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Bucket drumming is a style of percussion that involves playing a drum set or drum kit using buckets, plastic tubs, or other containers as makeshift drums. This can be done as a solo performer or as part of a larger group, and it is often used as a form of street performance or busking. Busking is the act of performing in public places, especially on the streets, for gratuities. Buskers, or street performers, can include musicians, magicians, mimes, and other types of entertainers who perform in order to earn money from passing pedestrians or tourists. Bucket drumming is a popular choice for street performers because it is relatively simple to set up and can be very visually and musically engaging.

There are many different types of busking, and the type of performance can vary widely depending on the location, the performer’s talents, and the audience. Some common types of busking include:

1. Music: This can include anything from solo musicians playing instruments such as guitars or saxophones, to bands performing with drums, bass, and other instruments.
2. Magic: Magicians and other variety acts, such as jugglers or mimes, are also common choices for busking.
3. Dance: Street performers may also use dance as a way to entertain passersby, including styles such as breakdancing or tap dancing.
4. Comedy: Stand-up comedy, sketch comedy, and other forms of comedic performance are also popular choices for busking.
5. Other performance art: Buskers may also perform a variety of other types of acts, such as acrobatics, fire-breathing, or other stunts.
6. Art: Some buskers may create art on the spot, such as portrait artists or caricature artists, while others may sell handmade crafts or goods.
7. Food: In some cases, buskers may use food as a way to attract an audience and earn money, such as by selling ice cream or freshly-made crepes.

There are many factors to consider when choosing a location to street perform, including the local laws and regulations, the amount of foot traffic, and the type of audience you are hoping to attract. Some popular locations for street performing include:

1. Tourist areas: Places like Times Square in New York City or Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco tend to have a lot of foot traffic, and the tourists who visit these areas are often looking for entertainment.
2. Street fairs and festivals: These events are often specifically designed to showcase street performers, and they can be a great way to find an audience.
3. Public squares and parks: Places like the National Mall in Washington D.C. or the Boston Common can be good locations to find an audience, especially on weekends when more people are out and about.
4. Street corners: Stand on a busy street corner and perform for passersby, but be mindful of local laws and regulations regarding street performing.

Ultimately, the best location for street performing will depend on your specific talents and the type of audience you are hoping to attract.

Street performance or busking is the practice of performing in public places, for gratuities. In many countries the rewards are generally in the form of money but other gratuities such as food, drink or gifts may be given. Street performance is practiced all over the world by men, women and children and dates back to antiquity . In English speaking countries people engaging in this practice are called street performers or buskers.

Performances can be just about anything that people find entertaining. Performers may do acrobatics, animal tricks, balloon twisting,card tricks, caricatures, clowning, comedy, contortions, escapology, dance, singing, fire skills, flea circus, fortune-telling, juggling,magic, mime, living statue, musical performance, puppeteering, snake charming, storytelling or reciting poetry or prose, street art such as sketching and painting, street theatre, sword swallowing, and ventriloquism.

It takes more than a good shtick to make money as a street performer.

To complete this How-To you will need:

A talent.
A gimmick.
A good location.

Step 1:

Learn a talent

Develop a talent — music, juggling, dancing, magic, whatever. The more impressive and original, the better.

Step 2:

Add a gimmick

If your talent is even remotely similar to anyone else’s in your area, add in some sort of gimmick. If you play an instrument, pick an uncommon style of music. If you juggle, juggle while yodeling.

Step 3:

Location, location

Scope out a good place to perform—ideally, an area with a lot of foot traffic where cops won’t bother you.

Tip: Tourist areas are great spots, because you’ll find unhurried people in good moods with vacation money.

Step 4:

Perform

Once you’ve found a good spot, get everyone’s attention. Have them gather around, then start performing, no matter how small—or large—the crowd.

Tip: If street performing is frowned upon in your area, have a friend be on the lookout for cops.

Step 5:

Stop performing

Right when you get to the best part of your act, refuse to continue until a certain amount is donated by the people watching you.

Tip: Scan the crowd for people who look like they have money. Expensive shoes, designer handbags, and well-coiffed hair are good tip-offs.

Step 6:

Pass the hat

Walk around the circle of onlookers with a hat (or whatever you’re using to collect donations), jangling it particularly loudly in front of viewers who look prosperous. Announce how close you are to getting enough to end the piece.

Step 7:

Finish the act

Once you have enough cash, finish the act with a flourish.

Step 8:

Hide the dough

When the crowd disperses, put away the money you’ve made but leave a dollar or two to show how much the previous audience had enjoyed your act.

Step 9:

Live frugally

Live frugally. Many people can support themselves performing on the street, but it requires the discipline to live within a budget.

Thanks for watching How To Make Money Performing on the Street!