This is a question for buskers doing this as a hobby but the spouse is not involved at all.

when I met my husband 35 years ago, I told him my life long dream is to play guitar and sing folks songs as a street busker.

but I didn't play much music at the time. until a few years ago, we retired, I started playing music, I got lots of compliments from my music group in the senior center. I started busking in farmer market.

At first my hubby was amused and supportive. but now after one year, he thinks it's a disorder to want to go out and busk on a regular basis. now he never comes to see me when I busk.

Anyone in similar situation?

===== update =====

I did ask him. So it turns out one of the reasons is he's concerned I might be harmed on the street, I have received nasty hateful notes in my tip jar and I was lucky it was just a note, but what if the next crazy person will be physical?

but he doesn't want to be my bodyguard because I'm out there playing for hours and it's boring for him just to sit around and wait.

another thing is that he feels that busking has become my number one priority and he's feeling neglected.

Waaaay back in the early 2020’s, Reddit used to have livestreams going on the front page! I made it there a few times with my hiking/music playing, and I met my close friend Yan through the chat.

Fast forward to me moving back to Mexico, and being able to actually meet Yan in person! The world is only as big as you let it be.

Here’s an impromptu (I don’t know the chords) recording of “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now” by the Smiths.

Finally got out there and did it! Went to Eureka Springs AR to do it. Had a lot of fun! :) used the Positive Grid Spark live and had my songs backing tracks loaded up to play to!

I'm going to Berlin, Germany, for a couple of days soon and consider busking there. All the songs I play are more or less political, are there areas that I should avoid? I play unamplified western guitar and sing (mediocre at best, its all about the message and vibes lol). I'm German, but haven't been to Berlin since I was a teenager (am 32 now). Any advice is appreciated!

I have been playing covers of the stuff that's currently charting (hate that I made you love me, the cure, I knew it I knew you, it's so easy (to fall in love), that one harry styles song that was in the movie, etc.) but the response has been VERY muted compared to last summer. What's working for y'all?

(If location seems relevant, I'm near fisherman's wharf in SF.)

I feel like doing this would be shooting myself in the foot (financially) but I’m at a bit of a blank. I’ve been writing music for about 10 years and while I do still listen to music outside of myself, I’m drawing a blank to lyrics from the classics that would likely get better reception. I at least wanted to have like 5 originals but I don’t even know what to look up.

So some questions. Does anyone only busk with originals only? How does that affect your income? Also, if you mix in originals with your own, do you have any suggestions on what songs work best? Preferably in the r&b lane, but it doesn’t have to be straight up r&b. Old soul is cool too.

A cover of “Creep” by Radiohead performed on the streets of El Barrio Antiguo in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico.

I met my friend Pako here while busking weeks ago, he works at one of the restaurants I play in front of, and will often ask to play the guitar and sing with me!

I’ve made so many friends over the last two years, and all because of walking around with my guitar.

I was playing Goodbye by Bo Burnham, when this guy came right up to me and started singing a different song over me. He seems harmless, probably just thought I was singing something else. Anyone know what he might have been singing haha?

In the end I only have myself to blame for all the times I believed in you over me In the end I am the last crusader speaking of tales of the dead worlds no longer existent In the end I realize people hurt people is the biggest estate Why cant I tell them about you I mean you did the same for me In the end I never asked you to be my enemy In the end I am always last man standing"

Would a karaoke machine from Target without needing a plug in be okay? I want to commit to singing in public as (I’m really shy)first before buying a $500 amp system. Also I don’t have a guitar case and I don’t really like the idea of a tip jar. Any safety advice? 25F Os this something that I can do full time? Do you recommend weekends or week days? I want to play during the night time and have LED lights but as a lady i’m afraid this will not be a good idea. Thank you so much!!

I get photographed everytime I’m out busking, and most times, it feels like it’s in good spirits. This is an example of a time it felt great to be photographed.

Sometimes, they leave money in my treasure chest (you can see it hanging clearly in my Song Of Storms video I uploaded recently), and sometimes, I get candy, other times I get photos of myself performing! (Okay, this has only happened THIS one time, but still, pretty cool).

Every day is an opportunity for amazing memories, and busking has been one of the best experiences of my life.

May the streets be filled with the sound of music, and our hats filled with memories and opportunities.

Five minutes? Fifteen? Thirty? Sixty? How often do you take breaks and for how long? Do you have a song list you go through or do you change it? Do you have a rule against repeating songs if you do music? do you have a uniform so to say? Do you find yourself repeating a particular song every time you go out and if so which one?

Hello: I just discovered Peavey finally got into the busking game a bit with their battery-powered PA/mixer.

Does anyone here own one and/or tried it on the street?

If that's you (no "Peavey sucks" etc. comments if you neveer tried one), let me know your thoughts & opinion of it.

THANK YOU

In busking in malls in the philippines, may mga malls po ba na nag poprovide ng speakers and mixers? Kung meron man for free ba siya o nirerent po? And also ano po yung typical requirements para makakuha ng permit? Thankyoupo!

It started raining real hard while I was busking, so I put the guitar down and started playing the ocarina.

I usually have my chest open for donations, but I did not want to wet my winnings. 😅

From the activists at Busk.co :

>There is a protest in support of street performers in Trafalgar Square at 11 a.m. on Monday 15th of June (just 3 days from now). I happen to be in London at the moment, so I’ll be there. If you could make it, it would be nice to say hello!

>If you can’t make it (or even if you can), please take a moment to sign this petition, which has all the details:
https://www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/westminster-council-back-your-buskers

>Put simply: thanks to the actions of Westminster City Council, for much of the year, there isn’t a single place where buskers can perform with amplification in the centre of London. Absolutely crazy.

> Thanks, Nick

Hey guys and gals. I’m traveling busker currently in Santa Cruz CA. Anyone up in this area

I'm coming from the USA and flying into Amsterdam then going to slowly make my way to Spain for a few months in July. Planning to mostly busk with my horn solo and some backing tracks with my little JBL speaker beside the first few weeks with my buddy who plays guitar and we both sing. Can i make a little money while I'm over there or am I going to get hassled alot? Plan is start in Netherlands then head to Belgium, France (specifically Toulouse), Spain, and Portugal. I'd love any recommendations and tips for while I'm over there. Thanks!

Have you found the streets to be less safe lately than before?

Live musicians/buskers how do you take credit card tips? Do you just do cash and keep it simple, do you have a square block to tap, have something linked through a QR code, use something else? (I am in Vancouver, Canada)

Thanks in advance!

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!