how to busk

[@AdamNeely]

by popular demand, you can now buy "PLAY THE RIGHT NOTES, MATE," t-shirts. teespring.com/play-the-right-notes-mate#pid=46&cid=2742&sid=front

[@mariokirwant3232]

So, I was hearing to Steve Reich and I was wondering if there's any type of harmony on his music, or what's up with harmony in Microtonal music like Julian Carrillo. Even the concept of harmony applies to those cases? Great video by the way!

[@kevindevenport3596]

We did it Reddit

[@toddeukel867]

I'm sold. Good use of marketing Adam.

[@franciscobelmar9365]

bully the guitar player shirts next :)

[@jimmydim2212]

Hahaha yes!! Now that's good merch!

[@soulrenvods]

My strategy is to play horribly, with a sign saying "need money for lessons"

[@carimabdala]

fucking genius

[@ISKMUSIC1]

Or play horribly, with a sign saying "put some money and I will stop...................until you leave"

[@kenshin8858]

do a video of it lol

[@eduardopuccini]

And do it every fucking day until you drive someone crazy and he shoots you

[@psychtank8681]

@@ISKMUSIC1 that's pretty much how busking in Indonesia works. Just without the sign.

[@763lamp]

"Play the right notes, mate"

[@CortlandtMatthews]

Wondering if this was a mistake or Adam exercising bass privilege by doing some improvised reharms

[@nostalgia_junkie]

this is the new knower protip

[@certifiedpossum8655]

In jazz, there are no wrong notes. They are just wonky chords

[@Fr4gg3r2]

Adam apparently forgot that repetition legitimizes. That would've worked if he would just done it couple more times.

[@playlistmaster4163]

Best tip for busking

[@MarySpender]

Hard work in the NYC heat but so much fun. Thanks for busking with me! x

[@seiph80]

Bass!

[@herpyderpy4366]

+H Q Damn, I wasn't ready to witness such eloquent wordplay today.

[@mayolicious69]

I'm british and I think your voice is the most british thing I've ever heard

[@muhilan8540]

What the fuck is “NYC heat”?

[@eferg16]

You were super dope. "BASS!"

[@Ragamauffin]

"I've been replaced by a trombone player. Fate worse than death." Sorry I cackled.

[@haldorasgirson9463]

Definition of an optimist from the '90s. A trombone player with both a pager and a cell phone, so they don't miss any calls about gigs. by a trombone player...

[@emalaw1329]

The guy kinda looked like Andrew Digrius, the former trumpet player for Thank You Scientist, who also played trombone on some tracks. I wonder if it was actually him, but sadly there's no way of knowing...

[@jonathanmcdaniel1040]

Trombone players have one advantage over the other horns: the full arm movement of the slide attracts more attention the minuscule finger movement of the other horns.

[@BraxtonKoons]

As a trombonist that shits funny

[@oliverdiamond6594]

@@jonathanmcdaniel1040 your big slide is like a weapon though, people can't come near to give you money because they might get jabbed.

[@D_Le]

Firstly, that drummer is so good! I average 40-60 dollars an hour when I busk. I make sure foot traffic is literally slow moving, or sitting/standing still. A good example is farmers market. Everyone there moves slowly because they are shopping, have kids with them, or just taking time to smell the flowers. Also, I try and match the energy of the crowd with the music I play. Also, pre tip your tip jar. Do not leave it empty. I make sure to put large bills in the tip jar as well. In addition, I offer small little toy instruments for people to play. A box with triangles and plastic castanets among other various cheap instruments. When kids play with them, I offer it to them as a gift to take home. Once the crowd see's that, people literally start dropping $5-$20 bills.

[@AdamNeely]

shout out to the cops for being super polite!

[@seiph80]

Awesome!

[@keshihd4001]

I read "police" and thought I was too old for modern humor for a second.

[@adancein]

How about getting an acoustic bass? Or are they too silent?

[@lemonyfresh7367]

Oh no, a musician said something nice about officers of the law. . . Guess he's a racist

[@Vextrove]

How do I subscribe to the polite police?

[@RoeShamBoe]

6:38 The whole sequence of events is amazing and takes about 2 seconds in real-time... Adam plays the wrong note and immediately looks at his fingering with betrayal in his eyes like his left hand just banged his girl behind his back. The next millisecond, he realizes he's gonna catch ish from Mary and he literally has to force his gaze towards her direction; slowly... like a child forcing himself to look up at his mom after getting caught steeling cookies. However, you can see he still carries a smirk like that smarmy little cookie-steeler who knows his punishment won't be that severe. Meanwhile, Mary has been out on this precipice vocalizing away when suddenly she feels the bus driver jerk the wheel to the left at the exact moment she expected to go right. Next thing you know, she bangs her nose on the bus window and dude that hurts. She looks over at the bus driver and sees Adam shyly smirking away like "oopsie!" and then time speeds back up, the audio 'squirbles' back to life and the first thing you hear after the ever-so-slightest pregnant pause is.... 'play the right notes mate.'

[@noahmaillouxmusic]

You should write literature.

[@yaj126]

Haha you were definitely baked when you wrote this... also 'steeling'

[@guillaume6373]

it sounded like he was trying to use a sus chord but fucked it up?

[@Nakam459]

BEST comment EvER

[@aliensinvadingearth3922]

What?

[@mariosuena]

This doesnt really count as busking but my first time “busking” was in Seoul on a cute little yellow public piano where i played some Latin rock songs and random improv and a nice Korean lady gave me three pieces of gum and to this day i have kept the wrappers as a motivation to keep going as a musician especially because it was during a time where i was in a dark place and was considering giving up in music Those sticks of gum meant more to me than the amount of money I made that day... which was zero LOL

[@MrBluespaul]

Mario c

[@MrDogonjon]

Is your opus "Three Pieces.... of gum" is ready for the bedpost over night? I have given up music more times than you have chewed those three pieces of gum. dark is good.

[@MrDogonjon]

let me jokesplain that... in "The Sound of Music" Julie Andrews sings "a Spoonful of sugar helps the Medicine go down in a most delightful way" this song was relyriced "does your chewing gum lose it's flavor on the bedpost overnight" by hispanic comedian Jose Himeniz as a mocking of 60's bubble gum pop like the Monkeys and Tommy roe and Bobby Heart. In hindsight bubble gum was truly a special sub genra of pop/rock music that is todays least common denominator. So get with so Tiffany and do bubble gum pop It's your calling. It's your Seoul

[@hannijazz3276]

Awww thats heartwarming!

[@prismix0870]

thats super sweet omg

[@accoladesmusic]

Heres a bit more busking advice. Be entertaining, don't just stand there, or sit on your amp, its like when you do a regular gig. its more than just the music, add some Choreo, do something outlandish, wear something bright. Entertain, demand the attention by calling them over. Also a horn always helps. Im surprised the trumpet player of too many zoos didn't mention this, their bari player goes insane with the dancing and playing. People listen with their eyes, not just their ears. I've had days where I've made $200 and days where I've made $50. The days I've made 200 is cause I've had tons of energy. Also the ideal number of people to busk with is 3(drums/bass(or guitar)/horn). keep it up beat and funky. Try it again with all this in mind and it'll be a lot better. dance and play, break a sweat make it look like you are having fun. Entertain!!

[@vadimzitsermusicianvlogcha3870]

Right!

[@VeronicaGorositoMusic]

Another hack: switch instruments at the fly. And another, keep your instrument and fret the notes of your bandmates, and viceversa, as the ''Steve Vai best performance HD''. When they join at the center of stage and pick their guitar/bass but fret another one, crazy interactions made people go crazy. That blows people's minds.

[@Soundwave1900]

In my case its true. Have like 12 years of busking experience. People play way less when I'm standing still and also when my articulation is nonexistent (playing alto sax). And yeah, wear flashy clothes, you are trying to entertain them, not make them squeze money out of their wallets out of pity. And last but not least, nobody will enjoy your music if you are not enjoying it. Play what you like, drop the songs you despise, even if those are popular.

[@theoddnightingale8673]

catch me quoting the lick while twerking in the middle of Washington Square

[@digitallyzer0]

@@theoddnightingale8673 pls do 😂

[@monorchide]

i'm a full time busker. i loved this. thanks Adam. you nailed the skills required: pick up your location wisely, learn to react to the audience reactions and demographics, play the right thing at the right time of the day. I'd like to add that all walk-by buskers (as musicians, but really it extends to anyone who wants to entertain) have lots to learn from circle acts buskers (jugglers, magicians) in terms of crowd control, how to incorporate comedy and theatrical routines into a different act, and how to convince people your show is worth a donation. everybody should really do it once in their life, at least for a few weeks, and/or stop watching professional buskers to understand how hard actually is their job.

[@LukeBeadles]

I got replaced with a trombone player... A fate worse than death.

[@PeriodiseThis5197]

Luke Beadles you better watch what you say about trombones buddy boo or there might be some trouble 😡😂

[@heavybeatbrassband1686]

Luke Beadles could have been worse.... at least it wasn’t a BASS trombone player

[@PeriodiseThis5197]

BASS

[@31pas0]

Oh, look at this little trombone boi gettin upset! That's so cute!

[@c0nfu22y]

@@31pas0 *wooosh*

[@RudyAyoub]

I went busking once for 10 mins and some dude dropped me $20 so I went home I never busked since

[@qwertyuiopaaaaaaa7]

Yeah, now you can somewhat credibly claim to make $120/hr busking. If you go out there and make any less, it'll ruin your record.

[@jeffirwin7862]

Busker? I barely knew her!

[@Remnantsofadam]

Might as well end on a high note haha

[@grantmayberry7358]

When you see Rudy in the comment section of an Adam Neely video.

[@RudyAyoub]

I am everywhere

[@bobsmith-ov3kn]

amplification not allowed, but a drum kit is OK... makes sense

[@gramursowanfaborden5820]

taken to it's logical extreme, a full orchestra is ok but a guitarist with one of those little pocket amps isn't.

[@ApiolJoe]

@@ateol And then officers have to have something to measure the decibels. If they need some stuff to monitor every law its just not possible in practice. We still agree this leads to completely dumb situations.

[@ApiolJoe]

@@ateol In that case it means the government should buy a cellphone for each agent?

[@ShotgunRainstorm]

@@ateol Cellphones are not made equal though. One app on an iPhone and another app on a Samsung might read differently, simply because of calibration. Are you then going to impose regulations on decibel-measuring apps to ensure that every phone will read the same volume? Furthermore, there will always be the problem of how you determine this volume limit. On one hand, you have to consider the public, who might find loud music irritating. On the other, you have to consider buskers, who rely on their music to advertise their craft. What is too much and what is too little? You would have to appoint a whole committee, gather feedback, and agree on a single number which is supposed to accommodate the needs of both parties. The solution of "no amps allowed" might be hard to swallow for some but it works... to a certain extent. And that is mostly sufficient. This is a relatively minor issue compared to, say, violent crimes, so the amount of resources devoted to the issue is relatively smaller as well. It is the more practical compromise - officers can make an easy distinction of amp or no amp (plus their own discretion in certain cases), and buskers know that they need a permit to use an amp.

[@longde]

wtf man, you can play drums at almost any volume if you're good. A trumpet can be louder than a drum btw.

[@YouOriginal]

If you want to busk to make money then you need to play money songs. Old people and you know beegees etc. Pick the crowd go outside a metal concert and play metal. Once you have then money songs sussed and can pull a crowd then consider slowly introducing originals. I have watched more street musicians than you have had hot dinners even made a few global viral sensations! :) More tips: involve the crowd, the most money I ever have seen made was a white girl who could speak Chinese. She would say hello and a quirk like "your dress is nice" in their language. They would drop big notes because they were out of their country visiting and a local had welcomed them with arms open. So learn every language you can to just say hello. Most excellent video and thanks for making it!

[@Chuck-Bob]

Right on. Doesn't matter where you're playing, play to your crowd.

[@spiciestspeckofdust7844]

“learn every language”

[@MrDogonjon]

build set around a theme...money...That's what i want - Beatles.... Give me some Money- Spinal Tap... Money - Pink Floyd... Shake your money maker... encore

[@jonbongjovi1869]

I've found the opposite to be true: i ONLY play original music and the normal public goes nuts for it (cuz it's unique and singular) (ex: trippy uke that sounds like pink floyd maybe!) and I get far more tips and bigger tips and people scream my name driving by in cars! SINCE THE INTERNET...humans need to "UP THE DOSE" every day. They want to see something they've NEVER SEEN BEFORE. I was shocked, playing in NYC and the east coast, outdoors in all kinds of locations where ppl are....... I EXPECTED they'd want PRETTY and MELODIC....but in fact they wanted the FUCKED UP.....BIZARRO shit i do!! I was stunned. And this is wherever i go! It helps that all my music is INSTRUMENTAL, too.

[@KamiDisturbed]

try having a sign that says: "gonna play "the lick" for every donation" and see what happens xP

[@himeshchauhan9843]

KamiDisturbed that sounds so ominous

[@henryoppenheimer]

That is such a good idea bro

[@kevindevenport3596]

Adam, can we please get a "Play the right notes, mate," Shirt? Cheers.

[@MisterAppleEsq]

I'd buy it.

[@peterbooth9829]

I wholeheartedly agree with this comment

[@sebastianzaczek]

As a Pianist who often accompanies violinists and Cellists, i fucking need one!

[@cascade9584]

Yes! Pleaaaase Adam!

[@FloydBunsen]

Mister Apple hi again!

[@lohphat]

I do stop and listen to great buskers. I have a vivid 20yo memory of an accordion player playing Bach's Toccata and Fugue in Dm (BWV 565) -- BRILLIANTLY -- in the Paris metro and the pedestrian tunnels added the perfect reverb to make it sound like a pipe organ. People were transfixed and time stopped. It was delicious.

[@JohnnyArtPavlou]

lohphat, yes...those moments happen. ❤️❤️❤️

[@jestle]

69th like

[@keepyourshoesathedoor]

lohphat omg

[@apanapandottir205]

"Play the right notes mate." Stone cold.

[@trashman9699]

Pro tip: make sure the bass and vocals are in the same key!

[@thenoseguy]

Steve Austin.

[@Roma-kp4qg]

4:38 FYI for non-classical fans: he's playing the Bach Chaconne (BWV 1004 VIolin Partita 2 Chaconne is its full name) and it's been called one of the hardest Bach pieces to play because it alone spans 15-20 minutes, it has many finicky chords, and it is played at a slow tempo. The violinist has to skilfully hold the tension, convey the pain Bach put into the music, with difficult fingerings for 15-20 minutes straight. I'd kill to hear it live.

[@w2.ill_]

The part about observing the people around where you're busking is really interesting. I was in Montreal a couple months ago and I saw this guy playing guitar in front of the Notre-Dame Basilica. Out of all the things he could've played, he played one of the most memorable Chinese pop ballad. At first I was like huh that's really weird, then I looked around and I saw all these Chinese tourists. I thought, damn, this guy is smart.

[@kyrla]

big city busking is when people pay you to play music small town busking is when people pay you to stop

[@benfeldman8361]

Lol true

[@dsnodgrass4843]

That's part of the legend of blues musician Skip James. He stopped playing on the street in his early days because store owners would pay him to go away; his voice was so haunting that it unnerved their customers. He was too good, at being eerie and unsettling, you might say.

[@martinkrauser4029]

smaller places are a lot better to play in than big cities, though

[@15marsj]

Smaller the town, more likely the cops don’t have anything better to do than write you a ticket if you don’t have a permit.

[@hazardeur]

yeah like NY you mean?

[@nathanmantle377]

It's kind of stupid that just because you are amplified, you have to stop, but then an unamped instrument can come in, play JUST AS LOUD and not get stopped from doing so lol

[@Inertia888]

Or else the cops would have to have decibel readers?

[@Mickey-hf4bq]

@@Inertia888 but they already have a db limit to enforce.

[@toribiogubert7729]

I would argue that litle amps could be free of license, but now a days just cause the amp is small it doesn't mean they are not loud.

[@abedinsubashi]

*Laughs in Saxophone*

[@richardroberson2564]

It's the government of New York. What do you expect?

[@jacek5809]

playing is the least important thing in busking. I was in London recently and there were two buskers in the same alley. First: a tuba player who was doing typical tuba "pah pah" notes with an accompaniament from a radio. From time to time, he was also singing along a track, doubling a vocal track from the recording. He was dressed hilariously in an old '30 style, a fire came out of his tube on each note, had an old-school radio and a hat with blinking lights. And there was a double ring of people around them. Second busker: a great guitarist with amplification which was playing and singing really good and even selling his CDs.... and 0-5 people listening. You need to be funny and charismatic and then play whatever.

[@RolandHutchinson]

Being too cool for the room is NOT helpful when the goal is financial!

[@musiciseverywhere5878]

the most important this was consistency and a unique look/sound/approach. I actually put myself through university for a couple years playing on the street... Although I have to admit... it was in Canada... different financial demands... The biggest challenge though was dealing with the fact that when I played Beatles tunes... I would get more money, but got bored bored bored of the same tune and would then play my own stuff (which paid less) but kept me musically happier. There ain't no business like show bushiness.

[@kaarinamiles292]

I've seen that tuba guy around....(unless there's more than one tuba fire players in London, lol). Took some video of him in Tottenham Court Rd I think. Yeah, novelty often pays.

[@eole123456789]

I feel like no one likes guitar anymore

[@QaysSyed]

@@eole123456789 *no one likes good guitar

[@justy256]

6:00 So damn funky, 6:30 "Play the right notes mate." - I feel for you Nealy.

[@BBoyRocTee]

Apart from your technical proficiency (as a musician) and vast knowledge of music (as a teacher), i have a great respect for your open-mindedness - which, I think, reflects both humility and maturity.

[@AugieBello]

Thanks for letting my play with you guys!!

[@AugieBello]

ludwig amadeus yes I am

[@AugieBello]

Lolol thats so funny man

[@josh7.62]

You sound great!

[@benmessing9105]

I love your work bro and I love Adams work and when I saw you come up in this video I lost my shit lol

[@TheHangingWood]

I go busking regularly. There's plenty of different tricks to it, but the ones I use are the same as much of showbizness, have an act that stands out and people are attracted to because it's not something they see everyday. Second is audience, you playing to tourists, shoppers, commuters which does your act work for, and finally what locations suits your act? Taking the above point into consideration. I play medieval English bagpipes, few people have ever seen this, so the act it has real stopping power to passers-bye. I play in tourist areas because they are free with their wallets and looking for novelties and sights they don't see at home. And I usually play at medieval locations around London because the tourists there have come to see specially to experience history.

[@morgoth102]

You had me at "we live in a society".

[@milescorporosus4058]

"I always make sure that I have a wall behind me so that no one can, like... creep." I did not even begin to think about that until she mentioned it. That was sobering.

[@blahblahblahblah2837]

Youve got to watch your hat/case/napkin/money box too if you're in a busy walkway. Classic scams include 'accidentally' kicking your money out everywhere and then making off with the money or your equipment and swapping out notes under the pretense of putting a coin on top of their note to stop it blowing away

[@jonbongjovi1869]

yeah, it's not just a female thing. male buskers must be vigilant too, cuz it only takes ONE junkie to grab your money. there's a variety of tricks of the trade, but I'm trained to SMASH THEM IN THE FACE WITH MY HEADSTOCK which will cut them badly.

[@Maddie01022]

I think I'm a qualified street musician since I've spent hundreds of hours out there and made thousands over the past 3 or 4 years - Last year on Valentine's day I had a $350 Hilton gig and I decided to go all out and spend an extra 5 hours on the street(extra info I played 2 keyboards and sang and powered it with a boat battery). It was BRUTAL, I played out there before AND after the gig...but after all was said and done I left finished the day with about $800 and had this cool idea to take the money go to central park to see how the busking was up there, and I got super lucky with a stupid cheap airbnb, bus ticket, and one way return flight. I was thinking about maybe moving up there and playing. I saw great musicians and not-so-great musicians, but I was generally amazed at how these musicians just assumed I coudn't play (well). The quote was "you think you can play until you come here". Funny, as he said this, I watched the duo split their money up and quote dude went home with like 50 bucks...btw if somebody wants to be a martyr and play straight ahead jazz over there while I sing popular melodies over here and give listeners an opportunity to exercise the universal instrument of all humans, the voice...thanks and I will come listen on my breaks...actually i did that...but in this case I'm going home with more money. Also, I will play vocal jazz tunes that give me the chance to explore some interesting harmonic and melodic content while still within the framework of what I'm out there for...people...and continue to get paid. As you've stated, The Girl from Ipanema has some wacked out changes...I still get joy from that B section EVERY TIME. Sometimes when you get close enough, you will attract an aficionado LOOKING for some bebop or something you're really into whatever that is. Let the fan find you, and be open, and you get to play the stuff we music nerds love AND get paid. Like...play Tom Sawyer at the bar without a request and...it might go over ok...but wait for a rush fan to ask for it and you're getting 20 bucks on the spot. I remember after watching A Star Is Born with Gaga and Bradley Cooper and thinking that at least 4 or 5 of those tunes were like actually really good, and this is a cultural phenomenon right now. The next day I went ahead and learned the tunes since it doesn't really take that long, maybe a night as long as I can pull up the lyrics later. So about 2 weeks later, at my Saturday Italian restaurant gig, a lady calls "LADY GAGA A STAR IS BORN" and I'm like ohhhh here comes the money. I explain this is new to me and i'm not sure if I can pull it off (standard move I learned from dueling pianos, not entirely untrue). Then rinse and repeat for two more tunes, and low and be hold the audience member drops a 100 cien muy bien in the jar. For me, taking requests is a big part of my busking/tip game and it's worth it. And to reiterate: whether or not jazz cats find a sound sophisticated enough actually has zero correlation with either dollars or appreciation. They literally sound like the classical snobs that they hate at that point. "B-b-b-but my music is superior, why are they famous and not me?" The answer to that should unanimously be: "If you're asking for dating advice, you're hopeless." On my side, those moments I've experienced...the man that told me that they were on their way to commit suicide but just stopped to listen and heard me sing "what you won't do for love" and just couldn't leave for hours, or the child that cried as I sang "wonderful tonight" and when his mom scooped him and asked him what was wrong, he just said it feels good to cry - the experience has been beautiful! Clapton evokes people! On another occasion I was passing through Zurich and I had the lovely opportunity of exchanging songs with a guitarist for a bit. A Japanese woman came up and I was able to take my busted Japanese and Spanish and explain to this South American guitarist that this woman's sister had died recently and this song has helped her process that experience. Another time, somebody stole my tip jar, and even though I had felt like 2 hours had been wasted I kept going, and a woman came back just to tell me she wanted to tip me earlier but had to find an ATM and then gave me 60 dollars(would have been stolen)...even all of the great moments with all of the kind people from the shelter just hanging, offering me a swig from their covert bottle or even the cops that didn't say a word to me when I blatantly violated my license (volume, hours) since nobody was complaining...anyways busking is a special way to connect with humans and especially your city. Hopefully it will be an option again soon.

[@GrootsieTheDog]

This is the longest KZbin comment.

[@franciscobastiasmercado3350]

Man, your filmmaking skills are getting notably better. There is a new cinematographic charm in your videos and I'm totally liking it.

[@MisterAppleEsq]

In the future, all basses will be replaced by trombones.

[@TheTiomaza]

Trombone > Literally every instrument (c) Paul The Trombonist

[@emorigami7108]

FACT

[@JestersGhost]

I like your profile picture.

[@MisterAppleEsq]

+@@JestersGhost Yours is pretty good too.

[@v.harlot]

And then the tromboners will invade the planet

[@jackorourke1684]

First time I busked in Glasgow with my brother and friend we made £1,300. Been basking for 2 years now with the same guys. For proof, our facebook page is called "Travelling Jukebox" I think what Adam has missed is being appealing to a crowd by putting on an act, what location works best. Busking at a place where people have money on them eg. a shopping centre. I would never think about busking at a park.

[@codycreepcore]

Probably the best piece of advice on here. LOCATION! My band busks at outdoor markets in the summers and we tend to make about 1,000 in 3 hrs.

[@losratitos8277]

Yeah....farmers markets and flea markets are GOLD here in BC, Canada...I regularly make $250-$350 for 4 hours as a solo act (guitar instrumental music)...the markets usually pay something to have a busker there if they know them and they are good...

[@GingerWaters]

I’ve lived 5 years from busking in Spain and Portugal. ”Background Muzak for the street view” has been my guideline. Worst is 0,05 € best 75€ for 2-3 hours nonstop music. My best advices would be: Play acoustic, forget the amps: 1) Less to carry. 2) No problem with the law. 3) No backtrack or looper cheats. 4) Do it alone, you can react on life. 5) Learn different ways to say ”Thank You” with your music. 6) Thank every coin. At it’s best it goes: ”Did u hear what he did when that girl dropped a coin? I go and drop one too.” 7) Observe the surroundings: do people open or close their windows when u play. 8) Find acoustic spots where music fills the space without amp. 9) Dont be a noisemaker. Too little volume is not a shame.

[@HealthyAndrew]

My experience with busking - I always play cover songs as opposed to my own music. People like hearing songs they know that are well known and loved.

[@MrDogonjon]

I make up songs about the people walking by to see if any one notices if they do i include that in the chorus..." Some on is watching me... will they leave a tip?"

[@jonbongjovi1869]

but that's a false metric. ex: i EXPECTED the public to want FAMILIAR....but in fact they want to see / hear CRAZY THINGS THEY'VE NEVER HEARD BEFORE. Everyone has heard Beatles songs, even on acoustic. BORING. I do Guitar Sorcery and EVERYONE goes nuts and calls me a genius. YOUR argument was "People prefer FAMOUS songs to my unfamous songs", which is a terrible metric (unless YOUR songs are RADICALLY INNOVATIVE and are unlike anything they've seen or heard before). MY WEIRDEST sounds are always my most popular! I feared they'd want my most MELODIC or conventional stuff. And I've been playing numerous states for 7 years.

[@LunarMoods]

Typical opinion of someone who doesn't know how to busk

[@MongerOfStrings8222]

I find the opposite, where I live no wants to hear an old zombie play Sweet Caroline like for the millionth time, but they will stop listen and support someone original. It feels nice to see a busker doing what they want because they enjoy it, and that feeling is contagious to everyone in the area. People love covers, but they have to have feeling

[@IroGraonidou]

Some years ago I was in Boston for 5 weeks and used to busk almost every day in the public gardens. The people were very nice and money was really really good, so I didn't have much to organise about the performance. It was just me and my violin playing mostly classical music. One day, I was in New York and tried busking in Central Park. I was playing for 10 minutes and no one even looked at me! (exactly the same set as Boston) After a while, a lady comes and says "you are disturbing me. I am trying to work and the park is not yours." So I take my things and start to go find some other place to play. And she said "I'm going to come with you to make sure no one gives any money before he knows what you do. You don't know anything about music, you've never seen an orchestra play and you are just trying to trick tourists to give money". She kept following me until some woman from the crowd came and took my side. Funny thing is I grew up playing music, went to see the orchestra perform almost every week and basically was in USA because I had a scolarship for Berklee's summer program! :P

[@itaylevin4555]

Wow never wanted to imagine people like that exist

[@RodrigoVelizGTR]

That woman had some serious problems.

[@soulrenvods]

After listening to you on your channel for a bit, I can confirm that woman was crazy

[@neolynx_]

That lady is a piece of shit

[@JohnnyArtPavlou]

Everybody’s a critic. Damn, she’s like Baobab tree level shade. Rock on! Thanks for sharing your story.

[@jasonginsberg5377]

Thank you for this, especially pointing out the "glaring flaw" in that awful article on Josh Bell: not talking to actual buskers. It's a skill, and no matter how well you may know other types of music performance, busking is its own thing. I earned my living as a busker in NYC for about 6 years and put myself through grad school that way. I'm nowhere near as good a musician as Joshua Bell, but I made a lot more money than he did, because I was humble enough to learn. It could be hard, but it was also an awesome experience in a lot of ways. I'm glad I did it, I miss it sometimes, and it's my fallback plan if things ever go south with my work, and/or for making a bit extra when I one day retire.

[@TMNTfever]

I used to busk in college during the holidays, because I didn’t want to go home to my family. I tried a few places, like near the big downtown Christmas tree, and a mall, but I settled on a couch in front of a fireplace within a fancy hotel entrance. They never kicked me out, and the door man loved to hear me play and sing with my ukulele. I would have to occasionally play the “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” or “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, but I mostly sang Christmas songs with a jazzy island swing. With all of the rich people coming in and out, I did make at least a hundred a night for like 2-3 hours of playing, which was awesome.

[@ice9snowflake187]

"Busking" is about spectacle. I've never been good at it. I remember a busking situation I was in on the U.C. Berkeley campus, where I was meticulously fingerpicking my original songs, and getting little or no attention from people passing by. While I was playing, a pair of fellows showed up across the plaza with a beat-up nylon-string acoustic guitar. They would launch into a song (Beatles, Beach Boys, etc.) playing very sloppily, singing without any harmony, and usually cracking up with laughter before getting to the second verse. They attempted to tell corny jokes between the songs, but never really got to the punch lines without cracking up, or they would tell them badly or wrongly, but they always kept an air of hilarity and good cheer whatever they did. Artistically, musically, they were absolutely terrible and incompetent, but they projected a good, fun vibe, attracted a lot of attention, and made a fair amount of money when they shamelessly passed the hat after their shambling (but extremely good-natured) "performance". I've always taken that as a lesson. People want to be engaged and entertained, and they aren't necessarily interested in merely listening to "good music", as such, while they're out taking care of their business.

[@Oilid]

Adam's face while Mary's showing off her dollars is PRICELESS!!! I was busking several years ago on a classical guitar.. there were 2/3 people watching.... then I started to make tapping and shredding on the classical guitar and people grew... I learnt the hard way that people don't wanna just hear but also WATCH! As for Joshua Bell, the same thing happened with Billy Gibbons... So, it made me think that people also want to hear a great produced acoustic sound and also that they're like sheeps, they want to feel included in a group of people: gathered in the same place for the same reason.

[@bigweld4328]

play the right notes mate

[@thesamarawaters]

*plays the lick*

[@nicklegh12509]

Buskin' makes me feel good!

[@brobison75]

Those buskers!

[@MisterAppleEsq]

Creepy ghost bass!

[@castiron2844]

Who you gonna call!?

[@brianwarren1235]

buskin buskin buskin buskin

[@danielhoskins4690]

Go Buskers!!

[@robstevens9590]

Thanks for this clip. I did busking in at least a dozen (or 2) different cities in Europe. Every city had different laws/ordinances. Some cities were full of buskers. Some cities had very responsive audiences and others were stone cold. Choosing a good spot to play and attracting a crowd is an art that takes time to learn.

[@marciocian9818]

Wow this is so different! In Buenos Aires, Argentina, busking is kinda in the same category as uneployed people who arent taken into work because of their social status, their looks, or even injuries caused in previous work. People who busk usually does so without amplification but because of economic reasons, and they can be both outside and inside the subway, as in traveling inside the public transport as they play. They also ride buses while playing. Most people disregard not only musicians but people in economic crisis altogether, even literal 5yo who cant possibly work. This video gave me an idea of what can i talk about when i get started on my KZbin channel! Adam; your videos are truly fantastic, and youre amazing!

[@newpianotutorials]

How to busk - play with passion , regardless of your level of musical expertise

[@burbanpoison2494]

But jazz.

[@chongli8409]

that's just rude

[@aaronheaton2606]

This is guy is right actually, people pay you a lot more when you're passionate

[@Nimonacore]

From my experience you are quite right

[@willritter4076]

just please don't use that word "busk"... what a nasty, ugly-sounding word.

[@IcyMidnight]

"Play the right notes, mate." #musicianprotips

[@PixelVarnox]

dude just lands a bird on his hand like it's no big deal 6:03

[@adamyoung6797]

IF you act like it's a big deal the bird will get scared and fuck off, you have to pretend you don't give a shit about the bird to make it stay

[@MaynardOwns]

Its NYC dude. You can legit kick pigeons if you wanted to. They don't give a FUCK.

[@bipbipletucha]

69 likes

[@Kay_OC]

@@MaynardOwns Like you'll ever catch one lol

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Great video. I'm now disabled and have played guitar for 40 plus years and have thought about busking for fun and a side job kinda. So this was great info. Thanks so much. Regards from Southern Indiana. USA. Heartland. Tim...

[@JacobSchoenle]

One of my Berklee professors just played this in class! I thought it was pretty cool that they’re using a former student’s video.

[@elmadouf]

I was busking for 2 summers in Montpellier. I did grow showmanship thanks to that experience. The number one rule I got from it was that placement is everything. Many buskers think that you need to be in a spot with lots of traffic but it's wrong. Travelling people don't stop or just stop for a few seconds, and give a quarter or two. Whereas Idle people sitting on a terrasse or waiting for someone can listen to a few songs and will give you 1 or 2 or 5 bucks. It's better to have 90 out of 100 people giving 1 buck each , than 90 out of 1000 giving quarters. When I understood that, I went from $20 to $75 average each time I went busking.

[@crimsun7186]

Being a good musician doesn't make you a good entertainer. You have to be a good entertainer first. People are not there for what you play. They are there for the experience of watching a musician performing for them.

[@Roboprogs]

We saw this guy in Boulder CO college street mall area last summer tap dancing playing a beat up old trumpet dixie land jazz style. He was FUN to watch and my son loved the act. Limited music set - probably not much off the "9 minute set" the guest speaker here mentioned. But fun. Had my kid toss the guy a few bucks :-)

[@firstnamesurname6550]

Some People prefer to see/observe 'Entertainers' doing music ... ( Generally, Pop Culture conditioned ones) But Other People, prefer to listening/observe Musicians doing Music ... I belong to the second group ... If I want to listen to music, I will seek musicians, not Entertainers... First is Music, Second is Music, Third is Music ... Last is Music... Therefore, For Me, An 'skilled musician ( with 'Big Ears', Musical Imagination, Creativity, Technique, Expression, Musical Narrative, Repertoire, interplay, Spot on Improvisation, etc)' does not have to become 'first' an entertainer, because by being a skilled musician, He/She/They becomes the best 'entertainers' for those who really love to observe/listening Musical Performances. If I want 'Entertainment First', then, there is a lot of entertaining stuff to pick up and choice ... Inclusive, Entertaining stuff without Entertainers ... For Me, When it comes to Music, Prioritize Entertainment over Musicianship is A Number One Bullshit... Musical expression is more vast & complex than mere entertainment and A Complete Musician can arrive to 'Entertainment Spots' without prioritizing them, just by crafting the Art on Itself.

[@firstnamesurname6550]

@Mimex001 Arnaldo The Gatekeeper's labor comes by the commenter who prioritize 'entertainment' over musicianship ... Ok, If a musician wants to monetize his/her performance in a busker's environment, adding "entertainment" will improve the chances to get money ... but that do not imply that a Musician must to become FIRST an entertainer and next, care about musicianship. Yep, If Jim Carrey could play the Sax as John Coltrane and make higher profits busking on the streets do not means that Coltrane needed to become "first an entertainer' in order to achieve a musical/cultural legacy as he did. As Adam said: In a busker situation, You put yourself in a salesman position ... Obviously, to sell entertainment is more easy than selling Art and Music... So, For buskers, entertaining others matters ... but for musicians, entertainment is a side effect of exploring the musical landscape and 'entertaining others' an aspect that happens when/where an audience resonates with the performance ... In Music, There are not deep reasons to prioritize entertainment and monetary incomes over Musicianship + Musical Expression. ... and prioritize those values ( entertainment and monetizing ) over musicianship is a clear invitation to downgrade Music as an Art Form ... Making of it a mean to achieve those relative values and never becoming a Value on Itself. Paraphrasing Verdi : " There is something in Music that is more than Music: ... Music ... "

[@crimsun7186]

Art and Music are entertainment since they stopped being a form of communication thousands of years ago. When you buy a painting or an album, you're not only buying the object itself. You're buying the experience that said object gives you. You're buying these people's story. And if that's not a good story, you'll receive it once and forget about it some time later. This is the same reason why "commoners" don't have that much interest in "musician's music". They don't identify themselves with that story nor understand it, therefore, that experience is not worth much for them. The Joshua Bell experiment demonstrates it well. First of, not many people identify with classical music due to its extreme levels of solemnity (compared to attending a funeral). Second, the vast majority of the people passing couldn't even identify with the music itself. How you're gonna profit like that? Your experience is not worth much to begin with, and that's subtly mentioned in the entire video, although not in a direct manner. Jazz used to be pop music before it became too "art" and then people went for something else they could dance to. Go ask carnival caricature artists. That's how they make their money.

[@firstnamesurname6550]

@@crimsun7186 Ok, but If I want to drink and/or made Champagne ... I don't have to drink and/or made Coke first, because, People use to drink coke because for them Champagne is something solemn, sophisticated, complex, arty, snobby and expensive ... Nothing against Coca-Cola lovers ... but don't come at me, telling that if I want to appreciate the champagne, I must to produce and consume Coca-Cola, FIRST. Plus, the word entertainment is very ambiguous ... One could be entertained by activities that do not entertain others at all.... Then, If nobody except you get entertainment from an activity ... Is that activity an "entertainment"?

[@TheDeathdragon401]

As a saxophone busker in Glasgow, Scotland, it is one of the favourite things I have ever done in my life. I think that Glasgow has one of the best busking scenes in the world due to there being such an amazing community. No permit for amplification is needed as well :D

[@derpimusmaximus8815]

That explains why, in the spring, some bell end had a cranked Roland Cube in St Enoch Square and - at least when went past - was playing Cowboys From Hell. In full. Which, IMO, is a bad decision for a busker, because damn does that verse riff get boring without the vocals or other instruments.

[@TheDeathdragon401]

Derpimus Maximus yeah that’s one of the downsides to such an accepting community. Most times people are very reasonable with their volumes and have respect for those around them.

[@derpimusmaximus8815]

Yea, you need to cap your volume at the point where it starts to impinge on others. Buchanan Street is usually a nice place in the summer(unless it's raining, which ofc is most of the summer).

[@TheDeathdragon401]

Derpimus Maximus You of course have the bagpipers who are openly disliked by other buskers. They’re incredibly loud (nature of the instrument) and play the same old songs again and again xD

[@derpimusmaximus8815]

The pipers are there to salve the disappointment of dumbass tourists who got on the wrong train and have been trying to find Edinburgh Castle on Sauchiehall Street.

[@geoffstockton]

OMG that reading starting at 6:58 was brilliant. Hats off, man.

[@yanceyslade2556]

One thing I didn't hear you mention was the importance of location and time. I can grind all day (6-12 hours)and make 5-150. But if I find a spot next a bar as it opens or venue as it closes I can usually make 50 - 300$ in an hour. The too many zoos guy is right about paid rehearsal. Good luck busking!

[@experimenteight4550]

Question: If Adam had played The LICC, would've he got paid more? 🤔

[@volodyanikolaev]

$16? Thats more money I earn playing music this year.

[@Ludix147]

0$ is more than I made this year.

[@chonglongdong2503]

@@Ludix147 did you busk tho

[@deltavistastudio124]

That's 10 times more money than I netted the whole time I was in "Jam Daddy"!

[@shannonceleste5557]

Dude!! Saw Too Many Zooz for my first time when they were opening for Beats Antique back in October of 2016, this was at the legendary Cat’s Cradle in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and holy moly man what a show!!! Fell in love with their energy and style immediately 😍 it was one of the best shows beginning to end man that entire evening was magical. Thank you so much for making this video, and sharing your music, and imparting some great advice, Adam, Matt, Mary, and Ian!!!

[@daveabrams4463]

I busked once in Philly with my mini acoustic guitar and was really competing and losing to the idling/moving cars in the area. I was playing near mozart street and the institute of music. I made about .75 cents because no one really heard it. The person that gave me money was a child and his father told him to give me the money, it was very sweet and kind. The institute sent a few people out that told me to move because they said they could hear me inside of this giant stone building. Busking is a very difficult career choice, especially if your instrument is not very loud (like a mini acoustic). Yet when you make money it is very rewarding.

[@seiph80]

I did NOT expect HER to say BASS!!!! Worth waiting until the whole video is done! Smart, Adam!

[@thomaseduard10]

Dude, spoilers!

[@JohnnyArtPavlou]

seiph80, Oh my god I missed it the first time around thank you I had to go back and see it again it’s pretty epic

[@seiph80]

@@JohnnyArtPavlou you're welcome!

[@jimmydim2212]

I thought you were all trolling together until I saw it 😄

[@AntonioKowatsch]

3:31 Adam, Adam, Adam.... don't lie, my friend. There is a thing called an acoustic bass guitar. You should give it a try. LOL

[@PaddyMacNasty]

They're pretty quiet though. Wouldn't be any use for busking.

[@Inertia888]

If you're in a tunnel and you'r using a pick?

[@ChefZak]

Might as well play an unplugged electric at that point ;)

[@Xubuntu47]

If there is an acoustic bass guitar loud enough to hear over traffic I want it.

[@MisterBoy316]

Or play a proper bass ;)

[@islingr111]

Well Too Many Zooz have a jumping around baritone saxophonist... if that dosen't get you payed, nothing will

[@scowell]

Same guy (Leo P) played bari on Adam's master's thesis performance... find it here.

[@soznmusic]

nice! very inspiring and motivating. i've had the fortune to busk at a flea market here in santa fe for a couple weeks (they never paid me like we agreed of course). even though there weren't too many people, and i was new to busking, it was probably the most fun i've had performing solo. thank you for this video and reminding me how fun it is even if the bucks aren't too big at first!

[@BenoitAdam]

I saw buskers often in Paris. Some are goods, some forgot important point. Choosing a spot is very important, it must be crowded and not too noisey (some Paris metro are very loud). And also everything should be clear. Don't bring your friends or parents (yeah I've seen that), get a identifiable stuff for people to give money (tip = put already some money into it), and be sure to choose the good songs. As a musician I personnaly hate all those well-know songs (feeling good for example), but don't care. Just make it good. In the end the important is doing what you like (and making some $$$). Thus, we have an audition for the metro musician & they are often the best.

[@MrDogonjon]

Chumming the hat with $!'s +$5's is vital for busking... ambient sound is best native sounds can augment a set if you know their schedule your best tippers will arrive on cue and religiously drop 5 in.

[@EddieEntertainment]

Wow, that Jake Paul intermission was too good

[@Vextrove]

It was the best music in the whole video

[@thechunkytrucker5111]

I live in new york city too, specifically queens, and i go busking under this little overpass for the train. its not the MTA, its the LIRR, so even though the train is noisy, it doesnt run frequently and right when people get off they can see me. i make between 15 and 60 dollars a day, and its just me playing my sax with no backing tracks or anything. it really depends on how long you play, how you play, and possibly even what day it is. On days where ive made 45-60 dollars, i played for 3hours straight. on days that i make 15-30 dollars i only played for 45 minutes to an hour and a half. also my neighborhood has nice people, which is rare for nyc. also i dont really play avant garde or complex stuff, i play jazz or just mess around with chord functions. and people like it. they ask me to play songs like careless whisper and baker street and when i do they give me 5 or even 10 dollar bills. very rarely do i come across someone who hears me playing donna lee or giant steps and says "ay i know that youre a really cool jazz guy". also the place where i go busking is by forest hills stadium, which is a pretty popular performing venue. people like kamasi washington and van morrison perform there, so when theres a concert, its a good time to busk so i get a lot of notoriety. at the same time, when theres a concert there people from the city (manhattan) come, and theyre not as nice so they dont give me money. also people with kids give me money cuz their kids get captivated by my playing. also when people walk by they sometimes like to look me in the eye, i look back at them while im playing, and they smile, and then stop walking and come back to give me money. when the weather is cool, i tend to get the most money. when its really hot, i get a decent amount of money. when it rains i barely get anything. on weekends i get a lot of money, however on weekdays i have to wait until after 5h30 pm to get some real cash. and i would never perform in train stations or on trains, street performing is the best. thats probably the most detailed "masterclass" i can give on busking lol.

[@emilianomarquez1629]

Oh I miss busking, it's so nice to feel the good vibes of people.

[@charlesgaskell5899]

Back in the 80s, a singer/guitarist student friend used to busk in a busy underpass (great acoustics!) to get extra cash. She noticed that some songs prompted more donations than others, with the best being Ralph McTell's Streets of London. So naturally she started to sing Streets of London over and over She then realised that some verses of Streets of London pulled at the purse strings more than others: "Have you seen the old man..." And realised that people never actually stopped to listen to the whole song - at most they'd catch a verse and chorus as they approached and maybe another verse or chorus after they'd walked past. So she ended up repeatedly singing the same two verses of Streets of London (with the chorus in between) over and over again for an hour at a time, to maximise her takings!

[@banjobanjo-xn7lq]

You have to reveal your soul and play with passion. Intellectual approach does not sell on the street, or to the masses, for that matter. I busked for years after high school and we made often two hundred dollars in a few hours. At night, in the market area, populated with drunken college students we had police asking people to disperse from the sidewalk as they were blocking the street. I was not a jazz or classical player/theorist whatsoever, but I could play "rock/blues/popular" music, like my life depended on it. I had been playing like this since high school, where my younger band would upstage the older more technical band because of the "passion", as I had keyed into a catharsis releasing emotion everyone felt, leading to the auditorium erupting. Don't get me wrong, I took one music class in grade 10 where I was given the Barbara Wharram book "Elementary Rudiments of Music" and I went to my room at night playing scales and modes endlessly from that book(somewhat regrefully now, regarding my misdirected approach). I brought what I haphazardly garnered to the school stage VERY LOUD, much to the chagrin of the music teachers who frowned on me and DID NOT encourage me BUT, as I said, the students exploded in delight. Funny as I was one of the few music students who actually put forth a touch of their "teachings" into action and "practised" nightly for hours yet could barely muster an ounce of approval from the "department". I was hooked, and absorbed by this feeling. I studied Bach cello suites at around 20 years of age and whatever theory I could get my hands on, as naturally I was fascinated with this form of expression. Now at 50, I LOVE to study bebop theory, but NOTHING will EVER replace the feeling of my eyes rolling into the back of my head, in a trance, locked in a pocket, expressing my natural self viscerally, without theoretical impediment. I believe this is what the majority of listeners enjoy. I was too young and naive to be self conscious in that state, which may have helped. Although tragic circumstances had shaped those developing years, whatever it was that I was keyed into at the time, I believe it was my best time, performance wise. I may not have been humble and possibly obnoxious but I was operating on instinct, possibly why many people love dogs. Pushing yourself and embracing the rough edges of your limits generally seems to captivate and engage the people.

[@that_oboe]

A busker that situates themselves on a bus and calls themselves the "bus-king"

[@rasmusn.e.m1064]

And in India, a "Rail Raja"

[@ML-xp1kp]

Tzar Buskovitch

[@rasmusn.e.m1064]

Especially the "øqwerty" part xD

[@Hennu_TRM]

Clip of the Viper playing Age of Empires 2 during that twitch streamer montage made my day a bit.

[@benmcaulay7628]

Hgmidd that, too many zoos, and the Joshua Bell experiment, all of which I have recently pick up on, were crazy for me to see in one video

[@timesink8947]

Mary Spender is damn near as attractive as Adam is.

[@RCAvhstape]

And she also plays the right notes.

[@mauriziowill6531]

Sooooo I recently started doing this on the beltline here in Atlanta Georgia and I must say it's been quite an experience. I TOTALLY agree that being polite and smiling always helps. For me busking is an opportunity to share the gift that God gave me with other people and if the opportunity comes share Christ with them by showing love. Last 4 weeks have been amazing bc for four weeks in a row I've had children join me. Whenever I see a child stop to watch me play drums I offer them my tambourine and a chance to play my drumset. Last week I had more adults than kids that played one of which was a woman who was in her 50's and always wanted to play drums but never did. She sat down for 18 min and for the first 5 min she was wailing away...lol...then she asked me for a lesson. After she was done she told her husband to give me 20 bucks. Last 4 weeks I've made over 100 bucks in a couple of hours just playing drums. My tips are everything in this video but add prayer at the beginning of your busking. I simply ask God that His will be done and that someone is touched by the frequencies I'm playing causing them to want to know about Him. In the end where we spend spiritual eternity is much more important than money however God also knows we need money which is why He always makes provision for His children. I have a couple clips on my Instagram: @willislegacydrums BTW...your friend is so cute on guitar Adam...she looks like a much cuter Katie Holmes.

[@TeeKing]

Great tips and suggestions, thanks. Busking with my autoharp for 100 days paid for my tiny home on wheels, my 34-foot retired school bus, 'Rumi, the Bus King' (busking, my last name is King...the name is a royal fit). Go outside and play!

[@johnedgar4426]

How do you busk with a piano or synthesizer. obama wont answer my emails on it.

[@bipbipletucha]

Lmao

[@bipbipletucha]

Glad to see such a venerable old man full of wisdom

[@flyingjib]

I've had a ton of success busking as a pianist. I sit in a folding chair and play the keyboard either on top of a low stool in front of me or on my lap, depending on how much room there is. I've found the best keyboard for busking is the Yamaha PSR-E243. It's super cheap and lightweight, it's big(61 keys), it runs on 6 aa batteries, it's internal speakers are super loud and the "portable grand" sound is passable. I've never needed an amp or anything else. I make about $100 after a few hours in front of the grocery store.

[@ethanlocke3604]

One word: keytar

[@cypherusuh]

Just do Bruno Mars and drag a bar piano

[@mharding02]

Adam Neely is the reason I don’t get any homework done, thanks mate, cheers

[@lifeontheledgerlines8394]

Same. I think I have a KZbin addiction. Otherwise, to procrastinate on homework, I practice.

[@christianbarnard4951]

TOO MANY ZOOZ!!!!

[@veggietempura9594]

Christian Barnard YESSSSSSSSSS

[@icefire6622]

Leo p is my god

[@veggietempura9594]

If either of you are musicians in the city we should meet up at guitar center and jam

[@icefire6622]

@@veggietempura9594 ah, I'm in Cali. Sounds fun tho

[@fernvalemusic269]

I've been busking in Ottawa, Canada, on and off for about 14 years now. I play acoustic guitar and sing. My biggest tips for that are to stand up, take off your sunglasses, and look people in the eye. Sing music you like, but keep a running tally of how much certain songs make on average. That's something you can only figure out by practice, but it's usually going to be either upbeat music that's fun to listen to, or well known songs that tap into nostalgia. I play a lot of 70's music because the area I busk in has a lot of retired boomers, it's a sort of upscale artsy neighbourhood. When I busked downtown, newer music did better. Ottawa instituted expensive licenses for busking downtown and it's not worth it for me to go there anymore. It's very interesting to hear about this square busking because it's quite different. I play on a sidewalk, so people walk by and give me money, they don't usually stay and watch for more than one song. In the summer, I'll usually make between 30 and 50 dollars for a 3 hour day (my entire set twice) depending on the weather and time/day. In the winter, I do a cappella christmas carols and make between 60 and 200 (average ~75) dollars for 3 - 4.5 hours (my entire set twice or three times), depending on the weather and how close it is to christmas.

[@owlcu]

It's refreshing to see and hear an intelligent discussion on this. Too often buskers are seen as pseudo-talents, over-medicated and a bit grungy, but this was very well put together, very informative. Thanks.

[@DesignCourse]

In the land of the free, we'll need permits to take a crap.

[@kane6529]

in new York City, come to Ashville, NC and busk your little heart away

[@lyokon8]

That's what happens when we let idiots vote.

[@MrDogonjon]

That is illegal outside in most judications. Think of another metaphor dumbshit...

[@MrDogonjon]

It is not actually illegal and requires no permit to take a crap in public if you take it with you when you are done.... just don't leave it steaming on the sidewalk.

[@MrDogonjon]

large coffee to go... with a lid please.

[@williamdailey792]

We live in a society.

[@arniecalang4583]

Where we reply to comments 10 months later.

[@spiritlevelup1036]

Society lives in us

[@CheckeeAintAmused]

We have similar rules where I'm from, and I used to find it hilarious that the guy with a 5 watt guitar amp gets moved on when our raucous 8 piece brass group with drum kit got to be left alone.

[@jonbongjovi1869]

that's because the lazy moron politicians INCORRECTLY thought amp means just LOUDER acoustic instrument (nope!), and so it's based on electricity VERSUS volume / decibel level. It's not constitutional, but until someone hires an atty, everyone's fucked.

[@VictorSanchez-qt9kw]

This is the real shit, finally something with different focus aside all the shitty covers songs in this or that genre and cringy opinions disguise as music reviews, finally some content I can really enjoy in this website. congrats for your channel, greetings from México. . .

[@labonnemedia]

I knew that was Augie Bello!! Thats awesome that he jammed with you guys!

[@Bacopa68]

Why did Adam not make much money? Not enough of THE LICK! Play it. It's what the people DEMAND.

[@ThisIsTedMontuori]

Bacopa68 it makes me wonder if they would have made more money if they just played the lick for five hours straight.

[@justinkinney9466]

I like how we know what THE LICK is, lol

[@ComeRee]

Hey Adam, Great video and content. I loved your angle and view on busking, however I feel that there is one topic you briefly touched upon but didnt explore further - which is - the crowd - performer relationship. The difference between yourself gigging and busking - is the stage, or more so, the barrier between you and the audience/the audience and the musician. I would also like to raise the point of - when you go to see a band, you kind of already know what to expect - and you ready to accept what comes with that act. You have paid to see a performance, and regardless of how the persona/energy of that band is, you have a monetary investment in witnessing it. I guess what I'm trying to say is: Busking requires more energy and more approachable-ness. If you don't look like you're enjoying your performance - neither will the crowd. You can mask this somewhat on stage *because* of the different barriers between you [literal barriers/lights/elevated stage] as well as being hidden amongst your band, but on the streets - people can see you, and read you, as much as you can them. Its more intimate, naturally, and if you aren't feeling it then neither will the crowd. I found in my own experience, seeing other buskers, that I would unquestionably throw some money in their case if they were absolutely loving the music they were making [even if it wasnt my own particular musical taste], but walked past many that were amazing musicians but just looked disengaged from the piece/place they were - where I enjoyed their performance but nothing invited /engaged in me as an audience member to want to approach [or invest/donate]. If you dont make yourself approachable, people wont approach you. Stupid to say aloud, but I feel this is a major component in busking and is required considerably more on the streets than it is on stage. Being on the streets is quite literally the element of being stripped back and showing how human we are, as musicians are just other humans [that can lay down mad jams!], and its in that connection that partly pulls people in [musically inclined or not]. Just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents, but great video and great advice from your friends! The number #1 rule being - always play with your back to a wall/corner.

[@andrewfrancis7739]

Great advice.

[@jonbongjovi1869]

I'm super-gregarious when I play outdoors and people enjoy being taken out of their bubbles in a way that's sincere and geniune, in this robot world! Other times, I have to make sure I don't make eye contact cuz these ppl are SHY and I want them to read my funny sign rather than look away....

[@haydenbsiegel]

I've done a lot of busking. Never thought of taking the set down to 9min. That's a good idea.

[@BarryGrueter]

That was really cool, thanks for sharing ❤️👏

[@Nytellem]

Usually I see people stand around for more Jazz like soft music. That’s something universal I find people LOVE the most.

[@Switch72nd]

Joshua Bell only played for ~45 mins. $50 in less than a hour is pretty damn good. Then again he’s one of the best violinist in the world. As far as not being recognized, I’m a violinist myself and I doubt I’d recognize him in that situation unless I took the time to really look at him.

[@mellocello]

I make more in an hour busking in Monterey, CA, and I'm not one of the best cellists in the world. Busking in the right spot is key.

[@adancein]

I love the "patreon-patreon!!" in the beginning so much.

[@MrCookie31c]

Here in Vienna, until recently, you couldn't even play amplified with a permit and even only in designated places that get assigned to you. Only recently they introduced the subway stars, where you can sign up to play at certain subway stations, sell your cd's and take donations, while playing amplified. Playing in subways is prohibited entirely, though cops usually give you a warning before (only seen this though, never busked myself). Sadly there's not a really vibrant busking scene, and I think many people (especially elderly) are not very understanding to say the least.

[@BradColemanisHere]

I love your videos, Adam. This was a great piece of journalism. Also, I had never considered the great point about creating a 9 minute set and then breaking to allow a new crowd to form. Really great.

[@lesliecaraher6238]

I'm casual busker. That is I busk occasionally primarily for fun and artistic expression. Money in tips is important but, for me, it is secondary. So, I told you that to tell you this. Busking can be a rude intrusion into the life of passerbys or it can be a welcome diversion. I never use sound equipment because I try to be a welcome diversion. The music in this video was too loud. Remember, you are not "on stage". You're in a public place where everyone has the same right to space and privacy. If you want to play loud and attract maximum attention, get a gig somewhere and give folks a chance to choose to listen to you.

[@willeverson2492]

Some tips for busking Do it around winter it might me cold but people give way more Play stuff people know And bring people into it when your playing like give them a nod or something

[@musiciseverywhere5878]

A lot of very good information here... the most important this was consistency. I actually put myself through university for a couple years playing on the street... Although I have to admit... it was in Canada (so yeah it was cold at times)... different financial demands... The biggest challenge though was dealing with the fact that when I played Beatles tunes... I would get more money, but got bored bored bored of the same tune and would then play my own stuff (which paid less) but kept me musically happier. There ain't no business like show bushiness.

[@blahblahblahblah2837]

Literally just play Wonderwall on loop

[@devin4026]

cops: you can’t play with amplification Adam: well yes but actually no

[@justinwilliams3733]

Oh my god i love "Too Many Zooz" so freaking much!!

[@johnplayer420]

Fantastic video! I've been busking for over 10 years and I would have loved to have something like this to share with people back then! Thank you for taking the time to know busking better before filming. The guy you skype chatted with really knows his stuff!

[@MeneerHerculePoirot]

Busk with kids. I have 2 guitar students. One of whom plays bass, too. The GP is very good. We have a 15 song classic blues set. We definitely play the kid card, but we're also a nice, tight dynamic little busking band, too. Recently we added a drummer who plays a plastic bucket, maracas and tambourine. I have a bass wedge fitted with an active transducer plugged into a small 3w amp. We all have battery powered amps. Our amps are a Vox Mini G2 5w, Roland Bass Cube, Vox Mini G2 3w and I use a SoundCloud AGA 20W w/vocal and guitar inputs. To get a bigger sound I use a 12 string. They're all good musicians. The kid card only gets you so far. As a band we deliver the goods as well.

[@506TAG]

Buskin makes me feel good