Do you think buskers, street musicians are akin to beggars?
By Iconoclast1
@Iconoclast1 (389)
United States
May 28, 2008 1:10pm CST
I'm wondering how many people think musicians who play in the park or subway for tips are just one step up from beggars.
4 responses
@micheal314 (1)
•
31 May 08
i really think that buskers are beggars i think if they need money for their habits they should work for it not scronge off others
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
2 Jun 08
Interesting, I never knew they had to pay for a license. I'm fairly certain that many of the acts I saw did not have a license, but that is nice to know it is somewhat regulated.
I think it can be nice to bring a bit of music into people's lives that wouldn't normally go to concerts. And it's nice that it's voluntary to pay, although, I'm not sure I'd say it's exactly the same thing as a donation.
@Iconoclast1 (389)
• United States
31 May 08
Put it this way, when people can to see me or other performers at a club they have to pay upwards of $10 to get in. But when I play in the park or subway its a FREE show where people have the option of making a donation. It's a business and I have a license (that I paid 250 bones for) to prove it.
@Elixiress (3878)
•
28 May 08
I agree, there was one point when I thought that they were beggars that played music for money rather than just asking for it.
@Elixiress (3878)
•
29 May 08
The busking licenses are a lot cheaper here I think and many people I don't think even pay for a license as they are not busking in the "busker zones" that we have around here.
@Iconoclast1 (389)
• United States
3 Jun 08
Interesting, there are busker zones in the UK? Here in Philly I can play pretty much anywhere as long as no one complains and my license is good forever as long as I don't violate the rules. Thanks for your response.
@Elixiress (3878)
•
3 Jun 08
Yeah in metro (train) stations there are signs on the walls saying "busker zone", I am not sure if they are allowed to play elsewhere or if they have to stay in the zone as I have never really looked into it.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
2 Jun 08
I think it depends where you do it. If you play somewhere where it is kind of nice to have some music, I think it's okay. Like when I was vacationing in Hawaii and while you shopped on the streets there were a lot of street acts. It was interesting. One time there I even played harmonica on the street while a friend played viola because we were out of money for food for our last night there. It was kind of cool.
However, around here it would not be so appropriate. If people were just sitting around playing and trying to get money, I'd probably just give them some funny looks.
@icecreammine (10)
• United States
2 Jun 08
I always thought it was cool that in other cities people could listen to street musicians. It's not like that here. Also, beggars are not performing for the money they receive but street musicians are.
@Iconoclast1 (389)
• United States
3 Jun 08
Thank you. That's what I think, too. It's a free show and if you like it you can tip or not. And I know a guy who got a record deal after busking for years. I know tat's a flash in the pan, but who knows. It's my way of bringing my music to the people.
