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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to let my 8 YO busk ?

14 replies

yummyyummyyummy · 19/12/2009 22:00

My Ds1 has busked since he was 13 with a couple of friends for a couple of years in the run-up to christmas.They are all fairly good brass players (2 grade 6s and a grade 8) and sound lovely and often make £100 an hour between them .Now they are gangly teenagers they have asked if DD1 aged 8 can go to add the cuteness factor and have arranged some little very simple parts for her to play with them on the saxophone.She really wants to go and they will give her a cut of teh dosh but I can't help thinking there is something a bit distasteful about a little girl out making money on the streets!

OP posts:

Morloth · 19/12/2009 22:02

As long as they are good. I always make a point of giving to good buskers. There are these two saxophone guys in Sydney who just make the mornings more bearable in some way.

Paolosgirl · 19/12/2009 22:02

Will there be an adult with them? If so, yes, why not? You might need to check the terms and conditions of the buskers licence though to make sure there's nothing in there about children not busking.

famishedass · 19/12/2009 22:17

Please don't. There is nothing sadder than the sight of children begging - i know they are not begging, merely busking, but it still looks sad.

Hope I haven't offended

Wineonafridaynight · 19/12/2009 22:44

hmm...I would let her go if she wants to. But I would want to be there if I was you, depending on where about it is?

lily333 · 19/12/2009 22:56

What?!

Busking is most emphatically not begging.... I've just finished a gig at which a member of staff let slip he regularly goes busking in harrogate, and makes £500 with friends playing for a laugh for a few hours there over Christmas. I think if your DS and his mates have arranged a simple part for your daughter then they're keen to have her with them and will look after her, and you can always keep watch from a local cafe or just hover nearby - good experience for all concerned including your DD!

And there's always the fact that in this weather they won't be out playing for long anyway despite the obligatory fingerless gloves

piscesmoon · 19/12/2009 23:13

I don't see any harm in it, but I wouldn't give money to buskers unless they were collecting for charity.

SE13Mummy · 20/12/2009 00:08

Many moons ago I used to take my little brother with me when I went busking - his job was to hold the music stand if it was windy and to look cute. He was probably about 9 and we made lots of money

Tortington · 20/12/2009 00:14

i think its fine as long as you get managers cut.

crazycat34 · 20/12/2009 07:24

Check the legality, make sure there's an adult supervising and I don't see a problem.

What a fantastic time she'll have with them and some great memories to boot. It'll do her confidence the world of good.

Tell her to have fun!

seeker · 20/12/2009 07:51

Brilliant idea. Will your ds look after her? If so I'd jst be ding some shopping/having coffee/pottering about near where they are rather than looing as if you're hovering!

Good luck!

ChippingIn · 20/12/2009 07:53

Enterprising young cub you have there to see the 'cute' appeal in your DD!!

If you trust him to be able to look after her and she wants to go - then why not! Sounds like they'll all have fun.

Bah Humbug to the person who said it was begging - it's only begging when you tie up the dog as well! Good buskers can make someone's day a whole lot brighter

Mishy1234 · 20/12/2009 08:03

Busking is certainly not begging!

I did it a lot when I was a teenager in Glasgow (not just at Christmas) and we used it to fund our accomodation and strings etc.

If your DD is up to it ability wise (and she sounds like she is), I would let her do it. I would prepare your DS that she might not be able to play for prolonged periods in this weather though and be close by to escort her home if need be.

I think it would be very good experience for her. Performing in front of an audience is one of those things best started early and done as frequently as possible.

Original poster

yummyyummyyummy · 20/12/2009 20:05

Thanks for your replies.
LOL Lily333 -It is Harrogate where they go !

OP posts:

Southwestwhippet · 20/12/2009 20:11

Me and my brothers and sisters often used to busk when we were younger, nice way to earn some money for buying christmas presents and hard work too, playing an instrument in the freezing cold.

I do remember one occasion where an enterprising woman who appeared to be homeless/begging sat down next to my sister holding out a hat and 'collected' quite a lot of money for herself from members of the public assuming she was supervising my sister!

My mum fortunately was in the location and was able to politely ask the lady to desist.

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