Message-Id: <61AC5C9A4B9CD11181A200805F57CD540877D462@RED-MSG-44>
From: Keith Savage <keithsa@MICROSOFT.com>
To: minstrel@pbm.com
Subject: re: minstrel: Bardic, Period, Etc.
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 13:57:21 -0700
Sender: owner-minstrel@rt.com
Precedence: bulk

...hmmm, performing a "period" piece.  Let's see, if I were in a chieftain's
hall I would most assuredly speak the Gaelic of the region and all of my
spirit as a fili (bard/poet) would be behind it.  I could tell a ancient
tale that all have heard before and fulfill my duty as the memory of the
people and have the tale be appreciated; or I could tell a tale specifically
about the region I am in or the chieftain's ancestors and that would be
appreciated even more; or I can tell a new original tale about the chieftain
himself and have it be appreciated even more.  And while there I would
always be ready with wisdom dispensed in the form of Triads and music for
our collective pleasure (hmmm, I don't know if that Boru lad can feed and
house my retinue again if we return before the Christ's Mass...)... 

...Then if I was in Dublin performing for the Ostmen there I would be
performing as a simple skald or scop (they don't know the magic in the words
of a true bard - might have to show them some day but I digress).  Although
I can find something to admire in the Geadhill in their appreciation for and
use of obscure kennings and riddles (keeps a man on his toes).  In Dublin I
would speak the tongue of the Nordmanni and tell them tales of their gods
and their people (sometimes humorous, often bloody, but always
entertaining).  However, the Nordmanni also have greater appreciation for an
impromptu and original piece.

...However, if I were performing before the people of the Known World I
would speak in their polyglot tongue.  These folk have a strange and
mysterious love/hate relationship with all who would entertain them.
Knowing that this causes a curse that will always leave some unsatisfied, I
choose to honor my art and perform original compositions for the most part.
Ensuring that they are understandable to these diverse folk.

So for a period piece I almost always select an original composition (if
that statement confuses you start over at the beginning) - I perform in the
language and to the tastes of who I am performing for.  Especially if I wish
to make a point or sway a heart - after all what good is a satire to the
chieftain, a flyting to the Ostman, or humor to the SCA folk if they can not
understand it?  Then it would be no more than the bark of a dog carried on
the wind.  Note however, for all audiences I make use of all the tools of my
craft, using poetry, alliteration, kennings, and pure wit and spirit when
necessary.

Documentation for this approach?  You just heard it.  I could write it all
down hey I just did, a few more paragraphs and I'm all set for that
competition thing.  If you want more I could certainly provide it and tell
you more about the file (bards) and skalds of my personna's period and how
they worked their craft.  But all the rest of those good folk sitting out
there would probably fall asleep.

Competition?  If anyone really wants to discuss ochtfochlach, debide,
draignech, and rannaigecht Irish poetry forms or Fornyrpislag, Malahattr,
Kvipuhattr, Ljopahattr, or Drsttkvftt Old Norse forms we can but I'd rather
go have some fun performing.  

Don't get me wrong, I CAN talk about all of that but its kind of boring and
the kind of thing that needs to go on a website (yes, I'm working on it) not
the kind of thing I want to compete over.  Personally, I'd rather be writing
songs/poetry and making the ladies smile than talking about writing
songs/poetry.

Gotta go now - I feel a song calling my name,
Gryphon Savage

...grumpy old 10th century Hiberno-Norse heavy fighter and bardic type (who
has a custom built Ovation guitar whose persona is a dwarven-crafted harp -
or so she claims when she sings and I haven't met many people who wanted to
argue with her).

...maybe that should be the next thread - are guitar players heinous,
low-life puppy kickers or do they have a place in the society...

***********
Gryphon can be reached at truebard@geocities.com
<mailto:truebard@geocities.com> .  Visit Gryphon at The Harp and Blade web
site at http://www.geocities.com/athens/forum/1272
<http://www.geocities.com/athens/forum/1272> 


-------------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe from this list, send email to majordomo@pbm.com containing
the words "unsubscribe minstrel". If you are subscribed to the digest version,
say "unsubscribe minstrel-digest". To contact a human about problems, send
mail to owner-minstrel@pbm.com