Gorean Music Discussion with Koardan

I found it of interest to share with you all a conversation on Gorean music between Koardan and I. He is an esteemed Gorean dance judge and Gorean musical investigator. Within this conversation you'll find his collection of helpful instrumental list within the Journey of a Dance judge, his other blog! http://housekoardan.blogspot.com/p/music.html?zx=aee43e7c20fa10b7

[13:27] Koardan: Okay, I am interested in your course in Music Lady Vika, as I have taken it, and it inspired me.  I found it one of the best courses I have taken.
[13:28] Vika Turmis (acedah) nods.
[13:28] Koardan: I would like to add some sounds to our class, but since you teach a similar subject, and teach it well, I wished to compare notes.
[13:28] Vika Turmis (acedah): Sure.
[13:28] Koardan: Grins
[13:28] Koardan: I have made some notes at http://housekoardan.blogspot.com/p/music.html
[13:28] Koardan: at table of instruments
[13:29] Koardan: my goal for the course is to let people know what instruments are BtB, which possible, and which for 'creative' mode.
[13:29] Koardan: Thoughts?
[13:29] Vika Turmis (acedah): Don't forget the samisen
[13:29] Koardan: (or any thoughts in general on how to make a kick posterior music course)
[13:29] Koardan: ooo, good one, yes
[13:30] Koardan: Would you consider that Pani, or Czehar in general sounding?
[13:30] Vika Turmis (acedah): The Samisen is similiar to the Earth Shamisen. Has a very twangy sound. The Czehar is a bit smoother.
[13:31] Koardan: LOL
[13:31] Vika Turmis (acedah): Compare a Japanese koto to a Shamisen, the sound is different.
[13:31] Koardan: interesting!
[13:31] Koardan: Do you have some favorites we should emphasize?
[13:31] Koardan: Samisen I take it?
[13:32] Koardan: (I have a Guezheng plugin (not sure on speling)
[13:32] Vika Turmis (acedah) smiles.
[13:32] Vika Turmis (acedah): I like the voice.....song.
[13:32] Vika Turmis (acedah): The most interesting instrument is the human voice, girls sang sometimes.
[13:32] Koardan: ooo, good to know, as I was unsure.
[13:33] Koardan: I have some plugins for human voice, as well as the Meliki Miles vocal objects.
[13:33] Koardan: Makes note - Samisen, femal vocals, nods.
[13:33] Vika Turmis (acedah): I like the music you have on here.
[13:33] Koardan: ty! grins
[13:34] Vika Turmis (acedah): Did you know that every instrument in the book can be taught to a slave to play? The only one not mentioned is the czehar so many free actually get in tizzy over the czehar in SL because in the books it says it's the most "prestigious"
[13:35] Koardan: ((I even found some Mongolian Thuvian throat singing, - possible, given the cutulres)
[13:35] Koardan: interesting
[13:35] Koardan: yes!
[13:35] Koardan: I was unsure of slaves could play the Czehar - not common, but I was not sure if it was allowed at all.
[13:35] Koardan: good, useful!
[13:36] Vika Turmis (acedah): There's not quote saying they can or can't....but based upon the information provided that we see slaves playing every instrument but that....it wouldn't be unheard of I assume.
[13:36] Koardan: Agreed.
[13:36] Vika Turmis (acedah): Hmm
[13:37] Koardan: Drums, flute, Czehar / Samisen etc / Kalika, vocals, Tambourine etc
[13:37] Vika Turmis (acedah): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QvMcQ2Eejo
[13:37] Tissia (vinkaa) is offline.
[13:37] Koardan: yes! True Lady, you do
[13:37] Koardan: nice! a fine sound
[13:37] Koardan: Excellent
[13:37] Vika Turmis (acedah): This has voice, drums, czehar......flute
[13:37] Koardan: Do you have thougths on bowed strings ? piano?
[13:37] Koardan: ooo, good orchestration
[13:38] Vika Turmis (acedah): No good piano
[13:38] Vika Turmis (acedah): The reason why I'd say no piano possible on Gor is because it's heavy. Players travel...so the instruments cater to them.
[13:38] Vika Turmis (acedah): Musician that is.
[13:39] Koardan: Good point! not just the tech, but have move the darned thing
[13:39] Vika Turmis (acedah): I like your website though.
[13:39] Koardan: I would like to tell them that at an exhibition, no holds barred - even synthesizes, what moves you heart.  But that's much different than trying to replicate a BtB tavern scene
[13:40] Koardan: grins, thank you.  I had fun putting it together, and leaned much in the process!
[13:40] Vika Turmis (acedah): I think though, a twist on traditional Gorean instruments is fine
[13:40] Vika Turmis (acedah): Examples of this would be an Electric Guitar, synthesizer lead, dub step wobbler, or snare drum,
[13:41] Vika Turmis (acedah): As long as you still use the Gorean instrument with the slight more modern twist I think it'll be ok in dance exhibits.....right?
[13:41] Koardan: Yes!
[13:41] Vika Turmis (acedah): Something you can tap your foot to
[13:41] Koardan: snare = metal tech
[13:41] Vika Turmis (acedah): Two cymbals can make that sound in Gor
[13:41] Koardan: so like a Digideridoo? or Hang drum?
[13:41] Vika Turmis (acedah): Just roll them a little.
[13:41] Koardan nods, considering cymbals
[13:42] Koardan: I hope to rezz some examples, upload some samples (or youtube links) and have them learn with a little hands on
[13:42] Vika Turmis (acedah) smiles
[13:42] Koardan: following your thougths on Gor or twist or no f'ing way
[13:42] Koardan: chuckles
[13:42] Vika Turmis (acedah): My favorite example of a modern twist on Gor instruments...
[13:42] Vika Turmis (acedah): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFpIj8SMjjI
[13:42] Vika Turmis (acedah): This I played in my class.
[13:43] Vika Turmis (acedah): The soft clink could be slave bells....the gentle beginnings of cymbals....
[13:43] Koardan: Bravo! perfect example
[13:43] Koardan: some subtle pads
[13:43] Vika Turmis (acedah): Then the violin...which could be a smoother czehar.
[13:43] Koardan: that do not spoil the Gorean character
[13:43] Koardan: mmmmm yes!
[13:43] Vika Turmis (acedah): The thump of the red hunter drum
[13:44] Vika Turmis (acedah): It's a very deep sounding drum...
[13:44] Koardan: Grins, yes
[13:44] Vika Turmis (acedah): But this song contains nearly every instrument.
[13:44] Vika Turmis (acedah): Sistrums....
[13:44] Koardan: And Tarn Wardrums (Taiko? Timpani?) not sure slaves would get those
[13:44] Koardan: Sistrums?  yes, was not sure on those
[13:44] Vika Turmis (acedah): Could be.
[13:45] Vika Turmis (acedah): It's a jingle bells kinda sound to me.
[13:45] Vika Turmis (acedah): Lots of bells
[13:45] Koardan: nods, yes, the pictures I have seen are metal hand held thigns with lots of metal junk - jinglers
[13:45] Vika Turmis (acedah): Yup
[13:45] Vika Turmis (acedah): Jinglers
[13:45] Vika Turmis (acedah): Haha
[13:45] Koardan: hehe, shakable junk
[13:46] Koardan: and finger cymbals are in use by belly dancers in Turkey, so a good match there
[13:47] Koardan: interesting.  I like your thoughts, and (links)
[13:47] Koardan: What instruments would you hear in the North?
[13:47] Vika Turmis (acedah) sighs.
[13:47] Vika Turmis (acedah): Here's the thing about the north...
[13:48] Vika Turmis (acedah): The north isn't about working.....
[13:48] Vika Turmis (acedah): is*
[13:48] Vika Turmis (acedah): Their girls aren't trained to dance.....or...serve really....they just wander around and shove drinks around. If you read the books they aren't exactly an artsy fartsy culture.
[13:48] Koardan laughs
[13:48] Vika Turmis (acedah): They're a "Here I am....ta-duh" culture.
[13:48] Koardan: explains why I go there so little.
[13:49] Koardan: in the present
[13:49] Koardan: yes
[13:49] Vika Turmis (acedah): So if I had to give the north a sound
[13:49] Vika Turmis (acedah): I'd think of the simple drum and voice
[13:49] Koardan: I imagine the odd bosk horn in the distance
[13:49] Koardan: or celtic
[13:49] Koardan: yes
[13:49] Koardan: simple, primative
[13:50] Koardan: high whistle flute?   Harp?  impromtu drums?
[13:50] Vika Turmis (acedah): Not sure.
[13:50] Koardan: I am wondering what Vikings did for music - mostly think of animal horn
[13:50] Vika Turmis (acedah): Drums....lots of drums
[13:50] Vika Turmis (acedah): lol
[13:50] Koardan: or raid the English Abbies, and make them sing! LOL
[13:51] Koardan: I also like to touch on 'how' the stuff was used, like not writing down music
[13:51] Vika Turmis (acedah): Says vikings used pan flutes
[13:51] Vika Turmis (acedah): horn pipes
[13:51] Vika Turmis (acedah): and lurs
[13:51] Koardan: nice, yes, Pan flutes, horn pipe, exclelent
[13:51] Koardan: Lyrs seem popular, yes
[13:52] Koardan: but as you say, may be background music, not the bonds playing it like you may see in the South
[13:52] Vika Turmis (acedah): and harps
[13:52] Koardan: yes!
[13:53] Koardan: Excellent
[13:53] Koardan: yes, luckily my Snow has some experience from up there
[13:54] Vika Turmis (acedah): They look at the slaves in the south and think they're delicate little flowers.
[13:54] Koardan: yes!
[13:54] Vika Turmis (acedah): So in truth I wouldn't imagine they'd dance as they're used for field work
[13:54] ﻜησѡ (snow.mistwood) smiles
[13:54] Koardan: Interesting, yes
[13:54] Vika Turmis (acedah) thinks.
[13:54] Vika Turmis (acedah): I suppose for a northern "dance" they'd have to become creative
[13:55] Koardan: much different RP around the music (if any) - Northern may be the men's war music...
[13:55] Koardan: or background in a long hall
[13:55] Koardan: but the RP may be serving mead
[13:55] Koardan: as opposed to the south where you could RP the musicians
[13:56] Vika Turmis (acedah): Searched a little.
[13:56] Vika Turmis (acedah): We had fed well in the hall of Svein Blue Tooth. During the
meal, for Svein was a rich man, there had been acrobats, and
jugglers and minstrels.
[13:56] YeahSoWhat left the region.
[13:56] Koardan: interesting
[13:56] Koardan: minstrels = voice?
[13:57] Vika Turmis (acedah): The Forkbeard was, at one point, so furious at the
ineptness of the musicians, that he informed me of his own
intention to regale the tables with song. He was extremely
proud of his singing voice.
[13:57] Koardan: ha!
[13:57] Koardan: good one
[13:57] Vika Turmis (acedah): And then ensues a bunch of men just bringing out into a song.
[13:57] Vika Turmis (acedah): Very Viking to me
[13:57] Koardan: YES! that's the ticket
[13:57] Koardan: What do you think of repurposing some stuff from India
[13:58] Vika Turmis (acedah): breaking*
[13:58] Koardan: I avoid the Sitar, as it screams India
[13:58] Vika Turmis (acedah): I think that'd be good.
[13:58] Koardan: but some other stuff, vocals, yes, some other drums good
[13:58] Koardan: excellent
[13:58] Vika Turmis (acedah): The Sitar though could be loosely compared to the samisen
[13:58] Koardan: yes!
[13:59] Koardan: I also found Arabic scales use 24 notes, not just 12
[13:59] Koardan: so I have been learning Maqam!
[13:59] Koardan: I figure if folks have been capped / aquisitioned from diff parts of the world, some of those concepts may land on Gor
[14:00] Koardan: but without over Earthing it
[14:00] Vika Turmis (acedah): It might be a stretch but most things you can loosely bind to the Gorean instruments.
[14:00] Vika Turmis (acedah): Very true.
[14:00] Vika Turmis (acedah): Norman just had an affinity for Japanese, English, Greek, and French.
[14:00] Koardan: yes
[14:00] Vika Turmis (acedah): He mentions those type of female acquisitions often.
[14:00] Pudding (devine.teardrop) left the region.
[14:00] Vika Turmis (acedah): Even prior to his son taking over.
[14:00] Koardan: Yes, interesting
[14:01] Koardan: and if he wrote more books, he may eventually get to more cultures.  So you could have a 'twist', like digideridoo Austrailian thing - not called out in the books, but correct tech
[14:02] Koardan: may have to be subtle as some instruments really feel like their Earth homeland.  Unlike a Lyr, or Lute which seems so common across cultures.
[14:02] Vika Turmis (acedah) nods.
[14:02] Koardan: The North is the hardest perhaps.
[14:02] Koardan: Those were my thoughts thus far.
[14:03] Vika Turmis (acedah): But yes, that north question....very complicated.
[14:03] Koardan: Any other thoughts ladies?
[14:03] Vika Turmis (acedah): Nothing thus far.
[14:03] Koardan: yes, North is hard, but may allow for thinking, and necessity being the mother of invention
[14:04] Vika Turmis (acedah): I doubt they'd have the more flowery instruments
[14:04] Koardan: Yes, exactly
[14:04] Vika Turmis (acedah): Czehar.....kalika......
[14:04] Koardan: and low tech on Metal
[14:04] nameless (elinescorpio) is offline.
[14:04] Koardan: Norman mentions trumpets, but that's a stretch as they are brass, which is metalurgy
[14:05] Koardan: Grins
[14:06] Koardan: Thank you Vika (and kajirae), as I have wanted to seek your thoughts for a long time.
[14:06] Vika Turmis (acedah): Glad to help.
[14:06] Vika Turmis (acedah): I love music.
[14:06] Vika Turmis (acedah): Dance just happens to go with it.
[14:06] Vika Turmis (acedah) laughs
[14:06] Vika Turmis (acedah): But the most important thing is they find something that moves their souls.

The Companionship of Sir Khon and Lady Merriel

 The day has finally arrived where the Head Slaver has found a companion! The surprisingly lovely Lady Merriel was unveiled during the companionship ceremony and whisked away to a year of hopefully happy times. The soft hush of rain accompanied their exchange this day, the sky over Haifa grey. Beams of sunlight did occasionally dance through the clouds, illuminating the auspicious day with a beautiful rainbow. Tales of this companionship will surely be told for many years.

Aytul's Graduation

Graduation has come again to the shores of Port Haifa.  After a long day of games and serves at our new Inn, Master Khon took his slave to the auction block to put her through her paces.  His belt was heavy with coin exchanged by Master Gladius, also a slaver of Port Haifa, who wisely invested some of his father's inheritance to rent this kajira before Khon raises the price.

This moving sketch captures the art of her graduation dance.  As Emm mentioned, it takes the work of many hands to train such fine gems of Thassa.

Excitement in the House of Khon

The past few weeks have seen many changes within the House of Khon.

New First and Second Girls - Aytul and June.

Many new slaves coming in...Oh so many nameless slaves it could confuse a barbarian such as myself.

We have slaves progressing well in their training and moving up levels.

We have the graduation of the En upon us - Congratulations Aytul!

We have another event upon us this week - raffling off the first use of a slave - exciting stuff for the red haired Tania.

The kennels are abuzz right now.

This is Nalani signing off!

The Case of the Three Dresses

Upon the early dawn of the thirteen day in the third week of the fifth month in the year 10,165 Contasta Ar, I ventured down to the ships at port in search of the latest fashion. From the cries of various merchants came the high voice of one female in particular. Curious, I had stopped to see her sale. At this juncture, I was told by this deep voiced woman that she had the finest gown made from the richest fabric that this side of Gor had ever seen. Of course I had to get it upon inspection. The deep blue was vibrant and patterned with golden colored thread upon the edges. It was to die for! The merchant assured me that this was a one of a kind dress that was surely fit for only the high caste and it didn't take long for me to shell over nearly two weeks pay for it. Upon the day I had chosen to wear the garment I came across the Lady Merriel, the innkeeper, wearing the same exact thing. Then to add to my horror, the Lady Slaver, Auriel, approached wearing the same thing. I've decided upon finding that questionable merchant again I will seek payment for this embarrassment of a fashion faux.

[2015/08/02 18:44]  Vika Turmis (acedah): /me looks to the stranger as he offers up one of the girls "Truly, I am craving tea. How about you Merriel?" she questions thoughtfully. "Or perhaps food?" She looks to the man with Lavinia kneeling so closely. "If it wouldn't trouble you too much....Sir Dwyvan. A few Ehn or two of one of their set of hands would be plenty I'm sure." She sweeps her gown out of her way as she takes a few steps towards the other Lady as she introduces herself. "I am Lady Vika Turmis, High Council Scribe of the port." Reaching out, rude as she was, she takes a handful of the Lady's sleeve and inspects it closely. "It would also appear I have the same merchant selling me a dress that was high end one day and obviously lower the next. Though it is of course stunning on you as well Lady Merriel," she says with a tight smile.


[2015/08/02 18:45]  Merriel: /me glances at her gown and laughs.  "We will need to schedule their wearing."


[2015/08/02 18:51]  Vika Turmis (acedah): /me takes a little more time glancing between Merriel's gown and her own. Deciding that her's was more finely made in her own head, she smiles and preens like well feathered bird. "Here is as good as any place...." she says, looking to the man curiously. She always hoped for news from the outside. "Or perhaps we can venture to have such a traveler join us in the tea room as well." Blinking, she clears her throat at his question. "Of course not. Tis only a scroll of babbling run ons of course. Obviously one of little consequence in writing ability. Mayhaps it's from a child just learning to write." Her fingers curl more tightly around the yellowed paper.

[2015/08/02 19:23]  Auriel Rex (lkeiser6): /me grabs two hand fulls as she huffs into the veil and trudges up the hill only to find it full of people. Emerald eyes scan the group as she nods and makes her way to the other free women. "Greetings Lady Vika.. Lady Merriel" she says then stops in her tracks looking at the other merchant. "Well well... what a lovely gown."

[2015/08/02 19:25]  Merriel: /me grins as she chokes on her tea, "Yesssss, I was thinking the same of yours." she says laughing.

[2015/08/02 19:25]  Auriel Rex (lkeiser6): /me starts to laugh more when she realizes what Vika is wearing. "Well well.. this is rather.. funny."

[2015/08/02 19:26]  Vika Turmis (acedah): /me turns away from June as she hears Auriel's all too familiar voice. "Truly, an unsightly thing. Lady Auriel you really should punish them with rep sacks or somet....." her voice trails off as she sees the same gown on Auriel. "Really!?" She looks between Merriel, Auriel, and then finally herself. "Per chance were you ladies told by a traveling merchant that this gown was one of a kind and that it was made of the finest fabric?"

[2015/08/02 19:26]  Merriel: "that will teach me not to buy from traveling seamstresses with really deep voices.  They were not ladies at all, I think."

Port Haifa Cultural Festival

Port Haifa Cultural Festival

Port Haifa is excited to announce that on August 14th through the 16th it will be putting on a Gorean Cultural Festival to boggle the mind and stimulate your Gorean senses. 

For three days only, the whole city will be putting together skyboxes with nearly back to back classes on various cultures that include but not limited to: The Pani, The Wagon People, The Panthers, Tharna, The Priest Kings, Gorean Homosexuality, The Kur, The Talunas, Free Women, The Gorean Master, The Tahari,The Mambas, Gorean Animals, and so much more!

Some of these classes will be IC relaxed as the story of the culture is given whilst others will be strictly in OOC class mode!

Stay tuned for more information...

Lady Vika, High Council Scribe

New Slaves or Old - Return of an old friend

The First Girl watched on as the Head Slaver inspected the familiar looking blonde. Within several Ehn it became clear she was a slave who had been here before, gone and returned. As her name was removed, the En smiled at the thought of more profit to the slave house.

After a bath and a check over for lice, the girl was shown the nameless pit and welcomed back into the kennels.

Welcome back Lavinia!

Have a good week.
Nalani, First Girl of HoK