Thanks for writing a post about performing music in public. There needs to be more said about this cultural periphery, even though on balance your article was more about your love of Renaissance and Baroque vocal music than actual busking.
As a 20-year veteran of busking, there was something you mentioned that rankled: if some passerby wants to toss you a buck you should let them.
You and your group know that you are not playing for bucks and you all evidently have strong feelings about that, but passersby don’t know this. Some folks simply want to show their appreciation for what you are doing and are enculturated to giving you a buck of two. By chasing them down and throwing their money back in their face you are giving several negative messages with that gesture, I hope you can see that.
I’d suggest a very visible signboard stating something like, “We are not performing for money, but if you feel so inclined to tip us, we will gladly pass your donation on to our charity of choice.” Or some such wording. From one busker to another, giving someone back their money is, in the street vernacular, a dick move.
Love everything else you said and your enthusiasm for a marginalized music, but your title is misleading. This is not an article about busking, really.
We do have a sign — and our director tells the listeners regularly that our concerts are free. Not everyone realizes, of course, if they pass by. The principle of not taking money is important to us. We also express warm appreciation to those who are moved to leave a tip. I hope and imagine they would do the same for performers who accept gratuities.
Thanks for writing a post about performing music in public. There needs to be more said about this cultural periphery, even though on balance your article was more about your love of Renaissance and Baroque vocal music than actual busking.
As a 20-year veteran of busking, there was something you mentioned that rankled: if some passerby wants to toss you a buck you should let them.
You and your group know that you are not playing for bucks and you all evidently have strong feelings about that, but passersby don’t know this. Some folks simply want to show their appreciation for what you are doing and are enculturated to giving you a buck of two. By chasing them down and throwing their money back in their face you are giving several negative messages with that gesture, I hope you can see that.
I’d suggest a very visible signboard stating something like, “We are not performing for money, but if you feel so inclined to tip us, we will gladly pass your donation on to our charity of choice.” Or some such wording. From one busker to another, giving someone back their money is, in the street vernacular, a dick move.
Love everything else you said and your enthusiasm for a marginalized music, but your title is misleading. This is not an article about busking, really.
Cheers.
We do have a sign — and our director tells the listeners regularly that our concerts are free. Not everyone realizes, of course, if they pass by. The principle of not taking money is important to us. We also express warm appreciation to those who are moved to leave a tip. I hope and imagine they would do the same for performers who accept gratuities.