What is a Song Circle?
Back before smartphones, movies, televisions, Netflix, Taylor Swift and mega-concerts, family or friends would often get together in the evening and take it in turn to entertain each other, either through a recitation, playing an instrument, or singing. Today, most of us don't even realize that we have become part of an eternal audience watching someone entertain us on the large or small screen or in a stadium, theater, or coffee shop, for money, or so we will watch their advertising.
We lost something important in that transition from participating in making in arts and music, to simply consuming art and music. The song circles or singalongs of today are an effort to reclaim some of the joy and creative energy of the time when performers WERE the audience.
So how do song circles work? And how can I have the most fun being in one?
Some provide a songbook or will point you to one that can be purchased beforehand, such as Rise Up Singing. Usually, everyone sits in a circle and the turns work their way from person to person around the circle. Sometimes, the group leader will collect the names of those who want to sing and then keep track of who has sung and who is next (not always the order that the names were submitted). Each person takes a turn leading a song from the songbook while everyone else sings along on the choruses or sings harmony. When your turn comes, you have a choice. You can pick a song for the group to sing, request another participant to sing a song, you can pass and just listen, or you can play or sing a song for the group. If you are new to the group, people will appreciate it if you introduce yourself, but even if you think everyone knows you, please do say your name and where you are from.
Our song circles usually go around two or three times - if it's not obvious, please ask when it will wrap up. If someone has to leave early, everyone will understand.
Many groups let the participant sing whatever they choose on their turn, often encouraging them to choose songs with choruses or that are well-known so everyone can join in. Sometimes, however, they can sing a song no one else knows (perhaps one they wrote) and they know they’ve done well if they are asked for a copy of the lyrics afterwards.
Chaos circles are not for the shy beginner, as one must jump in quickly to take a turn and must sometimes explain why your song is a better follower to the last song sung. Moderators are sometimes used to settle disputes and discourage the hogs who claim too many turns and encourage the quiet person clinging desperately to their guitar or ukulele in the corner.
Poker chip circles issue each person a white, blue, and red poker chip. One can claim a turn by tossing your white poker chip into the circle, which allows you to claim a follower to the last song without having to wait for your turn, but then you cannot claim another turn until ALL the white chips have been used. Then the turns continue with the next color poker chip.
Occasionally, song circles will have a theme, such as songs about railroads, songs about broken hearts, welcoming songs, songs by a well-known songwriter, sea chanteys, and so on. But usually, the sort of music you sing isn't the issue. It's much more important to have a great time singing your song, and then other people will also. And don't worry about the term "Folk Music" - any kind of music sung by folks is welcome, unless it is very clearly announced in advance that the style of music is limited.
When attending a song circle, you should keep an eye on when your turn is nearing (unless it’s a chaos circle), then prepare before your turn by deciding what you are going to sing, play or recite, finding your lyrics or chords, tuning your instrument, and being ready to begin as soon as it’s your turn. Remember there are lots of other people waiting for their turn, so don’t make them wait even longer by being unprepared or by giving a lot of information about the origins of your song; people come for the music, not the musicology. It’s also a good idea to figure out at home what key lets you best sing the song, and note that down, or write down what note you start on, so you can ask someone to play that note so you know where to start the song.
If you are not ready when your turn comes up, it’s better to ask the group to let the next person sing and come back to you when you’ve found your lyrics and are ready to sing. "Hm. What shall I sing?" is not a good way to begin your turn. And while you shouldn't rush through a song, please keep the circle moving. Some people will be interested in your cat, your vacation, your hip replacement ... but save that for the breaks.
The better you know the song, the better you sing it. It’s okay to read lyrics, but if by chance you know the lyrics and can sing the song making eye contact with the other participants, people will love your performance even more. Relax, have fun, and sing loud!
And finally, please don't worry about how "good" you are. You are unlikely to be either the "best" or the "worst", and no one cares. Really. It just folks singing songs!