August 1, 2024
About the Author: Arwen
Music is everywhere. Whether it’s the joyful sound of birds chirping sweet lullabies – or the rich tunes being played on a piano in the street!
A Deep Dive Into Street Performance
Street performance is practised all over the world. It is the act of performing in public places for gratuities such as money, gifts and food. The term is often called and known as busking.
Street performance has been claimed to have existed for centuries, saying people have been busking since ancient Rome during various festivals and events.
The word busker comes from the Spanish root word buscar, which means “to seek”.
Is busking like begging? Well, both are equal when it comes to seeking donations from people in public spaces, yet the difference is that busking provides entertainment and has the potential to make a public space more favourable.
Busking is significantly useful to the economy. Having musicians street perform is proven to have a significant impact on the locals. It attracts tourists, customers and investors, ultimately leading to greater income and employment.
Is Busking illegal? I guess it depends on your country’s laws, but according to the United Kingdom’s Government laws, busking is quite legal, but you do need a trading licence for it.
There are only some rules you need to adhere to such as not making too much noise, or blocking public highways. Another bylaw is that children under 14 are not allowed to busk.
It makes sense, since the last thing you want is to hate walking in the streets due to being bombarded with an overwhelming number of inexperienced artists blaring their instruments.
When it comes to earnings, there is no guarantee of making a lot of money, or any money at all! Yet it is commonly found that buskers potentially make 8-15 pounds per hour in a good area.
Obviously the ideal place to be is in tourist zones – for they usually have a lot of people. There are a lot of musicians that busk for a living, so I do believe it is possible to make it your profession. Yet as stated earlier, it is not a stable source of income but can generate extra money.
Even though busking does not generate a lot of money, it is a much easier way to get offered a wedding gig, parties and other things alike. People will recognise the talent and skill and will want to hire you. That can easily open up more doors for you in your career!
The most common type of street performers are musicians, flaunting their incredible and virtuous skills to the public. Street performers mostly do what they do in hopes of earning money, food, drinks or gifts – as stated before. Yet I also believe that a lot of small musicians perform in the streets to spread awareness and earn publicity.
A smart way to gain a following to help kickstart your career. Another reason why some artists do busking, is because it boosts their morale and self esteem.
In an interview with a busker that I read online, the man said that he enjoys it when people come up to him saying he’s really good and giving him a tip. I believe that even the wide eyes and deep smiles say enough to make one feel accomplished and proud.
Not only does busking have the potential to make you money, but you also get to practise your skills! Why not use the opportunity to practise and make some money at the same time?
Can Anyone Become A Piano Busker?
I absolutely love listening to street performers playing piano when I visit some countries. And it definitely has roused the question of whether I too can become one of them, even just for a day.
If you have all the legalities under foot, then yes, you can most definitely become a piano busker and earn some extra money!
But I do believe that the greater your skill, the more you attract, the more impressed you leave your audience, the more money you will make! Let’s take a closer look into the details of what it takes to become a piano busker.
So you can play the piano in public, but will the audience believe it too? No one wants a poor showcase of piano playing and even less wants to spend even a cent on something they think is undeserving.
Thus it is important to practise your instrument very often. Of course no matter your skill level, your first time busking might be strange and unfamiliar, but as you do it more and more, you will become more comfortable with performing in public.
It is important to engage with your audience when busking, like looking them in the eye with a smile while you’re playing, or even just showing expression through your face and body. Learning popular songs will also help gain attraction.
The sad reality nowadays is that people will be more amazed at a popular song that can be easy to play, than an extremely challenging piece like Beethoven/Chopin.
Thus the more a piece is technically difficult, does not necessarily mean it is going to guarantee attraction and tips. You can play well-known songs that are quite easy to learn while still making a good impression. Sometimes less is more.
The one downside about busking, is you have to provide your own resources. That explains why musicians play for hours in one place before moving on to the next. It is too great of a hassle to constantly move, therefore choosing the right location is key!
Most Piano buskers usually take a portable amp, keyboard and make use of a battery/power outlet. But it is not unheard of for buskers to use acoustic pianos either.
Getting paid for doing the thing you love sounds like a dream. Not only does busking benefit you, but it brings a smile to those around you, and the littlest smile can really go a long way.
So pick up your instrument and play some keys that will brighten someone’s day!
