Pretending to be playing for no one but yourself is a great way to get started. When you get comfortable with this, start playing to a single person in the distance. After you can manage the one person, start singing to people that are walking by or, if you're lucky, sing to the crowd that has formed around you.

My top tip; Don't drink too much liquid before and make sure you go to the the toilet before busking. There won't be anyone to look after your stuff while you go to the toilet and you don't want to lose a good pitch or have to pack up, go to the loo and then set up again

You have a few options: You could be the Best Bassoon Busker on the planet, or you could use an amplifier to plug in a keyboard and microphone for your voice. I would scope out your location first to see if they have an outlet for an amplifier, or use a battery-operated amp if you want to go the piano route. I would highly recommend that you memorize the material by heart. It could get breezy and papers may fly away if you have them in front of you. I've had this happen to me one windy day. :)

Small tip is to always introduce the songs you play especially your own, people seem to definitely listen in more when you have you own material

Great job! I always get nervous before I play anywhere. The only way to reduce the stress is to continuously perform in front of people. It gets easier the more you do it, but I always get nervous for the first song.

I really want to try and go busking in my local park. Would a ukulele work?

Great advice! Pretending to be playing for no one but yourself is a great way to get started. When you get comfortable with this, start playing to one person in the distance. After you can manage the one person, start singing to people that are walking by or, if you're lucky, sing to the crowd that has formed around you.

Play it loud. Play it proud. I love that! Thanks for the great tips.

AGREED! I would much rather be out on the streets playing music than in a cubicle. It's not easy to get started, but if you want to make a living busking on the streets, you MUST be a GREAT performer. Very true.

how many songs should i have under my fingers?

ha your voice is classic dude,

Ben, you almost stole my mantra - "Sing Loud, Play Hard"! Also, most municipalities' statutes are available on-line. F'rinstance, the only reference in St. Paul is no amplification. Keep it up, good stuff.

Thanks for the great advise! I am a contact juggler, not a musician but I think a lot of these tips still apply. Thanks again!!

This is awesome! Fellow buskers here. Love the positivity and great advice overall!

dude.. thank you. been playing guitar since i was 7, played in bands.. never busked. but as a fellow musician, every word you say makes complete sense. thanks for being cool :) bye

Just made my first £20 busking in London today.I earn a lot more as a plumber but this is much more fun, To see peoples happy faces as they join in on your choruses. Just need to get the takings up a bit. So I have taken delivery of a busking amp today see how it goes. Thanks for all the tips dude.

Whoa Ben you are a wise sage , Great tips for places I would never of thought about , " plant seed money " & "plastic people" love those - Thanks a lot