Just made nearly 60 bucks playing a Tipple Eb
on the street. It’s got good volume, it’s got a good sound,
it’s light, it looks interesting, and people came up
and asked where I got it, did I make it myself,
and so on. And if it walks away or drops or
whatever, well, I haven’t lost a grand.
Good flute for buskers.
Jim, where do you busk. Where is some literature on suggestions.
Nelson
The Soulard Farmer’s Market here in St. Louis.
You need lots of people in a good mood, passing by.
Not always easy to find. Also I had to get to street
musician’s license…
Jim, sounds like a great day.
Busking is definitely cool. Something about the people, the music, the outdoors in spring. Just cool.
That would be a good goal for me this summer, find a busking location and give it a go.
Glad you had a good day.
Byron
When it’s good it’s very good,
and when it’s bad it’s horrid.
One thing I find is that I get conditioned like a rat.
The payoff is people putting money into
my jar. After awhile that’s what matters.
Yesterday a young couple with three small
children listened to me for maybe five
minutes–then they said ‘That’s beautiful
music!’ and left, giving me nothing.
I’m going to track them down and get even.
Also there is now increasing competition for the
good places from other buskers. Yesterday
somebody beat me to my favorite place
by 30 seconds. I did very well in another
place, but I was kicking myself for
awhile–a truck had blocked the entrance
to the parking lot…
Not pretty in my head. After awhile, though,
I was making money and I began to
like humanity again. Had some lovely
conversations with people who asked
what I was playing ‘Is that sewer pipe?’
Mean streets–heaven-hell. Or more accurately, my mind…
Need to meditate more.
As I keep saying the white plastic Eb is a surprisingly beautiful flute. Today, Terry McGee joined me in marvelling at its appearance, porcelin like. We are amazed and perturbed that American plumbing pipe is so, well … “aesthetic”. Australian plumbing pipe looks nowhere as good and, believe me, we are not third world down here.
Yes the Tipples certainly have volume but never harsh. Gentle power is how I have described it. I am sure Whistlin Dixie would agree.
I am curious Jim, what music you busked on …
Yankee Doodle, when children appear in the distance.
Turkey in the Straw.
Bach–Minuet in G, Sheep may Safely Graze,
something from the Easter Oratorio
Silver Spear
Fisher’s Hornpipe, Off to CA, other hornpipes
The Orphan (jig, wonderful), Peacock’s Feather,
Swallowtail jig, Saddle the Pony, other jigs
Her Long Black Hair
Soldier’s Joy
St. Anne’s Reel
Someone to Watch Over Me,
Favorite things
Israeli dances–about four of em.
Take me out to the ballgame
Loch Lomond
Danny Boy
Various bluesy things,
ragtime
Boys of the Town
O’Carrolyn
Coilsfield House
and lots of other things that float through
as I get oxygen drunk…
There is a fiddler out there who
plays magnificently but knows no tunes.
He just makes up jigs and reels as
he goes along, basically he plays
the same thing all day. Makes
lots of money but the flower vendor
nearbye is going nuts.
Congrats I have not been busking in a long time last time I did was in Boston and after an hour of playing I made about three bucks it sucked.
Right, this certainly has happened to me.
There are dark moments, no question.
A bit of an emotional rollercoaster sometimes.
Last time I was in Boston I saw people busking
on subway platforms. No flute players, though.
Well, I would like to try that–I imagine the
echoes would rock, and maybe one wouldn’t
need amplification. Anybody know if you
need a license?
This guy wasn’t busking, but he was playing (maybe NA) flute on the ferry boat we were taking across Puget Sound one summer. The reverb was awesome, his flute sounding both haunting and mysterious… I only heard a small bit, but the memory has stayed with me.
Yes, I would have to say the Tipple flute rocks! I love my Eb, and keep it in my car, actually. It is indeed a beauty, and well worth every penny and more! I would endorse it for anyone who wants to get started playing flute, as it is low cost and tough. More experienced players will appreciate a go-anywhere instrument, and it’s pretty, too.
Mary
I’d like to busk but I’m pretty shy about my playing, actually. I’m trying to get over it, though.
OK, I can’t stand it any longer. I am going to buy a white Eb Tipple. I will put it in my pocket, also a telescopic white cane, sun glasses, and my Australian Shephard. I’ll go sit on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in DC and play, “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, “Tenting Tonight”, “Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag”, et ceteria. It works because I used to do it with the Great Highland Bagpipes, until one day a kid started taking money from my tin and I whacked his hand with my cane. Whacked him good. His mon got the police.
What ever you do, do not tell Doug Tipple, he won’t sell me a white Eb, he won’t want to be an accomplist to a pseudo blind kid whacker.
Nelson
It is bad form for a busker to chase or reprimand a thief. Busking is blessed activity and a focus for mutual charity. If someone pinches your money the PROTOCOL is that one of the bystanders or onlookers should take action. If they don’t, you should take it that your Muse has donated to the poor.
When I used to busk, I would wash the coins with sandalwood soap and hot water, rub them with lemon juice and then rinse them with an aromatic tea like rosemary as I offered a song to Lady Luck. And what has this got to do with anything? Well do not be too linear about the raison d’etre of busking. There is more to it than reaches your cap.
I use to do poetry readings, standing up in front of people, reading my own work was enough to take the strength out of my knees after two or three and I would sit down after one or two poems. As time went on the rush of performing started to take the place of embarrassment or fear and the poems started to have a different meaning.
I am getting use to playing in “public” playing while outdoors, when no one is around, and hope to find a semi – secluded place to play during lunch. I play for myself, but I do wonder if playing for others would change my perception of the music.
I guess because I do not plan to play for money, the Lab. Rat scenario may not apply, but how does busking change the music you play (for those people that participate in this activity)?
Oh and Jim the Eb is higher than the D, is their any perceived difference on how it carries?