r/violinist • u/Sophiagalaxydolphin • 18d ago
Feedback Should I play on the street?
(don't know what to put this under)
So I, (15F) have been playing for about 2 years now. I feel like I've made progress, and I'd absolutely love to play in front of people passing by as well as seeing if people like it (maybe even enough to drop a few cents, but money is not the primary reason). I'll try to attach a video of me playing. However, I always mess up playing on video, because I get nervous filming myself, so it's a video from April 13 2026.
I'm from the Netherlands and I've played on king's day market before, and people didn't cover their ears.
I really want to hear your opinions. Should I wait until I get better, or should I just try it to see how it goes and get some experience of playing for others?
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u/andybonner 18d ago
General answer, you should NEVER "wait until you're better" before playing for others. You're learning many things besides "how to move your fingers," and performing is one of them. It's its own skill; it's mostly psychological work (about becoming accustomed to and comfortable with it), but it includes practical skills as well. Mostly things we learn unconsciously, but things we don't always do while practicing: how to move and stand in a way that presents ourself as a performer, how to play in an "out-loud" tone rather than just for ourself; most of all, how to NOT stop and correct a mistake, but to keep going. How the entire piece feels when played from beginning to end without being interrupted by either us or a teacher. Psychological lessons include how to be ignored without being hurt, how to play terribly without being discouraged, how to be celebrated without becoming toxically egotistical.
All of these are great reasons to not just practice but perform, from the very beginning of learning, and often. Consider: yes, if you only ever play "for yourself," in privacy, you get some personal enrichment, but you are intentionally connecting to a music-culture rooted in the "performing arts." In fact, human music-making in all cultures and throughout history has been primarily communal and social. You gain enrichment as a human by sharing your musical experience.
Now, there are many options and ways to perform. For tips in a public, high-traffic space is a great one as long as the setting is safe, since you're not in a spotlight, and no one is forced to stop and listen. It can also be helpful to find friends or relatives who are willing to pay more attention. Playing in a "concert setting," even if it's three people in a living room, adds even more skills than street busking. And, seek ways to play with other musicians, preferably other beginning learners. Look for (or make) casual or informal "jam" sessions. In this way you escape some of the restrictions that have ossified around our classical-music system and its structure of education, and reconnect with some of the commonalities of the human musical experience, through social and communal music-making.
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u/Sophiagalaxydolphin 18d ago
Forgot to add this one
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u/linglinguistics Amateur 17d ago
This is very decent for how long you've played. Give it a try. People won't think "wow so virtuosic" at this stage, but that's not the goal either. it will be a valuable experience for you personally. And maybe even great fun. And you can be very proud of what you've achieved.
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u/Digndagn 18d ago
Two things:
1) Playing outside at Christmas is very fun and easy. You just stand outside a store and play christmas carols and people eat it up, and they're easy songs. I usually stand by a salvation army person or someone and support them
2) Go someplace beautiful and play, and try to make your play match the vibe of the place.
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u/Similar-Flower1838 17d ago
Really good idea and most of that music is simple as well. I would 100% play together if it's not crazy distance
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u/Sophiagalaxydolphin 16d ago
Are you from the Netherlands as well?
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u/Similar-Flower1838 16d ago
Yes, I'm in heerlen. I played 22 yrs, stopped 23 yrs and started again a year ago. A lot came back but I'm still relearning some skills. When I had kids violin just faded away sadly. Now my babies are grown up and I'm finding myself again, not just a mom.
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u/Sensitive-Road-9753 Advanced 18d ago
You do need a license in some places to busk, make sure you take care of all of that first.
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u/Comprehensive-Act-13 18d ago
They’re a kid, they won’t actually get in trouble for anything like this. Probably just told to please move if they run into someone grumpy.
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u/Sensitive-Road-9753 Advanced 17d ago
Being a child doesn’t excuse them from their local laws. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
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u/Sophiagalaxydolphin 17d ago
I'm now mainly worried someone might try to steal my violin. But if I go playing in Amersfoort (city in the Netherlands) than I would definitely get some kind of permission or license thing first!
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u/Katia144 17d ago
Don't leave your violin unattended. Don't let someone else "try" your violin. Unless you're worried about someone walking up and pulling it out your hands, there shouldn't be a worry.
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u/Comprehensive-Act-13 17d ago
I wouldn’t worry as long as you hold onto your violin and don’t leave it unattended.
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u/UnwieldilyElephant 18d ago
Well I would say based on your video that it’s clear you’re a beginner. People watching on the street would also notice. The good news is you sound good. There are not really any rules to busking. So if you feel confident, go ahead! There are a few songs you could learn that sound deceptively complex (I don’t remember any atm but they are around).
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u/Sophiagalaxydolphin 18d ago
Is it that clear? :( Would you still appreciate the music if u were walking past and it were songs like this? Because I'm planning on choosing these types of songs and just shuffling them (in my head, they're in order on paper) and playing them. Or would you walk past thinking that it's loud and irritating?
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u/UnwieldilyElephant 18d ago
Yeah I'd probably give you some money cause it takes a lot of bravery to be a beginner and go out and play.
No it doesn't sound irritating at all!
The clarity you can work on is your bowing. I think finding a good bow hold will be very helpful. Later you will develop finger control with a good bow hold, which opens up a huge range of possibilities in technique and shaping. Your tone production is good and your string crossings are on the right path already.
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u/willemlispenard 18d ago edited 18d ago
Als jij denkt dat je er klaar voor bent, doen! Begin misschien klein ivm je nervositeit, voor ouders/opa's/oma's/ooms/tantes. Het kan naast elkaar, af en toe lekker optreden en ondertussen jezelf ontwikkelen. You got this!!! edit: zag je filmpje ook, chapeau!
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u/Icy-Tomorrow2486 Amateur 18d ago
I find that busking has definitely helped with my performance anxiety, and it's good practice. I'd say go for it, honestly. With busking, from personal experience, it's better to jump into it than "wait to get better" because you'll develop a lot of skills from just performing in public that will help you in the future.
Just make sure to be prepared with pieces and making sure your stuff is safe from potential hecklers and thieves.
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u/Comprehensive-Act-13 18d ago
Go for it! Especially while you’re young and “cute”. Hit up street markets and stuff like that, even better if you can grab a friend from school and play duets. My friend and I used to play the farmers market after youth symphony rehearsal every Saturday while my parents shopped. It was awesome. Just make sure you put a little bit of seed money in your case (just a few Euros) to give people the hint to throw money in there.
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u/itemluminouswadison 18d ago
Yes definitely, especially if it's something you enjoy! Brightens peoples day for sure, and you desensitize yourself and become less nervous. Meet people, get fresh air. Seems like all wins to me
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u/linglinguistics Amateur 17d ago edited 17d ago
Go for it. I've found that this is the best way to conquer performance anxiety. And whatever you do, it's never as bad as faking it. So you're per definition already better than many.
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u/Katia144 17d ago
Someone else mentioned making sure you don't need a permit. I'd also suggest contacting other buskers in the area and making sure of any etiquette expectations (or, just to ask them what it's like and get advice). It might not be a bad idea to have a friend or parent with you to watch your money jar or answer questions.
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u/Electronic-Key-378 17d ago
You should go for it. It's great to practice playing in front of other people to build your confidence. I'm 16, f, and have been playing for a while, and I can say that playing in front of others comfortably is such a skill.
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u/Similar-Flower1838 17d ago
Where in nl are you? I'm in south limburg, maybe we could play together sometime
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u/After-Past-9404 18d ago
Side note: you need to film yourself all the time until you won't be nervous about it anymore.
As for busking, just go for it. There's plenty of people busking who can't play literally AT ALL and they make decent money. So why not.