Fancy going to a folk club tonight...?

Subject: Fancy going to a folk club tonight...?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 05 Mar 21 - 03:06 PM

I was just thinking how I'd love to go to a folk club.
Then I thought if the only people there tonight were the very worst folksingers I had ever heard, would I still want to go there?   

I came to the conclusion, I would.

Subject: RE: Fancy going to a folk club tonight...?
From: GUEST,Keith Price
Date: 05 Mar 21 - 03:26 PM

I'd be so glad you came to listen to me Al.

Subject: RE: Fancy going to a folk club tonight...?
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Mar 21 - 03:46 PM

Al it could be like going to listen to the worst poets like mcgonagall. I remember one floor singer who could play in tune but had no rhythm, it was so bad it was good

Subject: RE: Fancy going to a folk club tonight...?
From: JHW
Date: 05 Mar 21 - 03:48 PM

Pre V I had been doing just that for years, decades, several nights a week usually with a beer. Enjoyed the company and the beer.
Had my first jab but having survived a year by avoiding inside venues no beer and not learned anything new I suppose I can manage without it.
I haven't and won't try allegedly 'virtual' events but many seem happy with them. If the net had been invented in the Sixties there might have been no need of the 'revival'.

Subject: RE: Fancy going to a folk club tonight...?
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Mar 21 - 05:19 PM

virtual has publicity benefits ,but it has some disadvantages particularly as regards chorus singing and audience participation, but it is so important for many people at the moment who are isolated

Subject: RE: Fancy going to a folk club tonight...?
From: Raggytash
Date: 05 Mar 21 - 05:58 PM

Much as it grieves me to agree with Dick I have to say he has it nailed.

Yes there are many downsides to on-line sessions but at the present time it is a godsend to many, many people.

Subject: RE: Fancy going to a folk club tonight...?
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 06 Mar 21 - 02:32 AM

In the light of the bad news from the IoM I have a bad feeling it will not change for a while. Zoom is a Godsend as you rightly say.

Subject: RE: Fancy going to a folk club tonight...?
From: Pamber
Date: 06 Mar 21 - 02:42 AM

WE have had some look at playing in small groups using Jamulus for audio and a parallel video feed for those that want to see up people's noses. As an old non techo fart even I have to admit it works well
Paul

Subject: RE: Fancy going to a folk club tonight...?
From: GUEST,Fyldeplayer
Date: 06 Mar 21 - 02:57 AM

I have seen so many engaging musicians on Zoom, and it’s great when they get a longer spot and it’s easy tune in for more. I’ve seen genuine song delivery that’s far from technically great, lve seen overblown online wizardry with backing tracks etc. that buries the song. At least the volume can go off when it’s poor. Why people don’t check their broadcast quality before astounds me, so many good singers/players lost to bad signal, but we still keep going out as the new songs and performers are worth it. This is l believe going on for a while, and l also hope ‘distanced’ clubbing might continue somehow.

Subject: RE: Fancy going to a folk club tonight...?
From: The Sandman
Date: 06 Mar 21 - 05:26 AM

let us look at the way it [virtual] could be improved.
I would suggest ideally two people working as co host one very conversant with the technology , the other experienced with running good singarounds, this means imo knowing your regulars and their repertoire,not just going in any old order,but making sure there is balance of repertoire, having a stronger performer to go after a beginner etc, balnce between unaccompanied guitar concertina etc.
in real life singarounds, imo the order of singers is so important [of course there will be a few unknown quantities].

Subject: RE: Fancy going to a folk club tonight...?
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 06 Mar 21 - 05:56 AM

Why don't you start one? I'd support it.

Subject: RE: Fancy going to a folk club tonight...?
From: The Sandman
Date: 06 Mar 21 - 08:31 AM

There are plenty available.I do not have the technological expertise-

Subject: RE: Fancy going to a folk club tonight...?
From: Howard Jones
Date: 06 Mar 21 - 10:14 AM

"Why people don’t check their broadcast quality before astounds me, "

Possibly because they don't know how to? I do my best to make sure my mics are set up properly, but I've no idea what it sounds like at the other end. The club organiser will soundcheck a booked guest before the event starts, but it isn't practical to soundcheck maybe a dozen floorsingers.

How can a performer check their own broadcast quality?

Subject: RE: Fancy going to a folk club tonight...?
From: JHW
Date: 06 Mar 21 - 10:53 AM

Requoting myself.
If the net had been invented in the Sixties there might have been no need of the 'revival'.
Sure I would go to a folk club, preferably out of doors as many despise ventilation. I'm glad for those who like Zoom etc. but I'm sticking with live music ie face to face. There isn't any? Well fair enough.

Subject: RE: Fancy going to a folk club tonight...?
From: leeneia
Date: 06 Mar 21 - 11:46 AM

The Mudcat hosts a Singaround on Mondays, and I start thinking about my song the Friday before. Some singers may not have great voices, but the variety and wide-age range of the songs is something you won't find anywhere else. By that I mean that you might hear a song from the medieval period to one written last week. You can hear songs of delightful foolishness or songs of deep tragedy.

I thank Noreen and Joe for doing all the work.

Subject: RE: Fancy going to a folk club tonight...?
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 06 Mar 21 - 12:01 PM

The Glasgow Ballad Workshop 2020 has a monthly singaround with featured guest on a Sunday afternoon - you have to find the group on facebook, ask to be invited - then as a member of the group you can ask for the zoom link to the workshop
It took me till December to figure out zoom, then I really enjoyed a couple of lectures, some workshops and Mudcat Monday singaround - for about 3 weeks, then a disaster happened, my microphone stopped working (well it worked but made me sound like the chipmunks) and I have no idea why or what to do about it.
Someone sent me an instructional thing which I followed carefully - to no avail.
It is worse than not having access to zoom at all, having partial access but unable to be heard!!!

Subject: RE: Fancy going to a folk club tonight...?
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 06 Mar 21 - 01:47 PM

Have you tried an extension Mic. Before you do test your computers audio. Log on to Zoom you will find a prompt. It may be something and nothing.

Subject: RE: Fancy going to a folk club tonight...?
From: The Sandman
Date: 06 Mar 21 - 02:54 PM

Nick, Apart from the technological aspect of running a virtual folk club.I have other committments which take all my energy.
I am 70 years old and I have spent 8 years running a folk festival. I feel that i am doing my bit organisation wise and that I have more to offer by doing spots at other peoples virtual folk clubs as i have been doing for the last few months.

Subject: RE: Fancy going to a folk club tonight...?
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Mar 21 - 03:42 PM

"How can a performer check their own broadcast quality? "

Beforehand, if you have another device, you can start your own Zoom meeting on the device you will perform on and join the meeting on the other device. If the delay in unbearable record the 'listening' device.

At least it gives an idea what you are putting out.

Subject: RE: Fancy going to a folk club tonight...?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 Mar 21 - 04:12 PM

Given the opening question, yes! But it does have to be a real folk club. Nowt else will do :-)

Subject: RE: Fancy going to a folk club tonight...?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Mar 21 - 11:31 AM

I transferred Heather Mabel's post to the Online Chantey and Folk events thread, but here is the content to keep it here as well:

VALLEY FOLK CLUB PONTARDAWE South Wales
Pearshaped Sessions
1st and 3rd Fridays
8 30
Zoom 231 968 2073 pw VFCPS
A real folk club but not as you knew it.