Busking Blues
Today I chickened out. Thinking that I ought to profit from my day off, I rashly decided that I would busk a few songs and earn a few pesos. But facing the moment of truth, I turned away.
I can’t quite understand what it is that renders me unable to perform in the street. I have no such fear of the stage. Only the street. I think that it’s the “in your face” nature of busking. Like, people are just sitting there having a coffee and suddenly along comes me with my guitar. I play a few songs then stick my hand out and ask for money. It’s not that far removed from begging really.
Maybe that’s why I can’t do it: it seems debased, makes me out as a pauper. When you’re on stage, you know that your audience has come to listen to you, to hear your music. You’re there on the stage with everyone paying attention. You are respected. There is reverence (sometimes!) You have their attention. On the street you compete with traffic and passersby. No one came to hear you play, you might be an intrusion, an annoyance, in the way. So it’s not really fear of playing that paralyses me, it’s fear of the reaction to/perception of my performance.
Perhaps there are people who enjoy the challenge of winning over an apathetic cluster of coffee drinkers. Maybe there are those who believe that they will put a smile on their faces and brighten their day. Perhaps there are some who are hungry enough to have to play and that’s the sole motivation they need. I guess that I don’t believe in myself enough to credit the idea that I could brighten a bored stranger’s day. I guess I’m not hungry enough. I don’t need to do it, so I have the bail-out-the-backdoor option…and today I took it.
Do I feel ashamed? No. I do many things well and can’t expect to excel at everything. Disappointed? Yes. I’d have likes to write about the coins collected, the boogie woogie dance I did, the applause and appreciation. But certainly I feel optimistic because I know that I shall overcome this block and sing in the street this summer. For no reason other than to prove that the talents God gave me – my voice, my joy, my love of music – increase the happiness in this world, if only by a fraction. Sat Nam.
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I find, busking here in Vancouver, that people respond better when you don’t look, or act like you need the money. Sell CD’s, offer lessons, dress nice, go to a fairly upscale location. Look at it as experience playing in front of people. Some people do consider it begging, esp in N America, thats why selling CD’s, looks better. Try busking at a concert line-up, they’re a captive audience, that likes music. Play catchy songs, that you can’t help humming, when you hear them, originals rarely work. Find someone to busk with, it a lot less intimidating as a duo. Best of luck!