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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Gerald,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>“And with one fat ball the Yanks
stove us in!!!!!!!” (which I’m sure you remembered 30 seconds later</span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Wingdings><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Wingdings;color:navy'>J</span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>). But I can rarely
make it through that one without messing up SOMEWHERE</span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Wingdings><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Wingdings;color:navy'>J</span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>. Love, love, love
it!! But the opening line of….Oh the year was 1778 might JUST be a
little telling</span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Wingdings><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:navy'>J</span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Kenneth<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> Gerald of
Leesville [mailto:gerald.of.leesville@gmail.com] <br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Sunday, April 27, 2008 8:59
AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> '<st1:PersonName w:st="on">Ansteorran
Bardic list</st1:PersonName>'<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [Bards] Filking
<of course it's a long reply!></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Good morning.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Filking - it's what people do. I've
filked, just about everyone here has filked, and we are (in various stages of
our careers) rather indiscriminate about it. Choose the tune that lends
itself to the lyrics you create. Think of it as practice for actual
melodic composition. Depending on the amount of work you want to put into
this hobby, the hope is that eventually you will start composing original
melodies to go with the lyrics. For those who want to go a step further,
research melodic rules of a certain portion of music history and try to emulate
that. In the end, do the things that bring joy while doing them.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Staying in period - This is a hobby and
you should do what you want to do. I cheated and created a persona
for the late 1500s. That way I can go through the various historical
music repertoirs and claim them as historical research for my persona. I
play tunes from 11 century through, Irish tunes, pieces written from the past
and current middle ages. I'm a music slut, going so low as to volunteer
to play "Hole In the Wall". Others may urge you to aspire to
greater heights. I just urge people to increase their repetoire of
memorized songs (got nothing against book reading, but unless it's done right,
it ain't performing).</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Rennfair repetoir - The songs commonly
sung at Renn Faires will get you started, and it's a lot of what most of the
SCA public knows. For many this is "good enough" and there's no
need to learn a whole lot more. "Macyntire", even though
Mistress Adelaide might be damned near alergic to it, is popular because a lot
of people get to join in who may have no musical talent whatsoever. It's
not a song from the SCA periods, but it's fun to sing, fun to join in, and ....
It's fun. The interesting thing is that there is a LOT of good material
within the time-stretch the SCA "period" covers. It takes a
little digging, a few questions asked here and there, but there's a
treasure-trove full of historical songs and tunes about that can keep an
audience spell-bound (favorite moment # 177: Stargate Yule bardic competition
when a young lady performed the plainchant "Veni Veni Emanuel" and
was able to silence the whole hall).</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Bardic competition - A lot of what you
might perform will depend on what the current champion and their patrons
require within the competitions. As champion, I've gone from requiring
different performance styles (singing, story-telling, recital, etc.) to sitting
around a fire and judging from the best performances. In each case, much
of what I've used as a rule I took as cues from my patrons (the baron/baroness
or seneschal). Some will want a performer with a broad depth of styles,
others wanted a good performer, hang the different styles approach. To
answer your question point-blank: If they request "period" pieces
only, you're going to lose with "<st1:country-region w:st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region>
the Brave" or "Minstrel Boy" if the judges have any say in
it, but "Miri it is" will work and "Star of the <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Down</st1:PlaceName></st1:place>"
might. </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>I've had a few good teachers, and I'll see
if I can't get you an actual list of web-spaces you can go to, but one in
particular - Cantaria (<a href="http://www.chivalry.com/cantaria/">http://www.chivalry.com/cantaria/</a>),
is at least a starting point. You will probably receive more advice,
Christiana, than you will know what to do with. The game I play will not
necessarily fit your likes or dislikes. I encourage people who are so
inclined to perform. The good ones will be asked to repeat what they do,
or find something new, or be pointed toward a piece that might suit them (or
not). I advise performers to pick and choose from what they like to do,
learn it, and keep learning new pieces. Perform. If they have
instrumental talent, I encourage them to perform more! As to taking one's
self too seriously, I would like to encourage you to take up the concept of
failure and embrace it; make it a part of your philosphy. Because it will
happen where you fail in a performance; especially if you're going from
memorized pieces. Remember that the worst that can happen is that they
cut your pay, laugh about it, and keep going (Barrett's Privateers is not a
historical piece, but it's a favorite sea shanty of mine, sung it a hundred
times if I've sung it once. On stage at the Mucky Duck, right up to
the point where "Our cracked four pounders made an awful din," and
the words left me. No way to recover. No words. So I sang
"La la la la lalala la la la..." and cut to the chorus and concluded
with "That was Barrett's Privateers as sung by Janice Joplin."
Laughter and the crowd enjoyed it. Failure will happen. They won't
crucify you. You aren't getting paid for this gig. Just do your
best and drink your beer).</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>In service to the dream with a song in my
heart, I am</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>HL Gerald of Leesville</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>A bard of Stargate</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Kingdom: Ansteorra</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
bards-bounces@lists.ansteorra.org [mailto:bards-bounces@lists.ansteorra.org] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Liz Wilson<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Sunday, April 27, 2008 5:44
AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Ansteorran
Bardic list</st1:PersonName><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [Bards] Filking</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I am new to the SCA and the Bards List but I love Bardic
competitions and</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>performances. I'd like to try it myself although I am
a very average singer.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I probably could learn to tell stories. I don't have
much fear of public performance</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>and speaking because, although I am now a stay at home mom,
in mundane life</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I was an attorney for 15 years (and I'm still
licensed). If you can do appellate </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>argument or argument in a courtroom when real money is at
stake you can </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>probably do Bardic (although not necessarily well!)</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>At any rate,one of my questions relates to Filking. If
I Filk a melody, is it supposed</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>to be a period melody with SCA related words/theme or a non
period melody with</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>SCA related words/theme? Or a period melody on any theme?</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>If I'm performing at a Bardic competition and my persona is
still being</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>developed, do I have to stay in persona? For example,
if I compete at</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Springfaire, and my persona is 1315, can I do anything
in period or am I</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>supposed to limit myself to what would have been heard in <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region> in
1315 (if</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>anyone even knows what would have been heard!) Can I
just be kind of a</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>generalized performer and do things in period from any time
frame?</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>What happens if I do something that is out of period (but
not obviously</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>so)?</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Also I am very familiar with repetoire from Scarborough
Faire because I've been</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>going for 20 plus years and I have a lot of
recordings. However these songs are</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>not always in period. For example, the words to <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region> the
Brave, while</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>lovely, were actually written in the 20th century, and yet
this song is performed</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>at Scarby. Is it appropriate to perform at a Bardic
competition or not?</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Any ideas on how I find out what is in period and what</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>isn't for the Scarby or any other repetoire,</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>and what WOULD be appropriate at a Bardic competition and
what</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>wouldn't? I have a nice piece I am trying to
prepare for Springfaire but I</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>don't know how to find out if it is period, other than just
trying to do some</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>searches on the Internet about it to see what I can find
out.</span></font> <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Any advice to a new Bard, who is taking herself way too</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>seriously, would be appreciated.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Christianna (hope they won't laugh at me)</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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