Hello. Up town for the last three days, there was a buskers festival, and from seeing that, I now want to one day do some busking. I dont want to start now, or even next year, I thinking about trying in two years when im 16. Do you think this is a good idea, or do you think its a silly idea?

Try it in 5 years.

You could easily do it in two years if you're practicing. Busking isn't as easy as people seem to think. If you have access to a local busker, talk to him about it and ask him to help you out. That's your best shot. There's a 13 year old on Street Theater that works the streets, so it's definitely possible. Actually, pick up that video and watch it thoroughly.

Thanks, I checked out the DVD and for 20 bucks I have to get it.

I say go for it. i'm 16 and ive started doing some busking around my hometown. get art of crowd keeping by gazzo. he knows what he's talking about.

i say do it

get a routine together and do it

you will learn by trial and error

ACTUALLY

The Art of Krowd Keeping isnt written by Gazzo

its written by i think 2 guys based on their notes from talking to gazzo

Just be confident! There's nothing worse than a nervous, self-image-conscious KID performing magic for crowds of people he/she can't handle.

Always remember; confidence = positive attention.



Holy poo stains, my first serious post.

Do you guys have any advice on gathering a croud, or hat lines. Also Im thinking about getting street cups.

Whatever we tell you is no good. The reason I say that is because we have no idea of who you are. The crowd gathering and hat lines must fit your personality or you will fail.

Gazzo has some great hat lines. But if I used them the woman would slap the crap out of me. His personality is such that the double meaning lines come off as hilarious instead of a crude way of getting into some ladies panties. So try out the hat lines and tip building but make sure that it fits your personality.

Nobody can tell you what works for you. Study your crowd, and study yourself. And, watch other buskers, live if you can, or just online.

Take a look at Owen Lean. He started young, still is and is doing great.

www.roadmage.com

I have a idea for ahat line, tell me how it sounds.

" Well you have all bin a great crowd, so I want you all to come on up after the swow and put all your money in my hat. Im joking, I wouldent take your money even if I could, you all work hard for your money, but you ave to admit, I work hard for your money too. So if you want too come on up after the show and give jest a little money to a hard working magician. I wont tell you what to give ( I a five doller bill, for a little laugh). So come on up and donate, or if you cant jest give me a pat on the the back".

How is it?

Way too long. Don't tell them you're joking, they should get the hint without it. Especially the "I wouldn't even if I could" What's that about?

Try this: Do your regular setup and then "...take out your wallet, pull out a five or a ten... AND GIVE ME THE REST..."

Don't say "I won't tell you what to give" you need to imply that during your pitch. Ask for ones and you'll get coins. Ask for fives and you'll get ones, and so on. You're worth it (or at least you should be) so "train" them on street theater etiquette and tell them what they need to hear.

This was very obvious in my visits to Denmark. There nobody knew what to give so they simply didn't. Except for those acts that stated "10 or 20 Kroner (Crowns) would be appreciated, 50 if you think I did a good job... They got it!

FYI at the exchange rate at the time 50 Kroner was about $10.

thanks for the advice DaveV. Also, when you busk how do yo gather a crowd.

With a bally. Look into Don Drivers "Building a Tip", he goes over his bally in the dvd.

I also believe Gazzo has a book on gathering a crowd.

Look for the book "The Secret Art of Magic" by Nowlin Craver and Eric Evans. It's quickly becoming the "bible" of street performing.