Diary Of A Busker Day 108 Wednesday June 1st Winchester High Street (opposite Clinton Cards, Time: 2:42-6:10pm.)
A slow start – no money for 15 minutes until Steve (“I’m one of the top 8 guitarists in the country”) turns up. He likes my sound but thinks it would be better with some chorus effect on it. This is an effect used mainly by guitarists which was popular in the 1980s – enough said. I say I have the effect built in to my amp and switch it on to demonstrate. “That’s better, you get a lovely, smooth wave sound – it’s a lot better.” he says. I don’t like it (never have) and tell him. You don’t have silly effects like this when you’re playing a Spanish guitar piece. I like my sound clean with a bit of reverb, that’s all. It might be alright for one of the “top 8 guitarists in the country”, but not for me – the top busker in Winchester.
An old couple stop to give me some money, the man sees my notation for Cavatina (theme from The Deerhunter) on the ground next to me. I’ve been lazy with this and haven’t been playing it, but I intend to do it today. “What do you think of Hank Marvin’s version?” he says. “Of Cavatina? I haven’t heard it…but I imagine it goes something like…” I play the first two notes, Hank Marvin style with the Bigsby vibrato arm going. “Yeah, that’s it!” he says. His wife says I’m better than him (H. Marvin). “I know, that’s why I’m out here!”
There are some “funny” people in this world and I’ve met a few of them out here, like this man today. He comes over and drops some coins, not in the bucket but on the ground next to it which means I have to pick them up – I’m not sure if it’s meant as an insult, although if it was I’m sure he would have only dropped small change (shrapnel) and there’s a 50p and a few 10p pieces here. He walks off but then comes back (I’ve seen him put his hand in his pocket looking for some more change). “You can put it in the bucket, you know”, I say, trying not to sound offended. “I don’t like Halloween, the bucket…I just don’t like the Halloween.”! He doesn’t put the money in because he doesn’t like my orange bucket! He can’t even see the face – it’s turned towards me! He doesn’t even have to touch the bucket, he can just drop the coins in, but he can’t even do that. Bizarre. Later, 3 women – one middle aged, two younger ones, all carrying Primark bags come over and give me some change – the money they’ve saved shopping at Primark I presume.
I see a teenager walking with his parents. He’s wearing a Led Zeppelin T-shirt. I think, should I play a quick riff – Whole Lotta Love perhaps, in the hope he’ll come over and give me something? (and appreciate my quick thinking, not to mention musical diversity – I’m playing Bach’s Jesu, Joy Of Man’s Desiring). I decide against this bare-faced opportunism. Besides, if he doesn’t come over, I’ll feel really embarrassed.
My old guy, who has one of my guitars, drops by for our daily chat/guitar lesson. “It’s quite clear to me now that they’re are really no similarities between the guitar and the piano”, he says. Not many, I say. He produces the music to Edelweiss from The Sound Of Music. “Now, it says D, F and C for the melody. How do I do that?” I explain, “You pluck the open D string, then fret the third fret on the same string, play that – that’s the F…” “Yes, OK, now, do I play all the strings?” “No, No! Just the one string, the one you’re playing the melody on.” I show him over and over again. He thinks he’s got it now…
Earnings: £29.51p.
Note: Several people say they have read the article – none hang around to talk any further to me – a possible (sinister) after effect?