What compels a musician to busk?

Busking on the capital's Tube network was made legal last year.

One year after it was introduced, the licensed busking scheme on London Underground (LU) will be extended to December 2004.

The scheme, which started as a 16-week trial at main central London stations, has been hailed as a success.

Also, an album with a selection of 30 songs recorded by buskers on the LU is to be released next month.

Busking on the capital's Tube network was made legal last year, with musicians having to apply for licences to perform in stations.

The by-law banning buskers was changed after 80% of passengers questioned by LU said they liked live music as they waited for trains.

Do you enjoy hearing live music as you travel? Have you spotted a talented street musician? Is it desire or necessity that compels a musician to busk? Do you have a street music story? Are you a busker? Send us your views

This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.

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A selection of your comments:

Love of music, a few pounds in my pocket and an alternative to the rat race.
Sean, Brussels, Belgium, ex South Africa

Fed up with street musicians? While visiting London, I really enjoyed listening to street musicians whose skills were not bad at all. Usually people read newspapers on the tube or stare at each other. I cannot image a city like London without these blokes.
Jan Pikhart, Prague Czech Republic

I used to busk as a teenager with friends of mine on Worcester High Street. It offered an easy opportunity to make a bit of extra pocket money Phill Tromans, Cheltenham, UK

I used to busk as a teenager with friends of mine on Worcester High Street. It offered an easy opportunity to make a bit of extra pocket money and play to the public without the pressure of a formal recital. I found that generally people enjoyed it, and it was encouraging for a young musician to see appreciation from passers by. As a member of the public I think busking should be encouraged. It showcases, in many instances, some unsung talents and provides welcome distraction from the weather/littered streets/sky-high prices/drudgery of everyday urban life.
Phill Tromans, Cheltenham, UK

An old man busks under the subway I walk through everyday to and from work, he whistles and plays guitar, nothing amazing but he cheers me up. And when kids go past he always stops mid song to start a kids tune - that's what it's all about!
Barbara, Scotland

There are, or use to be, a blind man and woman who busked on Glasgow's argyle street and gave all proceeds to charities for the blind. The benefits agencies stopped their benefits because of it. On the other hand, in New York, I listened to a busker make some excellent music... with a set of pots and pans!
Joseph, UK

My Daughter busks as she is part of a Orchestra that meet ever other Saturday, this makes paid PT work for 16 impossible. The up side is that she makes on a good 2 1/2 hours more that others make in several full days in the local shops. The money reflects her talent, and how people feel about her playing. People often remark how nice the shopping centre is with the music and the Cafe owner gives her coffee and Cake as he gets people taking time to kick back whilst shopping.
Graham, Hants

May I again take my hat off to the most legendary busker ever - Frank Robinson (Xylophone Man) - and may he rest in peace. He was truly loved throughout Nottingham and all over the World! (http://www.leftlion.co.uk/articles.cfm/id/80)
Nadine, Nottingham

When my friend and I were in Paris last year, there was an accordion player on our metro train. I didn't see anyone give him money, but he walked up and down the train and brightened an otherwise tedious journey. Also, at one metro station, we got off the train to see a string quartet playing on the platform!
Kirstie, UK

In Lichfield, during the summer, we are blessed to have three or four teenagers playing beautiful classical music in the town centre. When the sun is shining and you have the sound of violins and cellos washing over you, you feel so soothed and relaxed. There have been many lunch-breaks where I have wished that I did not have to go back to the office.
Kiltie, Staffs, UK

Listening to live music while waiting for a train or walking the streets is very nice. Music, as it has been proven, is calming and therapeutic. Therefore, I think busking is a gift in this stressful life we all live.
Brigitte, France

As a church organist it angers and frustrates me when less talented buskers rely on a variety of electronic aids to enhance their music. Those listeners who are unfamiliar with music unwittingly show greater appreciation for this sort of busking just because it "sounds better" than the genuinely talented musician, relying entirely on their own skill and the pure sound of their original musical instrument.
Francis Brookes, Reading UK

A busker can become part of a place. In St Albans there always used to be an accordion player in the same place each week, rain or shine. He was an elderly chap who played many different tunes. I don't know if he is still there, maybe I will find out sometime!
Julie, Herts, UK

Now that I have read what people really think the ratio of likes to hates has very much inspired me to get out there and start busking regularly. Jon, Colchester

As a musician, I've always thought buskers are talented, skilled, creative individuals but I have never really busked myself because when I think of what other people's opinions are I can't shake the image of the musical beggar that traps his victims on underground carriages. Now that I have read what people really think the ratio of likes to hates has very much inspired me to get out there and start busking regularly. Where can I get me one of the permits?
Jon, Colchester

Buskers in NYC are amongst the best musicians in the world. They have gigs with Philharmonic orchestras, Broadway shows, at Atlantic City casino-hotels, on TV & radio, and yet they also spend time each week in the subway, entertaining for free. In the subway they can play the music they really want to play, and not what somebody pays them to play. The Saw Lady, who has been a fixture in the NYC subway for about 10 years now and also plays with orchestras all over the world, was chosen by both Time Out NY and the Village Voice for their 'Best of NY' lists. We are so blessed to have such wonderful, talented buskers.
Misha W. Azoo, NYC, USA

I enjoy the music and it always touches me Nigel Darwent, Trinidad and Tobago

The first time I visited London was in the very early sixties when there was still evidence of the last war in the buildings and in the street musicians. I pondered then if the deep and moving mood that came through in most of the music was driven by memories of time spent fighting. So many of them seemed lost to the present and at one with their music. I find that bond still today and wonder if the number of musicians and the depth of their music has to do with sadness and the down side of our modern society. I enjoy the music and it always touches me, but I try not to think about the musicians.
Nigel Darwent, Trinidad and Tobago

Normally they're fine; I can ignore them and carry on listening to my own headphones. I passed one at Piccadilly Circus though, and they had a speaker set up. It was so loud my ears were ringing for the next ten minutes. By all means busk, but no amplifiers.
Paul Weaver, London, UK

I have heard some amazing talent on the tubes much better that the corporate marketed rubbish that's in the charts right now. Keep them going I say!
Terry Lee, Aylesbury, UK

Back in 1990, my cousin was dating a busker who played the bagpipes in a kilt on the underground. At the time I was struggling on ten grand before tax. He was making twenty and paying no tax. He would come to family do's wearing flash clothes and driving a nice car. Let's just say I never gave money to any busker after that....
Craig, UK

The buskers in stations aren't so much of a bother. It's the ones who get on tube trains and stand busking in front of you who are the real pests. As another contributor said, the idea of asking these people how much it would take to stop them playing starts to sound very tempting.
David Hazel, Fareham, UK

I have to busk on the bridges and downtown to make enough money for expenses. The police are fond of harassing me. Now London's looking a lot more attractive.
Blake, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

This spring I was in New York City, whose subways are famous for their performers. I completely enjoyed the musicians who played many different styles in varying degrees of proficiency. I think the performers lower the stress levels of the people riding the trains which in turn allows for better transit experiences.
Jordan, Wenatchee, Washington, USA

Buskers are the minstrels of our time - we need them. Some of the world's best musicians started from the bottom up and it is the only way for some musicians. Thank God we haven't got round to limiting our music to the cheap 'top of the pops'
Yedidya, Israel

These unemployed musicians have nothing else to do anyway so they might as well practice in public and make a few bucks out of sheer sympathy from passers-by. Hopefully, they will use some of this money to take music lessons so that they can improve their playing to the point where they can get a paying job.
Mark, USA

I've considered offering this busker £10 just to stop Robster, Bournemouth, UK

I love buskers - as long as they're good. There's a bloke in Bournemouth who plays his guitar eight hours a day and just will not shut up. I've considered offering him £10 just to stop. But if you've got talent, then why shouldn't you be rewarded for it? That happens seldom enough in this world!
Robster, Bournemouth, UK

While shopping in a trendy area of town last summer, we saw a woman playing a harp on a shaded street corner. My three-year-old daughter started dancing and twirling to the music. The harpist even let my daughter pluck a couple of strings. Experiences like this instil a love and appreciation in children. Whenever we see a street musician, my daughter insists we stop, listen and put a coin in their hat.
Beth, Kansas City, USA

I enjoyed working as a busker while visiting Kochi, Japan for several months in 1992. It was a good time and I made pretty good tips. I liked to sing original songs but there was a consistent demand from the Japanese for Beatles covers. One night I played a Beatle-esque song by the American musician Matthew Sweet called "Winona". Subsequently a young Japanese woman approached me and asked if I would "please play 'Yesterday' by the Carpenters again". One night five youths on skateboards pulled up and plopped down on their skateboards to await my next number. I wasn't sure what they'd like, given their ages, but when I launched into The Who's "The Kids Are Alright" they all grinned and nudged each other as if to say "Hey, he's pretty good!" That's probably my favourite memory of Japan.
Alex Williams, Lexington, KY, USA

The ones that I hate are the untalented idiots who start singing away on a train forcing you to listen Charlotte, London

I don't mind Buskers. At least the ones that stand still and play. You have a choice to listen to them, and most of the time you're walking past anyway. The ones that I hate are the usually untalented idiots who start singing away on a train forcing you to listen to their out of tune renditions on a guitar they can barely play and then if this relentless and ultimately selfish attack on your eardrums were not enough, they come round and expect you to pay them!
Charlotte, London

The buskers are wonderful. Now if only London Underground would clean up the tube platforms.
Sam, UK

Buskers are great when they stake their pitch and play to a passing audience. However there is a new breed of busker on the tube, the busker that gets on and plays to people confined in a carriage and then goes round asking for money before the train stops at the next station. This is just begging with a musical accompaniment unlike the true busker who is stationary and relies on their talent, not a captive audience.
Ralph Green, Surbiton, UK

It helped in many ways, shaping my songwriting and forcing me to learn to perform well Jo Kerr, Guildford, UK

In my 20s I busked in Paris, on the coast of France, and all around Europe, before becoming a recording engineer/musician in London later on. It helped in many ways, shaping my songwriting, forcing me to learn to perform well (otherwise you didn't eat), and allowing me to travel. The underground is a depressing, empty place - but with a great echo - where people have to spend a lot of time. Good acoustic music really works down there.
Jo Kerr, Guildford, UK

Busking is one of the purest forms of live music. I can't believe there are people who don't like it. They must be deaf, stupid, mean or all three!
Paul, Surbiton, England

My wife and I were in Ottawa walking along the Sparks Street Mall and we heard the most beautiful music coming from this guy's guitar. The sounds echoed along the mall for some distance. As we strolled passed he had some cds for sale and I bought one. Buskers go to both extremes. I remember one from my youth in Wales - he was just a sad old man on a street corner - to a fire eater in Vancouver I saw a couple of weeks ago. This is live theatre. Enjoy it folks and if you don't like it don't put any change in the cup and move on.
James, Canada

When one of Nottingham's buskers died recently tributes flood in to the local press Amanda, Nottingham

Buskers can brighten a day with more than just their music, when one of Nottingham's buskers died recently tributes flood in to the local press in praise of 'Xylophone Man'. This old guy was a plink-plink merchant with a child's toy xylophone but he always seemed so happy that he made those around him smile as well. There is even a campaign to get the city to put up a statue of him!
Amanda, Nottingham

Way back in 1995 I heard the best rendition of Five to One originally by the Doors, in Dundee High Street. If you read this, I made my girlfriend stop and we listened to not only that song but many more and left you a few quid. Unless you've made it, get yourself back out there!
Jamie Robb, Glenrothes Scotland

I earned more money in a few hours busking than in a full weekend working in my other job Belle Lumply, Sandwich, UK

I used to go busking while at University, I received many favourable comments and very few complaints. I earned more money in a few hours busking than in a full weekend working in my other job for the world's largest fast food chain. Guess which 'job' I gave up?
Colin Nagle, Wirral UK

It is glorified begging. It is best to ignore them.
Belle Lumply, Sandwich, UK

I live in Japan, near to Yokohama. In the main square next to the railway station there are some fantastic musicians. I have stayed and listened so often and so late, I have often nearly missed my last train. Most of the buskers are better than the 'professionals' on the TV!
Paul Waller, Japan

My work place overlooks a square in Brighton that is frequented by buskers... Some buskers are talented, but sadly quite a few just have large egos and can't sing.... As for those with amps argh!.. ....
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The money is one motivation but its just great to have a good time and make music Rob Bennett, Nantwich, Cheshire

I usually busk with a friend and it is always a great deal of fun. The money is one motivation but its just great to have a good time and make music, especially at Christmas.
Rob Bennett, Nantwich, Cheshire

While busking in France people have invited me for dinner and a beggar girl gave me a pound of cheese Ferg, Sheffield, UK

I go busking, not as often as I used to since I was banned by work. They caught me busking during my lunch hour. The best place in the world to busk is (and don't all run there at once) is Worksop. What you need is a pedestrianised one-street town with tall shops on either side. The culture over here is different to on the continent. While busking in France people have invited me for dinner and a beggar girl gave me a pound of cheese that she had just begged from the cheese shop. While I always appreciate the money I make I think it would be fair to say that when busking you must realise that you are playing for free. Then it becomes something enjoyable rather than a job. See you all in Worksop then!
Ferg, Sheffield, UK

What a life! Play the music you want to play, when you want to play it. Wear whatever clothing you like and take breaks whenever you are tired, bored or need to be somewhere else. People love you because music brings joy to their lives.
Nell, London

What compels a busker is their love of music. Musicians must play and must have an audience. Sharing music with others is a very spiritual and uplifting experience.
Josh, Manchester

It should be extended even further-good buskers put an extra ray of sunshine into what is often not such a bright day. Lets hear more of them!
Patrick Walsh, Helsinki, Finland.

This has always been going on in American cities subways and metros, especially NYC. When I lived there nearly every stop had a musician playing. Of course, I think licensing is a smart idea and one that NYC would do well to implement.
Kurt, DC, USA

I was on the tube last summer, having just been dumped by my long-time boyfriend. A busker got on the train and started to sing. Gemma, London, UK

I was on the tube last summer, having just been dumped by my long-time boyfriend. A busker got on the train and started to sing. He came over to me (I was clearly upset) and did the 'cheer up, it might never happen' bit. I told him it already had and that I'd just been dumped and would he go away and leave me alone. Instead, he started singing 'isn't she lovely' - which made me cry for all the right reasons! And he wouldn't take a penny from me - he restored my faith in the male of the species!
Gemma, London, UK

I love it. Well most of the time anyway! Most of the people have talent and perform well, and as others have said: I rather give some change to people who make an effort and brighten my day, than to beggars.
Andreas Gschwari, London,UK

I find buskers irritating Richard, London UK

I find buskers irritating, 99% can't sing or play any instrument properly. However since we have to put up with them I suggest their earnings should be taxed, just like the rest of us. I am sure by doing this we will encourage them to stop busking "because is not worth it" and get a proper job instead!!! This should be applicable to beggars also
Richard, London UK

Walking along the South Bank in London last weekend, my 2yr old son started dancing when he heard a busker singing. He was overcome when she spotted his enjoyment and then played "Bob the Builder" for him!! Little episodes like that make the world a nicer place. Long live buskers and all street entertainers!
Kirsty, London, England

London has the best underground system in the world and buskers make it even better!!
Ben, Cardiff, UK

Buskers give more than they receive. Aneil Luhan, Nottingham, United Kingdom

There is nothing more commendable that an individual who takes pleasure in the act of giving pleasure. Buskers give more than they receive. Nothing makes me happier coming home on the underground, than a friendly smile. One with a guitar and a voice on them, I couldn't really ask for more.
Aneil Luhan, Nottingham, United Kingdom

One of the best acoustic sessions I ever heard was a young girl busking in a subway in Leicester. I could have listened for hours. Far better than any 'girl band'.
Tim Smith, Leicester

They busk because their "skill" is of no use elsewhere¿. I wonder if they pay tax on their earnings?
Belle Lumply, Sandwich, UK

In Manchester, we have a fantastic string quartet that busk on Market Street. Kaz, Manchester, UK

In Manchester, we have a fantastic string quartet that busk on Market Street. They always pull in a crowd and they're classical music is amazing! It's worth every amount of money they collect during the day. They by far deserve it with the entertainment they provide to the public. On what would normally be a dreary lunch break from work, becomes a pleasant experience that actually breaks up the day!
Kaz, Manchester, UK

I wish more of them would play classical music, but I suppose it's hard to find a quiet pitch. Sometimes a group of them play Bach on Sunday in my local shopping centre - they get a completely different (and possibly better paying) audience
Eugenie Kirk, Switzerland

Not difficult to understand why. No overheads, no tax payments, no record company fees or endless auditions. The busker I used to see, would park his expensive XR3i near the back of my work before going off the stand in a subway performing. If they can use a talent to avoid the greedy IR then good luck to them. The only thing is, now that LU is licensing them they might end up being collared for that tax.
Rich, UK

I usually don't carry much in the way of change but whenever I hear a busker who makes me smile I throw some change their way. John B, UK

A good busker is a pleasure to witness. I usually don't carry much in the way of change but whenever I hear a busker who makes me smile I throw some change their way. One thing I absolutely detest, which my local council seems to encourage, is buskers with amplifiers. If I want to stay and listen I will - I don't want to be forced to listen from the other end of the shopping precinct.
John B, UK

The best busker I saw was a filthy junkie standing at the bottom of the escalators at Bank Station playing a really good tune by using a traffic cone as a trumpet. The controller kept advising commuters to avoid giving him money. I gave him a fiver.
Tim H, UK

I heard a person playing the violin underneath Brighton station the other day - it sounded excellent. Not a huge fan of the people with accordions that get on the tube "begging" though.
Giles Clinker, London, UK

Busking is fine as long as the person has a little talent. I'm always happy to donate some cash. I'd much rather give some money to someone making an effort to earn some money than a beggar.
Adam, Birmingham UK

I'm a busker and I love it. Bit of extra cash, the chance to perform without the pressure of a concert hall and the knowledge that you're making people's days a bit brighter!
Kate, London

It sure beats piped music you have to suffer everywhere else Martin, Ely

As a commuter to London I think the Buskers are great - some are very talented and brighten up an otherwide dreary ride to work. And it sure beats piped music you have to suffer everywhere else.
Martin, Ely

I think busking is great. It really livens up a high street/train station etc, and most of the buskers are competent with a few being exceptionally good. Some do it out of choice, others of necessity, but whatever the case, schemes such as that on the LU should be extended.
Ed Mee, Oxford

I did it for money. Also , sometimes girls would sit next to you and listen. That was really cool, especially if you got their number
Nick, London

As someone who has busked in the past, the most motivating factor for me was not wishing for my hours of instrument practice to upset my neighbours in my rundown, filthy, crowded and expensive lodgings. The Tube is a great place to play, as the acoustics can be fantastic, but the current model of licensing over-regulates an activity where spontaneity is part of the attraction, plus there is no guarantee or organisation of pitches that would justify the need for a licence.
Matt Nailon, Bath, UK

I think that Buskers are great and provide much needed entertainment on a normally dreary journey A Jogia, London, UK

I think that Buskers are great and provide much needed entertainment on a normally dreary journey. The best busker I've seen was one playing at the Harvard University station in Boston. He had crowds of people around him, some, including us, enjoyed his singing for over 2 hours, we were just so mesmerised. I hope he's been scouted as he's so much better than a lot of mainstream artists around today...
A Jogia, London, UK

When someone was playing 'Always look on the bright side of life' in Cardiff, most of the public nearby were whistling the riff. It made for such a fantastic atmosphere, I wish I had my camera!
Gareth Williams, Cardiff

Buskers are great! They all a ray of sunshine in the otherwise depressing, dirty, stuffy and stinky underground. I consider them to be the only people who actually ensure people go to work with a smile upon their face. And it's great when you spot a really talented one. Good on 'em!!
A Jogia, London, UK