Re: Filk con query and Attention Deficit Disorder

Mon, 25 Nov 1996 "A. Prather" <aprather at u.washington.edu> wrote:

> Okay, so here's my two cents' worth on the campground idea. It's difficult
> to pull off if you have valuable instruments you'd like to take to a filk.

> On Sun, 24 Nov 1996, clan of the four winds wrote:

> > >One thought that occurs: must one hold it at a hotel? Might a campground
> > >be used instead? There might be money saved that way. On the other hand,
> > >it might make a dealer's life difficult and preclude an art show--if that
> > >matters. Ummmm...

It is an intriguing idea. How much programming would a filk con have? A panel or two on song writing might be interesting. For any of you who have written songs, you know that making up the song is a whole lot easier than getting the music scored - at least for an amateur like me. A friend of mine has set up some music software with a MIDI keyboard, and scores his music by playing it. Then he just prints it out on a laser printer, and there it is.

Judging from the amount of actual sheet music I see in the filk community, (squat) a lot of people could benefit from that sort of workshop. So could the whole filk community. Setting up a full MIDI authoring system in a campground might be tough, though. Maybe not, if there was a nice lodge.

I seem to vaguely remember that one of the major MIDI authoring software houses is based in Seattle, is that real?

The white haired, generous Commander is the only one I've run across who hauls a keyboard in his backpack, but I suspect lots of us own them. They replyaren't that expensive any more. One other thing about MIDI, it is a nice compact way to ship music around on the net. Pretty much anyone with a sound card can play general MIDI files any more, they are nicely compact, and you can even do MIDI jams and multi tracking online. Oh wow, what an idea for internet software. Do I digress? Do I care?

replyAnother topic for a panel discussion/workshop.

Which brings up another question. Would this filk con be an overgrown house filk, or would there be non-musical programming? How about a panel on copyright infringement? (downer)

Because of its back-alley beginnings it's pretty rare for filkers to think about actually getting paid for the stuff they write. This is a shame, because I've heard some really *good* songs at filk performances. I've also seen some hard feelings created when song writers want to exercise their right not to have their songs bootlegged. There ought to be a one hour panel in there somewhere.

Nah, I'm gonna go filk...I don't even attend panels at regular cons. :)

How about producing con tapes? How about a whole recording studio setup where artists could schedule time? All you need for a high quality recording nowdays is a digital tape deck, some mikes and a mixing board. And enough distance from the filkers that the roar of the crowd is a bit muffled. How about a tape title contest?

"Just Add Virgins" by Marauding Instabands.

OK. I'll shut up now. The pile of rotten tomatoes and watermelon rinds is getting kind of deep anyway. I just like to start out by brainstorming possibilities, then toss out anything that isn't practical.

Everyone edges away and asks, "Are you crazy?"

Probably. Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.

• Larry