ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Trying to work out a little preamble before I perform. just do not know if this sound right though.
any thought appreciated.

We might tell a lot of things
but some may just be true.
it's all real old Aussie humour
fair dinkum mate true blue.

So come on down and join us
a yarn or poem or two to hear
grab yourself a stump mate
take the weight off , have a beer

We'll twist your arm and pull your leg
might make you laugh until you cry
bend your ear to breaking point
but you know a bush poet will never lie.

Not sure if it is long enough or too short ?

Bob

Great idea Bob - just throwing this in for consideration



We might tell tall tales full of bulls—t- and only a fraction is true
But within it is some Aussie humour and tales of the outback for you.
We’ll tell you of shearers and ringers, and, you’ll even the dingo recall.
One minute you’re laughing your head off, the next one will see the tears fall.

We will paint you a colourful picture with words of our Aussie outback
and you’ll become acquainted with drovers, and swaggies out there on the track.
You might meet that bloke from the snowy – and share his incredible ride
and you’ll leave all the better for knowing, with a love of Bush Poetry inside.

So why not come down here and join us - a yarn or a poem to hear.
There’s a spare stump or two here just waiting. But grab first a cuppa or beer.
If you come we’ll bend your ear to breaking and might make you laugh till you cry
you’ll enjoy every minute we share Mate and a bush poet will never lie.

Don't worry mate just tell it. Let them make up their mind. Our job is to entertain them. So let them be the judge if they like it good on you if not change your approach.

bill w

My preference is for a preamble to be a short conversational introduction and then sort of slide into the first poem.

If you find that a verse is suitable, go for it.

The only experience I have noticed is that some I've seen, have gone on too long with the preamble. That can detract for what is to follow. How long is a matter of judgement I guess. I prefer short and straight to the point; which is to introduce not compete with the main event.

The old classical music composers used to write a piece called the overture or the prelude to be played before their opera performances. The purpose of the overture is to catch people's attention with something very immediately appealing and bright.
Some of these overtures are still played as catchy introductions to orchestral concerts without the opera.
In other words the preamble has to be an attention grabber. I suppose that's why some lazy unimaginative performers resort to bizarre and unseemly antics as their prelude.

Thanks for the imput,

Might not use all that Maureen but it gives a little bit more on what i want.


Just want to try it on a selective audience Bill seen it done around a campfire last year and went over well.
Not for a dinner ect just casual stuff.


Short is best Nev as you say i also speil a little about myself first as well so do not want to put them to sleep.

Thanks everyone.

Bob

Hi BOB This is a spiel that I used to entertain people after they had eaten

(In a very official voice) Excuse me Ladies and Gentlemen.
The management wishes me to advise you all that they have no after dinner mints to serve you so you may relax you after that er! Meal.
So they have sent me out here to try and Pacify you lot.

and now in your own voice

Now my name is ???????????? And I am the poor Idiot who has to entertain you.
So sit back, and relax. And enjoy the many places that we will travel, in our mind

Bill Williams

Bob, like the preamble but would leave out the B.......t bit. Some people may not like it and you want everyone on side from the word go. It is not necessary and you can do better.
Bill I reckon if you tell people you are an idiot at the beginning they will expect you to be one.
Never give the audience the impression they are about to witness (or endure) something sub standard or less than entertaining. If you tell them you are no good before you start you have created your own handicap.

Vic

That's spot on Vic. I suspect Bill was being ironic but, good point.

I am sure Bill was being ironic but I see all to often people come to the stage and say by way of introduction or attempted preamble something like, "Gee I am nervous. I don't know if I really remember this poem or whether you will like it or not. Don't know why I am doing this and please forgive me if I forget the ending, ah well I'll have a go..................." When what the audience want is a confident energetic performer who is obviously going to do his/her best to entertain them. The audience is always on the performers side until the performer convinces them otherwise.

I agree.