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I took BART in from West Oakland to the Embarcadero and arrived at about 11 AM. The craft market was just starting to open. The big paved median was empty except for a couple of skateboarding kids, so I plunked down my case smack in the middle of it where all the pedestrians crossing to between Market Street and the Ferry Building would have to pass me.
I strapped George in, tuned, then stuck the transducer to the side of the gurdy and plugged in. I could hear my playing clearly, but as it was fairly early and there wasn't a lot of street noise, I had no clue how far it was carrying.
To make a long story short, three watts did the trick. As I watched people crossing the street I was seeing them react much, MUCH sooner than when I was out a couple of weeks ago. One lady came over and we had a chat because she's interested in traditional puppetry and was looking for music to go along with it. When I asked how far the sound was carrying, she pointed to where she'd been when she first noticed - probably a good 50' away on a street that had a good bit of ambient noise. Anyway, I suggested she visit Lark up at the Cannery and see what kind of folk music recordings they had. I also gave her my card so she could email me.
Maybe it was the weather, maybe it was that people could hear me. Lots more eye contact. Lots more smiling. I got my picture taken. I got stared at some. I stared back smiling, willing them to smile back - some did, some didn't.
Don, the clarinet guy, came across while I was playing - we grinned at each other and shouted hellos. When I took a break at about 1:15 for a restroom visit, iced tea and one of those killer Peet's ginger cookies, I sat outside on the pier where he was playing a swingin' version of "Old MacDonald" for some mommies and toddlers. I hung around for "Send In The Clowns," finished my tea and then went back onto the median.
The best strategy when busking in a popular skateboarding spot is not to move. Trust that the skaters will not hit you intentionally as long as they know you're not going to do something random that they're not expecting. A couple of passes came pretty close to me, but were clearly under control. Since my party trick at events is being able to walk and play at the same time, it felt a little odd at first, but I got used to it.
Two African American teenagers in clothing eight sizes too big come by. One leans over, fishes a single out of my case and says, "I'm taking this." I look at him and say firmly, "Why would you do that?" "Gotcha!" he says, dropping my dollar and pulling another out of his pocket to go with it. Smartass. "Thank you. Love that sweat shirt."
Most surreal moment of the day: a vision in a Pepto pink spandex bodysuit and hood with a tiny silver cape appeared at the crosswalk on a unicycle. He zipped across as the light changed, almost lost it at the concrete bollards when the breeze blew his cape over his face but made a spectacular recovery. He spotted me, beamed, began flapping his arms like a crack dream of "Swan Lake" and circled me several times before disappearing down the Embarcadero in the direction of Pier 39.
I grossed about $12 in change and singles for about three hours of playing. Not enough to skip to Rio but it felt very satisfying.
I strapped George in, tuned, then stuck the transducer to the side of the gurdy and plugged in. I could hear my playing clearly, but as it was fairly early and there wasn't a lot of street noise, I had no clue how far it was carrying.
To make a long story short, three watts did the trick. As I watched people crossing the street I was seeing them react much, MUCH sooner than when I was out a couple of weeks ago. One lady came over and we had a chat because she's interested in traditional puppetry and was looking for music to go along with it. When I asked how far the sound was carrying, she pointed to where she'd been when she first noticed - probably a good 50' away on a street that had a good bit of ambient noise. Anyway, I suggested she visit Lark up at the Cannery and see what kind of folk music recordings they had. I also gave her my card so she could email me.
Maybe it was the weather, maybe it was that people could hear me. Lots more eye contact. Lots more smiling. I got my picture taken. I got stared at some. I stared back smiling, willing them to smile back - some did, some didn't.
Don, the clarinet guy, came across while I was playing - we grinned at each other and shouted hellos. When I took a break at about 1:15 for a restroom visit, iced tea and one of those killer Peet's ginger cookies, I sat outside on the pier where he was playing a swingin' version of "Old MacDonald" for some mommies and toddlers. I hung around for "Send In The Clowns," finished my tea and then went back onto the median.
The best strategy when busking in a popular skateboarding spot is not to move. Trust that the skaters will not hit you intentionally as long as they know you're not going to do something random that they're not expecting. A couple of passes came pretty close to me, but were clearly under control. Since my party trick at events is being able to walk and play at the same time, it felt a little odd at first, but I got used to it.
Two African American teenagers in clothing eight sizes too big come by. One leans over, fishes a single out of my case and says, "I'm taking this." I look at him and say firmly, "Why would you do that?" "Gotcha!" he says, dropping my dollar and pulling another out of his pocket to go with it. Smartass. "Thank you. Love that sweat shirt."
Most surreal moment of the day: a vision in a Pepto pink spandex bodysuit and hood with a tiny silver cape appeared at the crosswalk on a unicycle. He zipped across as the light changed, almost lost it at the concrete bollards when the breeze blew his cape over his face but made a spectacular recovery. He spotted me, beamed, began flapping his arms like a crack dream of "Swan Lake" and circled me several times before disappearing down the Embarcadero in the direction of Pier 39.
I grossed about $12 in change and singles for about three hours of playing. Not enough to skip to Rio but it felt very satisfying.
