This picture posted by Evergrey in his thread, People Enjoying Pittsburgh, brings up an issue in Cincinnati that really irks me.

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=13147.0

In Cincinnati it is illegal to play "amplified" music on the sidewalk or to play in groups greater than two.

This law was originally written in the 80s to accommodate a sax player who was occasionally accompanied by a percussionist.

A musician can use electronics to get unique sounds but to hear them you have to use amplification. You can play a guitar through an amp with full distortion, wah, reverb & a zillion other effects quieter than an unamplified saxophone. Modern western instruments were designed to be loud.

There is a whole host of software synthesizers out there, any of which can simulate a piano, but Cincinnati law requires you to haul your friggin piano out onto the street.

If Cincinnati wants to cultivate the arts and creative young people they need to unleash them first.

The reason you don't see the kind of variety in street music in Cincinnati that you see in other towns of it's size is not because Cincinnati doesn't have that kind of creativity - it is because it is against the law.

So take you lousy barbershop quartet on home !

The law regarding performances in places like Findlay Market is slightly different.

 

Sec. 1601-51. Loud Noise.

(a)  No person, firm or corporation shall create noise or sound, or permit the creation of noise or sound in such manner as to disturb the peace and quiet of a neighborhood or as to interfere with the transaction of business or other ordinary pursuits.

(b)  Nothing herein shall be construed to affect the reasonable giving of information for religious, educational, cultural or political purposes or the usual and reasonable operation of railways, airplanes and motor vehicles or to prohibit the reasonable use of automobile warning devices, the reasonable ringing of church bells, the reasonable and ordinary noises attendant on athletic contests or lawful public or semipublic meetings, parades or celebrations or the right of free speech guaranteed to the citizens of the United States.

©  The performance of one or two street musicians on unamplified musical instruments between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. or between the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., for no more than a single period of 90 consecutive minutes in the vicinity of a single location and not closer than 100 feet to an open market as such are defined in § 845-3 C.M.C., shall not constitute a violation of this section. The performance of street musicians in a city market as such is designated in § 845-9 C.M.C., pursuantto a permit issued by the market manager, shall not constitute a violation of this section.

Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. Whoever violates this section three or more times within a one-year period is guilty of a fourth degree misdemeanor.

(Ordained by Ord. No. 158-2006, § 1, eff. 6-1-06)

 

 

It seems that a decibel level would be a simpler solution.

I've seen musicians play in DT and on Ludlow with amplified equipment. Not sure why they get away with it?

There are always more than two "Bucket Boys" outside a Bengal's game, etc.  A violation I assume?

That ordinance deserves a large "/facepalm".

And yes, why not a decibel limit?  All the other cities and businesses use that, so why not Cincy?  Too hard to compute?