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Survey for folk singing research

21 Nov 07 - 11:34 AM (#2199263)
Subject: Survey for folk singing research
From: GUEST,Fay

Hello all,

If anyone has 10-20 mins to complete a survey about their experiences with folk singing in England to help with my PhD research I would gratefully appreiate it.

I would like to collect perspectives from people who engage with any aspect of the vast contemporary English folk singing scene to find out what the messages are for individuals and organisations seeking to encourage the present generation of children, young people and adults to participate in folk singing. I am looking for volunteers who participate, or have participated in the past, in any form of folk singing activity in England. If you feel that you could help contribute to this discussion, please follow the link to be taken to the University of Sheffield's web pages and my survey.

http://www.shef.ac.uk/music/research/folksingcom.html


This research has been approved by the Ethics Review Committee of the School of English, University of Sheffield.

Thanks, Fay


21 Nov 07 - 02:30 PM (#2199364)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: greg stephens

I've replied.


21 Nov 07 - 02:37 PM (#2199373)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Rasener

Ive replied


21 Nov 07 - 02:54 PM (#2199382)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Banjiman

& me


21 Nov 07 - 03:09 PM (#2199392)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: naughtyforty

I have just submitted a response. Hope it's helpful


21 Nov 07 - 04:17 PM (#2199445)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Herga Kitty

I've replied - there's a question about the disadvantages of being a folkie. I haven't managed to find one.

Kitty


21 Nov 07 - 04:22 PM (#2199449)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: GUEST,Old Git

I've added my sixpenn'orth


21 Nov 07 - 04:24 PM (#2199450)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: gnomad

Me 'n all.


21 Nov 07 - 04:38 PM (#2199463)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Surreysinger

I tried - got so far and then it gave me all sorts of error and "this does not compute" messages - maybe it doesn't like me??
I shall have another go tomorrow!! I now feel as if I'm not part of the folksinging community... sob, sob!!
(Kitty - yes, I have to agree - couldn't think of any problems with being part of the community either!!!)


21 Nov 07 - 05:08 PM (#2199477)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: My guru always said

Done!

Mine worked Surreysinger, so it's nothing to do with the county we both live in *grin*

Disadvantages - the rising price of fuel and the amount of traffic on the M25!


21 Nov 07 - 05:12 PM (#2199482)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: GUEST,flyingcat

I've put in my tuppence worth too. Don't be upset surreysinger, once a folkie, always a folkie, Luv, moira,


21 Nov 07 - 05:58 PM (#2199515)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: BusyBee Paul

I put my ha'penny worth in too.


21 Nov 07 - 06:39 PM (#2199546)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Rasener

Have you only got a ha'penny BBP :-)

I have only a farthing :-)


21 Nov 07 - 06:58 PM (#2199560)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Tootler

Added my tuppence ha'penny worth.

A potentially interesting project.


22 Nov 07 - 03:53 AM (#2199745)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Little Robyn

That's the only disadvantage - you'll never be rich!
Robyn


22 Nov 07 - 04:46 AM (#2199770)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Folkiedave

Cry on my shoulder Irene - and I managed to complete it so it must work!!

Dave


22 Nov 07 - 05:58 AM (#2199797)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Surreysinger

Sorry Dave - it's a rather long way to come for a good cry, even if the shoulder offered is a capable one !! :-)

I'm about to go in and finish the job - wish me luck. (In retrospect I think it might possibly be something to do with the fact that I saved it up to the point I was at, and then went back in again a bit later and started afresh... I don't think it liked that!)

Oh, and Hilary - VERY good point... I'd forgotten the cost of it all/distances to be travelled etc etc - amazing how you can be wilfully blinkered to things you don't want to think about, isn't it??


22 Nov 07 - 08:42 AM (#2199852)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: GUEST,Essex Girl

I've done my bit!


22 Nov 07 - 08:43 AM (#2199853)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: jiva

Added our few penn'orth... certainly an interesting project.


22 Nov 07 - 11:50 AM (#2199960)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Richard Bridge

Oooh, chance to have a pop at a few things!


22 Nov 07 - 01:23 PM (#2200053)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Captain Ginger

Me too. The twee diminutive 'folkie' has always made my hackles rise, for a start!


22 Nov 07 - 02:21 PM (#2200099)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Mrs Scarecrow

Done


22 Nov 07 - 03:08 PM (#2200138)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: the button

Me too.


22 Nov 07 - 03:25 PM (#2200149)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Herga Kitty

But mgas's point applies to any interest you travel for - so if you weren't a folkie, you'd either be minus an interest or paying to get somewhere you wouldn't be singing....

Kitty


22 Nov 07 - 03:34 PM (#2200154)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Surreysinger

Point taken also Kitty - however, if my interest was reading the only thing I might occasionally travel for would be to go to Literary festivals - the rest of it gets done at home. In the case of singing - particularly traditional unaccompanied stuff - the opportunities to indulge are spread rather thinly and over rather large distances (unless you're lucky enough to live in the right places - I'm not)Were I to confine myself to choral singing I have the choice right here in Guildford of more than half a dozen choirs in the town itself, and masses more in the surrounding towns and villages. You could hardly say that about traditional song sessions - can't really think of one nearby of the sort that I'd be after... so yes... it is a disadvantage, but one that I willingly put up with!!


22 Nov 07 - 03:47 PM (#2200168)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: The Borchester Echo

twee diminutive 'folkie'

Yes, Mr Ginger.
I spoke out vehemently against that too.
It's not what I am.
My musical horizons are higher and wider.
"Folkie" is a vile, outdated, denigrating term which no longer has any meaning.
If you mean your passion is trad music, say so.
If you actually mean that what you like is MOR tripe, then go somewhere else.
Not hard.


22 Nov 07 - 04:14 PM (#2200183)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Herga Kitty

On my reading, Fay's survey isn't specifically about trad singing. It's about "any form of folk singing activity", so includes community singing (football matches, too, I guess).

And it's quite possible that the wording of the questions about "being a folkie" was intended to cover the pejorative interpretation.

Diane's interest in folk music is higher and wider and qualitative, and, as far as I can see, takes no account of the benefits of participating in singing, or even that singing together (whatever the quality) might be a valid folk activity. Seems a bit elitist to me, but it's obviously what some people prefer.

Kitty


22 Nov 07 - 04:25 PM (#2200189)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Richard Bridge

"Folkie" means you like folk music (here we go again....)


22 Nov 07 - 04:39 PM (#2200194)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: the button

Cheers to Fay for posting that survey, anyway. Always useful to ask yourself why you like doing something so much every once in a while. Looking forward to hearing how the research turns out, as well.

As for what "folkie" means to me, you *really* don't want to know what I put in my response to that question. ;-)


22 Nov 07 - 08:21 PM (#2200324)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Surreysinger

I'll happily agree that Fay's survey ISN'T about just trad singing - but since that's what I mostly do, and the survey is referring to the participation of a specific individual(ie the respondent) , and asking what the areas of that individual's participation are, that's the angle I'm likely to be coming from, and thinking about or responding to !!

And incidentally we actually have a community choir in Guildford as well - but I wouldn't call that "folk singing" since it covers many and varied areas - eg White Christmas was in it's repertoire last year - and by no stretch of the imagination would I call that "folk singing", lovely though it may have been [grins] Choral singing is choral singing, whether it be community choir or large classical choir - folk singing it ain't.


22 Nov 07 - 08:34 PM (#2200331)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Tig

For what purpose is this survey?
Why not go out into the "folk community" and ask those bodies present why they are there?
It could be a lot more fun.

BADGER


23 Nov 07 - 03:08 AM (#2200477)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Captain Ginger

It's clear from her website that she has done just that and is conducting research 'in the field' as well as online. The singing project with which she is involved does sound fun. If you'd taken the survey you'd have seen the final page which lists her involvement here.


23 Nov 07 - 03:09 AM (#2200478)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Folkiedave

She may be restricted by the presence of a small child - the lovely Polly.

Statistically just doing it locally would be invalid. It would be a bit like standing outside a railway station asking people if they travelled by train!!

And I can confirm she gets around the local community!! She was carol singing last Sunday!


23 Nov 07 - 05:16 AM (#2200529)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Fay

Blimey, thanks everyone for your contributions. I'll answer a few charges in case it helps clear things up.

This survey is part of a larger research strategy. I am focusing on the Sheffield area, doing observations, interviews and just coming to the end of a diary project where 40 or so people have been recordin and commenting on their activity for the past 2 months. There is more information about the whole project on my website:
http://www.fayhield.com

I am interested in the individual's activity and how they interpret the questions and define their boudaries of what folk singing covers is a part of that. Sorry if it sems ambiguous, but I am reluctant to put more boundaries than necesary in place by imposing my own definitions.

If you save the survey before you have fnished, it sends you an email with a link. you must use this link to get back to your survey, if you just go to the survey page you will have to start again. Not the tightest o systems, but it is fre software!

Cheers again, Fay


29 Nov 07 - 06:46 PM (#2205108)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Santa

Mrs Santa's in.


29 Nov 07 - 07:07 PM (#2205129)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: vectis

So'm I


29 Nov 07 - 07:12 PM (#2205130)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: GUEST,old git

Why am I not surprised that Diane Easby spoke out vehemently about something...


29 Nov 07 - 07:19 PM (#2205133)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: John Routledge

Have just filled in survey - Pleased that I did so before reading the thread :0)


29 Nov 07 - 08:00 PM (#2205167)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Tattie Bogle

Why just England? We have plenty of Community Singing Groups up here in Scotland, many of whom focus on traditional music (not necessarily all Scots: we even sing some English songs!)


29 Nov 07 - 10:20 PM (#2205227)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: The Borchester Echo

I'll 'speak out vehemently' about anyhing I damn well like, especially boring old gits who tweely describe themselves as 'f*lkies'.
Why not Scotland? Fay can speak for herself but as she lives in England and performs almost exclusively English material, then that could be a clue.


30 Nov 07 - 05:58 AM (#2205385)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: GUEST,Boring Old Git (Santa)

Folkie! Folkie folkie folkie!

Grow up, Diane and Captain Ginger. Restrict your vehemence to something that matters. The use of diminutives is an integral part of the English language - and many others if not all. Richard is right.

And tweeness is in the eye of the beholder.

Sorry, Fay, if this distracts from your interesting project, but they started it. Nyaa nyaa.


30 Nov 07 - 06:37 AM (#2205393)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Leadfingers

My 'bit' has been done ! And I dont give a damn if some one calls ME a Folkie !


30 Nov 07 - 08:34 AM (#2205437)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: theleveller

Would love to see the results


30 Nov 07 - 12:18 PM (#2205598)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: GUEST,Surreysinger sans cookie

Strangely enough devotees of Star Trek also hate to be called "Trekkies", far preferring the term "Trekkers" (heaven knows why - both have distinct anorak overtones) .... I have a suspicion that use of a similar term in this case might be a possible source of concern??? [broad smile]


30 Nov 07 - 01:46 PM (#2205663)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Richard Bridge

Maybe the Fokkers were Messerschmidts


30 Nov 07 - 06:52 PM (#2205877)
Subject: RE: Survey for folk singing research
From: Big Al Whittle

would I enjoy filling it in?