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<DIV><SPAN class=059551612-30072004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>Practice, Practice, Practice.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=059551612-30072004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=059551612-30072004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>1)
Work on my songs having a period "flavor" to them; if I filk, I try to filk from
a period tune, or one that lends itself to keeping the flavor of the
current middle ages. Compositions, as a whole are done in the same
vein.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=059551612-30072004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=059551612-30072004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>2)
While I tend to include a lot of non-period Irish tunes in my playing at events,
I try to insure that, at such events where the "modern" irish stuff would be
intrusive, I play mostly period tunes, dances and such.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=059551612-30072004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=059551612-30072004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>3) I
try to provide some information about the songs I sing, when I have said
information. I'm trying to learn who writes the songs I sing so I can
include them in the spreading of that information.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=059551612-30072004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=059551612-30072004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>4) I
try to remember that this is, when it's all said and done, a hobby, and that
others, whether talented or not, should be encouraged to "make a joyful
noise".</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=059551612-30072004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=059551612-30072004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>5)
Encourage others to join in on the sing-along songs. Try to join
children's activities and teach songs like "Rattlin' bog", or a few verses of
the "Rose" round.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=059551612-30072004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=059551612-30072004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>6)
Entertain at feast; not just for the head table, but so that all can hear (but
then, I've got a voice that can do that).</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=059551612-30072004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=059551612-30072004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>7)
Learn more pieces- to broaden my repetoir. All told, I've got nearly 50 to
60 pieces, both music and song, that I can call from memory to play or
sing. I've only got one Shakespeare piece so far, but part of that is
because I don't want to do "the usual".</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=059551612-30072004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=059551612-30072004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>8)
Contribute to the telling of our Kingdom's history, usually in
song.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=059551612-30072004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=059551612-30072004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>9)
Figure my role when going to an event. Am I a minstral or a bard or
both? Or am I helping at the event, cooking, running, or taking care of
tables.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=059551612-30072004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=059551612-30072004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>10)
Encourage bardic. Try to remember that not everyone has the same ideas
about it that I do (And aren't we all the happier for the diversity?). Try
to sponsor, or have sponsored, bardic circles. Teach old songs (and new
ones).</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=059551612-30072004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=059551612-30072004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>There. My secrets are out. Except they're not that secret,
eh?</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=059551612-30072004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>g.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Tahoma
size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B>
bards-bounces+jerryn=houston.rr.com@ansteorra.org
[mailto:bards-bounces+jerryn=houston.rr.com@ansteorra.org]<B>On Behalf Of
</B>Dawn Rummel<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, July 29, 2004 4:14 PM<BR><B>To:</B>
Bardic<BR><B>Subject:</B> [Bards] Discussion question<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV>Question: How do you, personally, work to become a better
bard?</DIV><BR><BR>Antonia/Dawn<BR><BR>It's the little things in life...
<P>
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