A good exercise I tend to do every now and then, whenever I don't have a specific set of songs to learn of course, is to shoot for something that is more than my standards. To set and example, some years ago I set myself the goal to learn an entire Eminem album in a couple months. It was a fun challenge and I even performed a couple songs live. Every new slow pop song felt way easier after that 😂

respect my guy!!!!!!!

That's pretty amazing that they have that infrastructure in place. Wow 👌

If you want to experience the sun in Southern Spain, you know what to do! I can't offer you a bed, unfortunately, but I can show you the hotspots around the area and lend you a flaming S1+ we can also play all the Green Day songs you know and love.

Absolutely awesome. KZbin knew you had a cold and talked about a cold as they inserted flu remedy adverts. CD has arrived safely :-)

'11 songs in 4 days' could be a future one when things really take off - Great video Ben.

Today’s my first day busking, and I’m new to performing.This is exactly what I need!!

hahah i always play outside shut down shops also !!

Well done Ben 😊

helped a lot thankyou

Mate you've actually sold me

Did they finally fix the software thing with chorus and EQ at the same time?

Have you tried it with pedals? In your opinion, how much of an audience would it be suitable for in both indoor and outdoor gigs?

Terrific video. Congrats on the gig. Great opportunity seems like. Yet another door opening for you. Excited to see it. Who knows what it will lead to. Never know who will be at the shows. That's a lot of exposure to a captive audience of up to 300 people per show. Are you allowed to plug your KZbin and Instagram?

Wow I’ve never warmed vocals up ever! Always start my set with U2 to rip open the throat 😅 GREAT VID as always!

Really cool man! I'm as happy as if it was happening to me. You're always so inspiring, positve and uplifting. You regularly mention the universe, and trusting the universe and that it always provides what's best for you, and here you are, touring a show about the universe. How poetic :D

Great stuff, looking forward to seeing this on tour

I started busking this year, I recently quit my job to busk and its been going killer. but winter kicked in here and busking has taken a down turn a bit, Thank you for making this video to share, it helped amp me up! I'm learning how to make better videos and working on my social media game to! Your music rocks, keep going!!!

I read a little and I feel something like the above.. the bits you pull out are inspirational but some other bits of the first few pages I don't really agree with

Rad! Congrats brother! You are in the zone!

Next year in summer time I am going to The UK, I really want to watch the show 🎉

Man that is so important. Just added the book to my list to get soon. I agree, there truly is value in creating something simply for the inherent goodness in creative work. It's better to put something out there even if it's messy and imperfect.

Unfortunately I play guitar, but I am unable to remember lyrics.

If I could do my own songs, transport provided, photographer, Aye definitely. I can learn songs in a day if it's a three-chord job; however, lyrics are something else. I don't do a hum warm-up; instead, I pick 3 to 4 songs in low key to warm up my voice prior to belting it out. For some reason I can't memorise the words to Turn Turn Turn I need the sheet. I've tried memorizing it like all the others but this one for some reason is taking forever I mean months man.

Another great video. I definitely use the tablet too much. It has become a crutch. I want to be able to play a lot of songs but need to work on them more. Working on it. I will try the one or 2 times with the tablet then try to abandon it.

Mate, you are truly amazing always sharing your wisdom with us, i love so much your get out there and do attitude. I wish you good look next year with the show, if its coming to Manchester i will be sure to attend. 😊

man, this is amazing. thanks for sharing your method. I do the same thing, playing songs I gotta learn in my car and on walks, over and over. Awesome seeing you do this show!!!!

Well Done you Ben, what an amazing video not lacking suspense ! To learn 5 new songs like that in the time scale is no mean feat at all ! Then you fall ill ..... Holy Smokes life is a learning curve indeed ! And you not only made it, but you nailed it too ! On that freeze up,felt it, been there sort of, but i chose to keep playing while scrambling my brain to find the dammed words .... to stop or not to stop indeed ! You are an Amazing person well done mate !

I’ve just finished this book, and (it’s my own fault for only reading a page here and a page there), I feel a bit underwhelmed. It only makes me really think when I hear you talking about it! Oh, and again I’m going through “busker’s fear”, even after all these years of gigs, street busks etc etc. What gives? Life just gets in the way man 😢😮

The epiphany of being a professional musician. That’s so mind blowing! Congratulations, dude! Let’s sing together some time!

Dude! I have Runaway to Mars in my busking set list! Such a good song.

I use that same warmup video!! 😂😂 it’s so good!

Cool show, , cool idea Congrats on the gig man!

This is one of your best videos.

My dude- I am always so impressed by you!! Keep it up, you’re only getting bigger 😊

Ben do you know a song that fits good to run away to mars ? One song that i have in my program kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIG4cp-anLhqick . Thanks for the input, i will defenitly learn run away to mars

smashing life living your dreams!!!! amazing!!!

Such positivity and inspiration runs through these videos, well done Ben, and thank you 🎸

Some great words of wisdom in this one, ARP! As for the blank space where the lyrics should be … man, I know that scene so well and I even write the songs in the first place 🤷🏻‍♂️🤫 I like your method of beginning with the macro and gradually focussing in on the detail. I guess that’s almost what I do, but you seem to be more methodical in your approach. I find I have to sing a new song at least a hundred times before I dare try it out for even a transitory audience. When I’m still at the stage of thinking about the song I’m playing I find myself visualising the position on the page of music or lyrics where the iffy section strikes and it helps. Since I write my songs in notation anyway that works for me. I’m invariably playing at least two instruments simultaneously and losing a portion of the lyric can act like a domino effect and make the other parts fall over too, but at least I can usually go into an instrumental verse by bringing the harmonica in with the guitar and drums which gives me some recovery time. Usually that is an action of last resort, but it is a fall back I can use. The worst thing is taking a second run at a verse and the word I need still won’t come. I console myself with having seen Patti Smith have to start a song three times because she didn’t know it well enough … I doubt her credibility suffered much of a dent that night. I also saw the wonderful Laurie Anderson in a new three-hour show last week and she had lyric prompt sheets in her hand (or on a music stand when she was playing an instrument) throughout the show. She even had a “lyric tech” bring the right prompt sheet on the stage as she changed between songs/stories/scenes.

Fantastic stuff, Ben. Congratulations on getting this amazing gig: well deserved. Loads of stuff in here resonated and you're right - learning new songs starts with serious listening (18 months ago had to learn 11 songs for a studio session - after a 30 year break!). Half the battle is saying yes to opportunities - who knows where they'll lead. Keep on keeping on.

Very cool vid - thanks

Mackie Showbox loud enough for gigs? Can you link it to a house PA? I have a similar amp, but it’s only 200 watts.. which I think is loud enough? I find these big huge PA systems are kind of overkill… people can’t hear themselves! The busking amps seem suffice. Lol what do you think? Would be a cool video idea - follow along to a gig!

Wow, this must be a great confidence booster in so many ways. This 'nerves' thing is also an interesting topic, and something that some entertainers (even very famous ones) never get over. Could be a good subject for another of your videos. Congratulations on landing such a cool opportunity, and thanks for sharing the song learning tips.

You never fail to make me smile 😊

Congratulations man!!!

Man I've been busking since I was 16 ! I love it man! I love paid rehearsals

My dream guitar 🤤

"I'm just a teenage dirt-bag Baby!"

Imagine how many people wish they could live as free while playing music. Most ppl just work doing something confined by so many variables.

Imagine a world of real expression, you're doing it! Joy of being you and being free. It's a blessing and a miracle.