Instrumental music doesn't always stimulate the tip jar. Playing solo jazz guitar provides background and ambiance, and patrons don't always notice it. And since some of the places prefer to avoid having a mic unless absolutely necessary (e.g., avoid the performer talking on mic, and breaking the fourth wall and the ambiance), it's easy to be overlooked.
At some venues, the bar staff will keep a tip jar on the bar for me and point out to patrons that the music is live, and that helps....
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