[Bards] Situations That Ruin Bardic Circles

Lou Burgin lburgin at gt.rr.com
Mon May 7 19:51:42 PDT 2007


Ok, Like you I feel I have been quiet long enough.  This is all about semantics.  If there is objection to the term"Bad Bards" I can accept that. I feel however that not everyone is meant ot be a performer. and if that is the case, it is our duty as friend and /or mentor to gently inform them if necessary.  Thsi is one of the reasons that at my camp, everyone may sing. Some people love to sing that just can't.  But if they enjoy it, they should have a place where they feel confident that they will not be ridiculed for their lack of talent.  I love sing-a-longs for that very reason. If someone shows an interest in performing (or competing) I am not doing them any favors by being silent. Ofcourse encourage stories and poems, but even those are beyond some. Tactful honesty is better than letting them go through having an ausience walk out. In my opinion.  AmberLea
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Della H 
  To: Ansteorran Bardic list 
  Sent: Monday, May 07, 2007 8:17 PM
  Subject: Re: [Bards] Situations That Ruin Bardic Circles


  Okay, 
  I've been quiet long enough.  
  First of all, being an aspiring music teacher in real life, I do not under ANY circumstances believe there to be a "bad" bard.  There are people that do need guidance, and when they ask where to find it they will find places such as Craggenworth and the like.  Second, in regards to what should "done" about said "bad" bards.  It is my humble opinion that either you take the time to walk away and get your drink, endure the 3-5 minutes that person is up there, or POLITELY talk to them AFTER their performance.  If they aren't receptive, then they aren't receptive to the way that they were offered criticism and you should try a different approach.  It is NEVER, NEVER, NEVER okay to interrupt someone as Quill suggests.  We as good bards should be setting the example of good behavior and courtesy that we all expect in return.  Robert said it best (paraphrasing): That bardic circles are meant to be fun, and while a bad bard is not fun, neither is hurting someones feelings.  I was under the impression that courtesy was a valued virtue in Ansteorra. 

  That would be my humble opinion.  Thanks for hearing me out.

  Della 



  ----- Original Message ----
  From: Ken Theriot <kentheriot at ravenboymusic.com>
  To: Ansteorran Bardic list <bards at lists.ansteorra.org>
  Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2007 4:57:55 PM
  Subject: [Bards] Situations That Ruin Bardic Circles


  This is sort of a follow-on to what Dutchess Willow has posted in regard to
  bardic circles.  This is, of course, my opinion.  So with that intro....

  Bardic circles represent the primary type of venue for us to perform at
  events.  There are obviously other circumstances where people perform, but I
  want to focus on the bardic circle.  What makes a good one?  What makes a
  bad one?   

  Good Circles:  Smallish circle (no more than 15-20 people...around 10 is
  best), not a competition, well-ordered (turn passes from person to person in
  a specific order), and time-limited (performances should not be more than,
  say, 10 minutes).  Why does this describe a "good" circle?  The more people
  there are, the less airtime we get.  My underlying premise is that as bards,
  we like to perform....in front of an audience.  This may not be universal.
  But if there is a bard out there who does not enjoy performing, I'd say they
  are in the severe minority.  

  Bad Circles:  Mainly the opposite of the above.  Let's start with size.
  With 20 people in a circle (assuming they only take an average of 5 minutes
  for their piece, AND the turn is passing in order), you will get to perform
  1 piece every hour and a half.  Now if we start adding people, and factoring
  in the longer times, it just goes up from there.  For example, let's take 30
  bards doing an average performance of 6 minutes.  Now you're only getting to
  perform every 2 hours.  If we add in lack of regulation it gets even worse.
  When poorly regulated, people will just jump in and start
  performing...sometimes performing more than one piece on their turn.  This
  happened several times at a recent circle that many on this list attended.
  It is not fair to other bards at best, and downright rude when there IS
  supposed to be an order, but people simply jump the line.  In these
  situations, the loudest, most forceful bard dominates (regardless of
  talent), and the more unassuming bards perform little or not at all.  The
  solution to most of the above problems is to have a circle leader who
  maintains control.  

  Summary of Common Problems with Bardic Circles and How to Solve Them: 

  1.  Problem: People who perform without waiting their turn.  Reason: not
  fair to those who HAVE waited their turn.  This refers to folks wandering
  into the circle and those already in the circle.  Solution: Circle leader
  does not give permission for interlopers/turn-jumpers to perform.

  2.  Problem: Stories that are 20+ minutes long!!!!  Reason: Hogging airtime.
  Solution: If you have a 20 minute story, serialize it into 10-minute
  increments and do one increment per turn.  Circle leader must state a
  10-minute (or some other agreed-upon time) rule up front, and periodically
  thereafter.  

  3.  Problem:  Songs filked to obviously modern tunes (A filk to "Will The
  Circle Be Unbroken" is one I have heard twice in the past 6 months).
  Reason: Some people like to put the modern world behind them at SCA events
  (go figure!).  Doing modern filks ruins that for those people.  Solution:
  Circle leader must state this preference up front, and/or gauge whether the
  atmosphere is right.  I have (I admit it) heard songs like this that I like.
  Efenwealt's "Ophelia" sung to "Cecilia" is actually really funny.

  4.  Problem:  Bardic Circles With More than 20 People.  Reason: Stated
  above.  Solution: This is tough, and there is no easy solution.  It would
  seem rude to turn people away if they want to join the circle.  Suggestions:
  1. For every new person that joins after a certain point, reduce the
  time-limit per piece.  2. Hold a private, invite-only circle.

  5.  Problem:  Bardic Circle As a Competition.  Reason: Circles are for
  everyone to enjoy themselves.  Competitions have a different goal, and tend
  to create a more stressful atmosphere.  Solution: Hold competitions in other
  venues...during the day (just my preference).

  6.  Problem:  Bardic Circle Doesn't Happen.  Reason:  Obvious...no bardic!
  How many times have you been at an event, where there are many bards, and no
  circle is happening?  Sometimes there is even a mention (or footnote, more
  like) of bardic in the newsletter, or at court.  But it was just an
  afterthought with no planning.  Solution:  Schedule and publicize the circle
  (must put one person in charge and state time and location).

  So that's my story, and I'm sticking with it:).  It's just my opinion.
  Others may disagree.

  Kenneth            

                     


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