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Just to clarify, a "filk circle" doesn't necessarily have to be
a circle, though it is usually shaped that way. A filk circle is
a gathering of filkers who wish to make music together, to perform
their own music, or a combination of both. Filk circles are generally
informal, with everyone being invited to participate, unless otherwise
explicitly stated, such as an official convention panel where only
certain filkers are performing (with everyone else being in the
listening audience).
Chaos filk circles
In a chaos filk circle, there are no rigid "rules" about who gets
to sing. People jump in with a song when they feel they have a good
follower to a song that has just been performed, or when they feel
like it.
Advantages:
Because filkers can "follow" with appropriate songs, there is a
more natural ebb and flow to the atmosphere and energy in the room.
Disadvantages:
In large circles, the more aggressive or outgoing performers tend
to be heard more often, and filk-hogging is more of a possibility.
Less confident performers, those without instruments, or those
sitting further back, are less likely to be able to "jump in" for
their turn.
Also see How To Have
A Successful Chaos Filk Circle.
Bardic filk circles
In a bardic filk circle, there is a regimented system to
make sure that everyone who wants to sing gets a chance to sing.
The simplest bardic system is just to go around the circle,
one person at a time. Each person can pick, pass, or play.
"Pick": pick a person to perform (if they're willing), or song for someone else to perform. "Pass": forfeit
your turn. "Play": perform a song.
I've seen poker chips and coloured beads used in bardic circles,
with each person being handed one chip or bead. If you want
to sing (or pick or pass), you throw your marker into
the center of the circle.
You can't sing again until everyone has thrown in their marker.
Advantages:
Everyone who wants to sing gets a chance to sing, including
shy or insecure performers who would not have the courage to
jump in and sing in a chaos filk circle. There is no filk-hogging.
Disadvantages:
Some don't like the regimented system because of the inability
to "follow" a song with a related one (the marker system helps
in this regard). Also, the predictability of performance order
tends to determine the comings and goings of filkers in the
circle. It can be humiliating for a less confident filker to
find half the people in the circle suddenly deciding to take washroom
or chat breaks once they realize that his turn
is next.
Comments? Suggestions?
Please post them here.
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