Hi Jerusha – I only play one gig that I set out a tip jar. I’m a regular sub at a hotel in Chicago and we always set out a little table with our business cards and the tip jar. The tips here can range from $0 – $100. Just depends on the day, how many people are there, and if they are feeling generous after spending a large chunk of change on afternoon tea.

I’ve never set out a jar or even asked for any other gig. I have though, received many tips on various occasions. Either in the form of the client adding it to the check, handing me some cash when I’m done playing, or once even trying to stick it in the strings while I was playing!

When you set out your tip jar do you put some starter money in there to begin? I have noticed that if I place a $5, $10, or $20 bill instead of a $1 that the tips are usually bigger. Maybe a little sign encouraging tips? The baristas always come up with funny signs “tipping isn’t just for cows” maybe that would get a laugh and a tip out of some people? Guess it just depends on the situation. I’m curious about other harpists thoughts on this!

I love the Harp String Fund idea!
I worked a Sunday brunch many years ago. I would put a few dollars into my tip basket to start off, just to make it look like people were tipping. One thing I noticed was if a big tip ($5 or $10) landed in there, that was the end. Nobody else would tip. Most people put ones, so if they saw a bigger bill, they probably figured their one was too small to count. Because of that, I would remove the big bill right away and stash it in my purse. I guess for Emily, it works the other way, so maybe her audience is richer.
As Emily said, put your business cards by your tip basket.

I have been playing at a local restaurant for 4 years. I always put out a tip jar. Tips vary from a low of $7 in three hours to almost $50. I set out a nice glass jar/vase with some colored glass blobs in the bottom to make it more stable and “salt” it with 3 one dollar bills. Also put out cards (from which I’ve received additional gigs) and CD’s. Don’t sell many CD’s. To put this in perspective, the average price of a dinner here is $15.00 – not a high end place. All restaurants (I’ve done others too) in California seem to expect you to put out tip jars.

Jerusha,

It occurs to me that the venue may be the reason for the difference in tips (art museum vs. coffee shop). People often enter an art museum free of charge, right? So you don’t think of it as a place where you will need cash. But people entering a coffee shop are those who a) can afford not to make it at home and b)are already planning to spend money. Tips are a funny thing.

And about cd’s, I wonder if people even have CD players anymore. Lol. You’d probably sell more if you had it on iTunes or downloadable somewhere. Put where to find it on the card.

Interesting comments about tip jars. I haven’t played in public much, but would like to get into doing it more, so it’s good to know about things like this. 🙂

I hope it’s a “don’t carry cash” thing. I have yet to work this experiment, though. This fall, I hope to busk next to our farmer’s market, where people will have small bills a-plenty. I rarely have small bills on me. Usually an emergency $20 and my debit card.

I have noticed, however, that my presence as a busker does make some people nervous, as if they aren’t allowed to listen unless they want to give you money. They skirt by as quickly as possible. I am thinking of making a sign that says “Tipping not required or expected. I’m here to play for everyone.” Or something to that effect. While I am not there to make lots of money, a little compensation is nice. I wonder if I can get some people to stand around, perhaps more people will feel comfortable stopping to enjoy the music and express that appreciation.

My two cents on “young people” and carrying cash: we don’t. I put it in quotes, because I’m not a 20-something anymore… 😉 but I still don’t know many people my age or younger who regularly have cash on hand.
On the other hand, I DO like to tip when I see street performers, but where I live, that is not a common occurrence. I lived in the UK for a while, and it seems cash is used much more there than in the USA. Also, regulations for buskers- in most places- are far less restrictive (or even nonexistent) than in many US cities, so I got to hear LOTS of street music. I loved that. 🙂