Forum Activity for @dusty

Dearest Folkfan and Vicki,First, there is no doubt that any kind of gathering on the streets can become a nuisance, but street performers are certainly no more guilty of causing problems in that regard than is anyone else. Lousy drivers, for example, are much more of a hazard, I would argue.I lived in Chicago one summer in the 1980s and discovered a guy playing sax on the street as I walked with thousands of others to Grant Park for the Blues Festival (it might have been the R&B festival, since I attended both that year). He was playing a jazzy version of "Rubber Ducky" from Sesame Street and was just twisting and turning that tune in every direction possible. He played all by himself but really had some pep in his step and a bunch of us were dancing around him. He was far better than any of the big-name, high-priced acts we saw on the stages at the festival.If anyone wants to hear a celebration of that kind of performance, check out Joni Mitchell's "Real Good For Free": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PljZrArrb3k In my mind, you have to put up with the occasional inconvenience if you want the chance to discover those diamonds in the rough. The problem folkfan describes is genuine, but it is not a problem with busking; it is a problem with a lack of consideration of others that permeates our culture.To answer Vicki's question, in some cities and some neighborhoods, you do indeed need a license to perform. In Faneuil Hall in Boston, for example, there are elaborate auditions for a limited number of licenses to perform in the summer. The competition is high as is the quality of the entertainment. A friend of mine did a juggling act there (Peter Panic if any of you have seen him or are on your way to Boston) and he made enough money in the summer to support himself all winter long.Maybe there is a difference between that and busking, but he still passed around a hat for his pay (actually, he rode a unicycle while someone chosen from the audience sat on his shoulders holding a hat for tips).I think anytime you rely on tips for your performance for your income, it is pretty informal.Now, to work out Rubber Ducky on the dulcimer . . .D.T.

Yes, that line would work great, especially with a rim shot or other quick musical exclamation point right at the end. Strumelia said:

Dusty Turtle said:

As others have suggested, making a joke about not playing a request is probably the best route when you really don't know the material requested.

Dusty,
Having to do with that, one of my favorite things to say between tunes when we are playing out in public is:
"We've had a request from the audience.....but we've decided to keep playing anyway." Always gets a good laugh! :D

Andy,There's an old kids' song [meaning an old song for kids, not a song for old kids ;)]by Tom Paxton about the "Marvelous Toy," the chorus of which isIt went zip! when it movedAnd bop! when it stoppedAnd whirr! when it stood still.I never knew just what it wasAnd I guess I never will.It might be cool to make up a song about the mystery instrument and sing that whever people ask what you are playing.D.T. Andy Huffman said:

I am dying to know what people in New England would request from someone busking with a dulcimer. Probably along the lines of "an explanation of what the heck that thing is???"

I just found this thread and realize you've all probably moved on, but I do have a story to share.I used to play mandolin in an informal trio (guitar, bass, mandolin) of friends. We had a very limited repertoire. We used to play the Dylan song "You Ain't Going Nowhere" until the guitarist wrote an original tune the rhythm of which sounded just like the Dylan tune, so we stopped playing the Dylan tune. Once we were asked to entertain at a small barbeque in the Berkeley hills and in about a half-hour had run through all the songs we had worked on. But just as we were about to tell everyone we were done, someone requested "You Ain't Going Nowhere." With smiles on our faces we broke into it right away, milked it for all we could, each taking a few solos, singing all the lyrics two or three times through, and then finally lifting our instruments in the air at the end as we said goodnight before any more requests could come our way.It was a great climax to our short set and until now we were the only ones who knew that the song requested was the only song not part of our set that we could possibly have played!When you play in public, in fact, you don't need a large repertoire because most folks only listen while they are waiting for their bus, as they shop for vegetables at the market, or whatever. They are not expecting to sit down and be entertained for 90 minutes straight. I would think the idea of learning some of the songs that are likely to be requested would be all that you need to play with confidence in public and not be afraid of a request.Then again, on one of his live albums, Loudon Wainwright III is asked to play a song and responds, "Perhaps I'll play that another time. But my therapist has encouraged me to be more assertive with women. So I'm sorry, but no." As others have suggested, making a joke about not playing a request is probably the best route when you really don't know the material requested. It is another example of Strumelia's axiom about smiling at your public rather than screwing your face into weird contortions as you stare at the fretboard.I've never seen a dulcimer player busking, but if I do, I'll empty my wallet.Cheers,D.T.