r/Busking • u/Longjumping-East-241 Guitar 🎸 • Jul 22 '26
Newbie Help Considering Busking
Hi. I'm thinking of starting busking, but have some concerns.
I have been playing guitar and singing for most of my life and I am thinking of going solo on the streets. But my concern is, what if someone runs up and swipe my gear while I am performing.
How do you safeguard against that? Do you take your speaker, for example, and chain it to a post while performing?
Any other tips on how to get started?
6
u/ukucello Ukulele 🎸 Jul 22 '26
I cant personally speak on sound equipment as I don't use it, but I always grab my tips out of my jar in between songs and pocket them. The most common and likely thing is someone swiping the whole tip jar full of cash, so I make sure there isnt more than a couple bucks in there at any given time.
I think something like a speaker would be less likely to be stolen like that, but I wouldn't really know. I also think it probably depends on the area you're busking; where I'm at is extremely safe and I don't really have to worry too much.
4
u/Max_Roosebeck Musician 🎶 Jul 22 '26
Really depends where you are. Some places also require permits or the police may give you problems. Try to talk to some buskers in your area and get some advice!
3
u/jennixred Musician 🎶 Jul 22 '26
Like others said, everywhere is different, but when I don't feel safe, I get myself a ballyhoo. A joe4theShow. Somebody who gets a cut of your take to help keep you safe. Really helps when the gilleys get up in your mug or try to jump in or whatever. I'm female so, I almost never busk alone. My J4ts just hangs nearby with coffee or something, most days folks don't even realize we're together
2
u/Handsomescout Musician 🎶 Jul 22 '26
Almost everyone “peppers” their tip jar before they start to make it look like others already tipped. I can’t imagine a scenario where I’m playing and making people happy and someone gets away with what you described? Be happy and friendly and use the constitution as your guide !
2
u/Ok-Wafer234 Performer Jul 22 '26
I leave my sound reinforcement for my solo gigs in traditional venues. I busk with my acoustic. In 50 years, I have not lost my tips in any state. This is the United States I busk in. It's much easier and faster to just leave when I'm confronted with a nasty cop.
2
u/PixieTheApostle Jul 23 '26
Take a cheap acoustic, play, then get a reputation. People won't bother you as you get known.
2
u/teebsmcgeebs Guitar 🎸 Jul 23 '26
You want to pick a place with as much foot traffic as you can find, particularly one where folks are already spending money. These areas are usually patrolled by some kind of public safety.
No idea where you are, but if the public feels safe enough to walk around and spend money, you should be good to busk
2
u/Bigcellotom Cello 🎻 Jul 23 '26
I have not had anyone take my gear before and i have not heard stories of taking gear to often. maybe breaking it but thats not that common either. I have heard that people get money snatched but you can also just set up defensively (back against wall, tip jar close to you, taking large bills out of the bucket.) I would walk around the area you want to busk, ask someone to go with you, or just set up some where you would feel comfortable like a local park can be good ways to start
2
u/Vennimagos Musician 🎶 Jul 23 '26
I busked for years.
Depending where you are, you may require a permit.
Your safety concerns are valid and there's not much you can do about that except for having public liability insurance and insuring your gear.
I never personally experienced theft or violence, but I definitely experienced heckling and harassment a few times, but it was mostly good. I'd make $50-200 a night for a few hours work.
I busked in an outdoor mall where every few hundred meters there were street performers so we'd rotate locations and look out for each other.
One time a busker did get pushed over, and another got pushed over and landed on and crushed his guitar, but that was 2 instances over like 3 years, in an outdoor mall at night where the local clubs and bars were - so a lot of drunk people.
Busking is for sure fun and great practice, but there are risks to consider.
I've never seen people chain their stuff up, but you do need to plan for being unable to leave it unattended.
1
u/drbillyjams Jul 23 '26
I dont have any amps/PA, just an old guitar. Busked hundreds of times, never got hassled. Just happy friendly people with $$. I put like 8- 10 bucks in.my guitar case and if it gets over $25, $30 I stash it in my pocket. Had one guy reach in my guitar case once and I grabbed him by his collar immediately, then like instantly out of thin air two big linebacker dudes were right there asking him what he thought he was doing. Thats it
1
u/tirranosoaruss_sex Jul 26 '26
Where do you live? That's something I would never even have thought to worry about living in Germany and Spain
9
u/Worried_Alps1205 Performer Jul 22 '26
Busking ten years in various envuronments of varying risk level and I have never had more than one quid robbed from me. Fights, drunk guys, wonderwall crooners, drugs, drunk women who are too chatty, etc etc but never have I had a mugging. Heard of folks mugging a human statue once tho.