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Classes

Class Coordinator: Brendan O Corraidhe
corrie (dot) bergeron (at) gmail (dot) com

Roundhouse U. will once again offer an array of classes of interest to the non-bard, the beginner bard, or the ancient veteran, in a wide variety of topic areas.

Schedule

This is a preliminary schedule and subject to change.

  Instrumental Track Theory Track Storytelling Track
9:30 The Vibrating String Tanka-Haiku Theory and Practice of Reading Aloud
12:30 Introduction to the Lute How Scales Changed in Period Master Class
3:30 Recorders 101 The Bard as Historian Tricks of the Trade for Tellers of Tales

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Class Descriptions

The Bard as Historian
Lady Ursula Mortimer and THL Brendan O Corraidhe

Most of the people in most of the Society’s period of study were illiterate.  The memory of deeds and persons both great and venal was preserved almost exclusively through song and story.  Even the great written collections of tales such as the Decameron and the Canturbury tales were likely based on stories that had been a part of the oral tradition for years.  This session  will focus on the role of the bard/singer/storyteller throughout history, and compare and contrast it to the role of the Bard in the SCA today.

How Scales Changed in Period
Lord Thomas Haworth

In period, singers and instrumentalists used a variety of pitches; A was not 440 vibrations per second. There were also choices that had to be made in setting the intervals between the steps on a scale on fixed-pitch instruments like organs, harps, and lutes. We will examine the theory and hear examples of four versions of the musical scale that were used and the differences between them. This will help singers and instrumentalists understand how music sounded in period, and suggest some choices we can make in making music today. (For techies: scales covered include the two musical tunings most commonly used in the medieval and Renaissance periods: Pythagorean and 1/4-comma meantone.)

Introduction to the Lute
Lady Halle of Mugmort

Brief history of the lute, brief what kind of music can be played on lute, main differences between guitars and lutes, kinds of lutes, how much lutes cost, where to get lutes, how to tune a guitar like a lute, basic setup and care of a new lute. 

Master class
Mistress Tyzes "Zsof" Sofia

Bring a rehearsed performance piece, or a work-in-progress, for constructive criticism and feedback from expert writers and performers. Sign up in advance at troll.

Midrealm Sing-along
Lady Ursula Mortimer

Using the collection, “The Dragon and Her Daughters: Selected Songs of the Kingdoms of the Middle, Calontir, Ealdormere and Northshield”. Please pre-order and plan to pay at the event. Watch this space for information on ordering.

Recorders 101
Lady Nest Bengrek

This hands-on workshop is for the aspiring recorder player, no prior experience is necessary.You do NOT need to know how to read music! I will have 7 sopranos available to play, but please bring your own instrument if you have one. You may purchase one of my instruments if you wish. Class handout will include some history, fingering charts, and some sheet music. A small donation to offset costs would be appreciated.

Tanka-Haiku
Lord Kenshin

The 5-7-5 syllable Haiku is the form of Japanese poetry that most Westerners come closest to knowing and loving. Unfortunately, they're about 50 years out of period, and didn't hit their golden age until the 1800's-ish. Fortunately, late period Japanese poetry, called "Tanka" had the format 7-7-5-7-5, and, often, the host of a poetry party would provide a 7-7 "seed," with the partygoers finishing off the poem with a 5-7-5 ending. Precisely a haiku. 

Theory and Practice of Reading Aloud
Lady Ursula Mortimer

While it is true that much of the culture of our period was preserved orally, many stories were written down, and being-read-to was a pastime of the nobility.  This session begins with the history of and documentation for reading stories from a text, and then moves on to practical matters - how to read so that people want to listen to you, and ask you to do more of it.

Tricks of the Trade for Tellers of Tales
Lady Kateryn Draper

Learn how to improve your performance and avoid common mistakes from a bard and storyteller with over 25 years of experience. 

The Vibrating String
THL Brendan O Corraidhe

Learn some of the “natural philosphie” of the vibrating string, and how Galileo’s father contributed to our understanding of string dynamics. 

 

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