c.nelson

I 'm really glad to hear these questions being voiced.These are truly core issues for any "street performer".
WHAT SHOULD I PLAY?
Playing etudes, scales,or ANY form of "practice" should be avoided.Never practice in public.
The "muzac" approach is the opposite of what you should be trying to achieve.
This is unispired pap that makes people want to ignore you.
Just play what you know well, and can play with "spirit".
SOME PEOPLE MIGHT BE ANNOYED.
The trumpet being the most powerfull acoustic instrument,
you may need to find ways to regulate your volume.
Use a mute, or point your horn at the grass.(I hate using a mute)
Remember there will always people who will be annoyed,
but if you play your music with sincerity,I guarentee the people
you delight would be happy to banish the others from the kingdom.
AM I GOOD ENOUGH?
AM I SMART ENOUGH?
AND GOSH DARN IT, DO PEOPLE LIKE ME?
These are questions all performers ask themselves every day.
Fear of blowing a clam in public has reduced many a man(or woman) to piles of jelly.
This is the bad part of our ego.
I think alot of ego is needed to play horn, or any other instrument on a high level,
but keeping the good and throwing out the bad is nessesary for a persons musical,
and mental health.
OH YEAH, be so very prepared for any performance.
This is the best way to keep the "Stuart Smally syndrome" at bay.

I have recently been playing several pieces from Bela Bartok's "Romainian folk dances".
JOC CU BATA, BRAUL, AND BUCIUMEANA.
These very short "dances" are perfect for street performance.
I seem to get more hardy applause for these pieces every time I play them.
My current goal is to learn all six dances and play the whole piece as one.

OK bla bla bla I'm done now.

DON'T WORRY , BLOW HAPPY.