[Ansteorra] why bardic at feast

[Kristina Dombroski]

I'm relatively new to the SCA, but I would love to see more bardic "things"
happen.  I like to sing, and it is something that comes easily to me.  I
also have a music degree in percussion, but know little about period
instruments.  I would LOVE to learn, and I'd be thrilled to play background
music at feast.  I'm sure I could pick up the hammered dulcimer with
relative ease, and I've been thinking about finding someone who could build
me a medieval xylophone, since it appears to be the only mallet percussion
instrument that is period (sadly, cuz I play a mean marimba)....  What's
holding me back?  Well, what was said at the beginning--the only real
performing opportunities I see are the rare bardic competitions that come my
way.  I bought a doumbek a couple of months ago, but there aren't usually
drumming circles around my area, so I haven't had an opportunity to play it
or even to find out what kinds of drumming are appropriate.  I can play
snare drum quite well, but again, no idea what is appropriate for period, as
I've been trained on modern instruments.  If there are people out there who
would teach their instruments and be willing to work in ensembles, newbies
like me would join in a heartbeat.  But unfortunately, I haven't really come
across much of that.  I performed for the first time at Kingdom A&S this
year because that was the first opportunity I had to sing for anything.  So
I guess this is me raising my hand, jumping up and down, waving, and saying,
"Ooh, ooh, can I play??"  I'll volunteer for anything musical I can get my
hands on, if someone will just give me a little guidance on how to get
started and what to do.  And of course, if I'm the only one at an event
who's wanting to do anything musical, then I am not so inclined to do
anything at all, as I would feel very out of place.  I love to perform, but
tend to be much more comfortable in ensembles than going solo, especially
when I'm new and don't know what I'm doing.  So somebody else has got to do
it with me, darn it. :D

Lady Tangwystl verch Gruffydd
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Kristina J. Dombroski
http://www.crystaldaggerclothing.com
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