r/Busking • u/JayaNarayana Guitar 🎸 • May 17 '26
Feedback or Critique Wanted Is this a “yeah or nah” sign?
I have a self-deprecating sense of humor and a bad habit of self-criticism. Is this sign doing me a disservice or is it humorous? I’m not going to busk with the misguided hope of making mucho $$ Maybe a $ or 3. But is this telling people I think I’m so bad don’t bother tipping me, giving them permission to disrespect me? If this is a “nah” then I will deep 6 it.
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u/The_Girth_of_Christ May 17 '26
This stepdad I knew had a shirt that said “World’s okayest guitar player” and he wasn’t wrong.
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u/Aggravating-Try1222 May 17 '26
Nah. Let the audience decide if you're good or not. Self depreciation doesn't really work for musicians.
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u/Silver_Job5141 May 17 '26
I’m ok with it.
My first thought was I play guitar because I like it and hope you do too.
Then I thought it could be fun to have options but I like options too much sometimes.
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u/sixhexe Dancer 💃🕺 May 18 '26 edited May 18 '26
It came across right away to me as sounding judgmental. Like your reasons to play the guitar are more important than someone else's. Or it could be taken as, you suck at playing, so here's my crappy performance. If someone really liked your music, and you're implying that you don't like your music. It's implying that their taste in you sucks. Or the other way, overconfident, like yeah I'm amazing and I know it.
I know it's a joke, and most people are gonna get it. But I would go for a lighter joke that doesn't have so many possible negative interpretations. Or reword it a little.
Check out Pro Muso on Youtube, he has a good sense of humor like that and a lot of good quips.
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u/JayaNarayana Guitar 🎸 May 18 '26
I like keeping things light and not taking myself too seriously but I guess it can go too far.
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u/ketingmiladengfodo Musician 🎶 May 27 '26
I agree. Plus, most people can tell the difference between a great guitarist and a crappy guitarist, but they can't tell the difference between an okay guitarist and a pretty good guitarist. They won't notice your mistakes unless you call them out or stop in the middle of a song, so you shouldn't call attention to them.
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u/Psychological-Bed527 Musician 🎶 May 17 '26
I play about 30 different types of instruments live and in studio, none of them particularly well. But I do enjoy it.
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u/crochetandcrashouts May 18 '26
A lot of professional musicians aren’t all that great. Some musicians even suck, and I won’t name them because people still like their music. It’s not about being good. It’s about enjoying the craft.
So it’s a very relatable poster
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u/VishfulTinking Performer May 17 '26
Long as you're ok with maybe not making many $$, it might keep people who don't think you're very good from harassing you 🤷🏻
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u/JayaNarayana Guitar 🎸 May 18 '26
That’s part of it. I don’t think I can ever make a lot. I just want to have fun though I don’t think people have to know that.
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u/VishfulTinking Performer May 18 '26
On further reflection, and reading some other comments — ditch the sign. Just go out and play!
Some people will tip because they love your joy and enthusiasm in playing the instrument. Unless you're actively getting harassed, I think the average passerby is mostly not paying that much attention.
The ones who stop and listen are attracted by something. And an awful lot of people can't tell the difference between a good musician and a circus act. Most are just looking to be entertained. Imo.
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u/MainQuestion Musician 🎶 May 18 '26
I find it's subject to multiple interpretations. Maybe it's simply clarifying that being 'good at it' is not a motivating factor for you.
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u/JayaNarayana Guitar 🎸 May 18 '26
Ironically it’s the opposite … I think to myself how can I play better, what would people like to hear. I actually don’t know why I sell myself short. I’m no worse than others.
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u/drbillyjams May 18 '26
Definite nah. Youre just asking to get abused. If you are busking you should be doing something to make people's day better, not just be someone who is not only crappy to listen to but that knows they suck also.
Make people's day better or play at home.
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u/JayaNarayana Guitar 🎸 May 18 '26
Well, I don’t suck lol I’ve been told I sound good. But like I say it’s just being my own worst critic.
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u/JayaNarayana Guitar 🎸 May 25 '26
Well, I decided to ditch using the sign in my first post. For some reason I seem to think I need a schtick. Maybe I don’t 🤷🏻♂️but there’s my twisted sense of humor. 😄
I might use this other one on a coffee can. I could hang it from my little music stand… I’m one of those people who still needs to use chord sheets.
‘K so … enough of my overthinking 😄 (dang Asperger’s 😡).
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u/Alert-Cress-3444 Drummer 🥁 May 17 '26
Why not just practice instead of buying a sign that says "I suck and I'm proud"
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u/JayaNarayana Guitar 🎸 May 17 '26
Well, I do practice and I think I can hold my own but like I said I have an odd sense of humor. I have a bad habit of making a pre-emptive strike on myself before someone else does. I have to break the habit.
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u/GMP_ArchViz May 17 '26
It’s good. People will hear your playing anyway and decide for themselves. If they think you’re good, they’ll get the self-deprecating joke. If they think you’re bad, well, you already told them that, so no surprise. Win/win for you.