Step By Step Guide - How Play Blues Guitar On The Street - Entertainment - Music

Blues Guitar Man Takes To The Streets!

It often sounds really romantic. Imagine the scene - the travelling blues man performing on the streets in the old tradition . Let's see what it's like practically and additionally what you need to do it effectively. A street bluesman tells us a little about his calling as a blues singer on the street in Europe. All you need is here - the hardware, where to play, general advice and that vital ingredient - attitude!

First Of All, Important Basics!

I recollect reading years ago about the way of life of the musicians who wandered around to play the blues on busy streets and in parking lots near tobacco storehouses to scrape a living together. They might also perform at 'house rent' parties and bars, where often the pay could have been a meal, some beers and a place to sleep for the night.

As they moved around from town to town, their playing styles improved and adapted to the needs of their audience. A street guitarist was just a distraction from a difficult, monotonous way of living and for many, a beggar , who should be pitied and ignored .

In the blues folk revival in the 60s, the life of a travelling musician was romanticized too much maybe. What is the actuality of playing blues guitar on the street, 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.)

Does It Make A Difference What Clothes I Wear?

Of course! Try to put yourself in the position of a person passing along a busy thoroughfare, confronted with a man or woman playing an instrument in the open air. The first look they cast your way is very vital, it doesn't matter how good the performance. That being said, the music itself has to be top class - just because it's street music doesn't mean it can be less than the best it can be. Quite the reverse, the music has to be higher quality, so that busy people are pleased by the feeling.

The way you look at first sight conveys a lot. You're not a panhandler, but a blues man, so give respect to yourself and also the people listening. It also helps your cause if you stand out from the crowd a little. I sport a black suit, with white shirt, thin black tie finished off with a wide brimmed black hat.

This way of dressing is similar to the old sepia record company photographs of classic blues men, and is also somewhat different in today's society. Call yourself by another name ( even make up an alter ego ) and write your new name on a poster displayed on your amp, for example.

The Hardware

This is a list of some items I consider to be vital for a street playing blues guitar man :

Guitar (duuuh!) - Something To Sit On - Amp and mic - Tuner - Trolley - Cool shades!

Of course, you can include any item you feel you may need, but bear in mind that you'll have to transport it all. I take a luggage trolley and strap everything to it with elasticated bungie chords. I can be ready to travel in under 5 minutes (if I have to!)

What Type Of Amp Should I Use?

A basic amplifier with at least two channels, assuming that you are going to sing. I began with a microphone on a stand, but it was too heavy and big. I now prefer a headset mic, which comes in at something like 50 dollars for a half decent sound .

My latest amp is a 30 watt job purchased from Thomann. features a rechargable battery inside that takes around six hours to fully recharge , which provides a playing time (both channels) of between 6 to 8 hours, which also depends on the volume used. It's a bit heavy at 10 kilos, which is why I use my little trolley.

The first channel has simple tone and volume controls - use for the voice, and the other has volume, gain, low, medium, and high gain controls. This second channel is perfect for reproducing the normal sound of an acoustic guitar. Price is real value at $120.

The Guitar

Keep in mind where you will be performing with your guitar . Ask yourself, could it get damaged? It's very possible! Could someone steal it? Of course - anything's possible. One day I mislaid a special guitar on the subway in error, as I was feeling sleepy and distracted. Needless to say that I never found it.

Luckily, it's possible to get a perfectly good guitar nowadays without breaking the bank. For some time I played a Vintage parlor model, complete with on-board Shadow equalizer and tuner unit, for less than $200!

My present street guitar is a Martin 000X1AE, which has a strip pickup under the saddle and tone/volume controls inside the sound hole. The top is spruce, isn't varnished (or hardly at all) and looks a little quite scratchable, but the neck, and rest of the body is artificial - it isn't wood at all!

Martin don't explain what the material is, but do say that it's not plastic or a wood pulp product. Whatever it is, it's very tough. 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 nice bass notes. This 000 size guitar is great for finger picking, which is all I do. Current price is around $500 - get one! (No, I'm not trying to sell them.)

Places To Play

That's difficult to advise on, as it depends on your location. I'll explain how I approach it. First, if you see a some folks performing outdoors, then it's safe to assume that it's at least accepted by the authorities. After that, what's left to do but try it out!

I move about a a fair bit and observe people when they traverse crossroads, etc, or near to a pedestrian shopping centre. It'll help your cause a lot if people can stand around without stopping the natural flow of other people, or vehicles .

I often play near next to markets in the centre of a city - this is a good pitch for a street blues man .

Let's Do It!

I like to feel something solid at my back (there's always the possiblity of people doing something you don't like without you seeing it, or attempting to take something while you perform. After all, this is the city!)

You will get some attention while preparing to perform, as folks are very curious. It takes a little courage initially, but gets easier each time. It helps if you take some attitude to your work. When setting up, I'm generally smiling and talking to folks passing by and give the impression that I should be there. It's my city, it's where I play and I have the right to be there. In reality, you don't have any right to be there, but if you put out some good sounds, and not oppressively loud, the police might (possibly!) let you stay as it adds a little color to the activities and to the general ambiance.

Begin with some music that's simple and nice to hear - it won't help your cause if you try and play to your maximum ability and make a mess of it! Play to 75 per cent of your capability until you get into it. In this way, your playing will be confident .

Can I Make A living?

Making a living playing blues guitar is always tricky and can only be managed by earning quite small amounts from a few similar activities. For me, street performance has mostly played a significant role.

However, playing outside just for donations will not make much. You need to offer something tangible, such as CD at a cheap price. This option augments the earnings made on the street. Some of my other activities take in live gigging and guitar tuition, and I get many contacts from my street playing. Very often musicians enquire about blues guitar lessons and some other people offer me gigs at private events, parties and in their bars and cafes. I'm pleased to say that music is the way I make my living.

Gitarren Bodies