Learning an Instrument? helps on the streets

[Eclipse]

I heard from a people on this forum learning an instrument helps a lot... when you're homeless.

does anyone have experience in that.

[sweetwater]

I've never heard that one maybe others can shed some light on that one. Your have got me intersted now?

[Eclipse]

yeah, I just search up "instrument" on this forum... so I am pasting this. But I vaguely remember what people say about it.

Do you have portable skills you can turn into an income can you play an instrument, sing, make jewelry with few tools, weave plam fronds or willing to learn such skills?

Will you work for under the minimum wage say for barter and/or cash you have a car so that is a tool right there to use in making money?

[Eclipse]

this too
http://www.homelessforums.org/showth...ment#post46331

[tkolter]

Actually the art is called Busking its performing on the street for money and can include many options for me I play the kazoo, jaw harp, tambo and have a classic organ grinders barrel organ (a great find at a garage sale). I also am trained as a clown in the masked tradition, mime, puppeteer and magic (simpler tricks). I earn a decent income.

Other arts are living statue, street theater, street poet, being a character (formal or being some icon in training like if your in a modest city being the *insert name of town*'s very own superhero and have a funny name), stapling paper money into your skin with a stapler, face painting, balloon sculpting, sword swallowing and such acts the list is long.

But it can be an awesome way to make money first of all its 1st Amendment Protected Speech, second most communities don't have ordinances against it in fact in my city its expressly not panhandling and therefore legal if you play an instrument and/or sing (but other acts get okays) and third your not seen as a bum your a performer more like a hobo.

Here is a short list of great starter instruments and I would add in a small budget for a performers outfit something nice suited to standing out in a good way, you must be sober and clean however.

1. Kazoo (a good one of wood will run $20-40 or so this is a well crafted professional one but a good metal one would do for $5 to start)

2. Harmonica

3. Tambo

4. Five Gallon Bucket and Things You Can Hit for Sounds and Drumsticks

5. Your Voice (add in a accompany light instrument)

6. Jaw Harp

7. Spoons

8. Washboard

It all depends on how much space you have at a minimum get a working outfit or two, one instrument you play decently and something to collect tips. And a big pointer empty the collection container minus some change often and start by priming it with a few quarters so people get the idea. And never ask for money, no signs with Tips on it just take what people offer you.

Need help pm me for ideas on acts, or list skills and I can work out something for you to consider.

[Eclipse]

Actually the art is called Busking its performing on the street for money and can include many options for me I play the kazoo, jaw harp, tambo and have a classic organ grinders barrel organ (a great find at a garage sale). I also am trained as a clown in the masked tradition, mime, puppeteer and magic (simpler tricks). I earn a decent income.

Other arts are living statue, street theater, street poet, being a character (formal or being some icon in training like if your in a modest city being the *insert name of town*'s very own superhero and have a funny name), stapling paper money into your skin with a stapler, face painting, balloon sculpting, sword swallowing and such acts the list is long.

But it can be an awesome way to make money first of all its 1st Amendment Protected Speech, second most communities don't have ordinances against it in fact in my city its expressly not panhandling and therefore legal if you play an instrument and/or sing (but other acts get okays) and third your not seen as a bum your a performer more like a hobo.

Here is a short list of great starter instruments and I would add in a small budget for a performers outfit something nice suited to standing out in a good way, you must be sober and clean however.

1. Kazoo (a good one of wood will run $20-40 or so this is a well crafted professional one but a good metal one would do for $5 to start)

2. Harmonica

3. Tambo

4. Five Gallon Bucket and Things You Can Hit for Sounds and Drumsticks

5. Your Voice (add in a accompany light instrument)

6. Jaw Harp

7. Spoons

8. Washboard

It all depends on how much space you have at a minimum get a working outfit or two, one instrument you play decently and something to collect tips. And a big pointer empty the collection container minus some change often and start by priming it with a few quarters so people get the idea. And never ask for money, no signs with Tips on it just take what people offer you.

Need help pm me for ideas on acts, or list skills and I can work out something for you to consider.

This sounds perfect... for me at least. I always want to do the music, but if I go homeless then there would be no place to practice. Plus getting extra tips would be nice, even though that's not the point.

[Eclipse]

Although I wouldn't be bringing quality music, just rehearsing/learning the keyboard.

[tkolter]

I met a homeless busker today, guitar and harmonica with a neck holder support for that playing okay downtown for lunch and I figure his guitar case had around $30 in three hours of work. He was just okay mind you could carry a tune, sing a little and such on a scale I would say on a 1 to 5 a decent 2.2. So there is money to be made even if your okay and can play something.

I tipped him a buck for playing Dixie for me.

My basic advice just do it and hope people tip you.

[sweetwater]

Playing an instruments is not the only thing you can do to make some loos change. I have seen people dancing, singing, drawing, telling a story, Etc. Im sure otherrs can come up with something else?