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

Esther reese_esther at yahoo.com
Mon May 14 05:47:39 PDT 2007


Okay, I agree with that, too. The etiquette works for all genres. Yes, the references -- I'd like to see the outline and structure you put together, with the specific references for music (because that is what you know and you do so well) used by other genre expert people.
   
  Honestly, all I'm saying is, I really like this, and I think it's an excellent place to start. I'm sorry I'm not being specific enough, or perhaps polite or politic enough. I thought the etiquette being universal could go without saying, since it ISN'T genre specific.
   
  Esther

Gerald Norris <jerryn at houston.rr.com> wrote:
      I disagree.  I did my dead-level best to try to avoid making the etiquette outline apply only to singing/music.  I think that the etiquette outline should hold true across the board.  Now, my references are for singing/music, because I know of them, so that might be what you're asking for.  Of course, this counts as a request for comment, so ... ladies, gentlemen, comments?
   
    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: Monday, May 14, 2007 12:39 AM
To: Ansteorran Bardic list
Subject: Re: [Bards] Beginning Bard Bruhaha (was RE: A small Bardic survey....) [not as long as some of my other posts, but ....]


  
  Okay, instead of "list", see "outline". I really LIKE how you structured this outline of learning and teaching, but it IS an outline about music and singing, I'd like to see the Outline  you sketched, sketched in in other disciplines.
   
  Esther

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