Advice for a first-timer?

Subject: Advice for a first-timer?
From: LucyK
Date: 02 Apr 04 - 07:56 PM

So, I live in Reading, which has a folk club. There's a featured singer this Sunday and a general Singers' Night the next. If I go along to one or both of these, what should I expect? What will people do? When is it appropriate to take along my guitar and launch into an out-of-tune rendition of 'Kum Ba Yah'? (Just kidding about the song choice. Really.)

So, any pointers? (Also, anyone here from my area?)

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: Sorcha
Date: 02 Apr 04 - 09:37 PM

You might Personal Message fiddler or Stepper...they are both in Reading.

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 03 Apr 04 - 12:59 AM

Lucyk--as a "first-timer", I'd suggest you go along as an observer first night---if you enjoy what you see/hear you will be back. If you find the material on show to be familiar and within your repertoire or abilities, then by all means take an instrument along. In a good folk-club environment, you will be given a hearing, and no matter what the level of your competence, your contribution will be respected. And if you are judged well worth listeng to, please don't hesitate to take your gear along to either Guest night or singers night. Guests don't normally perform all through the programme!

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: GUEST,Les in Chorlton
Date: 03 Apr 04 - 02:00 AM

Talk to as many people as you can, especially those who don't sing.

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: Gurney
Date: 03 Apr 04 - 03:19 AM

Lucy, good advice from Boab. Watch and listen, unless you are an experienced performer. It is not a silly idea to get a feel for the type of stuff others do, and then try not to sing 'their' songs.

If someone sings your entire repetoire, you could always ask them to duet with you. "Give me a few pointers" is very flattering!

Go for it, girl. It is likely Reading is like most clubs, very supportive.

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 03 Apr 04 - 03:30 AM

I've only been to Readifolk once, it's a little out of the way for me and I have the St Albans Spotlight club nearer home. But this Sunday the guest is Colm McCabe, velvety voice, well worth listening to.

The advice above is very good. I should not take the guitar this time, just go and listen, talk to people, and notify the organisers that next time you would bring the guitar and have a go. They are supportive, and I am sure you'll have no problems.

Don't worry about the quality of other performers. Don't be overawed by the better ones or get smug by the weaker ones. Just do your stuff as best you can. The tastes at Readifolk are catholic, and you'll fit in.

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: Sooz
Date: 03 Apr 04 - 04:23 AM

Ask Avril Betts

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 03 Apr 04 - 04:24 AM

Er- the "talk to other people" bit. Not while others are singing or playing.

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: Hamish
Date: 03 Apr 04 - 04:36 AM

Hiya: good luck and just go for it. Loads of stuff on my web site here for first timers (and old timers, too!)

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 03 Apr 04 - 04:40 AM

Sorry Richard - respect for the performer is paramount, agree.
Hamish, your comeback is awaited with bated breath!

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: GUEST,eileen
Date: 03 Apr 04 - 05:18 AM

What, exactly, is "bated" breath? Always wondered if it were a bastardization of the word "abated".

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: s&r
Date: 03 Apr 04 - 05:25 AM

Bate is an obsolete verb meaning restrain or hold back. Abate is a diffetent root (French abattre I think). No obvious connection.

Stu

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 03 Apr 04 - 05:26 AM

Eileen,
To bate = to hold something back or moderate (from that font of knowledge, the online Encarta Dictionary)

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: LucyK
Date: 03 Apr 04 - 07:13 AM

Wow! What great advice! Thanks, everyone. I'm not sure whether I'll make it along there this Sunday, but I'll definitely try!

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: fiddler
Date: 03 Apr 04 - 08:13 AM

Lucy,

If Colm is playing go he's OK, we don't usually go but probably will this week ahving found that out!

We can meet there if you like - stepper and myself.

Click on my name and pm me if you wish we won't be wearing red roses in our left lapels - due to our lack of roses and lapels!

A

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: breezy
Date: 03 Apr 04 - 08:24 AM

you could pop up to St Albans tonight and try out your songs at our informal Sat at the British Legion, no charge.
Or tomorrow- Sunday- at the same venue but in the Spotlight club room where El G , Moses, Zorg even and others will be happy to advise.
usually on a guest night its limited time for floor spots.
Good luck, get comfortable, smile, say 'hello', look em in the eye, take your time and sing clearly.

'scrote'

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Apr 04 - 03:58 PM

Definitely turn up without an instrument case the first time. If you want a spot on your first visit then leave it in the car.

Clubs can be divided into several classes

1. Pure concert - as much atmosphere as a commercial hall - not many like this.
2. To show off the resident - some hate being upstaged by decent floor spots
3. Sod the audience - walk in pay you money and feel the hostility towards strangers. (They would probably be all over you if you had the guitar with you)
4. Genuinely welcoming to all. Fewer than "Catters" like to claim.

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: breezy
Date: 04 Apr 04 - 08:46 AM

we do all 4

but

no 1 plus great atmosphere on a Friday and everybody says heloo and new faces are made to feel especially welcome and introduced to regulars.

No 2 All the residents are 1st rate, but not all get on on a guest night, its the organiser who doesnt get a look in!!!

No 3 We say, 'sod the audience,' if you cant enjoy what we put on, you're sad!!!!!.
We have great audiences every time we meet, they are the best.

where is this all Happening

St Albans , Herts., England at the 'Windward' and 'Spotlight' folk-song clubs.

www.folk4all.net

No 4 Everybody welcome on a Sunday

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 04 Apr 04 - 09:24 AM

The Windward and Spotlight clubs' websites are
Windward Folk & Song Club and
St Albans Spotlight Club respectively.

The one Breezy gave above is my own - you're welcome to visit that also, of course!

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: breezy
Date: 04 Apr 04 - 09:28 AM

how did you do that oh clever one ?

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 04 Apr 04 - 11:05 AM

I used the "Make a blue clicky" instructions below. And I know the URL/addresses of the two clubs: www.folk4all.net/Windindex.htm and www.folk4all.net/Windspotlight.htm

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: Amos
Date: 04 Apr 04 - 11:47 AM

Breezy:

There are basic HTM instructions in the FAQ. Finding a site involves putting its name into Google and sorting through the results hoping to discriminate the correct item out of the chaff.

A

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: breezy
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 06:21 AM

Thanks.



er

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: GUEST,Reading Lass
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 06:53 AM

Hi Lucy

I go to Readifolk regularly. Very friendly and all-encompassing. If its a singers night or theme night then definitely take your guitar & expect to sing - the format is singaround on those nights and everyone is asked whether they would like to contribute. Una runs these - and she is one of the most welcoming people on earth.
On guest nights there are floor spots - organised by the very nice and approachable Malcom.

This is definitely a "geniunely welcoming to all" club - and everyone is appreciated for their contribution. Some sing unaccompanied, some with instruments, some with words on paper & some without, some traditional songs, some music hall, some self-penned, some pop standards type stuff - variety is the spice of life. It is non-smoking, but if you are a smoker there is a bar at the front for to nip out to.

What sort of songs do you do?

There's plenty of folk stuff locally - Una also co-runs a regular Saturday night singaround (songs & instrumentals welcome) at The Swan at 3 mile cross, just south of the motorway. Mike Tierney runs a lot of pub singaround/sessions locally too - which are somewhat chaotic but can be great fun (if you don't mind noisy smoky pubs). Someone has recently set up a website for him : click

Hope to see you around....

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 07:55 AM

And if you are mobile then Maidenhead club meets at The Ferry at Cookham a mere 9 miles away (And even closer in May as it will be temporarily at The 7 Stars just past Hare Hatch (A4))

singers generally welcomed, even me when I get off me **** and go there

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: GUEST, Hamish
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 08:22 AM

Well, Lucy, did you go? How did you get on?

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 07:46 AM

Contrary to what was said above, for gawd's sake don't leave your instruments in the car. It's because stupid people leave valuable items in cars that us sensible people get our cars broken into too, and have to pay higher insurance.

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: GUEST,Reading lass
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 08:49 AM

Blimey! You're right there Guest!! Especially in Reading!

Lucy - take your instrument in if its theme night or singers night. You'll definitely get asked to sing/play - and it looks daft to have to go back out to get it. If you really don't fancy walking into an unfamiliar club with an instrument then have a few unaccompanied songs prepared - that way you don't commit yourself to performing if you decide you really don't want to after all.

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: LucyK
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 11:48 AM

I didn't go on Sunday unfortunately - I'd been to a birthday party the night before and was absolutely exhausted! I'll definitely go in the next couple of weeks, though.

As for the kinds of songs I do, I like singing all sorts of things. I sing some English, Irish and Scottish traditional songs, plus some of the more modern things written in the same style in the late 1800s and on. There are some types of pop music I also enjoy experimenting with. In the end, I just play songs I really like, whether that's 'The Mountains of Mourne', 'Wild Mountain Thyme' or 'Moon River'!

However, the number of songs I have that are actually ready to be performed in public is fairly small; ones where I have all the words, the tune, and the chords absolutely off by heart! I'll just have to keep practising and see what comes of it.

I've also written a fair bit of filk in my time, but that's dropped off somewhat since I left university. I keep meaning to get back to it.

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: GUEST,Reading lass
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 12:52 PM

Hey Lucy! Sounds like you'll be more than welcome and very much appreciated. Sounds like a nice repertoire.
Hope to see you there sometime & will say hello.
I won't be there this week - but should be back in the routine the following week.

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: GUEST,Reading lass
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 12:54 PM

Oops - forgot to post link to Readifolk site;
Here is is :
Readifolk

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: Kevin
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 01:06 PM

G'day ,
"baited breath" (sic) was actually a phrase coined by a professional rat-catcher.
He would feed his trained cat lots of cheese. The cat would then wait at the mousehole with..........(wait for it)


       "BAITED BREATH"

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 05:37 PM

Kevin!!! That's bad. (but good)

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: steve in ottawa
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 12:29 AM

This is a great site, maintained by Hamish Currie: http://www.lombardy.clara.net/ It's even got a section on: joining your first session
I think I wound my way to it from one of Breezy's posts.

Subject: RE: Advice for a first-timer?
From: GUEST, yes, tis me, Hamish, no cookie
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 02:41 AM

or form me in this thread, above? See 03 Apr 04 - 04:36 AM

:-)

(But thanks for the plaudit anyway.)