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Hello I dont have a job, but I can play the piano. I live in NYC so I want to try playing the subways.

I am curious about:

1. How loud of an amp will I need? Will the built in speakers on a portable casio be loud enough?

2. I also have a Roland Juno DI which is portable but needs an amp. If i were to use this, how big of an amp should I get? Keep in mind portability and lightweight is key here.

3. If you have any busking wisdom leave it here on #3

Don't know if you have googled "busking", but there are a few sites with info.

Battery operated keyboard and amp? I don't know of any weighted-keys keyboards that are battery operated, so if nothing else you'd need to get used to unweighted keys if you aren't already. Otherwise you'll need extension cords and an outlet nearby.

In my experience of playing outdoors (and indoors with a keyboard, for that matter) the on-board speakers aren't nearly enough, so yes, you'll need an amp. I have a Peavy KB1 keyboard amp, and I can run two instruments thru it at a time, but it's not battery operated.

The digital keyboard forum here at PW has really knowledgeable people in the technical areas, and I'd guess they'll have good information.

Do you need a busker's license in NYC?

The Joshua Bell experiment in busking in the subways might be informative (it's on youtube, I think) - you'll want to think about what time of day is best for actually getting people to listen long enough for tips.

There have been a couple of threads here at PW about people who wanted to/were busking with real pianos , and I saw one in Boulder, CO a few years ago, so it's not impossible. I don't know how lucrative it turned out to be, though. But good luck!

Cathy

The Crate "Limo" runs on batteries and is loud. It' what most street players use:

http://www.amazon.com/Crate-TX50DB-50-watt-Battery-Amplifier/dp/B0002E3FHE

I've been busking for 2 years with a Roland F-P7, which of course has weighted keys, and at first finding a power outlet was a major problem, until I discovered I can run it off a 12 volt car battery! Now I busk wherever I please

Cathy

Depends on your setup and where you're playing. The good places are all regulated by the Music Under New York program and licensed.

If you're playing an acoustic, there is no need for a license. As long as you're 25 feet from a station booth or "fare sale device," or 50 feet from an office, you're good.

If you're playing an amplified instrument, then yes. You need a license to play in the subway. The volume must be set at a maximum of 75 decibels at 6 feet away.

The rules are freely broken, as long as you move when asked. However, it is legal for a cop to confiscate your amp if you're caught. This is why so many of the freelance buskers use acoustics, because they're easier to move when asked and they cannot be confiscated.

Hm. I wonder if I could get my 1905 Howard into a subway station? And if I could move it easily when asked.

Thanks, dr.a., for that information. Here in Santa Fe you need a busker's license - $35/year. However, I don't know what the restrictions are on that, or if you're allowed to play in the doorway of a business without one (there's actually quite a lot of that), or even if it applies to anywhere in town, and not just the downtown area. Guess I'll go look it up -

Cathy

I know that it was an old post but I have just seen your posting about busking with a Roland FP-7 using 12v battery (I assume its a car battery). I have a Roland FP-4F and would like to run it on a car battery for busking. Can you tell me: How did you connect - was it direct to the battery or via an inverter to plug the power adaptor into?

Thanks in advance for you help.

Regards,

Mal.

Here's a battery powered amp:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/672894-REG/Roland_KC_110_KC_110_Battery_Powered_Keyboard.html

You can run most keyboards with a car battery and an inverter.

If your keyboard uses an ac adapter, such as a wall wart or a brick, you can jury rig a battery pack to run your keyboard directly on batteries. I believe the FP-4F does. An amp tech, an electrician or an appliance repair store should be able to help you make a battery pack to run your keyboard.