an absolutely amazing article on music and life.

HCPhilly

One of the musicians in my R&B band just forwarded this to me.
It is well worth reading.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 01721.html

cheers,
Barry HCPhilly

a

busking in a spot where people are just walking by isn't the best idea. it's better to busk where people are waiting, so that they can feel like they're getting their money's worth.

a

another trick is to occasionally collect the money in front of people, as if you're finished. for some reason, this elicits tips.

i also think that there is a different type of relationship between the artist and the people in a concert hall vs. those waiting for the train. in the subway, you really have to pay attention to individuals, where as in a concert hall it's the crowd mentality. and, there's less freedom of expression for an audience in a concert hall.

HCPhilly

I really thought that the article had a lot to say
about art and life. [Joshua Bell, evidently isn't too concerned about maximizing his take from busking, which is a good thing]
B

Jack

I remember reading this when it first came out...it's an interesting experiment, not about busking, but about how context influences our perception of things. I'm sure at least a few of those people that passed by had paid good money to hear Bell in a concert hall. It's a similar story to the masterpiece painting found sitting in a thrift store.

I would be into a good thread about busking tips and tricks, though!

best,
Jack.

a

another tip. if you're done- if you're not feeling it, either stop, or get your shit together and feel it. people can tell, consciously or subconsciously when your just grinding away mindlessly/soulessly.

also, look up at people.

Elliot

I guess I don't get the point. I was in NYC and saw a pair doing their ballet routine in their outfits on a street corner and they pulled in $50 in 15 minutes. What does that say?

HCPhilly

Maybe Joushua should wear a tutu!
I thought that the article was pretty interesting.
We're all going to draw our own conclusions of course.
Cheers,
Barr

Carter O`Brien

I remember when that came out as well, and I remember thinking how different the buskers were in Paris- those cats are hustling! On their public rail (metro?) a guy would run in your train car, play for maybe 2 minutes, then right before the next stop he'd hustle around with a cup, make a few bucks, then run to the next car on the train - this is a bit easier with a one-man-band instrument like an accordion, but it did contrast with the sort of bored, aimless playing I often see in downtown Chicago (which often generates little to no interest).

HCPhilly

Carter,

New York's got hustle too baby!
I stayed up in Harlem during the week of the Birdland show,
and took the subway to the shows. The best routine that I saw were
two Latino guys singing Mexican Folk songs with guitar and accordion. Same deal, they're on and off, and I gave them a few bucks and wished them Buena suerte.
Cheers,
Barr

manoucheguitars

It's been so long since I lived in PA I forgot how musiciand have to stand on fridgid street corners to make a buck...