The Last Of The Street Blues Guitar Men

Blues Man Takes To The Streets!

It often sounds very romantic. Picture the scene - the blues man performing on the streets just like years gone by . All you need can be found below - the equipment, where to play, practical advice and that essential ingredient - attitude!See what it's really like and also what you need to make a go of it. Jim Bruce recounts a little about his occupation as a street blues musician in Europe.

First Of All , Essential Basics!

I recall reading years ago about the lives of the musicians who moved around to play the blues on street corners and in parking lots near tobacco storehouses to scrape a living together . They might also entertain at 'house rent' parties and saloons, where often the pay could have been a meal, some drinks and a place to sleep for one night.

As they travelled around from town to town, their music developed and changed depending to the wishes of the people who came to hear them. A street player was very often just a distraction from a harsh, monotonous way of living and at worst, a pan handler, who could be pitied and ignored .

In the folk boom of the siwties, the way of living of a travelling blues man was romanticized too much maybe. What is the reality of making a living playing blues guitar, and what should we have to make make a go of it? (I'll take it that you can already play great blues guitar, or at least knock out an hour's worth of decent tunes!)

Does It Make A Difference How I Dress?

Of course! Imagine yourself in the shoes of someone walking down a busy thoroughfare, presented with a performer playing an instrument in the open air. The first look they cast your way is very important, it doesn't matter how good the sound. That being said, the music itself has to be top quality - just because we play on the street doesn't signify it can be less than the best it can be. In fact, the music needs to be higher quality, in order that passersby are attracted to the feeling.

The way you look at first glance conveys a lot. You're not a panhandler, but a blues man, so give respect to yourself and this gives respect to your audience. Additionally helps a lot if you stand out from the crowd a little. I wear a black suit, with white shirt, black tie and a wide brimmed black hat.

This way of dressing reminds me of the old standard studio photographs of classic blues men, and is also a little different in our modern society. Give yourself a name (possibly invent another identity for yourself) and show the name on a poster attached to your amp for example.

The Stuff You Need

This is a list of the items I think are necessary for playing blues guitar on the street:

Guitar (duuuh!) - Chair- Amplifier and microphone - Guitar tuner - Something with wheels to carry everything - Sunglasses!

Of course, you can add other items you figure you might need, but bear in mind that everything needs to be transported. I use a strong trolley and tie the items to it with elasticated bungie ropes. I can have it prepared to travel in less than five mins. (if necessary!)

What Type Of Amplification System Do I need ?

A basic one with 2 channels is sufficient, assuming that you are going to sing at the same time. I used to use with a microphone with a stand, but it's a bit heavy and cumbersome. I now favour a headset mic, which comes in at something like fifty dollars for an acceptable sound.

My present amp has 30 watts output power and was purchased from Thomann. features a rechargable battery inside and it takes about six hours to recharge , which gives an operating period (using two channels) of between six to eight hours, which also depends on how loud you play and sing. It's a bit heavy at 10kg, hence the trolley.

The first channel has simple tone and volume controls - use for the voice , and the other channel has volume, gain, low, medium, and high gain controls. The 2nd channel is ideal for balancing the string sounds of an acoustic guitar. The cost is great value at $120.

The Guitar

Keep in mind whereabouts you will be playing this guitar. Ask yourself, could it get damaged? It's very possible! Could it get stolen? Of course - all is possible. I once lost a favourite instrument on the metro by mistake, because I was feeling sleep and distracted. Needless to say that I never saw it again .

Luckily, it's easy to get a reasonably good guitar nowadays without breaking the bank. For some time I performed with a Vintage parlor model, complete with on-board Shadow equalizer and tuner unit, for less than $200!

My latest street guitar is a Martin 000X1AE, which incorporates a braided strip bug under the saddle and tone/volume knobs tucked inside the sound hole. The top is spruce, isn't varnished (or hardly at all ) and can be prone to marks, but the neck, and rest of the body is artificial - not wood at all!

Martin won't say what it is, except that it's not plastic or a wood pulp product . Whatever it is, it's really durable . I've knocked it several times without any evident marking. I carry it in a soft case strapped to my back.

The sound is all Martin through and through, with very deep basses. This small size guitar is great for picking the blues, which is what I play. Best price is about $500 - go for it ! (No, I'm not an affiliate.)

Places To Play

This is a tough one, as it depends on you and your town. Let me tell you how I do it. First, if you see a some folks playing outdoors, then it's safe to assume that it's at least tolerated by the police. After that , what's left to do but get out and do it!

I walk about a good deal and observe people as they traverse crossroads, etc, or close to a pedestrian shopping centre. It helps a lot if people can pause to listen without obstructing the flow of other pedestrians, or vehicles .

I nearly always find a pitch close to market areas in the centre of a city - this is lucrative spot for a street blues man.

Let's Go!

I like to have something solid behind me ( emoving the chance of an indiviual doing something you don't like without you seeing it, or attempting to take something while you are distracted. Stay vigilant, this is the city!)

You will probably get some attention while preparing to perform , as folks are very curious. It may take some gumption initially, but becomes easier every time. It helps if you take some attitude to your occupation. When setting up, I'm generally smiling and chatting to people and give the impression that I should be there. It's my street, it's where I make my living and I have a right to go there. In reality, you don't have any right to be there, but if you perform well , and not oppressively loud, the police will (probably ) let you play as it brings a little interest to the activities and to the general ambiance.

Begin with a song that's simple and attractive - it won't help your cause if you try and play to your maximum ability and screw it up! Play to 75 per cent of your capabilities before you start to loosen up. In that way, your performance will be sure .

Is It Possible To Make A Living ?

Living from playing blues guitar is always difficult and can only be achieved by making rather small amounts from a few related activities. For me, street playing has mostly delivered an important portion of my total income .

That said , playing outside just for tips will not make much. You need to offer something tangible , such as CD at a cheap price. This option increases the earnings made by street singing .My other activities may include live gigs and teaching, and I get many contacts from the street. Often guitarists ask me about blues guitar lessons and some others give me gigs at functions, parties and in their bars and cafes. I'm happy when I realise that music is my living.