A question for all y'all buskers out there? How tacky is it to have a cheat sheet with chords/lyrics when you are busking. I am still building my set list but I could play a bunch more songs if I had cheat sheets until I memorize them. 

What are your thoughts on this?

Views: 310

Comment

You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!

Join Cigar Box Nation

Comment by Fomhorach on June 12, 2016 at 12:45pm

My friend used one taped on the back of his guitar. A quick little tilt forwards and he had " song - chords - tempo - additional info" . Just those 4 things were enough to jog his head. He had a list of about 20 on there.

Comment by Alan Hergert on June 9, 2016 at 7:42am

I do Open Mic and a lot of the kids use their cell phones for lyrics.  They may surf the net for all I know which would give you unlimited resources.

One trick my old guitar teacher taught me was to tape your lyrics/cords to your guitar.  The audience won't see it and you look like a genius!  Only good for a song or two.

Comment by Jim Morris on June 9, 2016 at 5:22am

Back when I used to busk I knew about 400 songs but not all the verses (or chords) to them by heart. That way if a listener made a request I could usually do some of it and then maybe repeat the 1st verse. That was often enough to satisfy get a couple of bucks tossed in the case. Whenever I tried using cheat sheets it would always guarantee a windy day and it's tough chasing down paper with instrument in hand! I don't think it's tacky to use them - just troublesome sometimes.

Sometimes I'd make up lyrics on the spot to fit listeners - "I look at your face and I notice you're sunburned. While my guitar gently weeps" Stuff along those lines.

Comment by Ron "Oily" Sprague on June 8, 2016 at 3:56pm
Do what you need to do, man. I use lyric / chord sheets at almost every gig I do nowadays. Beats fumbling around, trying to remember the umpteenth verse to "Amejkrican Pie"

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

Latest Activity

Niall McCracken is now a member of Cigar Box Nation
45 minutes ago
J. D. Woods replied to J. D. Woods's discussion Song lyrics for Steve's new song
1 hour ago
J. D. Woods replied to J. D. Woods's discussion Song lyrics for Steve's new song
12 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

There i was Standing at the ..... BCB - A. D. Eker 2024

"Thanks AGP# Glad you liked  my version ! appreciated !"
13 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's video
Thumbnail

I Can Only Imagine: 2-String Chugger License Plate Cigar Box Guitar

"You are very observant Andries! Some of the Slingers are more consistent than others and I…"
13 hours ago
David L. replied to J. D. Woods's discussion Song lyrics for Steve's new song
"Not sure how accurate the lyrics are (link to the lyrics site at the bottom) "Internet…"
13 hours ago
David L. liked David Hopkins's photo
14 hours ago
David L. liked David Hopkins's photo
14 hours ago
David L. liked David Hopkins's photo
14 hours ago
J. D. Woods posted a discussion

Song lyrics for Steve's new song

Hey Cigar Boxers,Just listened to Seasick Steve's new song, Internet Cowboys. Does anybody know…See More
15 hours ago
AGP # commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

There i was Standing at the ..... BCB - A. D. Eker 2024

"A Different, but very Likeable take on a Classic Blues Song :-)"
15 hours ago
AGP # liked A.D.EKER's video
15 hours ago

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->