notwithstanding my deep appreciation for the work that has gone into this research, as a practicing poet i have reached a far different conclusion vis-à-vis performing alliterative verse. i think a drum should be used instead, & its beats to occupy the 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑠 instead of the half-lines. (one heavy beat before, & two quick beats between.) it puts too much on the audience to discern words that are already unfamiliar, over contrasting sounds. likewise we are too accustomed to listen to stringed instruments for melodies instead of for rhythms, & find much of our enjoyment in syncopation. (syncopation in allliterative verse comes from varying many syllables or few to a single half-line, but not varying the beat.) --still, all should be tried. the important thing is to make poetry in which the sound counts.
Ah, I think I've seen that before. Should have saved it and discussed it in the post. But I am working partly from what little we know of the historical practice of scops, as well as the analogy with the gusle tradition, so I would have had to point out that it is not consistent with these.
Our modern practice, however, doesn't have to be. (Hundred flowers and all that.) One of these days I will see what I can do with the drums.
notwithstanding my deep appreciation for the work that has gone into this research, as a practicing poet i have reached a far different conclusion vis-à-vis performing alliterative verse. i think a drum should be used instead, & its beats to occupy the 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑠 instead of the half-lines. (one heavy beat before, & two quick beats between.) it puts too much on the audience to discern words that are already unfamiliar, over contrasting sounds. likewise we are too accustomed to listen to stringed instruments for melodies instead of for rhythms, & find much of our enjoyment in syncopation. (syncopation in allliterative verse comes from varying many syllables or few to a single half-line, but not varying the beat.) --still, all should be tried. the important thing is to make poetry in which the sound counts.
Thanks for the suggestion. I'd certainly be interested to hear a demonstration of that technique.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZCTcqMRGxM&t=5s
better https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPrWUe_OWlc&t=13s also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ao0tFpT1Fq8&t=8s for non-drottkvaett (& https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eXHnT9qAkQ )
Ah, I think I've seen that before. Should have saved it and discussed it in the post. But I am working partly from what little we know of the historical practice of scops, as well as the analogy with the gusle tradition, so I would have had to point out that it is not consistent with these.
Our modern practice, however, doesn't have to be. (Hundred flowers and all that.) One of these days I will see what I can do with the drums.