Busking for the love of Travel

Need to making money on the go, then here’s a guide to busking while travelling.

There comes a time when you are trying to save for a trip and you realise it’s just not going to be enough to keep on the road for as long as you would like. What is the solution? Well you could try finding part time work but that involves permits and bureaucratic hassle, or you could try to eke out the budget and cut down on necessities like food, or avoid the more alluring and cultural albeit expensive museums. These are all compromises and whilst reasonable choices for some they limit the chances for humble backpackers of seeing famous monuments and sampling local cuisine.

Busking under London Bridge: Photo by Garryknight http://www.flickr.com/photos/garryknight/2542860420

How about using a talent you have for music or art or even dance? Busking has been around in one shape or form for thousands of years. In fact many small communities used to get their news and satire from travelling minstrels roaming from town to town telling stories about their travels and passing on news from afar. Those days, unfortunately, are long gone but the tradition of street entertainment lives on and it offers the traveller a neat way of supplementing their travel budget.

Ok, it helps if you are reasonably proficient at either singing or playing an instrument but that is just the start. I have seen many a good busker fail to make money through a lack of local knowledge or simple shyness. When the chips are down and you need cash it is time to get to centre stage and let the world know what you can do.

I have busked in underground stations being chased by policemen, made money on a motorway slip road whilst waiting for a lift and have serenaded topless diners in the French Riviera (that is another story that needs telling on its own). I have busked on cross channel ferries and sang in the snow halfway up a mountain. The common theme here is I needed to add money to my travel bank and this was the best way for me to do it.

So how do you start and what is the best way to make money and not get lifted by the cops or chucked off a mountain? This following tips show you how to make money playing an instrument and perhaps singing to a terrace of diners in a
restaurant or café.

• First off, don’t look too scruffy. If you are going to sing to a well heeled terrace of diners they need to know you aren’t going to steal their dinner or handbag.

• Secondly, be polite and ask the café or restaurant owner if you can play. If they say no, one technique I use is to offer to play one song (it had better be good) and if he still wants you to go then you will leave without asking for any tips. This usually works and once you have the nod it is time to work the crowd.

Vary your music and busking ground: Photo by garryknight http://www.flickr.com/photos/garryknight/3290402123/

• Next, don’t get too close or too far away and don’t play too loud. It’s all about comfort zones and personal space. Manage this well and make eye contact where acceptable, this is your key to making a good tip.

• Play well known songs and end with a flourish to encourage applause, make sure you move around the tables where possible and don’t spend too long in one spot.

• Ok you have sung four or five songs and the audience is happy enough, now it is time to seal the deal and make some money. Be polite and good humoured announcing to the diners that is their chance to contribute a little something to the music.

• Depending upon where you are and your skill with the language a few quips about cheques and credit cards may help.

• Pass around the tables; usually you will already have your eye on one or two that have shown interest. Make a little conversation and be confident, the others will then follow.

• Once you have made the rounds don’t forget to say thank you and play one more song before leaving. A well known tune and a  cheery goodbye will mean repeat business and leave the owner happy for you to return the next night.

If you have done well your pockets will be heavier with coins and notes and the feeling of accomplishment will buoy you on to the next couple of terraces. Be aware though that there will be competition and you may be passing a place that has recently seen a musician or two. It pays to be observant and perhaps wait awhile until new diners turn up.

So if this is not too daunting a prospect your talent will have given you a credit line there to be used whenever you see a restaurant full of diners and the bank balance is running low.

Just don’t play stairway to heaven!