Here are some suggestions that I have accumulated from my experiences on the street. Welcome additions and contradictions. For what it’s worth, my act is to stand there playing fiddle tunes – I don’t bottle up (directly request tips) or joke around, and someone with a more “showbiz” type of act might need to do some things differently.

CHOOSE INSTEAD

1. Choose a place where you are visible from as many directions as possible. People need time to recognize what you are doing, decide to tip you, and find it in their pockets. If they can see you for a minute before they are actually in front of you, they are much more likely to give you a hint than if they suddenly find you hiding in a doorway and only have seconds to react.

2. Be very considerate of the place where you install, to avoid confrontations and avoid disturbing passersby. Make sure that you do not block the flow of smooth traffic to any stores and that you do not make it difficult for wheelchairs or strollers to pass or climb onto the sidewalk. Also, avoid captive audiences (i.e. playing right next to a restaurant with outdoor seating).

3. One exception to what I just said about captive audiences is traffic lights: choosing intersections that have traffic lights is good, because being a briefly captive audience gives them the time they need to decide to tip you.

4. Stores that are closed or that are closed for the weekend are usually a good place to play. There is no one there to oppose you and there is often a door where you can put your backpack behind you, or an awning to protect you from the sun and rain. However, don’t get too far behind on their doorstep; or you won’t be visible enough.

5. When choosing a part of the city to visit, do not necessarily rule out areas with less traffic, because you can often still make a lot of money there, because finding you there is a pleasant surprise, and you are not in competition with the beggars and other street musicians of the next block or they were there yesterday. In a place in my hometown where I always earn excellent money, it is not unusual for me to play a series of songs without anyone even stopping by. But when they come, they give me something. But on the busiest streets of the city, or in a market where busking is more common, a much smaller percentage of passersby give me something.

6. Many cities will have a city center and several smaller alternative centers, perhaps a district that is known as arts, modern and university. I found that the smaller urban centers are generally better than the main urban centers: people are happier, it is easier to take a corner.

7. Keep a respectful distance from other buskers, especially other musicians, but don’t let a little music push you away. Several times I tried places that seemed perfect except for an audible radio from a nearby business, but found that I could still dominate the sound waves in the immediate area and I still did well on the suggestions. Obviously, if the music is playing at full volume or if you are very quiet, this will not work.

8. I would choose a less than perfect spot in the shade over a perfect spot in the sun. The real secret to making money playing on the street is patience and stamina, and you will have more patience and stamina if you feel comfortable.

9. Keeping in mind that you should not get your legal advice from Mudcat: don’t ask permission to touch, don’t ask if it’s legal, just do it. If someone confuses you, your line is a polite “Sorry, I didn’t know, I’ll go now.” The guerilla approach (not to be confused with the gorilla approach; leave it to the rentacops) is simple and effective and I’ve never gotten into any real trouble with it, even in places where I knew it was illegal. (I have been kicked out of many places, but that is not a real problem; the real problem is that I get fined, arrested or beaten.)

The cliche that forgiveness is easier than permission is true. Furthermore, the only laws that matter are those that anyone cares to enforce. If you’re considerate where you play, so you’re not likely to bother anyone, and you look good and sound good, chances are that no one cares enough to enforce the law.

If you are somewhere where you suspect or know that it is illegal, remember the principle that “running makes you look guilty.” So if there is a policeman, just keep playing like there is no problem, do not close the suitcase or try to pack quickly. If you do, saying “I didn’t know it wasn’t allowed” will be much less credible.

WHILE BUSKING

10. Bearing in mind that you should not seek medical advice from Mudcat: a mild state of dehydration is your friend. Publicly available restrooms aren’t always easy to find, and it sucks having to interrupt a good street music session, possibly losing your good spot to another busker, because you have to pee. You will need to bring a bottle of water, but don’t overdo it.

11. Coins dropped into their case from a height sometimes bounce back. So take a quick look around the ground for lost coins when you leave, and don’t leave your box next to a sewer grate (yes, I learned the hard way). And while you’re at it, don’t leave your case anywhere you see a lot of pigeon droppings (no, I didn’t learn it the hard way).

> 12. People will ask you about lessons, so if you don’t teach, consider bringing the phone number of your friend who does.

13. Be an opportunistic bastard. If Johnny Cash dies, go out there and play his hits. If the Blue Jays are in the Stanley Cup final, wear something that implies you care.

14. Exploiting children. If someone with a baby or toddler is stopping near you, play “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” If he is a young child, ask him if he has a favorite song; they will probably say “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. If it’s a middle-aged child accompanied by an adult and seems interested, consider offering to try out your instrument (personally, I always keep one hand on the violin while I let a child try it, and I take a look at the cleanliness of their hands first. ). .

Being kid friendly has three benefits. One, it makes you more interesting to children and their parents, and children and parents are often your best customers. Two, it will attract the attention of unrelated passersby who want to see the cute little boy dance or try to play the violin. Three, it makes you feel like a folk missionary, giving kids the opportunity to listen to and try live acoustic music.

15. It is very common for someone to pass you once and then tip you on the way back, once you have had more time to think or have received change at the store. What this means to you is that every time you start hitting the fairway, you start off with a slow stretch when everyone is a passer for the first time. And every time you stop playing on the street, you lose advice from people who would have given you something on the way back. So try to start and stop less often – that is, if you’re going to play for three hours a day, you’ll probably do better in two 90-minute shifts and three 60-minute shifts. Also, do not rush to leave the place when you are tired of playing. Have your rest close by. It has happened to me many times that people have approached me with a tip in the fifteen minutes after I stopped playing, saying, “I heard you before.” On the other hand, sometimes people will say: “I will accompany you on the way back”, and sometimes they do, but do not make any decisions based on these promises.

16. If there are people who stop when you finish a tune, ask them if they have a request. Even if you only know the chorus, or listen to the song with a bit of trial and error, people appreciate you trying to accommodate their requests.

17. Put salt in your case (put some of your own money) with the type of currency you want to attract. Peer pressure is a powerful force; People will look to others to see if they should tip you, and if so, how much. I’ve also noticed that tips often come in groups: I go ten minutes without a tip, then four people give me something in the space of 30 seconds. I suspect this is peer pressure; seeing the first person lets others know what to do.

18. If there is an alternative to the money you would like to receive, consider also adding salt to your box (subway tokens, Canadian Tire money, even food if you are in a market). Some people enjoy giving a specific gift instead of money, and some people may suspect that you will simply buy drugs if they give you money. People often offer a cigarette, but if you smoke, I don’t recommend putting cigarettes in the case to give people an idea, as it will likely alienate other customers.

OTHER

19. Sometimes people steal from buskers. There really isn’t much you can do about it except minimize your losses by limiting the amount of money you can collect on your case. Don’t go after a thief, to do so is to turn a non-violent encounter into a potentially violent one, and what are you going to do anyway, with a fragile and valuable instrument in your hands? Also, keep in mind that criminals sometimes work as a team – someone grabbing some money may just be trying to distract you so your friend can steal your entire spare case, backpack, or instrument.

20. This is a more long-term strategy, but remember that street activity relies on a pedestrian-oriented, public property scene. So shop downtown storefronts instead of shopping malls or shops where there are no public spaces or pedestrians, and help keep city centers alive! Also, I think it is good manners and good public relations to give your business to the stores it is sold in front of, if it is practical.

21. Perhaps this should have been tip number one: keep the faith. I know a lot of people have a lot of things to do with stage fright on the street (more than just playing concerts it seems sometimes), and you will have good days and bad and occasionally some encounters that are not so pleasant. Follow it!