Busking tunes (well, it worked for Christmas...)

[ewt]

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to name things you think I should play while busking. They must be something that can be sung and have some sort of tune, otherwise I can't play them. It is better if you can recognise them just from one sung line, without accompaniment, as I can't play more than one note at once. It doesn't matter if I don't know them yet; if I can listen to them 4 or 5 times then I'll be able to remember them. Folk songs, show tunes, pop, you name it, just tell me waht you'd like to hear.
The reason for this is that I've been playing the same folk songs and show tunes for several years now when I busk, and though this wasn't previously an issue (as I wasn't busking full time) I am now starting to get bored. I had a brief break from my regular repertoire playing Christmas carols, but that time is over now. I don't want to go back to the same old, same old.
I will still be doing some of the classical stuff too; I think I have had enough of Bach's first 'cello suite, for example, and want to get on with learning the second.
The more tunes I have the better. I play for four hours a day, I'd like my standard programme to last at least an hour so I don't go off my rocker playing the same thing 8 times a day.

Comments

[reddragdiva]

Find some Beatles songs that don't make you want to kill yourself and everyone around you. This is a tricky one, but Beatles songs get money even when people are sick of them. Particularly played on instruments other than guitar.

[royko.livejournal.com]

NIN -- Perfect Drug
Clash -- I'm So Bored With the USA
Eminem -- Lose Yourself

:)

[flannelcat.livejournal.com]

Big Spender.

Sgt Peppers.

The Theme from Indiana Jones.

Seasons Greetings

[(Anonymous)]

Hi Dear,

Seasons Greetings from Carnduff and RV.

Look for some fake books--they often have 100 songs or arrangements.

Ask your clients for suggestions?

I remember one country fiddler--he had a repertoire of 1000 songs--and he didn't read music at all.

You might also wish to surf to the free sheet music sites from our web site as they would most likely be popular tunes.


Love you madly,
Dad

[raptelan.livejournal.com]

Simon and Garfunkel have quite a lot of really great tunes.

I just took a look at buskers and realized what busking was. That's awesome you make your living that way! I wish I had the talent...now I wish I could come and sing alongside you, even though doing so would probably drive everyone away.

[(Anonymous)]

Hi Kathryn:
Try some Canadian tunes - maybe some Gordie Lightfoot (old, but good), or other Canadian folk tunes like "Fare thee well to Nova Scotia,..." or "The Song of the Myra" or "The Log Rollers Waltz" to name a few. Apparently Christel Scholten has been working on a Master's degree out of Bath, while living in Brazil. Must be electronic or something. However, I think she has to defend some time in March. It would be funny if you were there busking at the time of her defence.
hugs...Mum