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<DIV><SPAN class=192485902-14052007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>Esther, I think I'm confused. What list? As for
beginning/baby bards ....</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=192485902-14052007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=192485902-14052007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>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.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=192485902-14052007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=192485902-14052007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>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. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=192485902-14052007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=192485902-14052007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>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.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=192485902-14052007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=192485902-14052007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>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.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=192485902-14052007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=192485902-14052007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>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.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=192485902-14052007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=192485902-14052007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>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.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=192485902-14052007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=192485902-14052007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Or so
I've been told.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=192485902-14052007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>
<P><FONT size=2>In service to the dream with a song in my heart, I am,<BR>HL
Gerald of Leesville<BR>A bard of Stargate </FONT></P></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=192485902-14052007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=192485902-14052007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV><BR>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B>From:</B> bards-bounces@lists.ansteorra.org
[mailto:bards-bounces@lists.ansteorra.org] <B>On Behalf Of
</B>Esther<BR><B>Sent:</B> Sunday, May 13, 2007 8:12 PM<BR><B>To:</B> Ansteorran
Bardic list<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: [Bards] A small Bardic
survey....<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>I think this is an excellent list!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I would love to see one, perhaps from our Kingdom bard, on basic, beginning
storytelling.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>And I'd love to see one on the poetry side of things, as well, perhaps from
Master Robin?</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Esther<BR><BR><B><I>Gerald Norris <jerryn@houston.rr.com></I></B>
wrote:</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE class=replbq
style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid">Basic
Bardic Class<BR><BR>I think too often we flood basic bardic classes with
attempts at talking<BR>technique and style, when we should be talking
etiquette and resources.<BR>Where do you learn the tunes for these songs?
Where do you find the tunes<BR>for Irish traditional music? English country
dances? Early History Music?<BR><BR>Start with this. <BR><BR>1) Bardic
Etiquette <BR>- be aware of your surroundings and your audience. To spell
this<BR>out, a) if another performer is doing something nearby and your
performance<BR>might distract from that, then hold off and wait for them to
finish, b) if<BR>there are children in the audience, try to hold the language
to at least a<BR>PG rating<BR>- You do not have the right to perform for
anyone whether they want<BR>you to or not - you have the right to ask if you
can perform and to abide by<BR>the decision once it's given.<BR>- Practice,
practice, practice.<BR>- Offer critique to another bard only if they ask for
it - don't<BR>volunteer (you can ask if they would like a critique of the
performance, but<BR>"No." means "No." no matter how much you think your advice
might improve the<BR>performance<BR>- If you ask for critique, take it with a
smile, and don't take it<BR>personally. Period. If it sounds like snotty
advice, thank whoever you<BR>asked, and move along, pilgrim.<BR>- If you hate
hearing a particular song/story/poem, shut up, go get<BR>a drink, and come
back after the song's been sung. Whining will get you<BR>nowhere.<BR>- Use
common sense. This list can't tell you everything you need to<BR>know about
bardic etiquette. New to bardic? Go to a circle and observe<BR>(that's right,
WATCH). See how the others are acting and don't go to the<BR>lowest common
denominator. The same holds true if you're new to an area,<BR>even if you're
an old hat to bardic in Ansteorra, the Calontirii may do<BR>things
differently. Do your best to be polite, don't be rude, and if<BR>someone else
is rude and jumps in front of you, the injustice will not be<BR>righted by
your returned rude response. Rise above the occasion, and when<BR>it finally
comes your turn, perform your piece and enjoy the moment, and<BR>share that
joy with others. That's the reason we're all doing this in the<BR>first place,
right?<BR>- Beware modern rip-offs - they are rarely as funny as people
who<BR>perform them think they are. <BR>- If you're performing and other
people are talking, don't huff -<BR>many of these people are old friends
gathered from distant lands. If you<BR>can't hold the attention of the
audience it's not their fault. <BR><BR>2) Bardic Resources<BR>- Ansteorran
bardic web page<BR>- Ansteorran bardic mailing list<BR>- Cantaria<BR>- Digital
Traditions<BR><BR>In service to the dream with a song in my heart, I am,<BR>HL
Gerald of Leesville<BR>A bard of Stargate <BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>-----Original
Message-----<BR>From:
bards-bounces@lists.ansteorra.org<BR>[mailto:bards-bounces@lists.ansteorra.org]
On Behalf Of Genie Barrett<BR>Sent: Friday, May 11, 2007 8:16 AM<BR>To:
Ansteorran Bardic list<BR>Subject: [Bards] A small Bardic survey....<BR><BR>Hi
everyone,<BR><BR>I have agreed to teach a basic bardic class at Steppes
Artisan.<BR><BR>Do you have any suggestions/requests regarding what to include
in the class?<BR><BR>I would rather make it more inclusive than just "bardic"
which can have such<BR>a narrow meaning, and include basic bardic etiquette
and all.<BR><BR>Should I include how to find bardic music info?<BR><BR>Any
other suggestions would be very much appreciated.<BR><BR>Thanks<BR>Maggie
MacPherson<BR>Glaslyn's Bardic
Defender<BR><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>Bards
mailing
list<BR>Bards@lists.ansteorra.org<BR>http://lists.ansteorra.org/listinfo.cgi/bards-ansteorra.org<BR><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>Bards
mailing
list<BR>Bards@lists.ansteorra.org<BR>http://lists.ansteorra.org/listinfo.cgi/bards-ansteorra.org<BR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>
<P>
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