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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'>Saemundr,<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'>Welcome! I am pretty sure that no matter
what you do, nobody here is going to “laugh you back into your shadows.”
<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'><</span></font>I wondered if any of you
would mind thinking back and telling me what it was that lead you to where you
are now. ><o:p></o:p></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'>Here’s my story. I was a guitar
player and singer/songwriter (as a hobby) before I got into the SCA 20 years
ago. It was my lady who brought me in, and I was immediately thrown together
with her ready group of friends in Caid, many of whom were bards. I knew I
wanted to perform, but the big problem was repertoire! Where could I find SCA bardic
stuff to play? I heard someone play a couple of Archie Fisher songs (a folk singer
from <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>)
and loved them. I was also introduced to Stan Rogers music, and started to
learn a bunch of his songs as well. It was at this point that the
ever-persistent question of “what is appropriate for SCA settings?”
came to light. As it turned, out some of these songs (all written within the
last 20-40 years) were considered perfectly acceptable by almost everyone for
any SCA setting, and others were deemed far too modern. What was the
difference? Mostly it was the subject matter…..the lyrics. For example,
the Archie Fisher song “The Witch of the Westmereland,” (also
recorded by Stan Rogers</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'>), is usually considered appropriate due to the traditional-style telling
of a period-like story in a period-like way. But Stan Rogers’ “Night
Guard,” for example, which talks about pickup trucks and cattle rustling,
is not considered appropriate (hopefully for obvious reasons). The same for
Archie Fisher’s “Bill Hosie,” which talks about the designer
of the Spitfire fighter plane. So basically, my first lesson was this: It is
generally OK to do songs (stories, poems etc.) whose language and subject
matter are not obviously too modern, even if they were written in the 20th century.
I started with Stan and Archie, then discovered Dougie McLean (also from <st1:country-region
w:st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region>), and other great folk
singer/songwriters (mainly from the British Isles or <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region>), and started doing “covers”
of their “perioid” (our term for songs lacking enough blatant
modernisms not to offend) or traditional songs. Then I had a little bit of a
repertoire and could perform at bardic circles without snapping too many people
out of their medieval atmosphere. Eventually I started writing songs of my
own, then co-writing with my lady, and now we have lots of original songs that
we mainly do.<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'>Of course, actual period songs
(documentable to before 1600) are always a perfect choice, if a tad bit harder
to find recordings of. It’s actually much easier these days though, with
internet radio stations playing lots of groups who perform period songs. Try
Live365 and search for “renaissance,” of “medieval”
music, and you’ll find lots of hits. RenRadio is one source. There are
many others. <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'>That’s my story so far</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'>. And I’m still
learning! It might be really helpful if you found some bards in your area
(Namron, I assume?) who might have good advice. I’m down in <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">San Antonio</st1:City></st1:place> (Bjornsborg)
myself.<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=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><I play guitar although it seems that guitar tends to be looked down
on><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'>Be assured that there is plenty of evidence
for the use of guitars in period that people shouldn’t look down on
them. But I know some do. This led me early on to find lots of documentation
on guitars. In most SCA versions of period stuff (armor materials, fighting
styles, food ingredients, dyes, the list goes on), there are differences between
what was used (and sometimes how) in period, and what we use today. The
guitar, however, is one of those things whose differences are relatively small
(how it was tuned, what the strings were made of, how many strings there were, etc.).
But if you want just a taste of the body of evidence of guitar in period, look
here: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vihuela">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vihuela</a>.
The woodcut is from our period (1536), and the instrument, though called a “vihuela,”
sure looks an awful lot like a modern guitar right? So feel free to play that
guitar in a bardic setting! I always do, and so does the current kingdom bard
(Master Ihon), and several others in our kingdom. <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'>So I hope this has been of some help to
you. <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'>Good luck and welcome!<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>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </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'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<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'> Jim L Couch
[mailto:jimcouch@gmail.com] <br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Tuesday, May 27, 2008 8:31
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] Instruct me,
please</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>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Dearest good gentles and gentle-ladies of the lyst<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Never have I competed in a "bardic" competition, nor
participated in a bardic circle save one. However, mundanely I have
participated in entertainment (amateur) off and on. Naturally, your list
and arts interests me a great deal.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I have "played" off and on (mostly off) for a couple years
but I have often found it difficult to understand how a new person begins to
find their way into the entertainment arts of the SCA. I wondered if any
of you would mind thinking back and telling me what it was that lead you to
where you are now. Perhaps I just don't have the personality for the
arts, but I have always been one to listen to teachers and the instructs of
others.. and I will pursue this dream to life or any dying end.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>As for talents? Only mundanely, of course, I do sing
decently. I play guitar although it seems that guitar tends to be looked
down on. I have acted, directed, and wrote several plays even if they
weren't the skill of a master.. i still enjoyed it. I love to story-tell
but I will admit I am slow to "improv" it.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I had the good fortune of attending the good Duchess Willow's class on
storytelling (I believe) a couple years ago during my first year in the
SCA. I will be attending <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Kings</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">College</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> in Steppes (I
believe it is) in a couple weeks. My hope is that it will help me
tremendously.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Mostly, I find it difficult to step out of my shadow unless
challenged. I lack self confidence to "promote" myself. I
am uncertain what constitutes good SCA bardic material. I am certain that
there are other problem areas but these are the most difficult for me. I
deeply admire what you, kind readers, do and I have followed your discussions
here. Please share any advice you can offer.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I pray that the answers to these questions and more will find their way
to me before I throw myself to the wind and am promptly laughed back into my
shadows, never to appear again. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>ágætliga (honorably)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Sæmundr the pure of Namron<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>-- <br>
<br>
My life, my hobbies, and pictures at <a href="http://jimcouch.googlepages.com/">http://jimcouch.googlepages.com/</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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