A subject of some argument: loud, ongoing, and opinionated argument, at that.
The easy answer is that filk is science fiction folk music—which may explain nothing! The slightly more complicated answer is that it’s music based on themes of science fiction, fantasy, and fandom… or on the space program, modern technology, computers, cats, food, TV shows, movies, robots, fairy tales, mythology, classic literature, folk tales, sailors’ legends, poetry, fiction as a concept, or just about any other subject people in SFF fandom like to talk about.
The even deeper answer is that filk is the music of the filk community, regardless of what the songs are about. If you’re a filker and want to share your songs in a filk circle, it’s filk, no matter what it is.
Historically, it’s a primarily folk-based genre. Most filk music is played on acoustic instruments, and the lyrics make up a significant aspect of the song. But filk as a genre is always expanding, and it can sound like anything from traditional Celtic folk to pop music to rock to hip hop, and beyond. Unsurprisingly, popular music is a strong influence on the genre, and many filkers (even original songwriters) engage in the occasional parody to the tune of a popular hit.
In Southern Ontario the quality of filk is pretty high, and we’re proud of our little community, the United Filkers of Ontario (or UFO). If you’re going to be in the Greater Toronto Area, we’d love for you to join us!
For more extensive discussion, check out Interfilk’s What is Filk? page. There’s also lots of information on what to expect from a filk convention on our For First-Timers page, as well.
Some Useful Explanations
The following definitions (which are, as everything in filk is, non-definitive) originate from an old handout in the FilKONtario files which has often been available for the information of congoers. If you know the source of the document or the explanations, please let us know!
Filk Jam
At a jam session musicians play together without extensive preparation or predefined arrangements. A lead musician will provide keys and/or chords. Jam sessions tend to use songs likely to be very familiar to all those present.
Filk Circle
“Circle” can mean a literal circle, or just the people gathered together. There is no stage, there is no audience, and those who participate may choose to perform, to listen, or both. Participants may be encouraged to join in and sing along or play along on their instruments. Circles are very informal. When everyone is engaged there is a constant stream of songs. When winding up or down there will be more talking. Long introductions are discouraged.
In general, small circles work better than big ones. See too many performers in the room? Start a new circle or relax and be a listener for a while.
Bardic Circle
In a bardic circle, each person in the circle takes a turn in sequence around the room. Advantage: Everyone gets a turn. Disadvantages: A large circle will take a long time to go around. Spontaneity is less than in a chaos circle, and the chance of being able to play a good “follower” song is also less.
Pick, Pass, or Play (a typical bardic form on the west coast)
Each participant may pick, pass, or play. “Pick” means they ask for a specific song, performer, topic or style. “Pass” means they pass the turn to the next person. “Play” means they can perform any song they choose.
Chaos
In a chaos circle, there is no organization. Any performer can simply begin playing once the previous song is done. Any participant may make a request. Advantage: Spontaneous, energetic and allows for runs of songs with some shared element (writer, theme, style, mood). Disadvantage: It takes effort to be polite and respectful in a chaos circle.
To prevent two songs from starting at the same time a person may stand up, signal a start with a guitar strum, or call “follower!” And sometimes a person will be shushed with “filker up” meaning someone has already started (this also applies to chatter).
Poker Chip or Token Bardic
A Poker Chip bardic circle fuses the enforced politeness of the bardic circle with the freeform nature of the chaos circle. Each person in the circle gets a set number of tokens. They throw a token into the centre of the circle at any time to claim a pick or play turn (see Pick, Pass, or Play, above). When all the active tokens in the circle are used up, they are scooped up and redistributed for the next round.
Advantage: There’s chance for spontaneity and followers, yet it’s easy to be polite to other performers because you see when another performer wants a turn. Disadvantage: Like all bardic, in a large circle it may take a long time for you to get another turn after you’ve used up your existing turns.
“Polite” Chaos (a.k.a. Canadian Chaos)
This is a chaos circle where the performers make a point of checking that all or most of those present have taken a turn before playing again. Allows for followers and synergy. A polite circle also watches for people who look like they would like to perform but haven’t been able to break in. Suggestion: Note how many “active” performers are present. Subtract one. When that many songs have gone by, it might be your turn again.
Moderated Chaos
For larger chaos circles, a moderator keeps track of who has had turns and who is waiting. The moderator should have a clear view of the most of those in the room.
Follower or Domino Chaos Circle
In this circle, each song must somehow relate to the one it follows. It may have the same subject, melody, writer, or take the opposite point of view; or any other variation on “follower.”
Joining In (Harmony or Instrument)
First, stop and consider: will this song benefit from more participants? Sometimes, no. So start quietly, keep your part behind (quieter than) the lead performer, and watch for their reaction. If it’s negative, stop.
If someone else is already doing similar accompaniment—same class of instrument, close to what you’d do—drop back or drop out. If too many people come in and no one drops out, consider dropping out yourself. Staying behind the lead can be particularly difficult when a quiet vocalist is accompanied by a loud guitarist.
For percussion: Wait until you’ve got the rhythm. Don’t lead or lag behind. Not ever. Unless it’s a drum jam, fewer drums are better. In an Irish circle only one bodhran player plays at a time. It’s a good rule since the drum is loud. Anything high pitched and tinkling will cut right through the sound. Try muting at least half of your tambourine or bells.
Watch/listen for the end of the song. If in doubt, it’s better to drop out early rather than late; you can come back in if there’s another verse.
Watch/listen for tempo changes, modulations, variations, pauses, and other traps. As an accompanist, it’s your job to follow the other performer’s lead. There are specific exceptions but they are few.
It’s the leader’s turn in the spotlight, not yours. Your role is to support their performance, their way, even if it isn’t how you’d perform the same song. Even if they have the wrong melody.
Filk Etiquette
- This begins with respect: for our music and for each other as amateur (mostly) songwriters and performers.
- Respect includes remembering the golden rule: How might someone feel? How might you feel?
- It’s a filk circle. It’s wise to mostly include music that is clearly or tangentially filk (sci-fi, fantasy, spec fic, horror, media, computers, cats, food, and the list goes on…). Traditional folk songs are usually welcome but not always. So are pop songs that have some filk elements (space, fantasy, etc.).
- Everyone who wants to participate gets a turn. Period.
- Everyone who has a turn has the right to be heard. Develop your skills at being a polite listener. Disruptions and distractions are discouraged during
a song. This includes not walking through the circle, general noise, and conversations. Please, take conversation into the hall if someone is performing. - No apologies before performing, after performing or in the middle of performing. Just keep going, because we didn’t notice.
- If you’re in a bardic circle, when it gets around to you, you automatically have a turn. Plan ahead as to your song, pick, or pass. In a chaos circle, wait 3.6 microseconds after the last performer is done and then indicate your interest in playing.
- If you do not want accompaniment say so. Otherwise we likely will.
- Bawdy songs are traditionally sung only after midnight. Audiences and interpretations of “bawdy” can vary widely.
- If somcone asks people to turn off their recorders, do so. Otherwise, you may record whatever you like.
- If you don’t want to perform, just say “pass” or “no thank you.” Conversely, do gently encourage the shy.
- If the writer/traditional performer of a song is at the circle, it’s considered polite to ask them to sing it rather than do it yourself. Some artists are pleased when someone else sings their stuff, taking it as a compliment. Ask first.
- It’s also considered polite to mention the creator of:
- a song that you perform (if not yours), or
- a song you parodied.
- Filk refuses to be confined to topics of sci-fi fandom: sci-fi, fantasy, science, horror, computers, space, media, and tangential topics like food, chocolate, cats, etc. Many non-filk songs which contain a similar emotional resonance to filk are also welcome. Any musical style is welcome.