Ok, so maybe I haven't busked much yet. Maybe it's a bit premature to make a list of "rules." But I've also been performing my music for 30 years, and a lot of the guidelines are the same no matter what venue you are playing. I returned downtown on Saturday, this time from 1:30 til 3:45 in the afternoon. I wasn't nearly as successful as Friday evening in terms of tips, but still made a little cash. Next week I'll do it in the early evening and see if that works out better.
So, here's my tentative and surely far from complete list of busking rules:
1. Songs, songs, songs
Many buskers thrive by playing a lot of recognizable tunes. It's probably a good idea. I've got a fairly strong repertoire of original songs written over the last twenty-odd years, and I'm busking to hone my craft rather than as a career, so I only play my own songs. I probably won't make as much in tips as the guy playing "Hit Me Baby One More Time," but I'm OK with that. I think it helps that my original songs are mostly upbeat and positive. People probably don't want to hear your sad songs about losing your girlfriend, though they may give you some money out of pity.
2. Confidence
If you watch successful buskers you will notice one thing they all have in common, regardless of whether they are playing a guitar, juggling, break-dancing, or miming, and that is confidence. Smile and make eye contact (well I suppose not if you are a mime or a statue). Don't hunch over your guitar with your eyes squeezed shut being a "tortured artist." People are incredibly susceptible to others who display confidence about their art. But remember, there's a fine line between confidence and cockiness. People are probably more turned off by the smug, cocky bastard who acts like they are God's gift to every pedestrian passing by, than they are by the meek, introverted guy playing his tunes while ignoring everyone.
3. Be Grateful
It's not that difficult. Thank people when they drop some money in your hat or guitar case. Sneak it in between the lines of your song, or if you really can't interrupt yourself (though you should), at least nod and smile at them. Show passersby that you appreciate them taking a moment or two to listen to your music.
4. Hydration
Have a bottle of water with you. You're going to be singing for hours, you will need to wet your throat from time to time. Don't drink too much, though - depending on how much gear you have, going to the bathroom can be a real ordeal.
5. Seeding
If you have a few bucks on you, "seed" your collection hat before you start busking. This might seem a little underhanded to non-buskers, but it is only good business sense. And seed it with the types of money you'd like to receive. Put a five and some ones in the hat. People are more likely to emulate the kind of tips they see already in there. Putting a bunch of pennies in your guitar case is probably not a great plan.
6. Hygiene
If you can swing it (in other words, if you're not homeless), be clean and presentable. Again, this is just common business sense. Successful buskers will look and act like professional performers, not hobos. Nothing against hobos, understand. If you are living on the streets and busking for your change, more power to you. It's better than simply panhandling. When you see magicians or jugglers busking, they tend to be well-dressed and professional looking. Yet many musicians seem to think the more ragged they look, the more "cred" they'll have. I don't think so.
7. It's a performance
Don't forget this. If you want to be a successful busker, you need to distinguish yourself from your surroundings. You're not a bum begging for change, you are a performance artist, putting on a show. This goes hand in hand with the hygiene rule. Dress nicely, and think about some way of distinguishing yourself from people on the street - maybe an interesting hat, or a colorful vest or jacket. Don't be afraid to play the fool - after all, playing the fool is a part of any performing art - outside of classical music or the like, anyway.
8. Be polite
It sort of goes without saying that one should be polite to one's audience. A successful busker will also be polite to store owners and authorities. In the long run, busking in your city will benefit from street performers having a congenial relationship with local law enforcement and the business community. If you know that the city you are busking in specifically allows street performers to ply their wares, consider printing up a little pamphlet with the applicable rules which you can share with any local cops who decide you are being a nuisance. Remember, you can't make any money while sitting in a jail cell! If asked to move elsewhere, you're best strategy is probably to thank them, and just move.
9. Look like you are enjoying yourself
This goes hand in hand with confidence. If you don't look like you are having fun, people probably won't be having much fun watching you. Smiling and engaging with people is infectious, and they will likely reciprocate.
10. Be vigilant
Keep an eye on your collection hat, and always be on the look out for shady characters. It's not that unusual for someone to make off with your hat. I use my guitar case, which is a lot harder to run off with. Watch for people who start panhandling next to you, and if they do, ask them politely to move down the way. If they get belligerent you may be better off moving yourself. From what I've read and seen so far, this isn't often a problem, definitely the exception rather than the rule.
Have fun and be safe. So far, I'm enjoying my busking, and I encourage any musician or other performer to give it a try. At the very least, it will hone your skills in a way that playing in your room simply can't. If you can manage to engage people on the street with your music or act, imagine how easy it will be to play on a stage! Personally, I find playing on a stage is much easier than busking. Of course, that may not be an objective observation, since I've been playing on stages since I was 14 or so (much earlier if you count orchestra concerts), while I've only just begun busking.
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