Tips and advice Wanted for Busking

[robert_brunsdon]

Has anyone got any tips for material? Most of the stuff I have played busking has been from the Great American Songbook. Has anyone got any modern favourites that go down well?

Thanks,

Robert

 

[Taz]

robert brunsdon wrote:
Has anyone got any tips for material? Most of the stuff I have played busking has been from the Great American Songbook. Has anyone got any modern favourites that go down well?

Thanks,

Robert

Hi Robert, a couple of trax that I've added to my repertoire are She's like the wind, Hero and Me and Mrs Jones. I bought the backing trax from Ameritz, they're
good quality and seem to go down well.
Good luck

 

[peedee]

Hi buskers
Just had a look at Ameritz, mentioned by Taz, and the backing tracks seem ok, but have a query.
As I only play from music, and not very good at playing by ear yet, I assume the backing music has to be in the same key as the music I am reading from? This caused a problem as not all the backing music on Ameritz is in the same key as my music. I can transpose the music to a key that matches the available backing track, but this may not be suitable for the Tenor, too high, or too low.
Question: does the backing track have to be in the same key as the played music, or can I use a different key without it sounding horrible?
For instance, my music for "A Foggy Day" is in the key G, but the backing track offered is only in D. I could transpose the music to the same key as the backing, but that might not always work.
Please advise.

Pete

 

[Taz]

Hi Pete, if you have Band In A Box or Audacity (I'm sure there are more programs available) you could probably alter the key there. I created a backing track for Baker Street (very poor quality, but what does the average bloke in the street know?) and then I altered the key so that I could play it on the tenor. It sort of worked ok, it didn't sound too bad to my ears! :laugh: Most of the trax on Ameritz have the key they are in written beside them on the list.

 

[peedee]

Hi Taz
ok. Don't have BIAB but got Audacity. Have'nt gotten into that yet.
I'll give them a try and see how it sounds.

cheers
Pete

 

[silver_smurfer]

Hey Pete,
Remember that your tenor is a transposed instrument. This means that your G is a piano's F... It was designed to confuse the enemy.

 

[peedee]

Silver Smurfer wrote:
Hey Pete,
Remember that your tenor is a transposed instrument. This means that your G is a piano's F... It was designed to confuse the enemy.

Hi
ok, that is concert pitch F. So the key printed for each backing track is in concert pitch?
Yeah, that makes sense. Oh well back to the drawing board.
🙁

 

[Taz]

I cheat.... I try to play along with the little demo piece they give you I don't read music and transposing just brings me out in a rash 8|

 

[mick_wilson]

Ive done it my first live performance. I busked at work for charity and it was awesome .I got some good comments some people where shocked to hear id only been playing for 11 months 8) .

I wasnt aloud to use my amp so i had the backing tracks playing in my ear and played that way this helped with timing.

I found at first i was quite Breathless with nerves but when I got into it I played til my embouchure couldnt take anymore (2 hours)

in the afternoon a guitarist joined and we had a free for all jam session together. that was dificult tho trying to be in key with each other

was good day and iI learnt alot and it gave me a real confidence boost

 

[phil_edwards]

Hi Mick, a while since we saw you here. Well done, sounds like you had a good time, what did you play?

Phil

 

[sharon]

HI mick good to see you back. The last time I heard your soundclip you had really come on and sounded great. You've obviously got some real confidence I think you're really brave to play for people in work!!

Sharon

 

[Taz]

Nice one Mick, what did you play?

 

[mick_wilson]

thanks guys yes it was hard work. as I knew almostr everyone at work and my team came to cheer me on too. I played

Blue moon
Cry me a river
Jamaican folk song
Swing Low sweet chariot
Take my breath away
Circle of life
changing partners
They say its wonderful
Red sky at night (sax solo off dave Gilmour on an Island album) I have learnt this by ear its not perfect but as not many people know it I got away with it. I didnt have backing tracks blurting out but i did have them through my headset...

my friend asked me to play at his wedding in December too...I am thinking about this one as I know I made some mistakes
:cry: :cry: :cry: I must admit I was shaking and struggling to get my breathing right in the first 30 minutes of playing. I also wore wrap round shades like Taz during the first session (cant think why now they wouldnt hide me , think it was a eye contact thing lol.)

 

[ch_boogie]

Congratulations on your busking, glad it went well. You must have been pretty good if someone has asked you to play at his wedding, all adds to the experience!!!

 

[Taz]

I find the shades a big confidence booster, I can look at the audience to gauge their response, without staring at people. Well dome Mick, and some challenging tunes too!