How To Play Blues On The Street

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by: karlvcohen
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Word Count: 1480
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2011 Time: 1:40 PM
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Blues Man Takes To The City Streets !

It inevitably sounds so romantic. Picture the scene - the traveling blues guitarist performing on the street corners in the old tradition. Let's see what it's like practically and also what you need to make it work . Jim Bruce recounts a little about his calling as a blues singer on the street in Europe. Everything you need can be found below - the hardware, where to play, practical tips and that crucial ingredient - attitude!

Before We Begin To Play , Essential Basics!

I recollect reading years ago about the way of life of the musicians who traveled around to play the blues on street corners and in parking spaces near tobacco warehouses to scrape a living together. They might also play at 'house rent' parties and bars, where often the reward could have been a meal, some drinks and a place to sleep for one night.

As they traveled around from place to place, their playing styles improved and adapted to the needs of the people who came to hear them . A street blues man was at best a distraction from a hard, monotonous life and at worst, a bum , who should be distained and treated badly.

In the folk revival in the sixties , the way of living of a wandering musician was romanticized too much maybe. What is the reality of making a living playing blues guitar, and what should we have to make make a go of it ? (I'll assume that you can already play great blues guitar, or at least competently.)

Is It important What I Wear?

Of course ! Try to put yourself in the position of someone walking along a busy thoroughfare , confronted with a man or woman playing an instrument on the street. The first impression is very vital, it doesn't matter how excellent the music. Of course, the music itself has to be top class - just because it's street music doesn't mean it can be less than excellent. If anything, the music must be be higher quality, in order that listeners are pleased by the feeling .

Your visual impression at first glance speaks volumes. You're not a bum, but a musician, so give respect to yourself and also your audience . It also helps your cause if you stand out from the crowd a little. I put on a black suit, white shirt, thin black tie finished off with a black hat.

This way of presenting myself reminds me of the old black and white record company photographs of legendary blues men, and is also a little out of the ordinary in our modern world. Call yourself by another name ( even invent another identity for yourself ) and write the name on a poster taped to your amplifier, possibly .

The Equipment

Here's a list of some things I consider to be indispensable for playing blues guitar on the street :

Guitar ( goes without saying ) - Something to sit on - Amplifier and mic - Tuner - Trolley - Cool shades !

It goes without saying , you could include other items you figure you may need , but don't forget that you've got to carry it all. I use a shopping trolley and secure everything to it with elastic ropes . I can have it ready to move in less than five mins. ( if necessary!)

What Type Of Amp Should I get ?

A basic amplifier with 2 channels , which assumes that you want to sing. I used to sing with a mic on a stand, but it's a bit heavy and large . Nowadays I use a headset mic, which costs about $50 for a reasonable voice reproduction .

My latest amplifier is a 30 watt job bought from Thomann. It contains a rechargeable battery inside that takes about six hours to fully recharge, which gives an operating period (both channels ) of between six to eight hours, which also depends on how loud you play and sing. It's a bit heavy at 10 kilos , which is why I use the trolley.

The first channel has basic tone and volume controls - this is for the voice , and the other features volume, gain, low, medium, and high gain controls. This 2nd channel is perfect for balancing the string sounds of an acoustic guitar. The price tag is real value at $120.

The Guitar

Bear in mind whereabouts you are taking your guitar . Ask yourself , could it get damaged ? It's quite likely ! Could someone steal it ? These things happen - all is possible. One day I lost a special instrument on the subway in error , as I was tired and distracted . It goes without saying that I never recovered it .

Of course , it's possible to buy a reasonably excellent guitar nowadays without breaking the bank. For some time I performed with a Vintage parlor model, complete with integral Shadow equalizer and tuner unit, which cost around $200!

My current street guitar is a Martin 000X1AE, which uses a braided strip bug under the saddle and volume/tone knobs tucked inside the sound hole. The top is spruce, is not varnished (or hardly at all ) and looks a little prone to marks , but the neck, and rest of the construction is some kind of man made material - it isn't wood at all!

Martin don't explain what it is, except that it's not plastic or a wood pulp product . Whatever it is, it's extremely resistant . I've knocked it several times without any evidence of the contact. I carry it in a soft carrying case strapped to my back.

The sound is all Martin through and through, with very deep bass notes . This parlor size guitar is perfect for picking the blues , which is what I do. Current price tag is under $500 - get one! (No, I don't have shares in the company.)

Choosing Some Where To Play

This is a tough one, as it depends on you and your town. I'll explain how I do it. Basically , if you see a few people performing outdoors, then it's safe to assume that it's at least accepted by the authorities . After this initial assessment, what's left to do but try it out!

I move about a good deal and watch people as they cross intersections , etc, or close to a pedestrian shopping precinct. It'll help your cause a lot if people can stop and listen without impeding the natural flow of other pedestrians , or of traffic.

Very often I perform close to market areas in the city centre - this is a superb place for a street musician.


Ready To Go !

I prefer to have something at my back ( removing the chance of an individual doing something you don't like without you seeing it, or trying to take something while you perform . After all, it's the city!)

You will probably get some attention while setting up, as folks are naturally curious. It may take a little bravado initially , but becomes easier over time. It's better if you take some attitude to your activity . For example, I'm always smiling and talking to folks passing by and try to give the impression that I belong there. It's my place , it's where I make my living and I have a right to go there. In truth , you don't have any right to be there, but if you play well , and not oppressively loud , the police will (probably) leave you alone as it brings a bit of interest to the community and to the overall ambiance.

Kick off with something simple and attractive - it won't help your cause if you try and play something very complicated and make a mess of it! Play up to seventy five per cent of your capabilities until you get into it. This way, your playing will be confident .

Can I Make A living?

Living from playing blues guitar is always hard and can only be achieved by making rather small amounts from several related activities. In my case , street playing has mostly played a significant role.

That said , performing on the street just for donations won't cut it. It's best to offer something else, like a CD at a value price. This option augments the amount earned with street performances . My other activities include live gigs and teaching, and I have a lot of contacts from the street. Often guitarists inquire about blues guitar lessons and others offer me gigs at private events , parties and in their bars and cafes. I'm pleased to say that blues is the way I make my living.

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