Have you ever sat outside in a park or at a restaurant and thought “Wow, I’d love to hear some music right now?” Thankfully, with the warmer weather and the summer upon us, busking is about to pick up full steam to provide us all with the proper ambiance for outdoor activities. Busking can be a great way for local and amateur musicians to make a few bucks and get exposure, but there are a lot of rookie mistakes that can happen to make a busker go from desired detail to noisy nuisance. If you’re looking to get into busking this summer, here are some tips for a seamless session:
The Trouble-Free Troubadour
The nature of busking means you’ll be on the go fast and often – meaning bringing around an entire four-piece band is likely not the most efficient way to get from one venue to another. When you’re schlepping your equipment around town, keep in mind that you should stick to the non-negotiables:
- Amplifier – This is arguably the most important piece of equipment for you to carry around. An amplifier will ensure people can hear you and makes certain you don’t completely blow out your voice by trying to project your voice past its limits. Since this is the most important, it’ll also be the most expensive. For beginners, I highly recommend checking out Reverb, an online marketplace to buy used music gear where you can get great quality amps for half the price. If you’re looking to invest a bit more, the BOSS Cube Street II is my pick – it has incredible sound and is battery-powered for easy travel purposes.
- Microphone – You can have the best amp in the world, but it can only make you sound great when paired with a great microphone. While there are a lot of microphones on the market, it’s easy to see why the Shure SM58 is the gold standard – it is the world’s most famous mic for a reason. The mic’s state-of-the-art shock mount keeps your sound free of vibration and the iconic windscreen makes it a breeze to have clear and crisp audio even when it’s, well, breezy. Its durable construction is made to withstand being tossed around in bags, cars, trains, and more. It’s not too expensive either – a nice plus.
- Tablet – Unless you have a photographic memory (and bless those that do) you’ll need to have your music in front of you while performing. Instead of carrying around sheet music and a stand, consider bringing a tablet to digitally hold all your music – most mic stands will have attachments that make this easy.
Busking In the Big Bucks
Many people use busking to scrounge up some extra money – so how do you best capitalize on that? Most spectators don’t carry around a ton of cash or singles with them, so bringing a small sign with digital payment methods is a great way to make it easy for people to leave you tips. Make sure you have all the big players included – Venmo, Zelle, Cashapp – so that everyone has an option. Outside of payment methods, make sure this QR code also links out to your social media platforms so you can be tagged in organic content. Linktree is a great service that allows you to put all of your links in one convenient place.
The Odds and Ends
While busking may seem like a very spur-of-the-moment thing, it’s important to note that there are many cities that require permits to perform live music, including New York City and Chicago. Before setting up shop in Central Park, make sure to get a performer permit – these usually come at a cost of around $50.
Speaking of location, make sure you consider what environment you’ll be playing in. If you live in a city with public transportation, subway stations are a great place to set up. The acoustics from the tunnels are impeccable, and you’ll get a new and rotating audience every couple of minutes – there’s a reason why superstars like Hozier still do this sometimes. If you’re playing in front of retail stores, make sure to ask the store for permission. It’s likely their own private property, so they’ll have the authority to kick you out or ask you to leave – derailing your set.
Lastly, remember to dress the part! You’ll be performing a physical act for hours, most likely. Comfy shoes and clothing are key, as well as bringing enough water and snacks to sustain you. If you’re performing outside, don’t forget your SPF!
Busking is a great hobby for musicians and can even help bring in some additional income. If you’re looking to hit the streets this summer, make sure to follow these tips for a successful season. Who knows who could be walking past!
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