Re: A topic for discussion

Karen Rall wrote:
> Therefore, the questions I am proposing are:
> -- Is there such a thing as "filk etiquette"?

        Most definitely. Having been the victim of filk problems, and the direct cause of filk problems, I can say that etiquette exists. It needs to.

> -- If so, what are its commonly agreed upon rules?

        The ones I try to abide by are: If a person is singing, either sing with them (if you know it's okay with that performer) or shut up - absolutely no talking while music is playing. If you must talk, take it outside. If you're recording, check with the performer to make sure it's okay. If it's a bardic circle, don't try to break circle. These are a few off the top of my head, I'd have to think harder (and when I'm more awake) to be more articulate.

> -- Do these strictures vary between circles and concerts,
> between different kinds of circles, and/or by region
> of the country?

        I think so. Some areas run poker-chip bardic. I've never seen that in the the Northwest.

> -- How are they currently communicated to newcomers?

        Not well. At least not out here. The first circle I ever went to was chaos, and I had no idea it was chaos - the rules weren't explained to me. The next night's filk was a bardic - again, no explanation.

> -- Are there points which could use some refinement?
> (Either in the rules themselves, and/or in how
> they are communicated to newcomers.)

        Well, at big cons like NorWes (and Ory come to think of it), someone needs to get up every half hour or hour and explain just what is going on, and how it works. Someone did that at Ory last November and it helped a lot since there were loads of new people there.

> -- How do we (or even should we) deal with individuals
> who violate the rules?

        This one's tricky. One person's ideals about filk don't fit another's. However, for things like talking during songs or trying to jump circle, the person who is doing it needs to be informed (politely) that that isn't the way things are working tonight, and for the enjoyment of others, to please do things this way for now.

> -- Any other relevant points you wish to bring up.

        I enjoy filking a great deal, and I hope that I don't spoil it for anybody else. I'm an adult, I can take it if you come over to me and say, "Stop it with the jokes, okay?" or "Turn off the keyboard and let someone else go, all right?" Filk should be enjoyed by the whole group, and if I or someone else is doing something that is making things grind to a halt, I hope that the group can be adult enough to tell that person what is going on.

        Thanks, Karen, for bringing this up. This does need to be addressed.

santa@serv.net : http://www.serv.net/~santa Received on 05/02/96