Tips and advice Wanted for Busking

[silver_smurfer]

Hey Taz,
Your accounts are fascinating. Keep the post going, I want to follow your progress. I'm wondering how much I could get if I put a sign up offering to stop playing for money (lol). On the few occassions I have played my alto in front of others I feel extremely self-conscious and find difficulty in making any eye contact with anyone. Do you have this problem whilst busking?

 

[mick_wilson]

I would like to know how do u power amps when busking? Im looking at busking ive got about 30 mins worth so need some more tunes before I do

Am8 is getting married also at xmas and we are negotiating on me playing in a room where guests come and get drinks after the ceremony 😱 😱 😱 could be my first gig

 

[u_can_call_me_al]

Mick if you have an Ipod and confident about your backing tracks consider buying a mains charged Ion IPA-03 Portable amp. Readily available on ebay. When fully charged one will give you about 6 hours of playing time, including instrument amplification, through a decent mike.
It is a relatively bulky and heavy item to lug around but will give a very reasonable sound quality for the price. My only gripe is that it lacks a vibe control which would obviate the need for playing vibrato.

 

[Taz]

Silver Smurfer wrote:
Hey Taz,
Your accounts are fascinating. Keep the post going, I want to follow your progress. I'm wondering how much I could get if I put a sign up offering to stop playing for money (lol). On the few occassions I have played my alto in front of others I feel extremely self-conscious and find difficulty in making any eye contact with anyone. Do you have this problem whilst busking?

Thanks for the comments Paul, although I've played with bands for a couple of years, I'm no front man! To get over the self-consciousness, I adopt a persona, "The Jazz man" dark hat, sun glasses and all black clothes. That way I don't have to make eye contact with anyone 8)

Hi Mick, I built a box with a car stereo inside and two speakers on the front and power it with a car battery. It sounds great and is more than loud enough.

 

[silver_smurfer]

Can someone yutube this man before the cold weather drives him underground?

 

[silver_smurfer]

I saw a busker in Godalming (Surrey) today. Tooted a few notes on a tenor and sang "la la la" out of tune. I don't think he got a lot of donations. If you read this, Godalming Man, you should take a few hints from Taz.

 

[silver_smurfer]

Funny busking clip, Covent Garden I think.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/yt-BujoOxjB3b4/what_happens_if_you_talk_with_your_phone_in_a_concert/

 

[pete_canter]

Anybody have any experience of using a Crate Taxi/Limo TX50 rechargeable amp - Looks like a good bit of kit which would double as a mini PA and a rechargeable amp for your busking backing tracks, though scanning the net there seems to have been a few issues about reliability. Have seen one recently and they look well built and are certainly compact - female singer sounded fine through it.

 

[PaulyT]

Silver Smurfer wrote:
I saw a busker in Godalming (Surrey) today. Tooted a few notes on a tenor and sang "la la la" out of tune. I don't think he got a lot of donations. If you read this, Godalming Man, you should take a few hints from Taz.

I think you'll find, if you'd bothered to take a proper interest in it, that it was post modernistic, avante garde, free form, hybrid jazz - and if the people of Godalming can't appreciate it I'm not going to come down there and treat you all ever again!!!!
And yes - I did very well - 96 pence and a lollypop - which is more than you'd get playing at a jam night!!!

:laugh: :laugh:

 

[emmalto]

Awsome thread Taz, that's such a cool thing to do 🙂 Well done and keep the thread going :-D

 

[silver_smurfer]

U Can Call Me Al wrote:
Mick if you have an Ipod and confident about your backing tracks consider buying a mains charged Ion IPA-03 Portable amp. Readily available on ebay. When fully charged one will give you about 6 hours of playing time, including instrument amplification, through a decent mike.
It is a relatively bulky and heavy item to lug around but will give a very reasonable sound quality for the price. My only gripe is that it lacks a vibe control which would obviate the need for playing vibrato.

 

[AlbionLass]

I'm strongly considering busking sometime in the future, probably going down the backing track route. Unfortunately I don't posess a dress though. (Not since I was about 12 anyway). 🙂

 

[Taz]

AlbionLass wrote:
I'm strongly considering busking sometime in the future, probably going down the backing track route. Unfortunately I don't possess a dress though. (Not since I was about 12 anyway). 🙂

Forget the dress, mine was a bit tight any way.. ... if your up for a bit of busking then go for it, you wont regret it and you wont look back either. I've enjoyed it every time and made some good dosh too. I'm sure you've read this thread from start to finish, but I've been given some really good advice by these guys.
Its is good fun and I cant wait to get back out there as soon as I'm fit again!

 

[silver_smurfer]

Almost time for a Santa outfit

 

[Taz]

I think you could be right Paul, backing trax for Frosty the snowman and others are in the making as we speak! If I cant produce my own on BIAB then I will buy them from Ameritz.

Now....how the hell do you play through a false beard! :laugh:

 

[Pjonah]

Taz wrote:
I think you could be right Paul, backing trax for Frosty the snowman and others are in the making as we speak! If I cant produce my own on BIAB then I will buy them from Ameritz.

Now....how the hell do you play through a false beard! :laugh:

Roy Wood managed it as did his Bari-man Mike Burney!

Let me know when you intend to hit the snow laden streets of Chaventry Pete, I'll toss some wonga your way. Hows your shoulder BTW??

Simon

 

[wavygravy]

i`m going busking...xmas songs...with my sax teacher...his idea....a bit of a scary idea but i`m really looking forward to it.....


neil

 

[Taz]

wavygravy wrote:
i`m going busking...xmas songs...with my sax teacher...his idea....a bit of a scary idea but i`m really looking forward to it.....


neil

Neil, that's so cool, let us know what tunes you play and how you get on, and remember what someone told me, 90% of passers by don't even notice you, so don't get too nervous, just enjoy yourself! 😉
Good luck

 

[wavygravy]

we have about 15 tunes sorted...all standard classic xmas carol sort of stuff....i was actually wondering wether hiding behind a santa outfit would help with the nerves.. :cry:

 

[wavygravy]

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