Busking with a Stomp Box

[@Sweqla]

Hey there! I just wanted to say a big thank you for what you're doing! You've been a great help. I moved to London a couple of months ago and was hesitant to start busking, even though I've been doing it for many years in my hometown. After watching your videos, I found the courage to start. Today, I finally went out to busk. Thank you!❤

[@IsmaelMartinezMusic]

Hi my man! How was your busking?

[@AugustRadioProject]

This is so rad to hear! So stoked for you and rad that the videos helped. It’s so affirming! 😃🙌🏻 maybe see you out there in the wild!

[@Sweqla]

@@IsmaelMartinezMusic It was good, played for two hours on the river said, and the next day behind the station🙂

[@starbuckita]

Try turning the box backwards so your heel is stomping on it if that's more natural to your normal foot stomping while playing, I've used a tamborine, but move it sideways even, just what's more comfy for keeping the beat. bass and mid up on amp, cheers 🎸 yes def use a looper! each tune intro record the groove then rock on mate!

[@AugustRadioProject]

Excellent idea! I will do just this! I much prefer the heel stomp anyway! 😃🙌🏻 appreciate this so much! KZbin is a wonderful thing for many reasons!

[@kite666G]

I've experimented a bit with guitar and percussion using my Yamaha DD-75 as a foot drum and I found the best way to learn this is sitting down and playing "Seven Nation Army"😉

[@PanzikArtistry]

I always dug guitarist that slap the guitar too. Kind of same thing but course a stomp box keeps hands free. I looked up a fb and Instagram. I defiantly wanna hear more. Ya sound good. Cheers mate. ~Panzik Artistry

[@jamesmonkmusic]

Yes I’d love to see you trying the looper! Maybe even with the stomp box

[@AugustRadioProject]

Yes!! I’ll get on this 👀 challenge is on! 😃🙌🏻

[@NikosKatsikanis]

i Doesn't even know what the stamp box was until today

[@robbyboyo]

I have the same beat root stomp box and it does slip. I glued it to a mouse mat to stop it slipping. Enjoy.

[@AugustRadioProject]

Rad idea! I think I’ll do something similar! 😃🙌🏻

[@RyanHannaMusic]

take a piece of carpet thats twice the area of the stomp box and glue it to the base with the excess facing you, put your heel on the piece of carpet to stop it from sliding. i use a pair of roland trigger pedals and only play indoors...but the amount of times ive had tiled, cobbled or uneven flooring ive started bringing out a carpet with those rubber mesh things to stop things sliding around. its such a pain in the arse that im considering buying a portable 1mx1m drum riser .... for acoustic solo gigs lol

[@AugustRadioProject]

Great idea!! The pain of a slippery floor eh! 🙈 😃🙌🏻

[@brainmushart561]

use that as your kick and get a foot tambourine to use as your backbeat snare. Seen some really cool one man band projects, using different methods.

[@AugustRadioProject]

I’ve seen some other buskers pull this off. Wizardry with the feet! Maybe I’ll give it a go at some point. 😃🙌🏻

[@anonymouse527]

Stevenage is becoming legendary. Steven would be so proud!

[@AugustRadioProject]

Never thought I’d have so much appreciation for Steven!! 🤣😃🙌🏻

[@BrightonBeachBuskingBBB]

What a great video! Nice to see you finally using it!

[@AugustRadioProject]

Yes!! Thank you man! About time eh!! 😃🙌🏻

[@user-kq9ih3kb6b]

Not sure about a stomp box, but I use an Alesis SR 16 drum machine. It has 50 built in drum patterns which each have 2 variations. It can also be operated by a foot switch. I think it enhances my performance and people seem to like it. You can also program it to make your own patterns but I haven't tried that yet Ted

[@AugustRadioProject]

Sounds rad!! I’ll have to have a look into it. I’ve met several buskers who make good use of drum machines, it’s an intriguing world! 😃🙌🏻

[@kateplumtree5186]

Hi Ben! Great vid and you are sounding fabulous ...nice to have a go with a stomp box and great to see how well you got on (hehe "clown shoes" 🤣 ) Bizarrely an exact same stomp box somehow fell into my possession a few years ago and I have no idea how!!! I kinda looked at it in terror for a while then passed it on... 😂 So credit to you for breaking the stomp barrier!!! Great you have a spare mic now, I bought a spare too after seeing your last Stevenage video so thankyou 😊👍🎶 Good luck with the album...very exciting 😁🤘💕🎶 🤣😂)

[@kateplumtree5186]

Ps scuse the extra emojis...typing layout overdrive 🤣

[@AugustRadioProject]

Thank you Kate!! The clown shoes definitely don't help with the stomp box technique but I didn't fancy taking them off either! 😂 appreciate the kind words and hope all is well! 😀 🙌

[@patchevansbrokencountry2583]

Starbukita is right. Turn it round and use your heel. Wedge it against a raised bit of pavement to stop the movement of the stomper. I have an analogue one which is oblong and takes my whole foot, means toe or heel works. I also put it in a mic input. This makes it more sensitive and easier to control. Great vid. Oh and wear shoes with a hard sole!!!!!

[@AugustRadioProject]

Thank you Patch!! I’m gonna try the heel stomp variation! Much prefer that as an idea too. I think it’ll be better for slippage too! 😃🙌🏻

[@GearyBellish]

You're making an impact in New Brunswick, Canada, thanks man!

[@AugustRadioProject]

So rad to hear! 🇨🇦😃🙌🏻

[@rudybilani2289]

Try the wozinator stomp box. It doesn't have a steep angle (flat) so you can use it for hours without foot pain (been using it for years and I love it).

[@AugustRadioProject]

I’ll have a look into it! I love how ergonomics come into play here! The angle definitely makes it an endurance task to play! Thank you for this 😃🙌🏻

[@fernandolavado]

havent you developed any hip issues? my friend was using a stopbox stading up and having an unbalanced weight on his hips had a toll. any tips?

[@philc8622]

Interesting timing, because as I was walking through town on the way back from a busk last week, I heard some music coming out of a bar. I stopped to listen from a table outside, and then I saw a couple leave and realised that the guy was actually playing to an empty bar, so I bought a drink and moved inside (complete with busking trolley and guitar!). The guy was playing mostly blues and was using a stomp box to great effect (think John Lee Hooker). He had a fantastic sound coming from his setup (including his guitar), and the stomp box really added to that. I wished I'd asked him more about his amp/tone settings now because I'm sure that had a big influence on the overall sound he achieved. (Kinda sad that such a good musician was playing to an audience of one, but as he said, "I get paid anyway"). I think it rather depends on the type of music you are playing on how beneficial adding the stomp box would be. I was also wondering how adding 'percussion' to a busking setup might increase the number of complaints about noise? I noticed that some busking guidelines specifically mention drums (and bagpipes!) as being particularly annoying to nearby residents/shopkeepers, and although not prominent in the mix of your busk, I could imagine that a 'thud thud' might prompt more requests to move on, or give councils ammunition to include time limits in their busking guidelines. For anyone who's brave enough to busk in Reading (U.K.) after ARP's experience, the local council are currently developing some busking guidelines, and the draft version is up on their website for comment, so if this is relevant to you, you may wish to send them your comments on it (and even if you don’t busk in Reading but you live in the U.K. you might want to comment anyway, as it appears that other councils often 'cut and paste' guidelines, so these may well end up being adopted elsewhere in time). P.S. I'm hoping long comments are good for the algorithm ARP! 😊

[@AugustRadioProject]

Thank you for this Phil! 😀 it seems the stomp box sound lends itself well to blues so it makes sense that the dude was using one! 🙌 As for noise complaints, I imagine the stomp box wouldn't be much of a hinderance as the sound is subtle and you have complete control over the volume. I guess an actual drum is a little different! The stomp box is also subtle in the way it looks too, so unlikely to attract attention in that way! 😊 Interesting about Reading...! Appreciate you sharing this! Thank you as always for the support, it really means a lot!

[@marshlanderdumarais264]

@@philc8622 My Footdrum kit is shown in my avatar. Yes, some people occasionally complain, but it is rare if one can play with control. I don’t use amplification at all. I busked in Reading last year. I think I spent more on parking my van than I earned from my playing.

[@SeekerGoOn2013]

Have you ever seen a drum pedal into a hard suitcase? Sounds pretty good.

[@AugustRadioProject]

I have yes! They sound rad too! I also like how most store the pedal in the suit case for easy transportation! Genius! 🙌 😀

[@chris230230]

I busked full time for a couple of years, as did a couple of my friends. We always swore by Meinl Foot Tambourines. They sound more musical and your foot can go anywhere. Just don't forget to take it off when you go for a walk otherwise you sound like a Morris Dancer! The problem with those stomp boxes, (and I did try one myself), is that for me they just sound like someone pulling the jack out of your guitar and putting it back in again. It doesn't sound very musical or sit very well in the mix. So for me it's not the best sound.

[@AugustRadioProject]

I absolutely love that there's tambourines that have been made to be played with the feet! It's so cool! 😀 🙌 Forgetting to take it off would make for a rather hilarious train ride home...! Thank you for this! I'll have a little look into them!

[@cletussea-ray944]

Very cool and sounds great ! I use a Digitech Trio which works perfectly for what I do. Awesome video

[@cletussea-ray944]

And p.s., yes, bust out the looper! :)

[@AugustRadioProject]

Thank you man! I’ll have a look into the Digitech! 😃🙌🏻

[@nickworley1000]

Only use my stomp box when playing slide porch blues it can be tiring for the foot.

[@AugustRadioProject]

I do love a bit of slide blues! 😃🙌🏻

[@TimosMusicProject]

I was worried when there was no video all day! Nice to see you again. Thanks for the inspiration! 😊❤

[@AugustRadioProject]

I did wonder if anyone would notice! 🤣 thank you for the kind words! 🧡

[@gebear1]

Hi Ben ..... Enjoying the music and video's, are you doing a tutorial of Crossroad your original.... Cheers

[@AugustRadioProject]

Hey! Yes, I will be sure to do it at some point! 😀 🙌

[@johnDBoone]

Don't think I'm coordinated enough to operate one of those. Lol. But you did a great job of it. Looking forward to seeing it in future videos. Did it mess with your timing any?

[@AugustRadioProject]

It's definitely a little fiddly to begin with but I soon found a rhythm. The timing was a little inconsistent but I imagine it's a lot more difficult when playing with other musicians. When you're by yourself you can kinda cover it up easy enough! 🙌 😀

[@brianjones4026]

Hey Ben, really cool experiment with that " stomp box ", cant say i have seen that gizmo before !! Im thinking needs more juice, maybe an overdrive fitten behind and then into your Beast, with yes full bass and no mids or highs in equalizer plus a bit of reverb or delay even lolzzz, to the laboratoty Batman !! Yes to the potential looper use in a busk !!

[@AugustRadioProject]

It’s a cool piece of kit eh? I’d never heard of them before I started busking! 😃 I like the idea of a little overdrive and reverb, I’ll have a little experiment 🧪 in the lab and see what I can conjure up! Appreciate the support Brian! 🙌🏻

[@AugustRadioProject]

It’s a cool piece of kit eh? I’d never heard of them before I started busking! 😃 I like the idea of a little overdrive and reverb, I’ll have a little experiment 🧪 in the lab and see what I can conjure up! Appreciate the support Brian! 🙌🏻

[@brianjones4026]

@@AugustRadioProject I have been looking at a few videos on these things, quite a niche it seems ! I would really like that you get back to me on your experiments in the Bat Lab , would be cool that my idea on this did actually allow you to get something with a little more umpf !!

[@bossphillipsuniverse]

I like the idea of the stomp box but the sound in the video is more of a distraction than a compliment to what you are playing. I think it might be better (and easier) to try and add a bit of percussion to the body of the guitar instead and maybe employ a looper as you mentioned. By the way, I'd be interested in your thoughts on being asked to "move on" from a spot you are playing in. Does it ever hurt your feelings a bit or have you gotten a thick skin to it or any other criticism you might have had to hear. Love your energy! Keep it up!

[@patchevansbrokencountry2583]

Not sure about Ben but if I am asked to move it is usually security type people. I feel a bit uppity about them. If a shop keeper or resident asks I am happy to move. When I am near street traders I always tell them that if they think I am interfering I will just over if they want....spoiler ..... they have never wanted and have given donations.

[@AugustRadioProject]

The body hits of the guitar are pretty cool too - when I see folks who are skilled at this it blows me away! I'm sure I can give it a little go 😀 When it comes to being moved on, I rarely take it personally! I try to embrace it as a sign that I should move and most of the time, moving creates for an even better busk and a more interesting day! 🙌 The positivity always outweighs the negative, by a massive ratio too! Also, I appreciate the kind words! Thank you!

[@southwaymusic]

Stomp box is good addition. Would work well with a looper then you could be free to perform as you are normally used to. Great vid as usual

[@AugustRadioProject]

This is my thoughts! I will try this next I think 😃🙌🏻 appreciate it!

[@DaveMorrisonMusic]

Too small a box to sound like a kick. And that tilted up position throws you off balance. The 'Porch Board' thing sounds great. More like a bass guitar note. Very addictive. But expensive. I'm known to stomp on a good wooden stage when I perform on one. When I busk, I stand on a plywood mini-stage 2' x 4'. I'll throw a mic under it Saturday and see how that sounds.

[@AugustRadioProject]

I’ll have to look into this! I love how there’s a whole world out there for this type of kit! 😃🙌🏻 I like the idea of a portable stage! Certainly a good way to stand out!

[@chiopunk]

a looper next and you'll achieve Dublin buskers level

[@AugustRadioProject]

I love it! 🇮🇪 Gonna give the looper a go! 😃🙌🏻

[@einigezeilen]

cool video again!! . See u with a Looper would be nice :) Thank You""!!

[@AugustRadioProject]

Good to know! I’ll make sure the looper happens 👀😃🙌🏻

[@thegrandoldecho]

Second comment! Mate, you’re a legend. I quit my job to pursue music the other week and your videos have been invaluable with starting to busk. I really appreciate everything you do - you’ve made the transition a lot easier for me. Thank you! 🙏

[@AugustRadioProject]

So stoked for you and your journey! and I love that videos help! It means a lot to hear it 😃🙌🏻

[@thegrandoldecho]

@@AugustRadioProject Thanks! They certainly do - Keep doing what you're doing, we all appreciate it! 🙏

[@marshlanderdumarais264]

When I saw how you were using the Stomp Box I was immediately concerned. All your weight is being supported on your left leg and foot and I think you will soon develop some repetitive nagging pain. I agree with the other comments suggesting you use your heel if you you are going to continue to play standing up. I use a foot-operated drum kit so I need to sit to be able to play mixed rhythms with both feet at the same time as my guitar and harmonicas. Love the new song. Next time I go to Stevenage, maybe I won’t bother with the booking system either. Mind you, I’ve found Hitchin to be a better option, just not if it’s raining!

[@AugustRadioProject]

I did wonder, the effort to maintain the stomp is a lot on the left leg! I will be sure to try the heel technique 🙌🏻🤣 I appreciate the advice too! Don’t want to be falling victim to a busking related occupational hazard! 🙈 interesting about Hitchin! I nearly went there on this particular day, though it wouldn’t have worked in the rain! Is there a particular spot that’s good? 😃

[@marshlanderdumarais264]

@@AugustRadioProject The council have four or five “official” spots. Most of them have quite limited footfall. I found the best place was High Street, which is closed to traffic during the day until 3 or 4 o’clock.

[@BenCook-cd1pv]

First view and comment 🎉

[@AugustRadioProject]

YES!! 🏅😃🙌🏻