Buskers on ferries

[ruddernut]

How about letting approved buskers who've passed auditions and meet standards play their instruments on the outside decks of the ferries, like they do at Skytrain stations and on Granville Island? Some good, suitable music playing in the background may help to enhance the mood to those gazing the scenery outside, while drowning out the sound of the people yapping about.

[Neil]

And to give the ferries even more of an 'urban' feel, lets hire some winos to sleep outside the cafeterias and gift shops, and maybe station a few bands of meth-dazed street kids to panhandle outside the bathrooms.

[Low Light Mike]

hornbyguy said:

And to give the ferries even more of an 'urban' feel, lets hire some winos to sleep outside the cafeterias and gift shops, and maybe station a few bands of meth-dazed street kids to panhandle outside the bathrooms.

Can you fit a shopping-cart on a ferry elevator?

[ruddernut]

Haha! Of course I don't mean just let every bum wander about and annoy everyone on board. Just limit them to one act per vessel at a time and to those that are truly competent at their craft.

Or would having music overwhelm the sound of the ocean waves and other natural sounds take too much away from the desired feel of the cruise?

[Neil]

ruddernut said:

Haha! Of course I don't mean just let every bum wander about and annoy everyone on board. Just limit them to one act per vessel at a time and to those that are truly competent at their craft.

To be precise: you're saying you would limit the annoying bums to one per vessel, and even then, only those who were good at the craft of being a bum.

I'm trying to clear up any misunderstanding, so as not to detract from the value of your proposal.

[Fenklebaum]

Having earned an entire term's tuition busking, I'll ask that you keep your derogatory comments to yourself.

[Neil]

Mr Fenklebaum, I wasn't refering to buskers in that last post, so cool your jets. Give it another look.

[Ferryman]

I don't know if these people were considered buskers....but in the summer of 2004, there was onboard entertainment on the Major Route Ferries. I can remember being on the Cowichan, heading back to Horseshoe Bay on the 7:00pm sailing, and there was a person sitting on the lifejacket box located below the bow windows, on the #2 end. The guy was a hit, because 3/4 of everyone on board was in the forward lounge watching him play, and many people were standing, because all of the seats were taken. Also, at Christmas time, they usually get some Elementary School choirs to get on the Ferries to sing Christmas Carols.

[Low Light Mike]

fenklebaum said:

Having earned an entire term's tuition busking, I'll ask that you keep your derogatory comments to yourself.

Since you have some experience re busking, please comment on this thread's topic. Would you ever be interested in busking on a ferry? Have you already done so?

Also, here's your chance to "educate" us on common misconceptions about your artform, and a chance for you to advocate on behalf of your profession.

I'm serious....Please tell us a bit about busking.

[ruddernut]

hornbyguy said:

Mr Fenklebaum, I wasn't refering to buskers in that last post, so cool your jets. Give it another look.

Uh okay. Thanks for pointing out that my paragraph structuring sucks.

[hergfest]

I was on the Hyak recently going from Friday Harbor to Anacortes and there was a guy in the upper viewing area playing his volin. Was kinda cool.

[ruddernut]

hergfest said:

I was on the Hyak recently going from Friday Harbor to Anacortes and there was a guy in the upper viewing area playing his volin. Was kinda cool.

Yeah, I figure the top deck should be perfect for that sort of thing. There ought to be enough room for a mic, an amp, speakers and a place to lay the instrument case open in front.

[ruddernut]

cascade said:

Here in London - if you want to "work" as a Busker on the Tube - Underground - then you go to the town hall - do a little audition - (which is run by former / current busker's) if successfull - then you have a "license" - which is a picture ID card - this allows you to play in a number of underground station. You are only allowed to play at certain stations. This part is carefully monitor - so as to stop "turf" wars breaking out.

I do like the busker's on the tube - they are good - and they make a OK - living. Yes maybe it is controlled - but it is more for the busker's than the general public. I don't mind dropping a fiver if I like the song. What I don't like is the East European beggars who come on the trains....that part needs to be sorted out.

So a Busker on a Ferry ? Well yes - why not...if they are good.

Maybe our busker's in London are controlled better - to protect them, not the general public......when was the last time Hahn had to sing for his supper ??

Such is the arrangement they have on Skytrain stations here.

I thought it had more to do with maintaining quality standards and protecting the general public from excruciatingly bad music though.

[Low Light Mike]

Hey, Fenklebaum, I'd still like you to educate us on busking, and to elaborate on why you thought that comments in this thread were "derogatory". Please tell us why.....either specific to this thread, or in general.

If you felt strong enough to make the first comment, please follow up with detail, otherwise it's just an empty rebuke.

[Fenklebaum]

Sorry for the vitriol of my previous comment. It's a sensitive topic for me. When one mentions busking, most people immediately assume begging. Many's the time that I've had to explain that it's not at all the same.

I'm running a little ragged lately; burning the candle at both ends, you know. When I'm not at school, I'm at FCF. This is the first opportunity I've had to post in quite a while.

I apologize.

I will give you all the low-down on busking later tonight. Promise.

[Low Light Mike]

I'm interested in what type of material you do (original, or standards, or a mix).

Also, do you simply use an acoustic guitar, or do you have other stuff like an amp or even say a high-hat set up to use with your feet?

just curious.

I'm also interested if lots of people will stop and listen for an entire song or a few, or if most just listen for a few moments and then move on.

Also, is there a problem with theft, ie. people snatching the coin out of your open instrument case?

[Fenklebaum]

Alrighty, true to my word I have returned.

I'm a music student out at UBC; I'm majoring in violin. I've been playing for nearly fourteen years.

During my first year (last year), I paid my tuition by busking at SkyTrain stations after classes. It's (especially in the summer) quite a lucrative activity, and gave me a number of paying gigs, as well as a couple of students. I found it to be an unpleasant environment by year's end, unfortunately. The competition for spots with other buskers is fierce to say the least, and a good deal of them are true scum, with no sense of fair play or fraternity. People will steal from your case; drop a dollar and take a toonie etc. etc. There are also those pedestrians who take the time to inform you of their opinion that the cops should move you along for panhandling. Many's the time I restrained myself from telling them that, if I had a better option, I would not be whoring out my music to the general indifference of others for a few bucks. Such is the student life...

My repertoire was whatever I felt like playing, really. There would be days where I would play nothing but improvised jazz, others when I would would work on my jury (exam) pieces.

Interestingly enough, however, I have *unintentionally* busked on the Departure Bay-Horseshoe Bay ferry a few times. A couple of years ago I was dating a girl living in Nanaimo, and I would occasionally practice in the forward solarium on late sailings. If I was foolish enough to forget, the occasional passenger would come and listen and throw a few bucks in. On one trip I accidentally made my return fare in a flash!

At any rate, it's a sensitive topic for me. I apologize once again for my harsh words.

[Low Light Mike]

Do you prefer Classical, or Jazz?

Is Jean-Luc Ponty still a relatively well-known jazz violinist ? (he's the only one I could think of).

This might make you cringe, but have you seen some of the Yanni concerts on PBS, where he uses an orchestra, and there are lots of violin improvised solos?

Thanks for sharing.

[Retrovision]

If they ever took a local transportation company's lead, it would probably be Translink's. They have auditions once a year or so, and put the musicians in stations, etc., not on confined spaces like their busses, trains and ferries.

[Barnacle]

hergfest said:

I was on the Hyak recently going from Friday Harbor to Anacortes and there was a guy in the upper viewing area playing his volin. Was kinda cool.

He's a regular. And I don't know if he's officially busking or simply serenading. I haven't investigated closer because, as the chief mate, I don't want complaints. And besides, if the wind isn't blowing too hard, we can hear him in the pilothouse. ;D