<div>Hear! Hear!</div> <div>Well spoken, </div> <div>I couldn't have said it better myself.</div> <div> </div> <div>Elanor<BR><BR><B><I>Della H <elf_kind1980@yahoo.com></I></B> wrote:</div> <BLOCKQUOTE class=replbq style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid"> <STYLE type=text/css><!-- DIV {margin:0px;} --></STYLE> <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> <BR><BR><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>Bards mailing list<BR>Bards@lists.ansteorra.org<BR><A href="http://lists.ansteorra.org/listinfo.cgi/bards-ansteorra.org" target=_blank rel=nofollow>http://lists.ansteorra.org/listinfo.cgi/bards-ansteorra.org</A></DIV></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif"><BR></DIV></DIV></DIV><BR> <HR SIZE=1> Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell?<BR>Check out <A
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