Street muscians are a common type of busker.
Busking is the age-old tradition of providing street entertainment in exchange for gratuities and tips from passing pedestrians. Musicians of all types are a mainstay of the busking industry. Other buskers include mimes, acrobats, poets, magicians, sword-swallowers, dancers and jugglers. In older times, one-man-bands and organ grinders with small monkeys would busk city streets for coins from kindly strangers.
Busking Rules
Know the local rules and ordinances concerning busking before attempting to entertain passers-by for money. Inquire at the appropriate city offices about relevant licenses or required fees. Staying within the bounds of the law prevents harassment from the police. New buskers must also learn and follow the unwritten laws of the street. A hierarchy of buskers has formed around prime busking spots. The pecking order has been established over the years and you'll have to start out busking at less desirable locations.
Attention
A good busker draws attention to himself to interest a potential audience enough to stop and watch the show. Bring in the people by dressing outrageously, sporting a crazy hairdo or acting in an exaggerated, hilarious manner. Fire is a good attention-getter. Breathe fire, jump through burning hoops, or twirl flaming batons to attract a crowd. Loudness from drums, bull-horns or air-horns get you noticed. Attractive female buskers will generally get noticed more than men performing the same act.
Entertainment
Draw in the crowd, then keep them hanging around long enough to contribute to the till by putting on a good quality, entertaining show. Whether it's reciting Shakespeare, mime routines, or playing street music, practice and rehearse your act in advance. Develop confidence and project it onto the crowd. People appreciate the time and effort put into developing good entertainment and are more likely to toss money into the hat or instrument case.
Payment
Work the audience to get bigger tips. Put the crowd at easy by engaging and kidding around with them. Make eye contact and give compliments. People are more likely to give you money if you notice and talk to them. Deliver a spiel at the end of the act using humor or theatrics to ask for money as you pass the hat. Thank people profusely for giving money. Throw a few dollars in the alms dish to prime the pump and encourage people to contribute a little something.
