What is a busker? 
A busker is a slightly British term for a street performer who plays for donations. It only entered the English language in the mid nineteenth century. The word originates from the Spanish buscar, to seek.

Where can I busk? 
Any country, any town, anywhere – provided you check first that is legal for you to  busk there and follow any guidance or restrictions that apply in your area. If you have any advice to share with fellow buskers about good pitches in your area, please email us we will put that information up on our website. 

When can I busk? 
Any day between Monday 8 June and Sunday 14 June during social hours and as often as you like throughout that week. If you want to take part in our record breaking attempt, you need to busk at noon on Sunday 14 June and for 25 minutes (or for as long as you like).

What do I need to play? 
Anything you like as long as it is decent and does not break any local by-laws or guidance. Try to choose music people will recognise – to attract attention. You can use music or play from memory, whichever you prefer. Have a repertoire that keeps you entertained – and is long enough to give you and your audience a bit of variety if they stay listening to you for longer than a few minutes. 

What laws apply to busking? 
See the Be legal section on our tips and guidance page. Wherever you are, we recommend that you ask your local authority, or other relevant official, about the regulations that apply where you intend to busk. In the UK busking is subject to local regulations and bye-laws. There is some confusion about whether the Licensing Act 2003 applies to buskers and, despite attempts by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to clarify the law, interpretations of the legislation vary from council to council. For more information see The Live Music Forum.

Can I play covers and other copyright music? 
Please check the law for the country you wish to busk in. In the UK, public performances of any music, copyright or public domain, require a license from the Performing Rights Society (PRS). Many councils and venues already have a PRS license and that license should cover your performance. However, some may ask you to apply for a PRS license. If you are asked to in the UK (we've had to, for a busk at a mainline station in London) please email us before you do so.

Can I upload a video of me busking on YouTube? 
You can upload videos to YouTube provided that you own the rights to that video. You may also upload your own cover versions of copyright music to YouTube. YouTube is currently negotiating in the UK with the Performing Rights Society (PRS) over a license for its content and, while these negotiations are continuing, there is no restriction or charge for uploading material to YouTube.

How do I send donations raised by busking to Musequality?
For people in the USA, we have 501(c)(3) status through our membership, as a sponsored project, of Fractured Atlas. This ensures that all donations from US citizens are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. You can donate on line, by check and by credit card. Details are on our donate page. More.

For people elsewhere around the world, the easiest way is to pay the money you’ve collected into your bank account, calculate its value in GB pounds, then either make your donation by credit card through www.justgiving.com/worldbusk or send a cheque to us. Details, including a link to a currency converter, are on our donate page. More

How do I send donations other than busking donations to Musequality?

For people in the USA, we have 501(c)(3) status through our membership, as a sponsored project, of Fractured Atlas. This ensures that all donations from US citizens are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. You can donate on line, by check and by credit card. Details are on the donate page or on the Musequality website More.

For people elsewhere in the world, you can either send a cheque, with a Gift Aid form if you are a UK tax payer, or make your donations by credit card or standing order. Details are on the Musequality website [make the words the link to the Musequality other donate page?].

What is Musequality?
Musequality is a UK-based charity that sets up and supports communal music projects for some of the poorest children in the developing world. Our aim is not to produce professional musicians but to give vulnerable children the chance to learn skills that offer them a route out of poverty, lifting them off the streets and away from the risks of drug culture, violence and crime.

Anyone who has played a musical instrument, or sung in a choir or group, knows that it teaches skills and qualities – such as teamwork, leadership, decision making, problem solving, self-confidence, self-belief, discipline and ambition – that are valuable in other aspects of life.

Musequality is currently supporting five music projects. The world busk will help us continue to support these projects – and set up more. www.musequality.org

If you have any other questions please email us.
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