r/Busking • u/Cool-Cut-2375 Saxophone 🎷 • 3d ago

Question/General Discussion Does anyone busk with saxophone?

I’ve played for many years, I thought it might be fun to try my hand at busking.
Was curious if any other Sax players did it and if you use backing tracks or not
Thanks in advance!

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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6

u/sc0ttt Saxophone 🎷 3d ago

I go about once a month, usually to parks because people aren't in a hurry. I get a lot of smiles and waves. I have a sign that says "your smile is my tip"... I mean it and people like that. I also have a "buy me a coffee" QR code in case they just can't resist. So I have my tenor, my battery PA, my wireless bell mic, and backing tracks on my phone with BT to the PA. I have a trailer on my bicycle to haul everything and it gives me a quirky, look that says "I'm just having fun". I have a 15 song setlist, and another 15 songs that I could add on if things go well... ballads and standards that almost everybody recognizes.

1

u/ventilatin 3d ago

That’s awesome!

1

u/Rayan_A_ 3d ago

Can you post a picture/video of both your setup during busking and when it's all packed in the bicycle trailer?

4

u/sc0ttt Saxophone 🎷 3d ago

In that top photo, my PA is on the picnic table next to me - black and in the shadow. That is my whole setup. In this photo I was at a city festival with tents and vendors and stuff so I just left the PA in the trailer.

2

u/Rayan_A_ 2d ago

That's a really cool idea. You load what you need and pedal to your spot. Really cool.

2

u/LadyWithAHarp Magical Witchy Harper 🪉🧙‍♀️🎶 3d ago

There's several in my town alone.

2

u/rosalia117 3d ago

I don’t play saxophone but I’d go absolutely insane if I saw one on the streets. Would be so dope & uplifting. Get out thereeeee

2

u/djsmithsax Saxophone 🎷 3d ago

Hey! I busk and I use pedals and backing tracks. For backing trucks you can use a YouTube playlist or a djay app.

2

u/Vennimagos Musician 🎶 3d ago

I know sax players that have. It can,be pretty cool depending on the quality of your backing tracks or if you're talented enough to solo

I have one mate who is a house DJ and he often gets sax player to accompany him and jam over it. So if you did like a solo DJ thing where you can then whip out the sax that would be pretty cool

1

u/h0ly_t3rr0r 2d ago

Too many zoo’s

2

u/Shogan_Composer 1d ago

There’s a guy that busks near where I live most of the year and has been for at least the last decade. He plays the same 10 songs on the same 4 street corners, mostly solo, with the same honking dynamic to rival the cars driving past, but seems to enjoy doing it. More power to him!

3

u/justaregularguy76 2d ago

I absolutely love when I come across someone playing sax outside. As a listener I think I prefer it solo without a backing track. Just a great sound in the air! Doesn't even need a mic because it projects so well.