Week 5: Top 3 Myths About Buskers

Wait, I can already hear you thinking – there can’t be much more to know about buskers than what they’re putting out there… right? Wrong! That’s why we, the Ghostbuskers are here to bust some common myths and misperceptions about buskers that you may have!

1. They are strange and unfriendly!

Guilty of viewing them simply as "someone strange in the neighbourhood"? Find yourself avoiding eye contact whenever you see them along the streets for fear of being asked for “handouts"? Now, who’s the unfriendly one here!

We’ve always learnt to never judge a book by its cover, so what’s stopping us from actually talking to our buskers and getting to know them before we slap labels on them? Our buskers are too, fellow Singaporeans and only human just like you and me. The next time you see someone performing along the streets, take a little time to pause and appreciate their music or craft, just like you would for a friend. If anything else, a quick smile or nod would go a long, long way in making their day.

And nothing could be more apt here but to quote alternative artiste Jack Garratt’s Surprise Yourself in opening your minds, hearts and souls to the great buskers of Singapore:

Speak and open up your mind

It's something you should do all the time

Keep exploring, seek and find

You know you might surprise yourself

Give buskers a chance – you just never know if you might discover a new and upcoming performer that you’d love!

2. They must be poor, homeless or jobless to have to play on the streets for money!

Ahh, this is perhaps the biggest myth of all – it will really surprise you how many of them actually perform out of pure passion, as a hobby or simply to make people happy (yes, bet 'cha didn’t think of that)! Indeed, every busker has a backstory, and many of them actually have a good educational background, are exceptionally eloquent and live with loving families who support their dreams – once again, you never ask, you'll never know.

No doubt, while some buskers may be financially less well off than most, many of them are still foremost, a street performer who is making a proper living out of music. While their choice of a job may seem unconventional to you, that doesn't make it any less of a “real” job out there. You sit in an office and type away while they sit on the streets and play away – it’s really not so different if you think about it!

3. Busking is such easy work, even I can do it!

WARNING: Busking is NOT for the weak or faint-hearted. It requires not only great stamina to stand and perform for hours on end without respite from the relentless Singapore heat, but even more so a thick skin to brave any public criticism flung your way.

First, let’s consider the physical demands made of buskers. Take simply playing a guitar for instance – the weight of the instrument causes performers to keep hunching over, often giving them back pain after a day’s work. That, plus the long hours of playing causes blisters to form on their fingers that can make playing painful, and even become a permanent feature in the future. Even singing alone can get extremely tiring after a couple of hours, not to mention the discomfort from a hoarse throat.

Next, buskers who put themselves out there have to constantly brave dirty looks and rude comments from passers-by, who not only insult their music but also question their character. Without a hardened emotional armour built up over the years of busking, trust us, any beginner is bound to end up crying in a heap at home after just an hour.

So, still think you’re up for the job? Think again!

Now with these myths busted, cast aside all your misconceptions and reach out to our buskers and show them some love when you catch them on the streets!