[Bards] Red-headed step children (was E: Situations That Ruin Bardic Circles)

Gerald Norris jerryn at houston.rr.com
Tue May 8 05:16:37 PDT 2007


My standards must be lower, for I do not feel as if I were an afterthought
in the SCA.
 
At every event I go to, I note many who hold performers/bards in high
esteem.  Warriors are cautioned not to stir the anger of a bard, we are
often asked to entertain, and I've seen a hall grow silent at the
performance of those who have practiced.  I have seen skalds grab the
attention of a fireside gathering and through skill of story-telling and use
of words whisk us from the warm coastal region to the cold northlands with
tales of old Norse gods.  
 
I agree that civility and courtesy are things we should practice within our
performance community as well as through life.  So where does this
perception that we, as performers, are "red-headed step-children" come from?
 
In service to the dream with a song in my heart, I am,
HL Gerald of Leesville
A bard of Stargate 

  _____  

From: bards-bounces at lists.ansteorra.org
[mailto:bards-bounces at lists.ansteorra.org] On Behalf Of Della H
Sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2007 12:23 AM
To: Ansteorran Bardic list
Subject: Re: [Bards] Situations That Ruin Bardic Circles


Yes, as a matter of fact, there was mention of interrupting someone in the
middle of a performance.  I personally find that to be a boarish and rude
tack to take.  That particular solution prompted me to rally the troops for
courtesy and civility among fellow bards.  We are unfortunately already the
red-headed step-children of the SCA and we do not need to breed that further
by acting dishonorably to our peers. 
 
Della


----- Original Message ----
From: Ken Theriot <kentheriot at ravenboymusic.com>
To: Ansteorran Bardic list <bards at lists.ansteorra.org>
Sent: Monday, May 7, 2007 8:49:51 PM
Subject: Re: [Bards] Situations That Ruin Bardic Circles



I was pretty sure we had all come to that conclusion earlier.  Was there a
suggestion that we be rude to someone publicly?

 

Kenneth

 

  _____  

From: bards-bounces at lists.ansteorra.org
[mailto:bards-bounces at lists.ansteorra.org] On Behalf Of Beth Wolff
Sent: Monday, May 07, 2007 8:44 PM
To: Ansteorran Bardic list
Subject: Re: [Bards] Situations That Ruin Bardic Circles

 

Hear! Hear!

Well spoken, 

I couldn't have said it better myself.

 

Elanor

Della H <elf_kind1980 at yahoo.com> wrote:

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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