IS BUSKING ON DRUMS WORTH IT IN NYC?

Is busking on drums worth it?

Well, this largely depends on your goal. If you are only busking for tips, in my opinion, no it isn't worth it. My experience in New York City busking for tips was probably about 7 or 8 years ago. At that time I would try to find the most crowded areas, and take my portable drum setup, set out a tip bucket and play. Some days I would make fairly decent money at around $150 for about 2 or 3 hours, yet other days the same time would pass and I'd only make $20.

The problem is that is is very inconsistent. You really can't predict how people will tip and what their moods will be. Another problem with only trying to pick the most crowded areas where you think you'll make the most money is these are the spots you tend to run into the most trouble as well. I was harassed by crazy people as well as law enforcement officers.

Playing drums in public and city owned places like subways and parks is perfectly legal in NYC, but there is a surprising amount of police and subway officials who do not know this, or just simply choose not to believe it. I had printed out the laws and kept them with me just in case, but on one occasion I had a disgruntled MTA employee, despite literally holding a copy of the laws in her hand, force me to leave.

One day I was harassed by a random angry man in the subways, that one was pretty bad so that is what pushed me over the edge and decide not to do it anymore, at least not the way I had done before.

I still play in public spaces, but these days I do not think about tips at all. I don't even put out a tip bucket. I think about what cool location I would like to play at and shifted my focus to content creation at those locations rather than relying on people's tips. This way I can still monetize what I am doing, and I do not have the stress of busking.

Since I started thinking about it this way I have not had a single problem. Many times kids will come up and dance while I'm playing. Some people just come up out of curiosity and ask me about my channel. I don't worry about playing what I think they will like. Often times they can't even hear the music I'm playing to in my headphones. Many times I'm there for under an hour. Then I can monetize that video and make money with it forever on YouTube. This is a much better option in my opinion.

That being said, I do have friends who busk and play more of a jazz type thing. They do it in groups and have much better luck that way than I did as a solo performer. So maybe this would work for you too!

Let me know your experiences busking! Leave a comment below and tell me!

 

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