[Bards] Beginning Bard Bruhaha (was RE: A small Bardic survey....) [not as long as some of my other posts, but ....]

Gerald Norris jerryn at houston.rr.com
Sun May 13 20:42:18 PDT 2007


Esther, I think I'm confused.  What list?  As for beginning/baby bards ....
 
I think one can get so caught up in the idea that classes can teach many
things that we try to use the tool to teach a thing that is, at it's
essence, undefinable.  Can Finnecan teach story-telling?  He might be able
to offer what works for him, but it doesn't mean that it works for everyone.
He can't teach you how to read an audience, though he can tell you SOME
things to look for.
 
I think there are two types of "beginning" bards; those who have already
learned how to use their talents and are looking for ways to express them in
the SCA, and those who want to find out what talents they may have, so that
they may some day be able to tell a story that brings Finnacan to tears,
sing a song that sends Gerald to his feet cheering and clapping, or recite a
poem that leaves Robin open-mouthed in wonder. 
 
For the first, it's simple etiquette and resources that will do them the
most good.  For the latter, etiquette and resources are good starting points
along with the admonition to try things out.  Seek those who seem to do well
in these things and ask to perform for them.  Ask their advice and listen to
them with an objective ear.  Can't stand criticism?  Don't ask.  But it's a
harder road to doing well if all that is sought is praise.
 
There's so much more to this than what can be said on a page, taught in an
hour, or several.  If you're a "beginning" bard on the list (and folks,
there are days, many of them in which I throw my hat in the beginners circle
with no shame), then your best first step is to use such tools as this very
list to ask a question about something in bardic that interests you, with
the caveat that using mailing lists for advice/learning has it's drawbacks.
Get in contact with people that do the things that inspire you and ask them
for information; even guidance.
 
Above all realize that every bard on this list worthy of the label desires
to help others join this merry fellowship almost as much as they desire to
perform.  I will use Robin as an example.  Robin is a member of the
following orders; white scarf, pelican, and  laurel, along with other
honors.  It tends to make him busy at just about any event that he goes to.
But he wants to teach, and he wants to encourage new talent of whatever
form.  Even though he's busy, if you use this list to contact him, and
emails to communicate with him, the likelihood is that he will try to find
time to talk with you, perhaps encourage you to perform, and even comment
should you desire.  The same is true with many on this list whom others
consider to be "good" bards.
 
A thirty minute class, even an hour class, is basically good for very basic
techniques and a relaying of resources.  The learning is done by watching,
observing, getting past the point of just being entertained when Mea stands
and sings, Alden gives a poem that causes the ladies to get teary-eyed, or
Rhiannon plays a piece that lifts the heart, and looking at the moments as
they happen to find the things that speak to you, and taking them home and
practicing them; in front of a mirror, out loud, sitting, standing,
whatever.  That's how the good bards learn.
 
Or so I've been told.
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 Esther
Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2007 8:12 PM
To: Ansteorran Bardic list
Subject: Re: [Bards] A small Bardic survey....


I think this is an excellent list!
 
I would love to see one, perhaps from our Kingdom bard, on basic, beginning
storytelling.
 
And I'd love to see one on the poetry side of things, as well, perhaps from
Master Robin?
 
And I would love to see Baroness Rhiannon's and Maggie's take, too.  I'd
especially like to see Maggie take this structure that Gerald has laid out,
and give her perspective on non-European cultures, too.
 
I am a baby bard, someone who would be taking these classes. That's why I'm
not chiming in -- I simply don't know enough!
 
Esther

Gerald Norris <jerryn at houston.rr.com> wrote:

Basic Bardic Class

I think too often we flood basic bardic classes with attempts at talking
technique and style, when we should be talking etiquette and resources.
Where do you learn the tunes for these songs? Where do you find the tunes
for Irish traditional music? English country dances? Early History Music?

Start with this. 

1) Bardic Etiquette 
- be aware of your surroundings and your audience. To spell this
out, a) if another performer is doing something nearby and your performance
might distract from that, then hold off and wait for them to finish, b) if
there are children in the audience, try to hold the language to at least a
PG rating
- You do not have the right to perform for anyone whether they want
you to or not - you have the right to ask if you can perform and to abide by
the decision once it's given.
- Practice, practice, practice.
- Offer critique to another bard only if they ask for it - don't
volunteer (you can ask if they would like a critique of the performance, but
"No." means "No." no matter how much you think your advice might improve the
performance
- If you ask for critique, take it with a smile, and don't take it
personally. Period. If it sounds like snotty advice, thank whoever you
asked, and move along, pilgrim.
- If you hate hearing a particular song/story/poem, shut up, go get
a drink, and come back after the song's been sung. Whining will get you
nowhere.
- Use common sense. This list can't tell you everything you need to
know about bardic etiquette. New to bardic? Go to a circle and observe
(that's right, WATCH). See how the others are acting and don't go to the
lowest common denominator. The same holds true if you're new to an area,
even if you're an old hat to bardic in Ansteorra, the Calontirii may do
things differently. Do your best to be polite, don't be rude, and if
someone else is rude and jumps in front of you, the injustice will not be
righted by your returned rude response. Rise above the occasion, and when
it finally comes your turn, perform your piece and enjoy the moment, and
share that joy with others. That's the reason we're all doing this in the
first place, right?
- Beware modern rip-offs - they are rarely as funny as people who
perform them think they are. 
- If you're performing and other people are talking, don't huff -
many of these people are old friends gathered from distant lands. If you
can't hold the attention of the audience it's not their fault. 

2) Bardic Resources
- Ansteorran bardic web page
- Ansteorran bardic mailing list
- Cantaria
- Digital Traditions

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 Genie Barrett
Sent: Friday, May 11, 2007 8:16 AM
To: Ansteorran Bardic list
Subject: [Bards] A small Bardic survey....

Hi everyone,

I have agreed to teach a basic bardic class at Steppes Artisan.

Do you have any suggestions/requests regarding what to include in the class?

I would rather make it more inclusive than just "bardic" which can have such
a narrow meaning, and include basic bardic etiquette and all.

Should I include how to find bardic music info?

Any other suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Thanks
Maggie MacPherson
Glaslyn's Bardic Defender

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