There are plenty of websites that talk about the logistics of playing in a brass band. But this isn’t one of them. This is a blog dedicated to the soul and vibe of street-level music.
Here Are Your Best Tactics For Playing in A Street Band:
1) Be Prepared for Anything
2) Know Your Audience
3) Be Willing to Play Anything
4) Take Risks
5) Be Aware Of Your Environment
6) Have Fun!
Here Are Your Best Tactics For Playing in A Street Band:
1. The best place to play is where the most people are, where they don’t want to stop and listen to you, but are forced too! This means the entrance to a subway station or a bus stop.
2. Look professional and uniform, this will show people that you know what you’re doing and you have skills.
3. You need a sign that says “Donations” on it, and have containers for the money so it doesn’t get all over the place.
4. You need to archive your music so when people ask for requests you can fulfill them, with pleasure!
5. Play what people like, not what YOU like! Don’t be selfish!
6. It’s all about timing, if you guys go in the middle of the day when no one is around, who would give donations? NO ONE!! So make sure it’s either rush hour or an event happening nearby that could attract people to watch you guys perform!
For many brass players, the idea of playing in a street band is one that conjures up images of being able to play whatever you want, wherever you want. But there’s a lot more to it than that. When I was asked by two trombonists to join their street band, I thought it would be an easy gig and I could just show up and play. Little did I know that they had been doing this for some time and had a whole routine down.
Here are your best tactics for playing in a street band:
1. Have your gear all set before you get there.
2. Be prepared to play non-stop for 30-60 minutes.
So you want to be a brass band street performer? Here are your best tactics for obtaining gigs and keeping the music playing.
Obtain The Equipment
You won’t get far without being equipped with the right tools. You’ll need an instrument, obviously, and you’ll need a large case or backpack to keep it in when not performing. A small amp will help for bigger jobs, and some simple sheet music of popular pieces is a must have. You’ll need somewhere to roll out your sheet music in a hurry, so something like a folding table or cardboard box is good enough.
Secure A Permit
Securing a permit is the first thing you should do when considering any type of street performance, as this will save you from any legal trouble down the road. Street permits can be obtained from your local government offices and they vary in price depending on what area you live in. Once you’ve got your permit, keep it with you at all times while performing.
Get Some Experience
Before going out there full time and attempting to make some money, get some experience by performing free gigs in public places or in hallways of buildings where people are coming and going. This will help build up your confidence, as well as your repertoire of songs that people enjoy listening
I’m going to start this series of posts with a simple question: what makes a good street band?
It’s a simple question, but it has lots of answers. The first one that springs to mind is the desire to entertain people. But what I’ve found is that there are many other factors which are just as important. I’ve put these together in a list of five things which I think make up a great street band.
1. You Are Prepared For Whatever Happens – One thing you need to be able to do when you’re playing on the streets is to be ready for anything. You need to be able to take requests and sing along with the crowd if they want you to. You also need to be able to change tempo if people ask for it, or even if nobody does but the crowd is dancing anyway!
2. You Have Equipment And It Works – This one may seem obvious, but it’s surprising how often I’ve seen bands who don’t have their own equipment and have to borrow from someone else just so they can play on the street! A good street band will always have their own instruments and all their equipment will work every time without fail. If you’re borrowing equipment then it’s really hard for you to get
You may have heard of the brass band that found itself in the middle of a riot in Seattle. In this article, we will be talking about street performing with a brass band.
If you think you have what it takes to play in a street band and make money doing it, then keep reading.
What are some things you can expect?
Well, you can expect to have people throwing things at you, yelling at you and telling you how bad your music sounds. Don’t mind them! Just ignore them and keep playing your instrument. It’s their loss if they don’t enjoy your music!
You’ll also find yourself making quite a bit of money at times. Most street performers make minimum wage for an 8 hour day but since you’re playing an instrument, people will be more inclined to give you money for your performance.
Equipment: You’ll need a good horn and mouthpiece as well as a good gig bag or case to protect it from damage or theft/loss while on the streets. You’ll need to know how to read sheet music because there are many songs that are popular among people who love hearing bands play while they walk around town shopping or just out enjoying themselves.
Prepare yourself: Expect the unexpected! And
I have been playing with a brass band on the streets of London for the past few years. It’s something I enjoy and is also an excellent way to get a “real life” music education. Let me share some of my experiences and advice to get you started.
It is important to remember that most people will not be naturally inclined to stop and listen so it’s your job to catch their attention, either by looking interesting or sounding good. A good way to do this is to make eye contact with the people passing by and smile at them. This encourages them to stop and listen, even if just for a moment.
Make an effort with your appearance; try wearing something that stands out or looks fun – it doesn’t have to be expensive but should be clean and tidy (we wear Second Hand Tuxedos). Put up a sign saying where you’re from, which song you’re playing, what charity you’re collecting for etc – anything that helps people identify with you makes them more likely to take notice.
Be prepared: having everything set up before you start playing means that once you start, all your energy can go into entertaining your audience. Remember to have enough sheet music, spare batteries if needed and plenty of change in denominations that are easy to give
