Occupation: Traditional Blues Man, Street Department
Blues Guitar Man Takes To The City Streets !
It inevitably sounds very romantic. Imagine the scene - the travelling blues man performing on the street corners in the old tradition. See what it's it's like in reality and additionally what you need to have to make a go of it. Jim Bruce recounts something about his occupation as a street blues man in Europe. Everything you need can be found below - the equipment, where to play, general advice and that vital ingredient - attitude!
Before We Begin To Play , Essential Basics!
I recollect reading somewhere about the way of life of the musicians who moved around to play the blues on street corners and in parking lots near tobacco storehouses to make enough to eat. They would also entertain at 'house rent' parties and saloons, where maybe the recompense might have been a meal, a few drinks and a place to sleep for one night.
As they moved around from place to place, their music developed and adapted to the needs of the people who came to hear them . A street guitarist was at best a distraction from a hard, drab life and for many , a beggar, who could be distained and ignored.
In the blues folk revival of the 60s, the life of a wandering musician was romanticized too much maybe. What is the actuality of playing blues guitar on the street , and what should we have to make it a success? (I'll assume that you can already play great blues guitar, or at least knock out an hour's worth of decent tunes! )
Does It Make A Difference What Clothes I Wear ?
Without a doubt! Imagine yourself in the position of someone walking down a busy street, confronted with a man or woman making music on the street. The first impression is really vital, it doesn't matter how great the performance. Of course, the music itself has to be top class - just because it's street music doesn't signify it can be less than excellent. In fact , the music should be higher quality, in order that busy people are attracted to the sound.
How you are perceived at first glance conveys a lot . You're not a bum, but a musician, so give respect to yourself and also the folks listening to you . It also helps a lot if you stand out from the crowd a little. I wear a black suit, with white shirt, black tie and a wide brimmed black hat.
This way of presenting myself is similar to the old sepia studio photos of legendary blues men, and is also a little out of the ordinary in today's world. Call yourself by another name (maybe invent an alter ego ) and show your new name on a poster displayed on your amplifier, possibly .
The Stuff You Need
Here's a short list of the equipment I consider to be vital for a street playing blues guitar man:
Guitar (of course ) - Stool - Amp and microphone - Guitar tuner - Trolley - Cool shades !
Of course, you can add other items you feel you need, but remember that you'll have to transport everythng . I take a simple trolley and secure the items to it with elasticated bungie ropes . I can have it ready to move in less than 5 mins. (if I have to!)
What Type Of Amp Should I Use ?
A basic amplifier with two channels, which assumes that you are going to sing. I began with a mic on a stand, but it was too heavy and ungainly . Nowadays I use a microphone attached to my head , which costs something like $50 for a reasonable sound.
My present amplifier has 30 watts output power and was purchased from Thomann. It contains a lead acid battery inside and it takes around six hours to charge, which provides a playing time (both channels ) of between 6 to 8 hours, which also depends on the volume used. It's a little heavy at ten kilo , which is why I use my little trolley.
Channel one has simple tone and volume knobs - use for the voice, and the other has volume, gain, low, medium, and high gain controls. This 2nd channel is great for reproducing the normal sound of an acoustic guitar. The cost is a very reasonable $120.
The Instrument
Keep in mind where you will be using your instrument . Ask yourself , could it get knocked? It's quite likely ! Could it get stolen? These things happen - all is possible. One day I mislaid a favourite instrument on the subway by mistake, as I was tired and distracted not paying attention . Needless to say that I never found it.
Of course , it's easy to get a reasonably excellent guitar nowadays without it costing an arm and a leg . For a long time I used a Vintage parlor guitar , complete with on-board Shadow equalizer and tuner unit, for less than $200!
My current street guitar is a Martin 000X1AE, which uses a braided strip bug under the saddle and volume/tone controls inside the sound hole. The spruce top is not varnished (or hardly) and looks a little prone to marks , but the neck, and rest of the body is artificial - not wood at all!
Martin won't explain what it is, but do say that it's not plastic or a wood pulp product . Whatever it is, it's really strong . I've knocked it a few times without any evidence of the contact. I transport it in a soft case strapped to my back.
The sound is all Martin no doubt about it , with really deep basses. This small bodied guitar is perfect for picking the blues , which is all I do. Best price is under $500 - go for it ! (No, I'm not trying to sell them .)
How To Know Where To Play
That's difficult to say , as it depends on your location . Let me tell you how I do it. First of all, if you see a some folks performing outdoors, then you can assume that it's at least tolerated by the authorities . After this initial assessment, what's left to do except try it out!
I move about a good deal and observe people when they cross intersections , etc, or near to a pedestrian shopping area . It helps a lot if people can stand around without getting in the way of the flow of other pedestrians , or cars .
I mostly position myself near in proximityto markets in the city centre - this is perfect venue for a street musician.
Let's Go !
I prefer to feel something solid behind me (there's always the chance of people doing something you don't like without you seeing it, or attempting to steal something while you play . Stay vigilant, it's the city!)
You will attract some funny looks while setting up, as folks are very curious. It requires a little gumption when you first start to do it , but becomes easier over time. It helps if you take some attitude to your activity . When setting up , I'm generally smiling and talking to people and give the impression that I belong there. It's my street, it's where I perform and I have every right to go there. In reality , you don't have any right to be there, but if you play OK, and not oppressively loud , the authorities might ( possibly ) let you stay as it adds a little interest to the activities and to the overall ambiance.
Begin with a song that's simple and attractive - it won't help much if you try and play to your maximum ability and mess it up! Play up to 75 per cent of your capability until you get into it. In that way, your playing will be sound.
How Much Can You Make ?
Making money by playing blues guitar is mostly difficult and can only be managed by making relatively small amounts from a few related activities. For me, street playing has always delivered an important portion of my total income.
Saying that , performing outside just for tips won't make much . It's best to offer something else, such as a a CD at a affordable price. This often increases the earnings made by street singing. Some of my other activities may include live gigs and teaching, and I get many contacts from the street. More often than not people ask me about blues guitar lessons and some others give me gigs at functions , parties and in their bars or cafes. I'm happy to say that blues music is my living.
It inevitably sounds very romantic. Imagine the scene - the travelling blues man performing on the street corners in the old tradition. See what it's it's like in reality and additionally what you need to have to make a go of it. Jim Bruce recounts something about his occupation as a street blues man in Europe. Everything you need can be found below - the equipment, where to play, general advice and that vital ingredient - attitude!
Before We Begin To Play , Essential Basics!
I recollect reading somewhere about the way of life of the musicians who moved around to play the blues on street corners and in parking lots near tobacco storehouses to make enough to eat. They would also entertain at 'house rent' parties and saloons, where maybe the recompense might have been a meal, a few drinks and a place to sleep for one night.
As they moved around from place to place, their music developed and adapted to the needs of the people who came to hear them . A street guitarist was at best a distraction from a hard, drab life and for many , a beggar, who could be distained and ignored.
In the blues folk revival of the 60s, the life of a wandering musician was romanticized too much maybe. What is the actuality of playing blues guitar on the street , and what should we have to make it a success? (I'll assume that you can already play great blues guitar, or at least knock out an hour's worth of decent tunes! )
Does It Make A Difference What Clothes I Wear ?
Without a doubt! Imagine yourself in the position of someone walking down a busy street, confronted with a man or woman making music on the street. The first impression is really vital, it doesn't matter how great the performance. Of course, the music itself has to be top class - just because it's street music doesn't signify it can be less than excellent. In fact , the music should be higher quality, in order that busy people are attracted to the sound.
How you are perceived at first glance conveys a lot . You're not a bum, but a musician, so give respect to yourself and also the folks listening to you . It also helps a lot if you stand out from the crowd a little. I wear a black suit, with white shirt, black tie and a wide brimmed black hat.
This way of presenting myself is similar to the old sepia studio photos of legendary blues men, and is also a little out of the ordinary in today's world. Call yourself by another name (maybe invent an alter ego ) and show your new name on a poster displayed on your amplifier, possibly .
The Stuff You Need
Here's a short list of the equipment I consider to be vital for a street playing blues guitar man:
Guitar (of course ) - Stool - Amp and microphone - Guitar tuner - Trolley - Cool shades !
Of course, you can add other items you feel you need, but remember that you'll have to transport everythng . I take a simple trolley and secure the items to it with elasticated bungie ropes . I can have it ready to move in less than 5 mins. (if I have to!)
What Type Of Amp Should I Use ?
A basic amplifier with two channels, which assumes that you are going to sing. I began with a mic on a stand, but it was too heavy and ungainly . Nowadays I use a microphone attached to my head , which costs something like $50 for a reasonable sound.
My present amplifier has 30 watts output power and was purchased from Thomann. It contains a lead acid battery inside and it takes around six hours to charge, which provides a playing time (both channels ) of between 6 to 8 hours, which also depends on the volume used. It's a little heavy at ten kilo , which is why I use my little trolley.
Channel one has simple tone and volume knobs - use for the voice, and the other has volume, gain, low, medium, and high gain controls. This 2nd channel is great for reproducing the normal sound of an acoustic guitar. The cost is a very reasonable $120.
The Instrument
Keep in mind where you will be using your instrument . Ask yourself , could it get knocked? It's quite likely ! Could it get stolen? These things happen - all is possible. One day I mislaid a favourite instrument on the subway by mistake, as I was tired and distracted not paying attention . Needless to say that I never found it.
Of course , it's easy to get a reasonably excellent guitar nowadays without it costing an arm and a leg . For a long time I used a Vintage parlor guitar , complete with on-board Shadow equalizer and tuner unit, for less than $200!
My current street guitar is a Martin 000X1AE, which uses a braided strip bug under the saddle and volume/tone controls inside the sound hole. The spruce top is not varnished (or hardly) and looks a little prone to marks , but the neck, and rest of the body is artificial - not wood at all!
Martin won't explain what it is, but do say that it's not plastic or a wood pulp product . Whatever it is, it's really strong . I've knocked it a few times without any evidence of the contact. I transport it in a soft case strapped to my back.
The sound is all Martin no doubt about it , with really deep basses. This small bodied guitar is perfect for picking the blues , which is all I do. Best price is under $500 - go for it ! (No, I'm not trying to sell them .)
How To Know Where To Play
That's difficult to say , as it depends on your location . Let me tell you how I do it. First of all, if you see a some folks performing outdoors, then you can assume that it's at least tolerated by the authorities . After this initial assessment, what's left to do except try it out!
I move about a good deal and observe people when they cross intersections , etc, or near to a pedestrian shopping area . It helps a lot if people can stand around without getting in the way of the flow of other pedestrians , or cars .
I mostly position myself near in proximityto markets in the city centre - this is perfect venue for a street musician.
Let's Go !
I prefer to feel something solid behind me (there's always the chance of people doing something you don't like without you seeing it, or attempting to steal something while you play . Stay vigilant, it's the city!)
You will attract some funny looks while setting up, as folks are very curious. It requires a little gumption when you first start to do it , but becomes easier over time. It helps if you take some attitude to your activity . When setting up , I'm generally smiling and talking to people and give the impression that I belong there. It's my street, it's where I perform and I have every right to go there. In reality , you don't have any right to be there, but if you play OK, and not oppressively loud , the authorities might ( possibly ) let you stay as it adds a little interest to the activities and to the overall ambiance.
Begin with a song that's simple and attractive - it won't help much if you try and play to your maximum ability and mess it up! Play up to 75 per cent of your capability until you get into it. In that way, your playing will be sound.
How Much Can You Make ?
Making money by playing blues guitar is mostly difficult and can only be managed by making relatively small amounts from a few related activities. For me, street playing has always delivered an important portion of my total income.
Saying that , performing outside just for tips won't make much . It's best to offer something else, such as a a CD at a affordable price. This often increases the earnings made by street singing. Some of my other activities may include live gigs and teaching, and I get many contacts from the street. More often than not people ask me about blues guitar lessons and some others give me gigs at functions , parties and in their bars or cafes. I'm happy to say that blues music is my living.