MUSIC FOR THE UNKNOWN: Familiarizing the Art of Busking and Why It Should Be Normalized
As time goes by, people grow to appreciate music and the art of different genres. Apart from the musicians who rose to fame because of their artistry, there are also the aspiring ones who have not yet been in the limelight, but have what it takes to deliver a good song beyond expectations. Some perform at gigs, others use online platforms (e.g.: YouTube, Facebook, SoundCloud), but there are also artists who take their craft to the streets, otherwise known as “busking”.
Before the fame and glory being earned in the music industry, music mainly exists for the ears; not for money nor titles, but only to be heard. However, there is a mindset among others that being able to carry a tune or being blessed to have skills in playing instruments should always be used to pave one’s way to stardom. It roots from the idea that making music is only equivalent to making money. But, that is just the tip of an iceberg.
Artists who are in the field of music obviously have different styles and intention in their expertise. It is not just a “job” to sing or perform for a crowd. Many songs are written and arranged out of real life experiences, while there are also those that were made to push forward an advocacy. The latter is done by many songwriters, singers and musicians. It is a good objective after all— to not just become metaphorical and catch the attention of certain people, but to make a noise that will disturb and soon make the overcritical rethink their opinions and ideas. But, where is a good place to perform and put out yourself, your craft and intent other than the streets?
THE STREET IS YOUR STAGE
Busking, as mentioned earlier, is a known act of street performance. Basically, it is like having a gig, but in public places. Though there will be a lot of strangers who can view the live performance, busking does not guarantee to make an artist rich, let alone get recognized. You might get a few loose change from random passersby, but it’s not like making money is the only purpose of busking!
Since performing in public and open spaces can expose one to many people who can be already considered as the audience, it is easy to play music and be heard. Whatever the reason for the musician’s playing, the street is their stage and they’ll never know what will be waiting for them if they played. A surprisingly good tip? A smile from a stranger’s face? That’s one of the reasons why busking is worth the try— your intentions in playing for the public will stay true to you, but you’ll never be sure what to expect.
A MYTH AND A FACT
Unlike in other foreign countries, street performances are still not fully acknowledged in the Philippines. Some people with disabilities that we usually see on the sidewalks and footbridges are the only known buskers to many, therefore having the prejudice that busking is only being done by people in wheelchairs or are blind. But, that is not completely true.
Busking is not only just a form of “begging”, if you’d call it. Aside from the musicians who share their talent in the public in hopes of asking for a little donation (but not necessarily) for a cause, there are also buskers who mainly do it to give entertainment to others. There are also those who play just because they want to. In this case, they take their art to the streets not just for the fortune but for a lot of hope and other objectives that will not just benefit them but their listeners, too.
WHY BUSKING SHOULD BE NORMALIZED
It is somehow disappointing that street performances do not gain much familiarity from our fellow Filipinos. But what’s more disappointing is that there are still people who recognize busking in a perspective lowering the other purposes of musicians who perform in public places. Today, it is important to push a movement for busking to be normalized. Luckily, there are musicians and artists who encourage the movement of street performing. One is Martin Riggs Nuñez, an instrumentalist and a street performer, who aims to normalize busking through his “Street Gigs Ni Martin Riggs” project.
Yes, there are a lot of places where one can entertain many just by carrying out a piece or two. There are even spots where aspiring artists can busk, only when they have a permit from the authorities (like at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig). But, this does not keep them from the harsh and narrow-minded judgments of many individuals. Performing shouldn’t be shamed, especially those who are merely practicing their freedom to express their creative skills, and bringing cheer to strangers by letting them have a connection with the song or music that they are presenting.
Making a living and giving life through music— these are just some of the motives behind what we see and hear from street performances. If gigs and song covers on the Internet are deemed as normal, why wouldn’t busking also be considered like the two?
Singing and playing instruments in such a unique setting may still make the eyebrows of other people raise in disapproval, but looking at it, busking doesn’t have much of a difference from playing in closed spaces. It’s a form of a street performance, and you’re letting the public hear you. Plus, you’ll never know how one song can lift the stress off the shoulders of those who just got from a long day of labor. You might not be aware how a few strums or beat of an instrument might stir the emotions of a hopeless teenager in a different direction. It’s also possible for a single voice to awaken the senses of a doubting artist and make him realize that he shouldn’t restrain himself from showcasing his craft.
Not all buskers share the same goals, and not all bring the same influence to their viewers or even just the passersby. It would really be such a big step for busking to be normalized or become customary. Not only the busy and noisy streets will be filled with gratifying songs and sounds, but street music has the capability to fill the void in the people, as well as the artistry of the performers that are often being held back by misapprehensions and the lack of support from the community. #NormalizeBusking
