success of the set you perform depends entirely on the location you are playing? Read on and I'll give you some tips on what it takes to make real money as a busker.
Develop a large varied set- Play what you can play well, it's no good picking a song you like if you can only play it at an average level. Especially when starting out, play songs that you have mastered, people appreciate a level of skill even if the song isn't their first choice. When you have got a lot of songs together you can play anywhere and move onto researching patches.
Research your busking patch-The songs you play depend entirely on the audience that you are playing to. Busking is like fishing, you want to hook people in. Playing during the day in your local shopping area requires a different set of tunes to busking in a vacation destination teeming with tourists.
Pick the optimum time to perform- You can increase your earnings ratio simply by picking the right time of day to play. If you've researched your patch, you'll know what time that patch becomes live and for how long.
Know the unwritten rules It's no good being a passable musician out to make some money if people don't like you. Playing too loud, e.g. you can be plainly heard at 50 metres is enough to set plenty against you, as is using street benches to sit on and blocking cashpoint machines, shop doorways etc. Be courteous to people and the patch and it will pay dividends.
Read the crowd I've known buskers lose good money by concentrating so much on themselves they haven't noticed that they have lost the crowd. Read the faces, if heads are nodding and feet are tapping, you have them, make the next tune a similar genre and keep watching. Different crowds appear at different times of the day, senior citizens won't have the same appreciation for what the younger set may enjoy. Note who you are playing to.
Get a web page Facebook will do, if you're playing local then you are a character, people like characters. If you're playing all over then it's a great way to link with people, get feedback and let people know where you are and what you're up to. If people take a particular shine to you give them a card with your page address. You can open, and keep open, a lot of doors simply by having a web presence.
Whether you're a complete beginner or a fully seasoned street performer you can get some great info on busking, busking songs and busking hotspots, check out the Buskers Bible at Hyperlink www.TheBuskersBible.com.
