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<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2>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</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=elf_kind1980@yahoo.com href="mailto:elf_kind1980@yahoo.com">Della
H</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=bards@lists.ansteorra.org
href="mailto:bards@lists.ansteorra.org">Ansteorran Bardic list</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Monday, May 07, 2007 8:17 PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [Bards] Situations That Ruin
Bardic Circles</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">Okay,
</DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">I've
been quiet long enough. </DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">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. </DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif"> </DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">That
would be my humble opinion. Thanks for hearing me out.</DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif"> </DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">Della </DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif"><BR><BR> </DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">-----
Original Message ----<BR>From: Ken Theriot
<kentheriot@ravenboymusic.com><BR>To: Ansteorran Bardic list
<bards@lists.ansteorra.org><BR>Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2007 4:57:55
PM<BR>Subject: [Bards] Situations That Ruin Bardic Circles<BR><BR>
<DIV>This is sort of a follow-on to what Dutchess Willow has posted in regard
to<BR>bardic circles. This is, of course, my opinion. So
with that intro....<BR><BR>Bardic circles represent the primary type of venue
for us to perform at<BR>events. There are obviously other
circumstances where people perform, but I<BR>want to focus on the bardic
circle. What makes a good one? What makes a<BR>bad
one? <BR><BR>Good Circles: Smallish circle (no more
than 15-20 people...around 10 is<BR>best), not a competition, well-ordered
(turn passes from person to person in<BR>a specific order), and time-limited
(performances should not be more than,<BR>say, 10 minutes). Why
does this describe a "good" circle? The more people<BR>there are,
the less airtime we get. My underlying premise is that as
bards,<BR>we like to perform....in front of an audience. This may
not be universal.<BR>But if there is a bard out there who does not enjoy
performing, I'd say they<BR>are in the severe minority. <BR><BR>Bad
Circles: Mainly the opposite of the above. Let's start
with size.<BR>With 20 people in a circle (assuming they only take an average
of 5 minutes<BR>for their piece, AND the turn is passing in order), you will
get to perform<BR>1 piece every hour and a half. Now if we start
adding people, and factoring<BR>in the longer times, it just goes up from
there. For example, let's take 30<BR>bards doing an average
performance of 6 minutes. Now you're only getting to<BR>perform
every 2 hours. If we add in lack of regulation it gets even
worse.<BR>When poorly regulated, people will just jump in and
start<BR>performing...sometimes performing more than one piece on their
turn. This<BR>happened several times at a recent circle that many
on this list attended.<BR>It is not fair to other bards at best, and downright
rude when there IS<BR>supposed to be an order, but people simply jump the
line. In these<BR>situations, the loudest, most forceful bard
dominates (regardless of<BR>talent), and the more unassuming bards perform
little or not at all. The<BR>solution to most of the above problems
is to have a circle leader who<BR>maintains
control. <BR><BR>Summary of Common Problems with Bardic Circles and
How to Solve Them: <BR><BR>1. Problem: People who perform without
waiting their turn. Reason: not<BR>fair to those who HAVE waited
their turn. This refers to folks wandering<BR>into the circle and
those already in the circle. Solution: Circle leader<BR>does not
give permission for interlopers/turn-jumpers to
perform.<BR><BR>2. Problem: Stories that are 20+ minutes
long!!!! Reason: Hogging airtime.<BR>Solution: If you have a 20
minute story, serialize it into 10-minute<BR>increments and do one increment
per turn. Circle leader must state a<BR>10-minute (or some other
agreed-upon time) rule up front, and
periodically<BR>thereafter. <BR><BR>3. Problem: Songs
filked to obviously modern tunes (A filk to "Will The<BR>Circle Be Unbroken"
is one I have heard twice in the past 6 months).<BR>Reason: Some people like
to put the modern world behind them at SCA events<BR>(go
figure!). Doing modern filks ruins that for those
people. Solution:<BR>Circle leader must state this preference up
front, and/or gauge whether the<BR>atmosphere is right. I have (I
admit it) heard songs like this that I like.<BR>Efenwealt's "Ophelia" sung to
"Cecilia" is actually really
funny.<BR><BR>4. Problem: Bardic Circles With More than
20 People. Reason: Stated<BR>above. Solution: This is
tough, and there is no easy solution. It would<BR>seem rude to turn
people away if they want to join the circle. Suggestions:<BR>1. For
every new person that joins after a certain point, reduce the<BR>time-limit
per piece. 2. Hold a private, invite-only
circle.<BR><BR>5. Problem: Bardic Circle As a
Competition. Reason: Circles are for<BR>everyone to enjoy
themselves. Competitions have a different goal, and tend<BR>to
create a more stressful atmosphere. Solution: Hold competitions in
other<BR>venues...during the day (just my
preference).<BR><BR>6. Problem: Bardic Circle Doesn't
Happen. Reason: Obvious...no bardic!<BR>How many times
have you been at an event, where there are many bards, and no<BR>circle is
happening? Sometimes there is even a mention (or footnote,
more<BR>like) of bardic in the newsletter, or at court. But it was
just an<BR>afterthought with no
planning. Solution: Schedule and publicize the
circle<BR>(must put one person in charge and state time and
location).<BR><BR>So that's my story, and I'm sticking with
it:). It's just my opinion.<BR>Others may
disagree.<BR><BR>Kenneth <BR><BR>
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