So, busking, whats to do......

April 25, 2012 at 8:22 PM

Raising money is hard work and right now, I've got a lot of that to do. I am going on a charity expedition with a team of friends from school, and on brain storming ideas, someone suggested to me to try busking. Well, I suppose I am an OK grade 8 (ABRSM) player and I enjoy performing, but I know that I am definately nowhere near the best out there and so picking a programme will be difficult....... trying to find pieces which people will enjoy listening to, but also, ones to which not every suzuki player who walks past will say 'well I can play that too'! I know that I do say that when I hear the multitudes playing humoresque/ witches dance/ boccherini etc...... now I am just listing. So please, ideas or general tips. Does this really matter?

From Karen Allendoerfer
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 11:04 AM

I've busked a few times at a Farmers' Market, and at least in that setting, the occasional Suzuki student wandering past who might know the piece is not really an issue. In my experience, if people know the pieces, it's a plus, it makes them more likely to stop and listen. (I have to say, I've never seen the words "multitudes" and "busking" in the same sentence before.)

I played a mixture of fiddle tunes, unaccompanied Bach, and other more romantic tunes out of a fakebook I bought on eBay. I bought the fakebook after an elderly gentleman asked me if I knew "Come Back to Sorrento," which I didn't at the time, but it was easy to learn!

From Emily Allen
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 5:03 PM

I also busk at Farmers Markets all the time. I have found that it really doesn't matter the level of music you are playing but rather that it sounds good and is catchy. I usually play a mix of fiddle tunes, movie usic, pop music and some recognizable classical pieces (I will also sometimes throw in something technically challenging just for fun). Some times I pring a CD player and use the books with accompaniment CDs. It's so much fun a pretty good movey (on a good day I get about $20 and hour...more than double min. wage). Most importantly, if the people see you are having a good time, they will as well and will be more likely to pay you. Hope this helps! Have fun!

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So, busking, whats to do......

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