#1
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NON AMPLIFIED BUSKING.
Well I applied for and got a "Soliciting Certificate" from my town for the purpose of trying my hand at busking. I was all excited to pick it up and give it a go. I was going to use my battery powered Roland AC-33 amp and a mic. Then I read the certificate. Amendment from Police Chief " Absolutely No Amplified Music". Oh well, I'll give it a try anyway. Anyone successfully busk without a small amp? or is it the norm not to be amplified?
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Couple of CF guitars, Couple of wood guitars Bunch of other stuff. |
#2
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Depends completely on the area. The the little town of Portsmouth, NH - a hub of little shops on narrow streets in a little seaside harbor town with a ton of tourists and foot traffic - all busking is done with no amplification allowed.
When we went to Ireland last year, buskers in both Dublin and Galway were amplified. The areas in Dublin were much larger, wider, with even more foot traffic so the amplification was a necessity to be heard over the din. |
#3
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I use a Roland Street Cube amp but keep it way way way low.
Never had a complaint. Perhaps partly because I play music that many people find to be not obnoxious. |
#4
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Done it many times without issue. Just like playing in the living room......... a really large living room.
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#5
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My band has done it but we are a 6 piece band with banjo and mandolin.
We can make a lot of noise without being amplified.
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Happiness Is A New Set Of Strings L-20A |
#6
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The key here is to learn to play loud so you can be heard...
While you may not appreciate bluegrass - you can learn a ton about how to play unamplified from these guys. Old fashioned acoustic blues and Ragtime are also a great reference as well.... You will most likely find success with: *Relatively high 12th fret action - "bluegrass" action is a good start... *Relatively heavy strings. No lighter than medium... Many old timers used medium heavies or heavies. *Higher neck relief *Play hard with finger picks or a heavy/stiff flat pick. You will have to get used to digging in and driving the instrument. |
#7
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Just pick a quiet area with OK foot traffic, the problem with trying to busk with a guitar set up for bluegrass or a roundneck spider cone resonator is you will not be able to effectively sing over the top of it.
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Dave 2008 Martin SWDGT 2003 Larrivée D-03R 2016 Ibanez AVD10 2016 Ibanez AW4000 2001 Liberty LIB100 Resonator |
#8
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Quote:
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Couple of CF guitars, Couple of wood guitars Bunch of other stuff. |
#9
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Back in the 'old days' non-amplified was the only option - battery-operated amps for guitar + voice did not exist.
Two things: find a quieter place (a busy street corner or subway stop is not good!) and learn to project your vocals and don't be constantly looking around, keep your head pointed straight ahead, same as your guitar - pretend there's a too-soft mic right in front of you.
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Mike My music: https://mikebirchmusic.bandcamp.com 2020 Taylor 324ceBE 2017 Taylor 114ce-N 2012 Taylor 310ce 2011 Fender CD140SCE Ibanez 12 string a/e 73(?) Epiphone 6830E 6 string 72 Fender Telecaster Epiphone Dot Studio Epiphone LP Jr Chinese Strat clone Kala baritone ukulele Seagull 'Merlin' Washburn Mandolin Luna 'tatoo' a/e ukulele antique banjolin Squire J bass |
#10
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Find a doorway, an inside corner, a covered area. Anywhere that will help an essentially quiet instrument reflect sound.
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Faith Mars FRMG Faith Neptune FKN Epiphone Masterbilt Texan |
#11
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Quote:
Huh? I think that depends on who you are talking about.
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Silly Moustache, Just an old Limey acoustic guitarist, Dobrolist, mandolier and singer. I'm here to try to help and advise and I offer one to one lessons/meetings/mentoring via Zoom! |
#12
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My thoughts exactly!
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Thanks, Vic Martin OOO-10E Bristol BB-16 Over a dozen ukuleles. My YouTube channel- https://youtube.com/c/VicSchmeltz |
#13
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You will need to go without an amp the first time and try a few spots. See what street noise you get, etc....
The spot you busk from is called the "pitch". Good pitches are in high demand. Are you singing? Then get back to us here and tell us what happened. The idea is to see if you need an amp first, then think about what level of street noise you are combating. Traffic makes it very difficult, shredder trucks..impossible. PS: I busk half the year and rely on it for income. Happy to help you any way I can. As a rule of thumb, you will not be asked to turn off an amp if it is inoffensive. That is a judgement call and usually goes your way unless you are doing Van Halen riffs at 90 dB. |
#14
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Quote:
I know where the best "Pitches" are and i have seen some Buskers told to move along when the could not produce a "Solicitors Licence" .
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Couple of CF guitars, Couple of wood guitars Bunch of other stuff. |
#15
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I grew up in seacoast, NH and lived in Portsmouth. Currently a resident of Annapolis. Here in Annapolis I see buskers on Main St. and on Dock St. both with and w/o amplification. If you do use something small, a'la a street cube and you get push back you can just unplug.
FWIW I have a street cube. You're welcome to borrow it and give it atey. |