Article Ottawa Citizen - "Buskers Ungrateful"

[J-P]

It helps when you live in a country that tips.

As a walkby with a hat out in Oz you'll get tips but it's just working for charity if you try not hatting a circle show. People think your paid by the council or something similar.

99% of the audience will walk, not out of spite, just not thinking about it. They probably enjoyed the show!

J-P

[Dr. Harmonica]

more money madness

Dear Mr.. Glen Orange. It is painfully obvious that you are just a rookie in this business. The longer you do it the the sooner that you will realize that there is no such thing as begging. It is called educating. Teaching the public that they have a moral responsibility to respect your talent and pay you a fair wage otherwise you might be forced into a life of crime and have to mug them some dark night.......or sell drugs.....or steal their car radios ....It's up to them to keep you from that life of crime.....Therefore don't be shy. If you have a good audience and they don't pay. Insult them, harass them, beg them, threaten them. do what ever it takes because in the end only one thing is important............THE MONEY

[martin ewen]

Whistle while you work

Given Glens admitted working the streets for only 6 months its painfully obvious to point out that its painfully obvious he's a rookie.
I've met whores who let customers shit in their mouths because at the end of the day its only about one thing...the money.
Glen, perhaps start slowly and expand your comfort zone gradually. Do you have people stopping? Try eye contact. Try some sort of written notice. Try anything that extends your relationship with the audience. Of course if you include dylan covers I'll just withdraw and leave you to continue being savaged by the rock god.

[Mr.Taxi Trix]

And if you do perform Dylan covers, please include "Queen Jane", as I consider it a tad overlooked. I'm also one to stop for a John Prine cover, though, so it's painfully obvious that I'm a nebbish, and an easy mark.

It is possible, what you seek. I watched a harp player working Harvard Square one night, and she simply played. She was extraordinary, gifted, and a member of an orchestra, seeking release, kicks, or dates, I suppose. She did smile and nod, but that was the extent of it. People were asking things like "Hey, wasn't that Rachmannanov's 67.49th movement?" more to prove their savvy natures than for any real contact, and as she nodded, they rained it on her. Whoa, the weight of it, watching them wheeeling over fives upon fives.

Tomco doesn't say much, but what he says is dry as sand, and funny, on unassuming levels. (refreshing, in the street.) He does wonders with candles, too. Plays the trapezoidal money box.

Love them, grasshopper. Exude love. be a source of love. People desperately want to be loved by you. Let every note communicate love, everything else will follow.

You'll find that "begging" is a term that meets with mixed reviews here. We're a proud bunch, we are fond of what we provide people, and are unafraid of informing them of their need for it. Many of us here have tried your preferred way, of just perform really great stuff, and the money will follow. It has proved helpful to kind of nudge that generosity impulse along. Really helpful.

God, Martin, you've known some Lulus. Letting people shit in their mouths? Jesus, that's almost as bad as selling timeshares.

[martin ewen]

You really ought to gargle after work

Well I never knew her in the biblical sense, we just bumped into each other at some party and you know how it goes. "So what do you do?" she asked.
"Why I'm a successful international disgruntled pantomime....and you?"
"Oh nothing THAT exciting! no I just injest the fresh feces of strangers for cash...can I freshen that for you?"
We were just like colons excavating in the night.

[Evan Young]

gross

[Dr. Harmonica]

Baa, humbug...hmph...all this talk about money is boring. Who's been laid lately. That's what's important. I will lay one thing on you. Having a sign reminding the public about donations is an excellent idea. I've had my sign for more years then I care to admit to. It's geared for musicians but I'll lay it on you all and you can do with it what you will.....

It's true that music can cure all ills
But even musicians must pay their bills
So while the music soothes your mind
A small donation would be very kind
A wondering minstral wishes to say
Have much joy and a very fine day

Thank You...Dr. Harmonica

This can be adapted to suit any kind of act

Cheers folks....Now lets talk about sex.......Who's first?????

[gav]

now you're talking

It's not all about the money !!! What about entertaining people ? Isn't that what it's all about? Of course you want to be paid for it, but if you go out there with only the intention to make money then I don't think you'd do very well. You need to want to entertain people and make them happy, then they'll think about paying you.
there is a difference between asking for money for a service or product you have supplied and begging for money in return for nothing.
It's important to point out to people that if they have enjoyed what you have given them, then perhaps they can give something in return.
I don't recomend throwing insults at people who don't give anything though. Well, maybe in a comical way sometimes.

Now on to the sex topic.
I have it EVERY DAY !!
Life is sweeeeeeet.

[Dr. Harmonica]

Money, Money ,Money and more money

My Dear MR.. Gav.....What is this BULLSHIT!!!!! of course it's about money. We are trying to make a living and we expect to receive a good wage for it. I enjoy going out and performing my craft to the best of my ability but I don't do it as a hobby, I do it to support my self in the style to which I have become accustom to and that is a very high style in more ways then one. If I have a bad day at work I am not happy. Why....because I did not make enough MONEY. There has never been a bad day when I earned a lot of money. When you earn a lot of MONEY it is impossible to call it a bad day. It is a good day and I like good days. Earning a lot always means it's a good day and why you may ask. Not only because of the MONEY but because when you earn well on the street it means that the people like you and you were good. MONEY is the way the audience shows it's appreciation of your talent. Now occasionally I have a bad day and I don't make enough MONEY. What does that mean. It means that the audience sucks. Yes they suck. Sometimes that happens. It's a group karma kind of thing that sometime an entire audience can suck. Some times an entire city can suck. I have enough confidence in my skill and talent to know that it's not me, It's THEM.....It's always them......
Now can we talk about something more interesting like pussy.....

[B]

[gav]

no bullshit

I guess we'll have to disagree on this.
I've done shows that I thought were bad, with audiences that gave very little response, only to find out later that the hat was very good. On the other hand I have done shows that I thought were great, the audience was well into it and then later I find that the hat was crap !
The amount of money people give you can vary for so many reasons and should never be used to measure the quality of your performance. Better to use the audiences reaction to measure that.
I've seen fantastic performers doing original material that don't make a lot of money, and I've seen totally generic copycat tall unicycle shows performed badly by ego maniacs that make a lot of money.
He who makes the most money on the street is not the best performer, he's the best salesman !

[Dr. Harmonica]

Actually I tend to agree with you on this but the psychology of a musical performer is different then that of a juggler doing a circle show. Since we are pretty much stuck to our instruments and don't really build up to some amazing climax the tips tend to come in slow and hopefully study. Also CD sales are the big breadwinner now. If one is playing music without selling a CD or two it's almost not worth the effort. 20 Cd's sold at $15 a piece or the local equivalent can add up. Anyway there are good days and there are bad days. Usually my show is very consistent. I'm always great.......so if I have a bad day it can't be MY fault now can It????. Listen, we have to stop meeting this way. I have a life to lead...sort of

[Glenn Orange]

Re: Whistle while you work

Originally posted by martin ewen
Given Glens admitted working the streets for only 6 months its painfully obvious to point out that its painfully obvious he's a rookie.
I've met whores who let customers shit in their mouths because at the end of the day its only about one thing...the money.
Glen, perhaps start slowly and expand your comfort zone gradually. Do you have people stopping? Try eye contact. Try some sort of written notice. Try anything that extends your relationship with the audience. Of course if you include dylan covers I'll just withdraw and leave you to continue being savaged by the rock god.

Hey, if you have a heroin habit to support and wanna beg like a street junkie, go right ahead. I make more than enough to maintain my roomate-free apartment STRICTLY on money I don't be for. I have a great relationship with my audience, people DO stop and appreciate what I do.
Begging is for homeless addicts. Busking is for musicians.
Glenn

[Glenn Orange]

Re: more money madness

Originally posted by Dr. Harmonica
Dear Mr.. Glen Orange. It is painfully obvious that you are just a rookie in this business. The longer you do it the the sooner that you will realize that there is no such thing as begging. It is called educating. Teaching the public that they have a moral responsibility to respect your talent and pay you a fair wage otherwise you might be forced into a life of crime and have to mug them some dark night.......or sell drugs.....or steal their car radios ....It's up to them to keep you from that life of crime.....Therefore don't be shy. If you have a good audience and they don't pay. Insult them, harass them, beg them, threaten them. do what ever it takes because in the end only one thing is important............THE MONEY

Oh, give me a friggin' break...You sound like every homeless hippy I've ever dealt with. It's MY respinsibility to make sure you are fed and housed. I may be a rookie, but at least I make RENT-PLUS , and get to maintain my dignity. Maybe YOU would be able to make money based solel on your performance if you put down the crack pipe.
Glenn

[Dr. Harmonica]

Hopeless hippy your ass

Yo Glen....Are YOU talking to me....You talking to MEEEEE....Dr. Harmonica.......Homeless hippy your ass!!!!! I don't have enough hair left anymore to be a homeless hippy. I'm a hairless hippy but when I did have hair I was the happiest of hopeless hippies while you were in Nappies sucking yo mama's tittie...You don't know diddly doo. I just fed you one of the most commonest juggler line in the common book of over used juggler lines. Look here BOY....You need some experiance. Learn to respect your elders sonny. Learn more then three chords!!!! Why one months interest on my Gold Card is more then you make in a lifetime I'm out of here. I have to go and polish my Mercedes

[Peter]

Re: Re: more money madness

Originally posted by Glenn Orange
Oh, give me a friggin' break...You sound like every homeless hippy I've ever dealt with. It's MY respinsibility to make sure you are fed and housed. I may be a rookie, but at least I make RENT-PLUS , and get to maintain my dignity. Maybe YOU would be able to make money based solel on your performance if you put down the crack pipe.
Glenn

Sorry Glenn, but you are writing bullshit. I make very good money busking. I use hat lines all the time to remind the entertainees that this is how I make my living. Their tips are my pay. There was an artical in the locval Cincinnati paper about a musician that busks and has made "up to $60 a day" and the day the reporter was with him he made "$5.65 for 3 hours work." He just plays his music and sings along with the music.

I work the same streets doing magic and use hat lines and my take is never less that $60 an hour. I don't beg for money. I don't tell them to "help me." I tell them that : if you enjoy watching what I do show your appreciation by dropping a bill or two in the hat That is NOT begging, it is doing an honest days entertainment and getting paid for it.

BTW, I also don't have a room mate in my apartment. I have a wife, who does not have an outside job, and a real mortgage that I am paying. I also pay child support to an ex wife and am very generous to my four kids.

I feel thatwWhat you are doing, on the other hand, is begging. playing your heart out and wishing that someone will drop a coin or two.

Peter