[Bards] From Eleanor Fairchild - on Eisteddfod

Marie Adams marie.adams at visionoflove.net
Wed Jan 7 07:17:25 PST 2004


Lady Madelina,
If I may add something to Eleanor's excellent advice, here are a couple of
things that have helped me personally in my performance confidence:

I find it easier to perform for people I don't know. This is mostly a
psychological thing with me, and is probably due to the fact that I
performed with my parents' singing group for 7 years, in front of people I
didn't know, before doing anything in front of my friends. My thought is,
"These people have no idea who I am, so if I mess up, they won't remember
it!" I have no idea if this helps you, but if you happen to be in a
competition someday where you don't know any of the audience, you can
remember they won't be able to recall your mistakes later (or at least who
made them.)

Second, I have a mortal fear of anyone finding something wrong with me.
When I first started bardic, Robert headed this off by saying, "Other
bards who give you performance advice, do it because they know you're
going somewhere. Otherwise, they wouldn't bother." That helped my
viewpoint immensely.

Third, if you truly enjoy what you're doing, hopefully that will make it
easier to do it in front of others as well as for your own ears. You don't
have to perform to prove anything to anyone, but simply because you like
doing it.
P.S. I hope to hear your "A Lady's Freedom" performed by you someday! A
fantastic piece!
IYS, Ly Serena Dominicci

On Mon, 5 Jan 2004, Lady Simone wrote:

> Lady Madelina,
>
> I have heard you perform and it is always a Joy. I still get wobbly knees so
> to speak when I'm in a competition with bards like Ulf,  Darious, Robin,
> Robert Fitzmorgan and like caliber Bards. these are individuals whom I have
> and do look up to. I have found that each time I have entered the circle
> were they are competing it becomes a little easier. My performances have
> improved over the years because of them either directly or indirectly. And
> my self-confidence has grown. I
>
> I believe one of the wonderful assets the Bard in this kingdom have is there
> willingness to assist and help there fellow bards to succeed be they new or
> experienced bards. and in any given bardic circle the outcome is open. I
> have seen competition were the newest bard who entered was the one who won.
> so experience is not necessarily a factor.
>
> You are a talented lady and I would love to hear you more
>
> Lady (Simone) Muirenn ingen Senáin uí Dúnlaing
> 2nd Rose of FalconRose Southern Keep, Ansteorra
>
> >
> > Then there is the reluctance to compete against the
> > people who are truly wonderful, the bards whose
> > reputations precede them.  I feel my voice or my
> > poetry or my deportment pales in comparison, and do
> > not wish to subject myself to feeling mediocre.
> >
> > I guess you could say more than anything, lack of
> > confidence keeps me from competing.  If anyone knows a
> > remedy for that, please share!
> >
> > Lady Madelina de Lindesay
>
>
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