Message-Id: <3.0.3.32.19981003102307.006da290@mail.swbell.net>
Date: Sat, 03 Oct 1998 10:23:07 -0500
To: "Greg Lindahl" <lindahl@pbm.com>,
        jshewkc@cyclops.pei.edu (J. Michael Shew)
From: Rex Deaver <rdeaver@swbell.net>
Subject: Re: minstrel: Bardic, Period, and assorted rantings...
Cc: minstrel@pbm.com
In-Reply-To: <199810011207.IAA09180@xkey.com>
References: <Pine.LNX.3.95.980930215831.15893A-100000@cyclops.pei.edu>
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At 08:07 AM 10/1/98 -0400, Greg Lindahl wrote:

>I find this claim confusing. I can't imagine why you would NEED to do
>non-period pieces, in the SCA, in order to grow. 

Because a full-grown bard/skald/minstrel is a poet & a composer.  By
definition, original work is not Period.  Cannot be.  The closest it can
come is Periodoid.  

Do nothing original, ever, and you gain no growth rings (that's how
bards/skalds/minstrels increase their girth, doncha know :-)  You may be
doing many *other* wonderful things, but growing as a bard/skald/minstrel
isn't one of them.  

Apprentices learn other people's work to perfection, Journeymen learn to
"filk" to fit the need, Masters write verse and tune on demand.

>I also can't imagine
>why you would think performing for a contest, a feast, or at a bardic
>circle would be any different, except the audience at the 3rd is
>perhaps the most motivated and attentive.

Again, 'tis a measure of growth to be able to judge the audience.  If you
can't take an audience, any audience, grab them and make them yours...you
have failed.  Any other measure is merely an attempt to excuse the failure.
 Treating all audiences the same is a guarantee of failure.  

Now everyone has their own approach, their own theories on how to succeed.  

We can share those that we feel have worked/not worked, and we can discuss
them.  

Or, we can turn them into Giant Idols(tm), put them on carts, parade them
in a big circle while everyone in the circle takes potshots at everyone
else's Giant Idol(tm).  We can get all wounded and defensive when someone
shoots our Giant Idol(tm) and then turn around and shoot *theirs* with
towering self-righteousness and total belief in the sanctity of our cause.

I will be entertained either way because I have no scruples and I shoot
well enough to take my chances :-)   Most lurkers will learn a great deal
by watching as the principles tear each other to tatters.  The Art will be
advanced either way.   

Other ideals may suffer...

Mathurin


--
"Alas! all music jars when the soul's out of tune."
	 -- Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616)


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