Might as well talk about it. Yesterday was my third "organized" (ie with permission) busking outside my friend's bakery. Although I have busked a few times, this is more like a gig, with my case open for those welcome tips! It's a pretty low traffic area, so more for exposure for me, hopefully leading to meeting musicians and/or "real" gigs or starting a new band, now that covid is "over".
Pretty much played an hour, took a break, and played till the end of the second hour, repeating a few of my favorite tunes. People seemed to enjoy the music and most tipped, even a few fives, inflation?
Had one guy dancing happily and commenting on my "Polka King" hat, a story in itself. The original Polka King (whom I had the pleasure of meeting say 30 years ago) liked to drive around the county on his tractor, blasting polka tunes. A famous local character, with a craft beer named after him. When people ask I say, "Someone's gotta do it!" Even though polkas are just one part of my tunes. A tough act to follow, but someone's gotta do it....
Really separates out the tunes I really know from those I don't, and plenty of practice getting from lost on the wrong notes to back home to the tonic. Also for general improvising, especially over chords, and to stretch out the tunes. I did sing one song as promised and it went well, will sing more this Saturday.
Anyway, today I'm throwing the old Piatanesi in the car and going to the farmers' market where I hope to see the guy I sold the concertina to who wanted to teach me to play and I figured out the lick he showed me. Last time I missed him because he left an hour early. I'd like to take over if he leaves early today. Maybe check out the organizers and try to get on the list for farmers' markets next summer.
Anyway, third busking was good, tiring though, my brain was scrambled by the end, was trying to play Piemontesina Bella and my fingers kept going to Amore Mio non Piangere, it was weird. So yeah, bucks are rubbing off their velvet and does are walking around with spotted fawns, that time of year again. Wish me luck!
Pretty much played an hour, took a break, and played till the end of the second hour, repeating a few of my favorite tunes. People seemed to enjoy the music and most tipped, even a few fives, inflation?
Had one guy dancing happily and commenting on my "Polka King" hat, a story in itself. The original Polka King (whom I had the pleasure of meeting say 30 years ago) liked to drive around the county on his tractor, blasting polka tunes. A famous local character, with a craft beer named after him. When people ask I say, "Someone's gotta do it!" Even though polkas are just one part of my tunes. A tough act to follow, but someone's gotta do it....
Really separates out the tunes I really know from those I don't, and plenty of practice getting from lost on the wrong notes to back home to the tonic. Also for general improvising, especially over chords, and to stretch out the tunes. I did sing one song as promised and it went well, will sing more this Saturday.
Anyway, today I'm throwing the old Piatanesi in the car and going to the farmers' market where I hope to see the guy I sold the concertina to who wanted to teach me to play and I figured out the lick he showed me. Last time I missed him because he left an hour early. I'd like to take over if he leaves early today. Maybe check out the organizers and try to get on the list for farmers' markets next summer.
Anyway, third busking was good, tiring though, my brain was scrambled by the end, was trying to play Piemontesina Bella and my fingers kept going to Amore Mio non Piangere, it was weird. So yeah, bucks are rubbing off their velvet and does are walking around with spotted fawns, that time of year again. Wish me luck!
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This shows that it's pretty necessary to have a lot of memorized music. I can do an hour no problem, have to work up to 2 hours minimum.
