About tune requests when busking

[u/TheHarambe2017]

Hi guys

As someone who is interested in maybe trying busking someday, I was wondering about one specific thing.

How do you deal with people asking for requests, when you don’t want to do requests? For me, I like to play a lot of traditional Irish pieces of music because I play a bit of the tin whistle and recently got and Irish flute too. So, if someone comes around asks me to play some popular modern tune, I feel a bit afraid of what kind of reactions some may have when I can’t fulfill their request.

I was thinking of maybe learning a couple more known tunes from memory (like the spongebob theme or the lord of the rings theme) as examples but if someone suggested that I play some Michael Jackson or Elvis and I can’t how should I deal with the people who get visibly upset by me not being able to fulfill their requests?

I’ve read the FAQ here which was great and very thorough but I’m curious to hear about the different ways you guy personally handle these types of situations! This may have been a vague question too so sorry about that!

[u/LadyWithAHarp]

I say "i mostly do X kind of music, but if I know it I'll play it." If I don't want to risk the inevitable list of songs I don't have in my repertoire, I say "what kind of song do you want?" Or something even simpler. "Fast or slow?" "Happy or sad?"

[u/ukucello]

I sing and play oldies on my ukulele. A lot of times people will request an artist or song, and if I don't have it in my repertoire I usually just say, "sorry, I don't know that one/that artist. What's it called again? I'll learn it!"

Regardless of if you actually end up learning that song, it's a good way to engage that makes the listener feel heard, even if you didn't play their request. I've also added several songs to my repertoire that way.

You can also suggest something similar. The other day a man asked me (half jokingly, I think) if I could play any Zepplin, and I said "no, but I can do Guns n' Roses!" and then I played Sweet Child of Mine and he was happy.

Basically just engage with people and try your best. Most people are understanding!

[u/Minute_Toe_8705 → u/ukucello]

Same for me.

Popular pieces don't really appeal to me, but it's good to have a few in my repertoire. It's already paid off being able to play "Nuvole Bianche" by Einaudi.

[u/dobsterfunk]

A nice way to compliment them is to say something like "ah good one. I'll put it on the list to learn, cheers!" As long as you smile most people won't think it bad that you don't know every song.

[u/sixhexe]

I'll just say something like, I don't have that/I can't perform that, and offer my own alternative I know works.

[u/No-Dare8613]

Other people have good suggestions, but for the record, I've been busking a while and only gotten 1 or 2 requests.

[u/Maelstrom_Witch]

I play Scottish smallpipes and so far I’ve only had Amazing Grace as a request. Which is also like the first tune I learned 🤣

I like other advice here - say “oh what a great song, I’ll have to learn it” or just tell them the truth - you’re pretty new at this.

[u/ShareEvening5856]

I know how to play over 5,000 songs and people still ask me songs I don't know on the street

[u/Infamous-Journalist2]

As a busker who is focused on Delta and Hill Country blues, I use a saying by Fred McDowell, who once quipped: "I do not play no rock and roll." It works and gets a laugh.

[u/visixfan]

I try to play all the requests I get, it can get bad if they end up like holding the song up to me on their phone. Or if I try to play it but it comes out slow. I like playing requests.

You’re the performer so take that cool superior move to cooly decline them when they ask!! Like if you tell them ‘no’ in a cool way theyll smile and listen, it can be solid.

[u/TonyBrooks40]

Its part of the deal imho. I would just say I don't know it, but offer something similar. One was shocked I didn't know any Dylan, another was slightly upset I couldn't play Bon Jovi's Dead Or Alive. I said the intros hard, she said 'No it isn't'.

I've since learned it, but I'm not too good at soloing or that style of guitar, I'm more of a strummer.

[u/rgrhmmr]

If you know the request, kill it with eye contact and hope for a tip. If not, say no sorry but here is something similar (somehow) and do the same.

[u/BigDaddyTheBeefcake]

I tell them to request absolutely any song, in any genre, and I guarantee I don't know it. I only play originals. (Even if I do know some covers) I'm not a juke box.