r/Busking

Street performance and busking is about making live art and genuine connections in person. "AI", large language models, and similar technologies are the antithesis of live street performance and all of the values we have as a community.

Any Posts using AI for art or other purposes in r/busking will be deleted and can lead to a ban if done too many times.

Every once in a while someone will set up 30 feet away from me, and then act all offended when I ask them to move. The dude (because it is ALWAYS a male) will say that "they didn't see me" dude, I was right there, and you didn't bother to check around? When you could HEAR me? I admit, I was a bit upset, and I was also frustrated from having to disentangle my mic cords before I could walk away from my harp.

"But I'm not going to mess with your setup!" Dude, do you understand how sound works‽

I was there first! I always check for other buskers, even just stashed equipment. I made sure to setup a respectful distance away from a dancer, and pointed my amp away from the dancer.

I can understand missing my setup when I am by the water taxi, and someone sets up on the pier-I'm a little tucked away and that is a spot where no amps are allowed. All I have to do is ask for the person to point their instrument in a slightly different direction and all will be fine.

I admit that there were a couple of minor visual obstructions in between me and the guy, but it wouldn't take much looking to see me!

At least he couldn't keep up with my stamina and stopped playing after an hour. How do I get other buskers to stop encroaching too close?

I know this is weird considering I've busked on the DC Mall, Old Town Alexandria VA, and Asheville, but when it comes to small town grocery stores, Walmarts, Target, etc I get so gun shy. Is this a case of "better to ask forgiveness than ask permission"? Do you go in and ask permission from the owner? TIA

Hello ladies and gentlemen

A thought crossed my mind, if a person were to ever go to a park to mayhaps play a flute, a guitar, whatever their favorite instrument may be, would that be considered busking?

Or is it just playing outdoors?

The thought of playing in a more quieter public park appeals a tiny bit more to me at times rather than playing in a busy street, if I were to ever consider it. Suppose I wouldn’t necessarily bring a tip jar either, just playing outdoors for the freshness of it!

What do you think?

A couple of years ago my wife and son and another couple went on a cruise overseas. We went on an excursion in Sardinia where we were on long enough of a bus ride that we had to stop in a small town for about an hour. My wife saw a sign outside a small art studio basically inviting people to come in an play. I'm typically just a couch player but my wife (who also ironically does not humor my "habit" or "hobby") convinced me to go in and play/sing a song. It actually went over pretty good. I don't know if I'll ever do something like that again in my life, but it made me realize how much I miss just noodling when we're on vacation.

I didn't earn any tips or anything so I'm not sure if it's considered busking but have any of you ever done anything like that? I've seen some stories on YouTube about people getting gigs while on vacation and I wondered if (besides doing research to see if it's legal) any of you have traveled with an instrument and just set up in a random spot and played to earn lunch money?

Hi, all. I'm a semi-retired middle aged guy who's played nearly my entire life but only at home. I feel like I'm stuck in a rut and have been getting bored, even though playing music has kept me emotionally stable and is likely slowing down dementia. My wife works from home 2 days a week and will not tolerate me practicing from home and while I enjoy playing outside on our porch I worry about bothering her and my neighbors.

Lately I've though about going to a local park and playing in a gazebo near a pond in an area that sees lots of foot traffic but I'm wondering if that would be frowned upon. I live in SW Pennsylvania outside of Pittsburgh near the county run park in South Park, PA which has lots of walking trails and picnic grottos. I don't really write my own music and a lot of what I know is basically 60s-90s rock/pop so it's not offensive, just dated. I checked the local municipalities and the only restriction I see is on noise and I'd be playing unplugged.

Option B would be to go to one of the many picnic groves set back from the road but that also strikes me as weird. Am I being too self conscious?

PS: my goal is not necessarily to busk or even perform but I'd love to have some sort of foundation to play at my elderly mom's senior residence or work in one of the local music stores teaching kids who are willing to learn "oldies." Basically I also need a confidence boost..

She was so sweet. She just sat and listened or danced and sang. This lasted about an hour.

When I was packing up, she pulled out some cash. I couldn't take it.

So many wealthy people had passed by. Some smiled. Most acted like I was scenery. A few dropped some bills in my bucket. But this lady, I just couldn't.

Anyone else ever experience something like this?

I'm planning on purchasing a portable generator to power a small amplifier (music). Do any of you have recommendations for one on the budget friendly side (200$ or less)?

Thanks

How does that work? I know there’s doodads you can buy and apps and whatnot, but my question is specifically how do I not legitimately not declare it as I’m in receipt of an invalidity pension and am not allowed to work at all or lose it but I’m thinking donations don’t count so does anyone have any thoughts?

If you live in a suburban area where there is no foot traffic, you only have strip malls and shopping center parking lots (which aren’t horrible options), it’s too far to travel to go any place where there is a lot of foot traffic, or people that would stop and listen to you, public parks are possibly a good venue. But what about school grounds? I’m thinking about kids and their parents hearing someone play and becoming inspired to learn an instrument. Anyone have any experience with that? Good idea, bad idea?