Good busking songs?

Question

To be played on a stringed instrument (Viola precisely, so I can transpose as much as I like..)? I'm thinking, folk songs such as Sailor's Hornpipe, the Devil's Dream... You know, eye-catching and dance-able, quick and not necessarily easy. But, easy enough to learn off by heart.

If anybody has suggestions/links that would awesome. Thanks a bunch.

Answer 1

Well, I spent 3 years busking on the streets of Europe with my guitar when I was 17 and did quite well.

I have to wonder just how well you would do as a solo.  Generally, the only successful buskers I have known who played a large string instrument other than a guitar, were teamed up with at least one other busker, but all you can do is try.

Remember, I did it back in the late 1950's so the music was different, but I stayed to standards that were light and lively and played a lot of folk music.  Mainly, you need to play songs people know because that way the can identify with it.  Instead of Sailor's Hornpipe you could add some of the Jimmy Buffett sailing songs and instead of Devil's Dream you could add "Devil went down to Georgia"... get  the idea?

Good luck.  Those 3 years I spent busking on the streets of Europe are the happiest thoughts I have now at the age of 68.

Oh... one other thing... I only played my guitar during the day... at night I played Piano in bars for the tips and between the two types of gigs, I made a pretty good living... especially for a young, horney 17 year old who was living a dream