Do singarounds need someone to run them?

Subject: RE: Do singarounds need someone to run them?
From: tuggy mac
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 12:08 PM

Its nice to know there are people out there willing to put up with us book readers.and we humble in the company of those who have great memories.

All the best tuggy.

Subject: RE: Do singarounds need someone to run them?
From: Bill D
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 01:09 PM

tuggy mac..I wish people did not need to use books, but *I* do not shut them out because of this, and our song circle does not exclude them (and I have resorted to cheat sheets myself on occasion)...what we are concerned with is those who cannot do the song WITH the book! If I can close my eyes and not realize you are using a book or notes, I will not complain. Pauses to find the next verse, experimenting with the tune, unfamiliarity with the rhythm and pace tend to make the whole situation awkward and less than fun. I can't see how those doing it can be enjoying themselves either...

Subject: RE: Do singarounds need someone to run them?
From: Deckman
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 04:14 PM

For the first years of the "Seattle (USA) Song Circle", I was a dedicated participant. This was for several reasons: Enjoyment of the music and friends, and as a long time teacher, I've always felt something of an obligation to nurture and encourage new music lovers. But after some years of Sunday evenings, I began to distance myself, more and more. It had to do with several things: the long drive on a "work night"; more and more often "blue books" were showing up; fewer and fewer of the better musicians were attending.

Another factor reflects what Rick just posted, regarding the "jerk" that insists on playing along (badly) with every person's turn, and no one in charge to shut him up.

I'll tell a funny story on myself, and I sincerly hope that this story does NOT bring a ration of very bad jokes in very bad taste:

During this time when I was attending song circle less and less, I often would enter the home, and set the stage for my quick get-a-way. I'd stash my guitar close to the back door, ususally in the kitchen, and join the group, usually with one foot in the singing room and one foot in the hall, heading toward the kitchen. At the first sign of "trouble", I'd just quietly get up, sneak into the kitchen, put my guitar in the case, and slip out the back door, slide alongside the house to my truck, and be halfway home before anyone missed me. Now ... and here's the funny part: a dear friend of mine who also used to attend these events quickly named me "BACK DOOR BOB!"

Subject: RE: Do singarounds need someone to run them?
From: Les B
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 01:44 AM

In regards to the "blue book" or "RUS" (Rise Up Singing) - I have never seen one appear at our jams, although I do have a copy sitting on my shelf. In fact, I doubt many people in my circle even know that book exists, thank goodness.

What I do see being used more and more, by the people in our group who must work from cheat sheets, is reams of computer print outs. The internet has contributed greatly to people being able to find nearly any song they want within seconds. Both a blessing and a curse !

Subject: RE: Do singarounds need someone to run them?
From: GUEST,KB
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 04:48 AM

Re cheat sheets & memory problems - a quick thought just crossed my mind. I used to be completely dependent on them (partly nervousness maybe?) but rarely use them now. I think one of the things that cured me was hanging my guitar on the wall where it could lure me at any time of day when I'd a minute to spare. So then you pick up the guitar & can't be *rsed to go find the paperwork & end up singing stuff from memory. Over time you just find that you've painlessly learned TONS of stuff. If I'd had to go and get the guitar from a case then I'd probably also have gone & got the paperwork & so wouldn't have practiced the recall.

Kris

Subject: RE: Do singarounds need someone to run them?
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 06:25 AM

I think I'd also go along with the majority and say that in most cases a singaround works best if someone is organising it discreetly. All the postings so far seem to have only considered the performers'
side of the story though.

In many cases there is also an audience or considerable number of non-performers. I think that it is up to the person(s) organising to sometimes try and arrange the order of performers to make it interesting for them. If you have a few weaker performers, try to intersperse them with the stronger ones - so many times I've heard a whole group of poorer performers one after another (because they're sitting togther) and watched the audience dwindle away until by the time it gets round to the better singers, there's virtually no-one left. The same thing goes for type of material and even the sex of the singers. Remember also that most of the performers are audience for most of the time and that a varied program is much more likely to keep them around.

Singarounds and sessions are often a window into the folk scene for many of the general public and if we want to improve their conception of folk music, we have to take them into consideration. Most singarounds (in the UK at least) take place in pubs, and the landlord wants to feel that you're entertaining his regular clientele as well as yourselves.

Subject: RE: Do singarounds need someone to run them?
From: GUEST,Mick
Date: 24 Sep 03 - 07:02 AM

Agreed! It can also be a pain in the a**e when a singaround reaches a clump of guitarists all sitting together! The organiser needs to have the ability to mix things up to make the singaround entertaining.