[Bards] Performing in court response

Thu Feb 22 09:40:23 PST 2007

Ive been gone a while , but on the occasions I was assked to perform at feast or court as either a title bard or simply as an available " space filler" I would usually do something to atract the attention of those I was being asked to distract/ entertain, such as shouting forom the center of the area " Children of the Sable Star, Hear Me" This grabs attention and lets everyone know you are talking to them.
   As far as the Captive audience .........Well I hateto admit it but some folks arent going to listen if Gabriel comes down to do a Trumpet Set. Bear in Mind that Ignoring the entertainment provided  is not only going to happen , but is " Period" Not everyone is going to end their conversation to hear us.   Thats just life

  As to the type of Peice you do, I agree , match it to the event theme or something that is going to have available audience participation  

  If the Nobles let you know they are ready , cut to the last verse of yourv song or end it with the next chorus, Tales , Offer to finnish them at that nights Bardic ( Hey wow a reason for a non performer to come visit us ....wooo hooooo!!!! 
   Bow yourself out with Grace and remember to thank whoever asked you to perform , thats a big trust and we should show our thanks for it

  In service to the Dream with a tune on my lips and a song in my Heart,
  Wulf the Pilgrim
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Today's Topics:

1. Performing in court (Katherine of Scarborough)
2. Re: Performing in court (PBW)
3. Re: Performing in court (Dan Corley)
4. Re: Performing in court (Gerald Norris)
5. Re: Performing in court (Scott Barrett)
6. Re: Performing in court (PBW)

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Message: 1
Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 19:24:14 -0800 (PST)
From: Katherine of Scarborough 
Subject: [Bards] Performing in court
To: bards at lists.ansteorra.org
Message-ID: <478159.61269.qm at web36205.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

This is a question--well, a series of
questions--particularly for the veteran bards and
entertainers out there, but open to anyone who has
advice to offer.

Do you have any tips on what one should do when asked
to keep the populace entertained before court? 
Entertain, obviously--but how best to go about it? 
Let us assume the prerequisite of being prepared and
more or less capable. 

Do you generally remain where you are, or move to
front and center? Do you announce yourself, or just
launch right into your performance? If an
interruption occurs, do you bow out or try harder to
hold the audience's attention? How best do you walk
the thin line between doing what has been asked of
you, and inflicting yourself on a captive audience
that may not be entirely interested? Is it simply the
job of a good bard to make sure they *are* interested?

I'm not asking for specific answers to that whole
barrage of questions, but it's dawned on me that I
don't even know how much I don't know. I had my first
experience with court performance last weekend, and
I'd like to be better prepared next time. Any
thoughts from those wiser and more seasoned than
myself would be very much appreciated.

In service,
Catrin ferch Maelgwn

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Message: 2
Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 22:54:30 -0600
From: "PBW" 

Subject: Re: [Bards] Performing in court
To: "Ansteorran Bardic list" 
Message-ID: <007f01c7563d$8b0e9150$d700a8c0 at pookfagkkiyvx9>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original

> This is a question--well, a series of
> questions--particularly for the veteran bards and
> entertainers out there, but open to anyone who has
> advice to offer.

I'll offer what little I can share.

>Do you announce yourself, or just launch right into your performance?

Since often SCA events have attendees from other areas who dont/wont know me 
I usually introduce myself with something along the lines of "I am Lady 
Magdalia Mac an Ghabhann, I hail from the Shire of Loch Ruadh"... of course 
it also depends again on the venue and the tone of the court. The more 
formal the court the more formal I am, the more laid back the court the more 
laid back I am.

>If an interruption occurs, do you bow out or try harder to hold the 
>audience's attention?

It depends on the interruption. Is the interruption rude populace? Then I 
usually adjust my performance to perform to those who are interested, this 
may just be shifting and performing for Their Majesties or Their 
Excellencies, or it might be a small band of populace. Was the interruption 
someone returning to court? Sometimes Their Majesties or Their Excellencies 
will wish to bestow an honor upon a member of the populace and that 
individual is not readily available. As a bard you may be asked to entertain 
while everyone waits for a Herald to retrieve that person, if the 
interruption is that person returning then I would cut my performance short 
and thank those present for the opportunity. If your in the middle of a 
story a quick " and to hear how Sir Knight saved the Fair Maid come to the 
bardic circle tonight at 8pm!" and grin, bow and exit.

>How best do you walk the thin line between doing what has been asked of 
>you, and inflicting yourself on a captive audience that may not be entirely 
>interested? Is it simply the
> job of a good bard to make sure they *are* interested?

Knowing your audience is the key. Is everyone restless because the court has 
been long or its been hot or ? Then that 
would not be the time to delve into a 10-minute story. That would be a good 
time for a short upbeat, maybe even silly, story/song. If the populace is 
restless instead of performing a "show piece" maybe doing something the 
populace can join in on would be best, something that's either easy to 
recognize and most folks at least already know the chorus or something that's 
simple with an easy to follow and learn chorus.

> I'm not asking for specific answers to that whole barrage of questions, 
> but it's dawned on me that I don't even know how much I don't know.

I have been in the SCA over 13 years now and still feel I am learning. My 
answers are far from specific but maybe they can shed some light for you.

> I had my first experience with court performance last weekend, and I'd 
> like to be better prepared next time. Any thoughts from those wiser and 
> more seasoned than myself would be very much >appreciated.

If I could give two pieces of advice it would be (1) have a few things handy 
in your repertoire' that you can call on at any time under any circumstance 
and that you know "like the back of your hand" and (2) never take your shoes 
off during court or you will get called on! It never fails, I would 
think I didn't have to do anything in court so would get comfortable and 
take off my shoes and yep... get called upon in court for something!

I hope this helps!

Lady Magdalia Mac an Ghabhann

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Message: 3
Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 23:23:31 -0600
From: "Dan Corley" 
Subject: Re: [Bards] Performing in court
To: bards at lists.ansteorra.org
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Message: 4
Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 23:53:33 -0600
From: "Gerald Norris" 
Subject: Re: [Bards] Performing in court
To: "'Ansteorran Bardic list'" 
Message-ID: <200702220553.l1M5rXGe016863 at ms-smtp-06.texas.rr.com>
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If asked to entertain the populace, it is important to try to remember that
the nobility think enough of your abilities to trust you to do something
entertaining while they carry on whatever business they need to do while
you're thrown to the wolv... Er... Audience.

Preparation? If you're a singer, have some good singalongs in the three to
five minute range. If a wordsmith, a short story that has, as part of it's
telling, something that will draw the audience in. If an instrumentalist,
try to have something quick (Irish, Italian, or Galecian). 

If appropriate, I'll move around a bit, make eye contact, and generally try
to connect with the crowd; remember that they're going to be understanding
and ready for whatever you throw at them. 

Loud is good, soft is bad, unless you can carry soft off, in which case just
do what you'd like to do. I say three to five minutes because many issues
are settled within that time and it's good not to wind up into a twenty
minute tale; the nobility are understanding, but they're seeking a passing
act as they get things done "behind the scene. It's important to remember
that you are, in essence, filler. Just be good filler.

If the performance is interrupted (the person has been found, the scroll
signed, dot dot dot, and the nobility are trying to hurry through court
(food is ready, rain is coming, or the Baron has to go to the jakes), bow
out as gracefully as possible and move along. If there's a bardic circle,
start the piece over if requested. If not, don't do it unless you need to
just to bring closure.

The simple fact that a good bard is required to be entertaining is
insidiously unsimple. Some people will have more flair than others for it,
but in any case, do your best, don't blanch if you make a mistake, and
remember to try to enjoy the performance; it shows.

In service to the dream with a song in my heart, I am,
HL Gerald of Leesville
A bard of Stargate 

-----Original Message-----
From: bards-bounces at lists.ansteorra.org
[mailto:bards-bounces at lists.ansteorra.org] On Behalf Of Katherine of
Scarborough
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 9:24 PM
To: bards at lists.ansteorra.org
Subject: [Bards] Performing in court

This is a question--well, a series of
questions--particularly for the veteran bards and entertainers out there,
but open to anyone who has advice to offer.

Do you have any tips on what one should do when asked to keep the populace
entertained before court? 
Entertain, obviously--but how best to go about it? 
Let us assume the prerequisite of being prepared and more or less capable.

Do you generally remain where you are, or move to front and center? Do you
announce yourself, or just launch right into your performance? If an
interruption occurs, do you bow out or try harder to hold the audience's
attention? How best do you walk the thin line between doing what has been
asked of you, and inflicting yourself on a captive audience that may not be
entirely interested? Is it simply the job of a good bard to make sure they
*are* interested?

I'm not asking for specific answers to that whole barrage of questions, but
it's dawned on me that I don't even know how much I don't know. I had my
first experience with court performance last weekend, and I'd like to be
better prepared next time. Any thoughts from those wiser and more seasoned
than myself would be very much appreciated.

In service,
Catrin ferch Maelgwn

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________
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------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2007 00:05:33 -0600
From: Scott Barrett 
Subject: Re: [Bards] Performing in court
To: Ansteorran Bardic list 
Message-ID: 
Content-Type: text/plain; delsp=yes; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

Eeesh. One of the big questions.

Well, take heart, there are different answers for each performer. Glean 
what works for you from each.
The following is my opinion only.

First, let me clarify that I find command performance to be border-line 
unethical. It IS a captive audience, and they had no input as to 
whether they wanted to hear you. It's one reason why I encourage landed 
folk and crowns NOT to do this during feasts because frankly, it isn't 
very respectful to a.) the performer, who must compete with whispering 
servers and flatwear multiplied by a hundred, and b.) the audience, who 
may be tired, catching up with old friends, unable to hear clearly, etc.
If requested to do so, entertain the high table only.

Court, however, is another matter.
Court is the official business/primary theater of the event, and the 
royals have complete control. They also have the complete attention of 
the audience, and they can focus it wherever they wish.
If they decide to make you the focus, you will likely have a respectful 
audience.
In these situations, you may not have a choice as to the piece 
performed. The Crown often makes requests at times like these, and that 
is the piece they will get, mood killer or not (most are fairly 
sensitive to the mood, but keep your guard up.)

My rules are...
Front and off center of the thrones, you are almost the center of 
attention.
No wandering, no walking. Plant the heel, project the speel.
Get the audience involved. Ask obvious "yes/no" questions, sing VERY 
familiar songs so they can join in.
Nothing maudlin or creepy, those are too intimate for a court. Instead, 
go for funny or stirring.
I introduce myself rarely or as a lead-in to a joke at my own expense.
When the herald is ready, you are done. If it's a song, finish. 
Storytelling is harder. Cliffhanging is good, let 'em squirm.
Vignettes are better and faster than full stories, moments with a value 
are good for a morality tale or a chuckle.
Adlib a story on the spot, using the local folks in the group or a 
familiar element of the area. The audience will tell you if they want 
that story to be humorous or sentimental. Likely, they want both.
Be ready to be quick-witted in responding to the crowd. Sometimes, the 
best response is a facial expression.

Finally, always bow to the thrones and ask the leave of the Crown to be 
excused when finished. It's a small but important courtesy that can be 
overlooked during applause.

That's my stuff in a nutshell.
Anyone else?

~Finnacan

On Wednesday, February 21, 2007, at 09:24 PM, Katherine of Scarborough 
wrote:

> This is a question--well, a series of
> questions--particularly for the veteran bards and
> entertainers out there, but open to anyone who has
> advice to offer.
>
>
>
> In service,
> Catrin ferch Maelgwn
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________________________________ 
> _____________
> Looking for earth-friendly autos?
> Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Yahoo! Autos' Green Center.
> http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/
> _______________________________________________
> Bards mailing list
> Bards at lists.ansteorra.org
> http://lists.ansteorra.org/listinfo.cgi/bards-ansteorra.org
>

------------------------------

Message: 6
Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2007 06:39:30 -0600
From: "PBW" 

Subject: Re: [Bards] Performing in court
To: "Ansteorran Bardic list" 
Message-ID: <009801c7567e$81424360$d700a8c0 at pookfagkkiyvx9>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

ahh but you are a bard! Who says your not? Comedy has as much a place as does the ballad. What makes a bard is the willingness to share. That's why when I tried to make my statements I would comment "song/story". Some bards only sing, some only tell stories, and even some are instrumental. If we all did the same thing then our community would become stagnant and boring and not the vivacious and entertaining group that we are! :)

The mark of a "True bard" is within themselves wanting to entertain, so from your comments I would say you have the mark of a bard! 

I look forward to meeting you someday and sharing a bardic fire. Maybe between your and my instrumentation we can make a bardic traveling band, though I wont be bringing the reeds LOL.

Magdalia
Milady Magdalia;

I will not even presume to be called a true bard. I am a swordsman who also does Bardic, but your post has answered questions that i have wondered about i have been a Bard but for 2 years and i play 6 instruments, sing a bit, tell stories of neighboring shires and villages and do magic. Unlike yourself, mine is more a comedy act than a true bardic performance. I will take your advice to heart and hope i can win another competition such as i did late last year. Your advice is both appreciated and wise.

In Service to the Dream and the Song, Lord Cormac of the House of Starwalker

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