Any of you guys ever played a corner for change?

64Firebird · #1 05-09-2003

I was thinking that it might be fun to hang out in a local park or someplace, play my guitar and leave the case open for tips. I don't think anybody around here does it.

scottboyher · #2 05-09-2003

Let me know how it goes and maybe I will do that too!

In an area that doesn’t see street musicians very often you might actually make a little money. When I was in Nashville the street musicians really had to count on the tourist to drop a quarter because to the locals they are a nuisance.

64Firebird · #3 05-09-2003

I was talking to a guy in a music store and he told me that in Austin there are guys that have had the same corner for years. And they watch out for each other. "Hey! you can't play there! Bill will be along in an hour or so and that's his spot." He said that sometimes it even comes to blows.

See my deal is that I want to buy a resonator guitar but I just can't justify spending the bucks on it. But, if I could make the money to pay for it by playing on the streets I'd go for it.

scottboyher · #4 05-09-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by 64Firebird
See my deal is that I want to buy a resonator guitar but I just can't justify spending the bucks on it. But, if I could make the money to pay for it by playing on the streets I'd go for it.

Well I don't see what it could hurt to try. You would get better and prolly enjoy it. Remember... Location, location, location.

carlosguardia · #5 05-09-2003

When I was studying in MI back in '97 I played in Hollywood Blvd a couple of times just for fun!!! I was doing scales and exercises a la Paul Gilbert with my case open on the same block the Mann's Chinese Theater is at and one time I got enough change to buy medium sized fries at McD's!!!! HA HA HA HA

Carlos

bdbdbuck · #6 05-09-2003

I used to do it in Georgetown......MANY years ago. There were times the money was actually better than playin a gig. Location IS the trick.

bd

tjohnston · #7 05-09-2003

Where I come from someone is likely to beat the hell out of you, steal your guitar and then leave you to die. I have heard of people actually making money doing this by the way... well at least enough to buy more drugs.

LI_Slim · #8 05-09-2003

I do think that when performing as a street musician, it helps a lot to not suck. And location, of course.

subtractor · #9 05-09-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by tjohnston
Where I come from someone is likely to beat the hell out of you, steal your guitar and then leave you to die. I have heard of people actually making money doing this by the way... well at least enough to buy more drugs.

ROFL!

KaBudokan · #10 05-09-2003

I played on South Street in Philly a couple of times with a buddy of mine. We'd sing about the people walking by...

"That guy in the red jacket wants to buy me a Big Mac!
Yeah you buddy, now get out a quarter and come on back!"

We didn't make too much money.

Bass Freak · #11 05-09-2003

i always thought that if you did that, youd get beat up....but ive seen people in pittsburgh on the street corner playin some blues. from the cash in thier case im guessin they made a couple bucks, or five, but who knows. im thinkin that if you suck, they will kill you with your own guitar, then take your money, then pawn your guitar.

the one cool thing i really remember seeing one time in pittsburgh, i was reallllllly young, and we were ridding on the "t", its our subway thingy, and in one of the underground stations there was a black guy peeling the finish off the walls with his tenor sax. thats always just stuck in my mind. he didnt look like he was hurtin for money. i guess when you reach the peak of your skills. you just gotta play.

freak

64Firebird · #12 05-09-2003

I've never heard of anybody getting beat up!?! That's harsh. Also I don't think you can tell how much money those guys are making by looking in their case. I'd be putting in my pockets if it started getting to full. Just leave enough so people know what it's for.

I use to take my guitar with me to the landramat and play when I was doing my wash. They always tossed me a few coins.

Clive Hugh · #13 05-10-2003

Do it man, last night we had a function on in the park in town and my wife asked me to play at their stall near the local swimming pool. I refused, hundreds turned up, today I have been doing the one legged arse kicking dance. Next year!!!!

Richard Monroe · #14 05-10-2003

Been there, done that. In Amsterdam, I made enough in 7 hours to pay for an airline ticket home.-Richie

Badger · #15 05-10-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by 64Firebird
I was thinking that it might be fun to hang out in a local park or someplace, play my guitar and leave the case open for tips. I don't think anybody around here does it.

Sundance in dowtown fort worth would be the place.

gbondo9 · #16 05-10-2003

Done it. It was a blast. Every friday Id be out there jammin till I made enough money to hit the bars. Beer busking in essence.

Note* I got harrased by the cops alot. Then I found out that I was supposed to have a street performers license or something. Never got arrested or anything though. I definately wouldnt take your nicest axe out with you either.

Good luck,
Todd

Synesthesia · #17 05-11-2003

Once when I was in high school a bunch of fellow band nerd friends and I played Christmas carols on Main St. of our small town for a school function...we left a trumpet case open for a few hours and by the end of the night we had enough to buy a slice of pizza each...if I were to go outside and play my guitar on the street corner now, I'd probably get beat up by some drunk frat brother.

zer0sig · #18 05-12-2003

i remember playing on a corner here in town after wrecking a car earlier that night-some money was made, but not terribly much. of course, not that many people came by.

Dani Pace · #19 05-12-2003

I've never played on the street, but i have played a few restaurants for dinner and tips. I made enough to pay for a couple of guitars and buy a few bus tickets, and allways got a good meal out of it. I guess that ain't too bad for a country boy with a beat up old acoustic guitar sitting on a barstool in the corner. If you decide to try it, go for the places that cater to tourists, they are usualy better tippers. One more thing, it helps to be good and know a variety of songs. Best of luck Bud

ditnoj · #20 05-12-2003

Yeah,
I did Georgetown, too in the early 80's with various "groups"
solo: marimba
duos: two with congas
1 on percussion (congas and marimba) and another on drumset
1 on drumset and another on trumpet
trios: all percussion (with marimba for melody)
etc.
etc.

Had a blast, worked the chops, learned a bit about capturing the interest of folk (if you can do it on the street, it's easier in a club or on stage, right!)
and made ok money. I looked at it as being paid to practice!

concerns:
Location
cops (in most places you supposedly need a licence)
watching your back (as some have mentioned)

If you don't disturb the flow of pedestrians, and if you sound good (but not too loud) , probably the local constabulary will leave you be.

Hey bdbdbuck, ever do what was the parking lot at the corner of Wisc. and M? I remember "opening" (and/ or closing!) for the Junkyard Band there a few times!

Oh yeah, I also remember playing at the mouth of an alley across from the parking lot I just mentioned and having a body discovered in a dumpster about 100 yards behind us. fortunately we had just packed up minutes before the cops got there! The foul thing is that since we were three percussionists that night, we might have covered the noise of the incident with our music!!

D out ITNOJ

mocharock · #21 05-12-2003

Don't you have to get a premit to do such a thing. I personally have always wanted to do that. It is even more cool if you can sit outside of some place like a coffee house.

64Firebird · #22 05-12-2003

I've talked to a few people and it seems that you don't need a permit in Texas. Something about if you go out and ask people for money you need one, but If you just open your case and they drop it in without you doing anything more then you don't.

I think that I'd put a buck or two in there to start with just so they get the idea.

Bass Freak · #23 05-12-2003

firebird, you should set up inside your tattoo shop and see what happens...you might make a couple extra bucks

freak

philboyd studge · #24 05-12-2003

Yep, you should definitly use the resonator guitar.

There was this blind guy that used to play out in front of a little restaurant in Greenwood MS when I was a kid spending time a few summers at my grandfather's uncle's place in Tchula. We'd go there cause it was the big city.

Anyway, this black guy played a chrome National with a cup on the end of the peghead. A harmonica too. Wish I'd have paid more attention, I remember him as big real good. There I was, right there at the crossroads and didn't even know it.

64Firebird · #25 05-13-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Bass Freak
firebird, you should set up inside your tattoo shop and see what happens...you might make a couple extra bucks

freak

I've tried that a few times, but I always get sidetracked when somebody has a question about tattoos.

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