Debbie’s Filk FAQ

An informal guide to filk, filkers and the filking community

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What’s the ‘Filk Film Project’? Where can I see it?

July 4th, 2008 · No Comments

The Filk Film Project is a documentary about filk and filk community. [Read more →]

→ No CommentsTags: Miscellaneous

How do I contribute something to the Interfilk auction or Fan Fund?

March 3rd, 2008 · 2 Comments

Question: How do I contribute something to the Interfilk auction or Fan Fund?

I’m hoping that representatives of Interfilk and/or the Fan Fund step up here to volunteer info, since my info is limited. If anyone there can help describe the internal process of how items are accepted as well as offer any tips of items which do/don’t sell, please do post below! [Read more →]

→ 2 CommentsTags: Community · Conventions

What are ‘two-fers’?

February 29th, 2008 · Comments Off

Two-fers are sort of like one-shots, except you perform two songs in a row rather than just one.

Comments OffTags: Basics · Conventions

Where can I find recorded samples of filk online?

May 26th, 2007 · 2 Comments

I’m curious about filk but have never heard it. Where can I find recorded samples of filk online?

Here are a few sources: [Read more →]

→ 2 CommentsTags: Miscellaneous

What is an “Interfilk wench”?

April 29th, 2007 · 1 Comment

From Erica Neely:

“An Interfilk wench is someone who acts as a runner at an Interfilk auction; the term is not gender-specific – we’ve had some great male wenches! The wench’s official job is to show the item to anyone interested in bidding in it. The wench’s unofficial job is to entice people into bidding, generally through some kind of schtick. (Note that sometimes the schtick is cooked up with the help of the auctioneer – there’s interplay between the wenches and the auctioneers, just as there is between the wenches and the audience.) [Read more →]

→ 1 CommentTags: Conventions

How can I become the sort of performer that musicians want to accompany?

April 23rd, 2007 · 5 Comments

“I want to be the sort of performer that others can and want to play along with. What skills do I need to have/polish that will make it easier for other musicians to accompany me? Are countless hours fumbling through Irish sessions and filk jams/preserves the only way to get there?” [Read more →]

→ 5 CommentsTags: Performance

Any advice for instrumental accompanists?

April 23rd, 2007 · 2 Comments

One of the parts of filking I’ve always enjoyed is playing music with other people. Before I joined Urban Tapestry, my sole instrument in the filk circle was the flute. I remember being incredibly nervous about it at first, not knowing (1) whether I was good enough to play along with other people and (2) if they wanted me to.

I’ve learned a lot about instrumental accompaniment over the years, and I’m still learning. Some things I’ve learned: [Read more →]

→ 2 CommentsTags: Conventions · Performance

What is Interfilk?

April 20th, 2007 · Comments Off

From the Interfilk Web site:

“Interfilk is a fan fund. Most fan funds raise money to transport a fan to a convention that they would not normally be likely to attend. In our case we raise money from filk fans to transport members of the filk community who have something special to share.” [Read more →]

Comments OffTags: Basics

Where can I find out more info about German filk?

April 18th, 2007 · Comments Off

There are several excellent German filk resources online. [Read more →]

Comments OffTags: Community

How do I record a CD on a small budget?

April 18th, 2007 · Comments Off

“I’ve had a number of people in the filk community ask if I have a CD available for sale. I’d *love* to record a CD, but I don’t have a lot of money to do it. Any suggestions and advice?” [Read more →]

Comments OffTags: Business: recording and marketing