Talking During Singarounds?

Subject: RE: Talking During Singarounds?
From: matt milton
Date: 12 Mar 12 - 06:01 AM

I think there's a big difference between a "stoney" silence - solemn, po-faced etc etc - and an attentive one.

That might sound daft - silence is silence, after all - but it makes perfect sense to me.

An example, in terms of London folk clubs:

Sharps Folk Club, at Cecil Sharp House, Tuesdays. I've only been there the once, but I really must go again, because it had a really welcoming, friendly atmosphere. People were quiet while others sang and performed, but not so quiet that it was like a wake. People still quietly ordered drinks at the bar etc.

By contrast, the two occasions I went to Musical Traditions club, I really didn't enjoy the atmosphere at all: it felt much more like a "stony" silence to me. The atmosphere just felt ... mouldy. Way too conservative and formalised and procedural for me. More like a Quaker prayer meeting. Well, perhaps I'm exaggerating a little (I did enjoy the singing and performances there). Perhaps Quaker coffee morning would be a more accurate description.

I think the key is awareness of your surroundings. There's nothing more annoying than people who have no clue whatsoever that they are being annoying. Equally, some people are so stuck-up that they seem to resent so much as a sniff from their fellow audience members.

Subject: RE: Talking During Singarounds?
From: GUEST,Amber
Date: 12 Mar 12 - 02:31 PM

I know people who whisper when others are singing. The noise isn't a distraction but I think it is extremely rude and it can be offputting.

Subject: RE: Talking During Singarounds?
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 12 Mar 12 - 02:44 PM

I used to think it was a bit rude. But then I simply got used to people nattering and realised it was just a part of the general social crack. Though I tend to be a listener rather than a natterer myself, it doesn't bother me if others talk. A low level hum of conversation in a corner here or there doesn't bother me so long as the mood is amiable and everyone's having whatever they find to be a good time.

Subject: RE: Talking During Singarounds?
From: Penny S.
Date: 13 Mar 12 - 07:29 AM

Quaker coffee morning - loads of talking, not exactly silence. I wouldn't want to sing against it.

Actually, I was thinking, before that post, that a Quaker meeting would be attentive and a sort of silence which was not intimidating, but encouraging.

Penny

Subject: RE: Talking During Singarounds?
From: Deckman
Date: 13 Mar 12 - 08:24 AM

I agree with you completly on this Joe. It's weird, but the identical thing happened to me at last month's jam session. I was just settling in my chair, my guitar was tuned, and the songs had started going around the circle, when a lady I know only too well crowded herself into a small space next to me. She decided to start visiting with the lady on her right. And then a third lady joined and they were having a fine gab fest in no time.

Their talking was such a distraction that I got up in disgust, packed my guitar and left very early.

There are only three choices in a situation like that: 1. hope the person in charge (homeowner in my case) will speak up and quiet the gossipers, 2. speak up yourself 3. go home.

I'm thinking of skipping the gathering this month. bob(deckman)nelson

Subject: RE: Talking During Singarounds?
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 13 Mar 12 - 08:50 AM

We have a slightly different problem in this part of the world.

We have an excellent traditional session on a Monday night but for a while last year one of the musicians' friends started bringing a poet friend of his who insists on standing up and delivering some of his doggerel to the assembled crowd. To make it worse, his poetry is shit. I made this clear a while ago and we didn't see him for a while after that but he's started turning up again.

I don't go every week anymore due to childcare commitments but he's got his feet back under the table. What annoys me is that there are other places in town he can spout this crap among people who are there to hear it but there are no other tune sessions during the week. Just bloody bad manners.

We have the same problem with singers on occasion. Are there not enough folk clubs? I know of at least half-a-dozen within a radius of 20 miles or so. And if you are going to sing at a tunes session, at least learn the words and don't read them out of a folder or off your phone.

There. I feel better now. Thanks.

Subject: RE: Talking During Singarounds?
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 13 Mar 12 - 09:05 AM

Singers can be a bit demanding in their search for undivided attention. On a social occasion it is only natural attention will lessen once singer number three, four five, six or seven is ready to do their bit. Especially if not all present are there specifically and only to listen to singers.

On many occasions I have also noticed singers who don't see a problem in making a racket while instrumentalists are playing, demanding utter silence and respect once the thought of singing a line comes into their head.

As in many situations, there needs to be a bit of give and take. A bit of sense, understanding and decency go a long way.

Subject: RE: Talking During Singarounds?
From: GUEST,Don Wise
Date: 13 Mar 12 - 12:19 PM

What I find irritating is people behind me talking loudly when I'm sitting in the audience trying to listen to whoever is currently singing on stage. When I'm up on the stage myself I don't really notice any talking going on among the audience.

Subject: RE: Talking During Singarounds?
From: Bernard
Date: 13 Mar 12 - 01:35 PM

Difficult, really - some performers (because that's what they are, whether they like the term or not) can command an audience, and others cannot.

Whilst manners and courtesy come into it, if a performer isn't 'playing to the audience', they should not be surprised if the audience is turned off.

That said, I agree with those above who point out that it's down to the organiser to set the rules and see that they are adhered to - if someone wishes to chat, they are in the wrong place to do it, as others may well be trying to listen... and, like Joe, being distracted.

I learned many years ago how to command an audience - it's called 'stage presence' - and being obnoxious is not the way to achieve it!!

Subject: RE: Talking During Singarounds?
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 13 Mar 12 - 03:19 PM

i guess every session has its own ethos and some just accept the talking' and i have pretty much learned to live with it.sometimes i find out later some do listen.however ;recently when everyone seemed in conversation i passed my turn and the next player waited a little till talk subsided.

Subject: RE: Talking During Singarounds?
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 13 Mar 12 - 04:50 PM

Joe is a great singer and why anyone would want to talk through his songs at a song session is beyond me. It says a great deal about that particular setting and those who attend it, in whatever capacity.

Some of us are bemused by the whole song circle singaround concept, others have only a limited (or no) choice, whilst others are fortunate enough to be within easy reach of a session every day of the week.

A singer sings to carry the songs on. Partly because they are good songs, partly because they make a particular point or tell a story that is relevant to the singer's experience. It takes nerve and experience to do it. Some need the prop of the words. Don't chastise them. Many a classical singer and their accompanying orchestra would grind to a halt if they didn't have the words and the dots in front of them. The delivery is the thing and we are all somewhere on a learning curve.

If you don't like the ambience at a particular venue....don't go there! You won't change it by moaning about it. Either find one you do like and support it happily, or start one of your own somewhere! (But not somewhere that has a slamming door, or a group of hyenas talking about their holiday, or a group of locals singing their own songs in their local!)

I went to a lovely session with friends yesterday.....but I'm not telling you where it is in case you come and talk through it!

Best wishes,

Peter

Subject: RE: Talking During Singarounds?
From: Bert
Date: 13 Mar 12 - 05:13 PM

You are right Bernard. Stage presence, is great and can hush a whole bar full of people, but it doesn't work very well when the obnoxious loudmouths are in the kitchen.

Subject: RE: Talking During Singarounds?
From: Bernard
Date: 13 Mar 12 - 07:04 PM

Hah! I'd just go and confront them, Bert... in the nicest possible way, of course!! The easiest way to shush people is to involve them!

Subject: RE: Talking During Singarounds?
From: Bert
Date: 13 Mar 12 - 07:12 PM

Yes, Joe did that and it didn't work.

I encountered the very same situation many years ago at a club. When it came to my turn, I put my guitar down, stood up and sang "The Barley Mow" loudly enough that they heard me in the kitchen and quietened down.

Nowadays, I don't suffer fools so gladly and I would choose a different song.

Subject: RE: Talking During Singarounds?
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 13 Mar 12 - 07:42 PM

You could try to get all of the singers to join in the following to 'Guantanamera'

Shut your trap while we're singing,
Shut your trap while we're singing, trap while we're singing,
Shut your trap while we're singing.


I'll get me coat!