Diary Of A Busker Day 317 Tuesday January 15th 2013 Winchester High Street, opposite Vodafone. Time: 2:17-2:47pm
Probably the shortest day I’ve done, due – much like the other day – to a light yet extremely chilling breeze. And no one wants to know. In fact, after no less than five songs there’s not one penny and I’m thinking “Is this the day when I actually get zero coinage?” I knew it would happen someday and it might be happening now. This could be it.
So, almost 20 minutes in and nothing and my fingers are freezing, although the sun’s out – cue Here Comes The Sun, and I’ve recently put in a nice little thing Tommy Emmanuel does; a bass harmony on the guitar bit after the “it’s alright” bit, and one other effect – on the weird 3/8, 5/8 guitar break that repeats five times, I gradually move my right hand nearer to the bridge, so it gets more trebly each time, and on the last one I have just about enough time to switch the pickup switch from bass to treble, so it gets really trebly, And then, afterwards, I have just enough time, to switch it back again. On the record they’ve got a mellotron doing it, an octave higher every time so it doesn’t get boring, so this is my equivalent and I think it’s quite an inspired idea…although no one’s commented on it yet, so what do I know?! Anyway, while I’m playing – or suffering – through this, a girl contributes FORTY PENCE, so bang goes today’s contendership for THE DAY I MADE NO MONEY.
I was thinking about what Chris Cudlip said the other day, apart from relating some of his stories. He was going on about the more psychological aspects of playing, like if he was in a bad mood because he hadn’t slept well – which he hadn’t, it – his “outside demeanor”, seemed to reflect on how much he made. He said he reckoned he was more animated when he was happy, and people are more attracted to that. Interesting. Anyway, I made a point of smiling and got nothing. Thinking about it, I’m not sure about his theory. I mean, many’s the time actually I’ve hurt myself putting on a cheerful face, and got nothing, and many’s the time I’ve been well hacked off and got loads of people coming up. Anyway, I pack it in after a painful half hour. I was going to take a break and start up somewhere else but after looking in the bucket, I can’t be bothered with it. It’s taken me twenty minutes to get here, I’ve played for half an hour and all for £2.58 and who says I’ll get even THAT MUCH if I do another set!? Sod it, I’m off home.
Earnings: £2.58