Friday, December 6, 2013
Yikes!!! December!!!
Well, someone please tell me where November went? Honestly! And already Dec 6th!!
Since my other job(besides being Co-owner and Office Manager for our veterinary clinic)is Music Director and organist at our local Presbyterian church, most of my musical focus this month will be for the Christmas Eve service. So harp will be on the back burner and keyboards will be front and center. Since I am basically doing THAT job flying by the seat of my pants!, it gets a bit stressful! And my poor little choir keeps shrinking...and yet, that service is packed, and acts like a family reunion- so we want to do well! For many years I played the harp for prelude music before the service, but this year I am not. Such a worry to leave it all alone while I dash between piano and organ, and unsupervised toddlers wander thru the sanctuary! Talk about YIKES!
I am participating in "A Celtic Christmas" on the 14th, organized by Pamela as a fundraiser for the church that sponsors our open mic/coffee house. I will be playing 2 tunes alone- Blessed Be That Maid Marie, and Da Day Dawnes, and doing a duet with her on the Christ Child's Lullaby. It is not strictly Celtic! British Isles!
Also played for our Celtic Evensong, and was very unhappy with how my big boy sounded. Usually my bird's eye maple Kortier is bombproof- hasn't needed lots of babying in terms of humidifying, etc. Holds in tune forever. And I stick that mic down his back at church and he sounds lovely. Sunday night, the tuning pins seemed slippy and the tone on a number of strings sounded hollow and nasty. He felt dried out. Not a good experience. So he is now in my basement, soaking up more humid air than the forced hot air heating system in the house proper. Not a lot, but until I figure out a better plan, there he rests. I realize the harp is about 14 years old now, but the sudden change has me concerned. I brought him to the Harp Connection in Salem 2 years ago to be regulated, and maintained, and that is all that has been needed until now. I like having a contrast to my new Fisher- my sparkly "robust" girl! (Except- are the strings spaced a hair closer together on the Fisher, because when I go from him to her I am overreaching the first 30 minutes or so!) He has a quieter voice, and a bit mellower sound. Any thoughts?
So- if I don't get back to the blog anytime soon, I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy Harping New Year! Stay safe, stay warm!
Sharon
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Lucy sings Tra La in December
It's December 3 so high time to get things started here..... I want to post a picture of my Dusty - which lives now in Florida at a wee house in Sarasota. It's a long involved story! I love playing it when I am here as the sound really is different from my Fisher. The only problem, really, is that the strings are slightly further apart? And of course, the wide flat back makes it feel awkward to play, at least at first.
I will explain that in my non-musical life I am a writer and I am finishing up a book that is part of a post-apocalyptic trilogy that was left unfinished by the writer, who I knew quite well. Two and a half years ago I was asked if I would like to finish it...... wisely or unwisely I took it on. I come here to work in a particular place, Sterling Lanier's old 'lair' I call it, a woodshop that was made into his studio when he moved to this house in Sarasota. I am close to his widow and stay with her when I am here. If you are interested, the books he wrote are called Hiero's Journey and The Unforsaken Hiero, the title of the book I am working on is Hiero's Answer. I am in the home stretch and eager to get the first draft completely done, my fantasy being that that could conceivably happen in the next few weeks. (Yeah, right, with Christmas coming? Who am I kidding?) Soon anyway. I have no more than two chapters and an epilogue at the very most to write, I hope!
That might distract me from harping, but I hope not completely. It is a nice way to relax after spending a day at the computer, that is for sure.
The time slipped away and now it is December 9 and I am back home in Vermont..... I never took a picture of the Dusty which was stupid, because I should have - I discovered that two of the rings that protect the wood where the strings go into the soundboard were popping out...... after a call to Dusty Strings it was off to the hardware store for putty epoxy, (the slower drying kind) and the delicate operation of trying to put the stuff on the rings and in the itty-bitty holes without clogging up where the strings go...... then the wait. I couldn't restring until Sunday, so I don't really know how it will go. I didn't force the new strings full up either. I changed four strings in all (one snapped too while I was playing - in fact that is when I noticed the problem) so I may have finally done it enough times in a row for it to be a less traumatic event. Anyway the upshot of all that was that I didn't play much music while I was there, not what I hoped I might.
December 14 Now I am realizing that I should have taken pictures of the pins sticking out and the repair process and outcome...... it would have been interesting and possibly useful to someone.
So anyhow, last night I settle down to play and lo and behold POP! the low A string goes - something in it just gave way rather than snapping it just went sort of limp - took me a minute to identify just which string went and that it really was done for. I put the harp away. I don't generally do things as well at night as I do in the morning. But did I get around to dealing with it today? No. And then when I finally did feel ready, late afternoon, the cat got interested, wayyyyy too interested, so then I decided to wait until a time when he isn't around. I got the old one off anyway. It's the first string to go on the Fisher. I expect there will be more. I'm trying to keep the harp hydrated but we've had such incredibly cold weather! Since the floor is cement (radiant heat underneath) I put a little puddle of water just under the harp - and keep it covered, hoping the water, as it evaporates will make a difference. I should find a small cup and break up a sponge the way you do it Andee, and I will, I will. Luckily too, the radiant pipes are far enough apart that there are 'cool' spots and I have made sure the harp is on one of those areas. So not much playing the last couple of days.
Have any of you heard Farewell to Stromness (Peter Maxwell Davies)? There is a clip of someone (.... Scott) forget first name, playing it on the harp - rather well too -. I'm sorely tempted to give it a try, but get a load of the OVERHAND lever change!! I've never seen that before! Yowza. Not even Maeve.
I will explain that in my non-musical life I am a writer and I am finishing up a book that is part of a post-apocalyptic trilogy that was left unfinished by the writer, who I knew quite well. Two and a half years ago I was asked if I would like to finish it...... wisely or unwisely I took it on. I come here to work in a particular place, Sterling Lanier's old 'lair' I call it, a woodshop that was made into his studio when he moved to this house in Sarasota. I am close to his widow and stay with her when I am here. If you are interested, the books he wrote are called Hiero's Journey and The Unforsaken Hiero, the title of the book I am working on is Hiero's Answer. I am in the home stretch and eager to get the first draft completely done, my fantasy being that that could conceivably happen in the next few weeks. (Yeah, right, with Christmas coming? Who am I kidding?) Soon anyway. I have no more than two chapters and an epilogue at the very most to write, I hope!
That might distract me from harping, but I hope not completely. It is a nice way to relax after spending a day at the computer, that is for sure.
The time slipped away and now it is December 9 and I am back home in Vermont..... I never took a picture of the Dusty which was stupid, because I should have - I discovered that two of the rings that protect the wood where the strings go into the soundboard were popping out...... after a call to Dusty Strings it was off to the hardware store for putty epoxy, (the slower drying kind) and the delicate operation of trying to put the stuff on the rings and in the itty-bitty holes without clogging up where the strings go...... then the wait. I couldn't restring until Sunday, so I don't really know how it will go. I didn't force the new strings full up either. I changed four strings in all (one snapped too while I was playing - in fact that is when I noticed the problem) so I may have finally done it enough times in a row for it to be a less traumatic event. Anyway the upshot of all that was that I didn't play much music while I was there, not what I hoped I might.
December 14 Now I am realizing that I should have taken pictures of the pins sticking out and the repair process and outcome...... it would have been interesting and possibly useful to someone.
So anyhow, last night I settle down to play and lo and behold POP! the low A string goes - something in it just gave way rather than snapping it just went sort of limp - took me a minute to identify just which string went and that it really was done for. I put the harp away. I don't generally do things as well at night as I do in the morning. But did I get around to dealing with it today? No. And then when I finally did feel ready, late afternoon, the cat got interested, wayyyyy too interested, so then I decided to wait until a time when he isn't around. I got the old one off anyway. It's the first string to go on the Fisher. I expect there will be more. I'm trying to keep the harp hydrated but we've had such incredibly cold weather! Since the floor is cement (radiant heat underneath) I put a little puddle of water just under the harp - and keep it covered, hoping the water, as it evaporates will make a difference. I should find a small cup and break up a sponge the way you do it Andee, and I will, I will. Luckily too, the radiant pipes are far enough apart that there are 'cool' spots and I have made sure the harp is on one of those areas. So not much playing the last couple of days.
Have any of you heard Farewell to Stromness (Peter Maxwell Davies)? There is a clip of someone (.... Scott) forget first name, playing it on the harp - rather well too -. I'm sorely tempted to give it a try, but get a load of the OVERHAND lever change!! I've never seen that before! Yowza. Not even Maeve.
Monday, December 2, 2013
December is upon us! (says Andee)
I have been working so much--things are not back to normal yet, so that means less harping. However, today was my day off and I visited this shop: http://www.earlymusicshop.com/About.aspx I've been wanting to check out the Camac Janet. Well I played for an hour in the shop! It really is a great harp. Very expensive!
The other night I had a dream that was harp related. I do believe that some / most dreams are loaded with meaning and there for us if we choose to listen.
In the dream I was agreeing with an older gentleman that yes, I would be available to play for his group (not sure what his group was, but some kind of club of members with similar interests of some sort). The performance was to be music and something to do with Seamus Heaney.
Now of course I am familiar with Seamus Heaney but I've never read his poems. Today I read a few of them and definitely resonate with at least a couple of them.
Would it be pretentious to read a poem and follow it with a tune or an air that I felt went well with it? My choice at the moment it Lovers on Aran teamed up with Mist Covered Mountain / Cliffs of Moher. Here's the poem in case you're curious.
Lovers on Aran
The other night I had a dream that was harp related. I do believe that some / most dreams are loaded with meaning and there for us if we choose to listen.
In the dream I was agreeing with an older gentleman that yes, I would be available to play for his group (not sure what his group was, but some kind of club of members with similar interests of some sort). The performance was to be music and something to do with Seamus Heaney.
Now of course I am familiar with Seamus Heaney but I've never read his poems. Today I read a few of them and definitely resonate with at least a couple of them.
Would it be pretentious to read a poem and follow it with a tune or an air that I felt went well with it? My choice at the moment it Lovers on Aran teamed up with Mist Covered Mountain / Cliffs of Moher. Here's the poem in case you're curious.
Lovers on Aran
The timeless waves, bright, sifting, broken glass,
Came dazzling around, into the rocks,
Came glinting, sifting from the Americas
To posess Aran. Or did Aran rush
to throw wide arms of rock around a tide
That yielded with an ebb, with a soft crash?
Did sea define the land or land the sea?
Each drew new meaning from the waves' collision.
Sea broke on land to full identity.
Came dazzling around, into the rocks,
Came glinting, sifting from the Americas
To posess Aran. Or did Aran rush
to throw wide arms of rock around a tide
That yielded with an ebb, with a soft crash?
Did sea define the land or land the sea?
Each drew new meaning from the waves' collision.
Sea broke on land to full identity.
Seamus Heaney
My question is: Is this pretentious?
A weird thing about the dream; the next day an older gentlemen acquaintance of mine who I hadn't seen in ages stopped by my shop to say hello.
He is about to become secretary of the Retired People's Club and I asked him if they had need of a performance anytime in the future as I asked a couple of years ago but things were all booked up for the whole year. He said yes and I gave him my card.
Danny Boy (Londonderry Air) It's east to laugh off Danny Boy and to vow never to learn it on principle. However, I have changed my mind.
I recently watched a program on BBC about the history of Danny Boy. It was the most comprehensive program ever conceived about one song, ever! There were musicologists, musicians, singers, social historians, actors (like Gabrielle Byrne)--so many people all talking about Danny Boy from its original roots as Londonderry Aire to it being set to words (by an Englishman in 1913) and it's place in history. How it was politicized during The Easter Uprising, WWI, and WWII. How it was incorporated into jazz, blues, rock and country (they showed everyone from opera singers, film stars, Elvis, Johnny Cash and my favorite--Harry Belafonte (who knew?!) doing fantastic versions.
Well guess what piece I am now obsessed with learning? I will have a super version by St. Pat's Day!
Danny Boy is shaping up as is Tell Her I Am (finally) and am going to play the two as a set. Don't think it'll be ready for open mic tomorrow, though....
I am hearing very good things about a newish harpmaker in Galway, Brian Callan, whose harps are supposed to be just like Fisher harps in sound and quality. My friend Fiana (was taught by Janet Harbison) reports that she adivsed Brian at the early stages of his harp building and now many of Janet's students (many of which have the Camac Janet) are now on waiting lists for one of Brian's harps. But you can't get them anywhere else except for Galway at the moment. Might look into trying one next summer when we're in Clare.
Open mic night last night was good. I played my Irish Christmas set of Silent Night / O'Sullivan's March and Flying to the Fleadh. 'Flying' could have been better, but it's really getting there. I'm thinking of doing that one at the fleadh this year if I decide to compete.
In the second half I did Danny Boy / Tell Her I Am. I barely had those two ready, but it turned out pretty good, but I had to think *a lot* during Danny Boy about which chords were next.
My second piece was the poem (Lovers on Aran) and then into Mist Covered Mountain / Cliffs of Moher which I do think people appreciated. I'll do it again in the future, but I'll just practice my delivery (phrasing) of the poem a bit more.
I also brought my homemade chocolate chip cookies to pass around and they held their weight fairly well among the more traditional British treats of mini sausage rolls and mince pies.
Danny Boy (Londonderry Air) It's east to laugh off Danny Boy and to vow never to learn it on principle. However, I have changed my mind.
I recently watched a program on BBC about the history of Danny Boy. It was the most comprehensive program ever conceived about one song, ever! There were musicologists, musicians, singers, social historians, actors (like Gabrielle Byrne)--so many people all talking about Danny Boy from its original roots as Londonderry Aire to it being set to words (by an Englishman in 1913) and it's place in history. How it was politicized during The Easter Uprising, WWI, and WWII. How it was incorporated into jazz, blues, rock and country (they showed everyone from opera singers, film stars, Elvis, Johnny Cash and my favorite--Harry Belafonte (who knew?!) doing fantastic versions.
Well guess what piece I am now obsessed with learning? I will have a super version by St. Pat's Day!
Danny Boy is shaping up as is Tell Her I Am (finally) and am going to play the two as a set. Don't think it'll be ready for open mic tomorrow, though....
I am hearing very good things about a newish harpmaker in Galway, Brian Callan, whose harps are supposed to be just like Fisher harps in sound and quality. My friend Fiana (was taught by Janet Harbison) reports that she adivsed Brian at the early stages of his harp building and now many of Janet's students (many of which have the Camac Janet) are now on waiting lists for one of Brian's harps. But you can't get them anywhere else except for Galway at the moment. Might look into trying one next summer when we're in Clare.
Open mic night last night was good. I played my Irish Christmas set of Silent Night / O'Sullivan's March and Flying to the Fleadh. 'Flying' could have been better, but it's really getting there. I'm thinking of doing that one at the fleadh this year if I decide to compete.
In the second half I did Danny Boy / Tell Her I Am. I barely had those two ready, but it turned out pretty good, but I had to think *a lot* during Danny Boy about which chords were next.
My second piece was the poem (Lovers on Aran) and then into Mist Covered Mountain / Cliffs of Moher which I do think people appreciated. I'll do it again in the future, but I'll just practice my delivery (phrasing) of the poem a bit more.
I also brought my homemade chocolate chip cookies to pass around and they held their weight fairly well among the more traditional British treats of mini sausage rolls and mince pies.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Lucy's November Notes
8 November
So where has the time gone this month? Already it is the 8th!
The good news is I am playing the harp more steadily. This hospital gig makes that happen. I try to play a new tune every week - this week it was Inis Oir, even if it was a bit shaky it sounded fine I think.
Flakes flying about today.
Sunday is one of our "Among Friends" musical gatherings and I am playing Sport on the harp with a flute friend. We sound pretty decent I think! I'm kind of amazed, I've only been working on that tune for ten years! I finally simplified the left hand and bingo! Michael Rooney I ain't.
30 November
OK so I have been a terrible blog host or whatever I am !
The Among Friends party went swimmingly, and I am so happy that I have finally nailed Sport - well - not nailed but kind of tacked it up so it mostly goes as it should.
I've been playing the harp a lot. Last Sunday (the.....23rd?) I found I had the house to myself and sent out an open invite and two friends were able to come over and they 'forced' me to play the harp instead of the concertina (which I never even got out of its box!) the whole time. What a nice afternoon it was, one flute, one fiddle and one harp - and lots of shared tunes, including a good deal of Carolan.
I think I have Mme Maxwell in pretty good shape, so it's a 'what's next'? for Carolan - I think I should bring some of the oldies back up to speed, like Planxty Irwin and then pull Inchiquin up a notch or two.
Otherwise the jig set of Old Man Dillon and The Green Hills of Woodford is really starting to come together and I am beginning to work on a new set of The Gallowglass and The Legacy. I'm finding it more and more these days that I do like to think of tunes in sets - I don't have to be glued to them - but I find it more satisfying to figure that part out too and learn them together. It certainly helps make that transition a smooth one!
Heaven knows what December will bring. I have a number of non-musical obligations (not just holiday stuff but also my work) that will be taking up a huge amount of my time, but we'll see. I've been buffing up Henry McDermott Roe because my bro who plays the cello has learned it and will be eager to play it when he comes up for New Year's.
Hope everyone else is doing well and harping away!
So where has the time gone this month? Already it is the 8th!
The good news is I am playing the harp more steadily. This hospital gig makes that happen. I try to play a new tune every week - this week it was Inis Oir, even if it was a bit shaky it sounded fine I think.
Flakes flying about today.
Sunday is one of our "Among Friends" musical gatherings and I am playing Sport on the harp with a flute friend. We sound pretty decent I think! I'm kind of amazed, I've only been working on that tune for ten years! I finally simplified the left hand and bingo! Michael Rooney I ain't.
30 November
OK so I have been a terrible blog host or whatever I am !
The Among Friends party went swimmingly, and I am so happy that I have finally nailed Sport - well - not nailed but kind of tacked it up so it mostly goes as it should.
I've been playing the harp a lot. Last Sunday (the.....23rd?) I found I had the house to myself and sent out an open invite and two friends were able to come over and they 'forced' me to play the harp instead of the concertina (which I never even got out of its box!) the whole time. What a nice afternoon it was, one flute, one fiddle and one harp - and lots of shared tunes, including a good deal of Carolan.
I think I have Mme Maxwell in pretty good shape, so it's a 'what's next'? for Carolan - I think I should bring some of the oldies back up to speed, like Planxty Irwin and then pull Inchiquin up a notch or two.
Otherwise the jig set of Old Man Dillon and The Green Hills of Woodford is really starting to come together and I am beginning to work on a new set of The Gallowglass and The Legacy. I'm finding it more and more these days that I do like to think of tunes in sets - I don't have to be glued to them - but I find it more satisfying to figure that part out too and learn them together. It certainly helps make that transition a smooth one!
Heaven knows what December will bring. I have a number of non-musical obligations (not just holiday stuff but also my work) that will be taking up a huge amount of my time, but we'll see. I've been buffing up Henry McDermott Roe because my bro who plays the cello has learned it and will be eager to play it when he comes up for New Year's.
Hope everyone else is doing well and harping away!
Sharon's November Thoughts
Sharon's November Thoughts
It is definitely getting chilly after a long and wonderfully colorful fall in NH. Prettiest autumn we have seen in the area in years! The month started off for me with the Coffee House at Smith Church, where I introduced my new Fisher harp ("Colleen") and got to find out if I needed to amplify her or not. For years I have brought my workhorse- the 36 string birds eye maple Kortier- and stuck a mic down inside him, and let the sound guy in the back of the room work his magic. For such a big harp, and with such a big hollow base, he has a mellow but very quiet voice. When Sue Richards met him last summer in Lubec, Maine, she was surprised at how quiet he was , especially for his size. However, Colleen is just fine relying on her own power- no amplification necessary at all. Really makes things simpler- I can play the strings with a normal firm hand, instead of tickling the strings to avoid feedback and un pleasant sounds! I was thrilled- and so was the audience! Just played 4 tunes- Cliffs of Moher, Eleanor Plunkett, Cooleys Slide, and ended with Woe Betide Thy Wearie Bodie. The next night was our Celtic Evensong at church, and I went back to the Kortier with amplification, because I was not sure the Fisher would carry in that huge sanctuary, with the sound dampening wall tiles and the carpet. I just didn't have time to check that out, with the Fisher, so went with what works. Next month I will bring Colleen instead.
I have been asked to bring my harp to another church later this month, as they experiment with an evening service for the first time. I checked out that sanctuary and I think the Fisher will project in there just fine. They want 3 separate musical interludes. Should be fun. I will be doing them all from memory- I find I can use music if I am doing background stuff, but if I am front and center, I want to have what I play thoroughly memorized, with just a few gig notes. And I am still so amazed at how much faster I learn, and how much longer I retain, pieces I have been taught by ear and rote! As opposed to learning by sight reading- and I sight read really well. I read the explanation of why that is so, but it still amazes me!
Christmas music!! Need to learn some more, fast! My stand bys are, Greensleeves (What Child is this)Da Day Dawnes, That Night in Bethlehem, Silent Night and Christ Child's Lullaby. I am working on: Blessed Be That Maid Marie, The Friendly Beasts, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent, and a few others...not sure they will all get into the memory banks, but I would prefer that! Does anyone know of any other Irish traditional Christmas tunes that I should add to the holiday repertoire?
Thanksgiving is coming- and I am very thankful for harps and harp music and harpers!!
Have a great one!
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Andee's November Ramblings
November already!
I realized that I haven't learned any new Christmas music like I said I would this time last year. Oh, well; if I get any Christmas gigs they will have to be 'An Irish Christmas' which is me mixing in the small handful of Christmas music I already know with the rest of my repertoire.
We just got back from a mini-vacation in the Dales and I've still got a few days off of work--things are going back to normal for me and I'm going to have to make a decision about the performance group and let the ladies know if I decide to leave.
I know so many harpers with multiple harps and I do have two myself (my 'big' Dusty Strings 32 and my smaller Dusty Strings 26). I was just thinking how grateful I am for my big harp (small one, too but it's the big one I use most) even though it is two strings less than what would be ideal. It has a wonderful bass and wonderful volume for its size and I've gotten so much use out of it--15 and a half years!
I remember the day I got it--a snowy March day a couple weeks before my birthday. I took the train up to Bucks County Music Shop with close to $3000.00 in my pocket, (I didn't do credit cards in those days and I guess they didn't take checks.) because I had just spoken to one of the guys there and found out they had a couple second hand harps that had just come through.
I went back and forth for *hours* playing on first the Triplett and then the Dusty. I finally made my decision which I had sort of already made before I even played them. I remember the look on the guy's face when I handed over the cash. Then the owner Carl drove me to the train station and told me how he learned to play the banjo by ear by playing records on a slower speed back in the day.
Then I walked from the train station to my apartment with my new harp! That meant I had to say goodbye to Kathy's 31 string Caswell which I had been renting for 6 months. I loved that harp, too but it was time to graduate.
It's been a busy month for me! I haven't posted since my initial stuff above because I've been working so so much!
I've done one open mic since the above and have had only one big practice time--things should be back to normal week after next.
I've pretty much told the ladies I'm out of the performance group until further notice. I've put three harp related items on my Christmas wish list: The O'Carolan book and CD that Lucy told me about, a book on the harp in Irish music from 1900 til present day, and my favorite fantasy novel I gave away before I moved to the UK 'Gossamer Axe'.
I've no Christmas gigs at all unless I decide to play in my shop like I did two years ago, but this time I think I'll put a basket out for donations (to be made to the charity), we'll see....
I saw the Eastern European girl who busks on her accordian in town today. In the past I've only seen her in front of the grocery store in my neighborhood, but today she was in the pedestrian shopping area where there are usually a few buskers scattered around, but today she was the only one.
She always looks so happy, playing the music of her homeland! She recognized me (hard to miss I guess in my plaid purple coat) and gave me a big smile and a hello as I threw some change into her case. I don't know why but she makes me feel good, she has a nice presence. I do still want to busk, but will probably leave it until spring, now.
I realized that I haven't learned any new Christmas music like I said I would this time last year. Oh, well; if I get any Christmas gigs they will have to be 'An Irish Christmas' which is me mixing in the small handful of Christmas music I already know with the rest of my repertoire.
We just got back from a mini-vacation in the Dales and I've still got a few days off of work--things are going back to normal for me and I'm going to have to make a decision about the performance group and let the ladies know if I decide to leave.
I know so many harpers with multiple harps and I do have two myself (my 'big' Dusty Strings 32 and my smaller Dusty Strings 26). I was just thinking how grateful I am for my big harp (small one, too but it's the big one I use most) even though it is two strings less than what would be ideal. It has a wonderful bass and wonderful volume for its size and I've gotten so much use out of it--15 and a half years!
I remember the day I got it--a snowy March day a couple weeks before my birthday. I took the train up to Bucks County Music Shop with close to $3000.00 in my pocket, (I didn't do credit cards in those days and I guess they didn't take checks.) because I had just spoken to one of the guys there and found out they had a couple second hand harps that had just come through.
I went back and forth for *hours* playing on first the Triplett and then the Dusty. I finally made my decision which I had sort of already made before I even played them. I remember the look on the guy's face when I handed over the cash. Then the owner Carl drove me to the train station and told me how he learned to play the banjo by ear by playing records on a slower speed back in the day.
Then I walked from the train station to my apartment with my new harp! That meant I had to say goodbye to Kathy's 31 string Caswell which I had been renting for 6 months. I loved that harp, too but it was time to graduate.
It's been a busy month for me! I haven't posted since my initial stuff above because I've been working so so much!
I've done one open mic since the above and have had only one big practice time--things should be back to normal week after next.
I've pretty much told the ladies I'm out of the performance group until further notice. I've put three harp related items on my Christmas wish list: The O'Carolan book and CD that Lucy told me about, a book on the harp in Irish music from 1900 til present day, and my favorite fantasy novel I gave away before I moved to the UK 'Gossamer Axe'.
I've no Christmas gigs at all unless I decide to play in my shop like I did two years ago, but this time I think I'll put a basket out for donations (to be made to the charity), we'll see....
I saw the Eastern European girl who busks on her accordian in town today. In the past I've only seen her in front of the grocery store in my neighborhood, but today she was in the pedestrian shopping area where there are usually a few buskers scattered around, but today she was the only one.
She always looks so happy, playing the music of her homeland! She recognized me (hard to miss I guess in my plaid purple coat) and gave me a big smile and a hello as I threw some change into her case. I don't know why but she makes me feel good, she has a nice presence. I do still want to busk, but will probably leave it until spring, now.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Time's Flying!
"Where has this month gone again???!!!" Why is this my mantra this year???
September ended with a family wedding gig in Pennsylvania- my daughter played flute to accompany. It was outdoors and the weather was perfect...ended up sticking a tiny wireless mic into the bottom of my Kortier bird's eye maple 36 string workhorse and using a wireless amp clear across and down the driveway- which worked amazingly well. Kate and the flute were left to their own windpower, but seemed to carry just fine. I have done many weddings, and most people have been happy to have the Celtic/folk music I play as the prelude- and I always do "The Chimes" as the recessional! Once I did do a version of "Jesu. Joy of Man's Desiring" as the bride walked in, but that was the only non Celtic tune I have offered. Gig list included: Cliffs of Moher, She moved thru the Fair, Eleanor Plunkett, Greensleeves, Var Det Du. Josephine's waltz, Farewell to Craigie Dhue, Love is like a Red Red Rose", Cooley's Slide, Da Day Dawns, and a version of the Christ Child's Lullaby for the entrance by Stephanie Curcio that has this great interlude/descant, that can be coupled with her version of the tune, as well as playing the tune straightforward. Fun to do duets and trios with!
October started our once monthly Celtic Evensong at church. Kate and I again, and we reprised much of the gig list from the wedding. We do a 5 minute prelude, about 10-15 minutes during quiet meditation mid way through the service, and a quick postlude. Sometimes I do the tunes from the piano instead of the harp, but not this month. We threw in Women of Ireland, so other things got bumped.
Had a wonderful concert of Billy Jackson and Grainne Hambly in nearby Dublin, NH on the 9th! Talk about magical musical!! They are so cute together as well...I first met them singly many many moons ago, and am so happy they have collaborated on so many levels!! Adorable daughter as well!
I am over the moon that I SOLD my 34 string Kortier this month to a lovely lady in Conn. looking to move up from her 22 string lapharp. I first posted my harp for sale early in the year on an internet Harp Mall site, and on Craig's List as well. At first I got nothing but scammers- all the same modus operandi, just different names! Harp Mall warns of this, and even posts examples of what a scammer enquiry might look like. I was then beginning to put feelers out thru my harp teacher in Wilton and other music folk. This was a huge part of my plan to afford my new harp from Larry Fisher in Canada! Well, I then got some negative feedback about harp selling and used harps in general- apparently many more used harps on the market than there is demand. I have always taken great care of my harps, without overbabying them, so I knew she was in great shape, though nearly 9 years old! (where did THAT time go???!!!) Donna first contacted me in May or June- very interested but hoped I would drop the asking price- by now, a no brainer! Then one emergency after another, as she fell and broke an arm, had surgery, contracted pneumonia, etc etc...people were starting to ask me if she was "for real"! But, I had the best vibes about her thru our correspondence, and when she and her delightful daughter came up on the 16th and promptly fell in love with "Bridgit", it was a done deal! I was really angsting over the thought of her going to a place to be a rental....Now I know she is a cherished member of the family! Most of the summer I was playing her, to get her voice back up to her usual tones, so now I am directing my energies on getting acquainted with the Fisher. Which I absolutely adore playing! I haven't measured, but it seems the strings may be infinitetesimally closer together than on my Kortiers- when I have been playing the big boy and go to the Fisher, I am overreaching a bit. I like the option of having two- totally different tone, totally different sound, and if I ever have a student again......
So- the tunes I am working on solidifying in my brain are "Fire in the Hearth" and the Scandanavian tunes I was learning from Sue Richards in Lubec in August. Also, a sweet "Woe betide thy Wearie Bodie" and some Christmas tunes for a gig in Dec.
Getting back to regular practicing is huge for me- no more excuses!! I love playing well, and you can't play well without putting in the time- never perfect, but striving! I wish there was a group to play with- I do love two part pieces, and it sounds lovely with multiple harps playing at the same time. Bring on November!!
Monday, October 7, 2013
Lucy's Harping Outlook
7 October ALREADY I'm just home from this year's Harper's Escape which was busy and fun as always. Learned two tunes - one I already knew Old Man Dillon on the concertina, but that was fine as it is quite different in feeling on the harp. Grainne picked it to go with The Green Fields of Woodford and they are perfect together. We also learned The Clergyman's Lamentation. And now I am home again, foul weather has suddenly erupted but I have the Benedict and Hilari Regional Styles Class tonight - that is - if this storm lets up!!! It is truly epic out there right now. I need to practice for class but I can't get out to my studio in this and my daughter is writing an essay..... sigh....... I'll lock myself in the bathroom I guess. No one ever complains about annoying harping!
Sorry it took me awhile to get here, it has been a most busy time and keeps on getting busier! Lots of it involves harping, however, so no complaints.
9 October Last night went to another amazing and inspiring concert by Grainne and Billy. It was an especially nice venue - a church in Charlotte VT. Even though I had spend the weekend with G & B they didn't play all that much and there were some new tunes and old favorites. I didn't go to the workshop, but it wasn't feasible with various things needing attention.
Must practice today! I don't want to play the same fifteen tunes every time I go the hospital. The whole point will be mixing it up, no? There are more than a few favorites I didn't play, so off to work!
11 October Hospital day was fun - interestingly, but perhaps not unsurprisingly I played the tunes I had practiced better than the ones I play well last week and didn't bother practicing...... lesson learned! I completely spaced out about one tune, fudged through it, I hate those moments!
25 October Where have I been? Well, to the Northeast Tionol in East Durham and home again. I meet my sister there and we more or less hang about in our room or on our porch playing together and go to the concert and a few other things, but mostly it is time together away from home so we can play uninterrupted. Worked a lot with her on Loftus Jones - we also played Mrs Maxwell (I think the 2nd one) and promised each other (we always do this) to work on Festus Burke. The next event coming up is our 'Among Friends' party that one of my posse hosts every now and then randomly and I'm going to play Sport with flute and mando ...... with two friends. Wednesday night is the 6th and last class of this semester with Benedict K. and Hilari Farrington and we are to come dressed up as a tune. I found a little goat toy and I will wear green and try to figure out how to attach it to 'the green'. Ha ha. I don't play that one on the harp, although it wouldn't be too difficult..... but I play the concertina generally, in class. I'm just relieved to have figured out my 'costune'.
31 October A last entry - played at the hospital today, golly I was terrible - and I know why! I only practiced an hour or two last week. And it shows. I remember someone saying: one day no practice - you know it. Three days - others know it. A week - and you'll blow it. Alas, all too true.
Sorry it took me awhile to get here, it has been a most busy time and keeps on getting busier! Lots of it involves harping, however, so no complaints.
9 October Last night went to another amazing and inspiring concert by Grainne and Billy. It was an especially nice venue - a church in Charlotte VT. Even though I had spend the weekend with G & B they didn't play all that much and there were some new tunes and old favorites. I didn't go to the workshop, but it wasn't feasible with various things needing attention.
Must practice today! I don't want to play the same fifteen tunes every time I go the hospital. The whole point will be mixing it up, no? There are more than a few favorites I didn't play, so off to work!
11 October Hospital day was fun - interestingly, but perhaps not unsurprisingly I played the tunes I had practiced better than the ones I play well last week and didn't bother practicing...... lesson learned! I completely spaced out about one tune, fudged through it, I hate those moments!
25 October Where have I been? Well, to the Northeast Tionol in East Durham and home again. I meet my sister there and we more or less hang about in our room or on our porch playing together and go to the concert and a few other things, but mostly it is time together away from home so we can play uninterrupted. Worked a lot with her on Loftus Jones - we also played Mrs Maxwell (I think the 2nd one) and promised each other (we always do this) to work on Festus Burke. The next event coming up is our 'Among Friends' party that one of my posse hosts every now and then randomly and I'm going to play Sport with flute and mando ...... with two friends. Wednesday night is the 6th and last class of this semester with Benedict K. and Hilari Farrington and we are to come dressed up as a tune. I found a little goat toy and I will wear green and try to figure out how to attach it to 'the green'. Ha ha. I don't play that one on the harp, although it wouldn't be too difficult..... but I play the concertina generally, in class. I'm just relieved to have figured out my 'costune'.
31 October A last entry - played at the hospital today, golly I was terrible - and I know why! I only practiced an hour or two last week. And it shows. I remember someone saying: one day no practice - you know it. Three days - others know it. A week - and you'll blow it. Alas, all too true.
However - I did, on the way home suddenly think the Inis Oir (or however you spell it) would be a perfect hospital tune, so I've been listening to Grainne playing it.... oh my, so lovely.
My 'Goat on the Green' was quite successful!
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Andee's October goals
Well, it's October and while I have no gigs on the horizon, I figured it would be good to have a couple (at least) practice goals. I do think I want to compete in the fleadh this year (I got sick last year and couldn't do it), so I'm trying to decide what tunes I'll do and then polish them up. Plenty of time to do that! That's one goal so far.
I discovered there's a new open mic night at a pub one block from our house (it's probably the closest pub to us!), we could even walk there easily with the harp and Mike's guitar. It's acoustic, too and every Wed night so we're going to check it out this week.
I'm also playing with the idea of putting on a concert to raise money for the charity I work for again. In August it was easy because we just played outside and put a basket out for whatever change people wanted to toss in.
But I'm wondering how I could do this and either charge people a couple of pounds or make a suggested donation price and where to put the concert on (indoors) that won't cost money. It's got to be promoted, but don't have loads of time for that so how to get people to come while keeping it fairly manageable and low key??
Just got a gig playing at our friend's friend's art gallery! It's to kick off the start of the village's Art Festival week. I couldn't get the day off work so I've got to close up, get changed at work and Mike will drive us straight up there (it takes and hour) in time to set up and tune up!
The new open mic night was fun but not particularly memorable. About 8 middle aged men (including Mike, haha!) with guitars and me. Well, one guy had a ukelele. We just went around in a circle and took turns doing one piece each.
Before I forget, here's what I played: Lament for Limerick, I Buried My Wife / Andy DeJarlis, Rakes of Clonmel / Three Drummers, and Eleanor Plunkett. I stuck to stuff I was super comfy with as it was a new place, new people and I was a bit nervous.
I'm more busy than I'd like to be right now! For the past two and some weeks, once again, I'm managing my shop on my own with one day off a week (plus Sundays). I've got one more week to go after this week. So I've been trying to practice about a half hour to 45 minutes every night after dinner. My brain is so tired that I actually start seeing double and then I have to stop. But I am getting that practice in which will help for my gallery gig next week. Mo more open mics or late nights until after the gig.
Today I'm having our monthly play-together at my house. About 7 or 8 are coming. Usually at our play-togethers the host facilitates the learning of a new tune. I am going with *easy* because my brain is tired and it takes a lot of energy to teach a tune by ear to a group, and that's not really fun and I need more fun in my life right now.
So I'm teaching 'She Moved Through the Fair' which is a super easy melody. The chords are easy, too and I'll show how I do it using only chord symbols and how I sort of improvise. I've got the sheet music they can have at the end.
The play-together was a success. The group loved the tune and picked up fairly easily. They all had heard it before and *that* is the key to quick and easy learning!
Today is my day off and I'm putting together three twenty minute long set lists for my gig at the Masham Arts Festival on Friday. Here's what I've decided on:
Lament for Limerick / Cooley's / Tailor's Twist
I Buried My Wife / Andy DeJarlis
Morning Star / Temperance
Downfall of Paris
She Moved Through the Fair / Rights of Man
Glass of Beer / Humours of Tulla
All Around the Faery Fort / New Broom
Planxty Burke
Black is the Colour / Nellie Your Favour
O'Sullivan's March
Miss Hamilton
Father O'Flynn / MacAllistrum's March
and a back up set:
Flying to the Fleadh
Come West Along the Road / Mountain Road
Mist Covered Mountain / Cliffs of Moher
The gig in the church (arts festival) went super! I played all of the above plus a few more.
I am off on a mini-vacation until the end of next week so I may not be online for a bit--see you all soon!
Listening to my gut / heart Why do I have trouble with this sometimes? My current (and longstanding) issue is that I'm not sure if I want to continue playing with the group of ladies that I have been playing with for the past couple of years or so. I think I do it mostly for the social reasons, they are all such lovely ladies!
There are five of us all together and we get together once a week-ish and work on stuff, do new stuff and have a few performances a year. But I have known for a looooong time that I really don't like learning new pieces unless they are IRISH. It takes effort and time to learn new stuff and I never play it for just myself, only with our group. I am leaning towards leaving the group, but don't want people to be upset with me.
I discovered there's a new open mic night at a pub one block from our house (it's probably the closest pub to us!), we could even walk there easily with the harp and Mike's guitar. It's acoustic, too and every Wed night so we're going to check it out this week.
I'm also playing with the idea of putting on a concert to raise money for the charity I work for again. In August it was easy because we just played outside and put a basket out for whatever change people wanted to toss in.
But I'm wondering how I could do this and either charge people a couple of pounds or make a suggested donation price and where to put the concert on (indoors) that won't cost money. It's got to be promoted, but don't have loads of time for that so how to get people to come while keeping it fairly manageable and low key??
Just got a gig playing at our friend's friend's art gallery! It's to kick off the start of the village's Art Festival week. I couldn't get the day off work so I've got to close up, get changed at work and Mike will drive us straight up there (it takes and hour) in time to set up and tune up!
The new open mic night was fun but not particularly memorable. About 8 middle aged men (including Mike, haha!) with guitars and me. Well, one guy had a ukelele. We just went around in a circle and took turns doing one piece each.
Before I forget, here's what I played: Lament for Limerick, I Buried My Wife / Andy DeJarlis, Rakes of Clonmel / Three Drummers, and Eleanor Plunkett. I stuck to stuff I was super comfy with as it was a new place, new people and I was a bit nervous.
I'm more busy than I'd like to be right now! For the past two and some weeks, once again, I'm managing my shop on my own with one day off a week (plus Sundays). I've got one more week to go after this week. So I've been trying to practice about a half hour to 45 minutes every night after dinner. My brain is so tired that I actually start seeing double and then I have to stop. But I am getting that practice in which will help for my gallery gig next week. Mo more open mics or late nights until after the gig.
Today I'm having our monthly play-together at my house. About 7 or 8 are coming. Usually at our play-togethers the host facilitates the learning of a new tune. I am going with *easy* because my brain is tired and it takes a lot of energy to teach a tune by ear to a group, and that's not really fun and I need more fun in my life right now.
So I'm teaching 'She Moved Through the Fair' which is a super easy melody. The chords are easy, too and I'll show how I do it using only chord symbols and how I sort of improvise. I've got the sheet music they can have at the end.
The play-together was a success. The group loved the tune and picked up fairly easily. They all had heard it before and *that* is the key to quick and easy learning!
Today is my day off and I'm putting together three twenty minute long set lists for my gig at the Masham Arts Festival on Friday. Here's what I've decided on:
Lament for Limerick / Cooley's / Tailor's Twist
I Buried My Wife / Andy DeJarlis
Morning Star / Temperance
Downfall of Paris
She Moved Through the Fair / Rights of Man
Glass of Beer / Humours of Tulla
All Around the Faery Fort / New Broom
Planxty Burke
Black is the Colour / Nellie Your Favour
O'Sullivan's March
Miss Hamilton
Father O'Flynn / MacAllistrum's March
and a back up set:
Flying to the Fleadh
Come West Along the Road / Mountain Road
Mist Covered Mountain / Cliffs of Moher
I am off on a mini-vacation until the end of next week so I may not be online for a bit--see you all soon!
Listening to my gut / heart Why do I have trouble with this sometimes? My current (and longstanding) issue is that I'm not sure if I want to continue playing with the group of ladies that I have been playing with for the past couple of years or so. I think I do it mostly for the social reasons, they are all such lovely ladies!
There are five of us all together and we get together once a week-ish and work on stuff, do new stuff and have a few performances a year. But I have known for a looooong time that I really don't like learning new pieces unless they are IRISH. It takes effort and time to learn new stuff and I never play it for just myself, only with our group. I am leaning towards leaving the group, but don't want people to be upset with me.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
September and time to get playing again!
I just have a quick comment first about the nuts and bolts of our little collective blog. Lucy, it's your baby so please chime in here. Should we limit our individual posts to just one entry per month?
You can keep on adding and adding as much as you like, by going into the same initial entry from the beginning of the month. I only suggest this because now that we have a few members I get really confused as to who is doing the posting on each blog since we don't have a profile pic or anything like that to immediately distinguish one pots / member from another. I know we have our names at the bottom of each post, but I get confused anyway. Does that sound reasonable?
OK, so after our gig at Kirkstall Abbey my manager went on vacation and I had to work almost 3 weeks with only Sundays off and I had stuff I had to do each Sunday. I was exhausted! Finally things are back to normal and Mike and I have another gig coming up in a couple of weeks playing at the Saltaire Festival. Gotta get practicing! We're listed under Sunday 22nd (Eist), but our friend Brian (the other half of Mike's duo Craig & Wylie) will be joining us.
http://www.saltairefestival.co.uk/event/roberts-park-bandstand/
So Pam, you asked me to list what we played at our last gig and I haven't put the list up yet because I was a little fed up with myself for not playing some of the harder pieces on the list and falling back on stuff I've played last year. I know I am very hard on myself... Anyway, here's what we played (minus Mike's songs), but not in this order:
Lament for Limerick
Mist Covered Mountain / Cliffs of Moher
Foggy Dew / Rights of Man
Black is the Colour / Nellie Your Favour I'm Afraid I'll Not Gain
Princess Royale / Castle Kelly
The Morning Star / Temperance Reel
Come West Along the Road / The Mountain Road
Downfall of Paris
The Faery Fort / The New Broom
Father O'Flynn / MacAllistrum's March
She Moved Through the Faire / Cooley's / Tailor's Twist
The Home Ruler / Kitty's Wedding
The Musical Priest / The Gravel Walk
A Fig For a Kiss / The Butterfly
I Buried My Wife / Andy DeJarlis
The Glass of Beer / Humours of Tulla
The Rakes of Clonmel / The Three Drummers
The Atholl Highlander
Ones I missed (plus a couple of slow airs but the mood wasn't right and probably won't be at our next gig either):
The Miser's Purse
George White's / Kitty's Gone-a-Milking
Flying to the Fleadh
Nova Scotia Reel / Egan's Polka (they don't really work together as a set)
So I've added a couple more sets to the above and figuring out what I'll do on Sunday at the Saltaire Festival. Been practicing an hour-ish after dinner. I sometimes think little bursts like that on a regular basis are better than big chunks less often.
Anyway, the weather's looking good for Sunday, warm and sunny so fingers crossed....
The weather was aMAZEing! Yay! Sunny and about 70 degrees, you can't ask for more than that in the north of England in September.
It went really smoothly. I just love playing these kinds of gigs!
You can keep on adding and adding as much as you like, by going into the same initial entry from the beginning of the month. I only suggest this because now that we have a few members I get really confused as to who is doing the posting on each blog since we don't have a profile pic or anything like that to immediately distinguish one pots / member from another. I know we have our names at the bottom of each post, but I get confused anyway. Does that sound reasonable?
OK, so after our gig at Kirkstall Abbey my manager went on vacation and I had to work almost 3 weeks with only Sundays off and I had stuff I had to do each Sunday. I was exhausted! Finally things are back to normal and Mike and I have another gig coming up in a couple of weeks playing at the Saltaire Festival. Gotta get practicing! We're listed under Sunday 22nd (Eist), but our friend Brian (the other half of Mike's duo Craig & Wylie) will be joining us.
http://www.saltairefestival.co.uk/event/roberts-park-bandstand/
So Pam, you asked me to list what we played at our last gig and I haven't put the list up yet because I was a little fed up with myself for not playing some of the harder pieces on the list and falling back on stuff I've played last year. I know I am very hard on myself... Anyway, here's what we played (minus Mike's songs), but not in this order:
Lament for Limerick
Mist Covered Mountain / Cliffs of Moher
Foggy Dew / Rights of Man
Black is the Colour / Nellie Your Favour I'm Afraid I'll Not Gain
Princess Royale / Castle Kelly
The Morning Star / Temperance Reel
Come West Along the Road / The Mountain Road
Downfall of Paris
The Faery Fort / The New Broom
Father O'Flynn / MacAllistrum's March
She Moved Through the Faire / Cooley's / Tailor's Twist
The Home Ruler / Kitty's Wedding
The Musical Priest / The Gravel Walk
A Fig For a Kiss / The Butterfly
I Buried My Wife / Andy DeJarlis
The Glass of Beer / Humours of Tulla
The Rakes of Clonmel / The Three Drummers
The Atholl Highlander
Ones I missed (plus a couple of slow airs but the mood wasn't right and probably won't be at our next gig either):
The Miser's Purse
George White's / Kitty's Gone-a-Milking
Flying to the Fleadh
Nova Scotia Reel / Egan's Polka (they don't really work together as a set)
So I've added a couple more sets to the above and figuring out what I'll do on Sunday at the Saltaire Festival. Been practicing an hour-ish after dinner. I sometimes think little bursts like that on a regular basis are better than big chunks less often.
Anyway, the weather's looking good for Sunday, warm and sunny so fingers crossed....
The weather was aMAZEing! Yay! Sunny and about 70 degrees, you can't ask for more than that in the north of England in September.
It went really smoothly. I just love playing these kinds of gigs!
Sunday, September 8, 2013
September Gigs
This should be titled "Lose that Stage Fright" because it's what I intend to do this month. Hopefully I'll have progress to report after each posting! And I will be asking questions that I hope you can answer, ladies!
Gig 1 - A wedding at the top of a local ski area, our first gig out that involved what I call real money. 2 hours, maybe 100 people. Outside, no electricity so no amplification. The bride requested the song All Your Life by The Band Perry, as her processional, so we worked up an arrangement for harp and mandolin. (A song we don't really like, and so we can't stop singing/humming/lalala-ing it, of course...) Our song list: Wild Mountain Thyme, My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose, Trip to Sligo, Swan Lk 243, The Grenadier and the Lady, Squire Wood's Lamentation, Baptist Johnson, Var Det Du, Ashokan Farewell, George Brabazon #1, Fanny Poer, Planxty Drew, Boys of Ballisodare, Carolan's Concerto, Sheebeg Sheemore, Kean O'Hara #3, O'Carolan's Welcome, Scarborough Fair, Over the Rainbow, Skye Boat Song, Fhear a Bhata, and a few improvised pieces by JP. (We will pick and choose from this list for our next 3 gigs...) Anxiety report: not nervous the day of or on the way over. No shaking hands at the strings like the last time I played at the Dunbarton Coffeehouse, but playing as background music is way less intimidating than an actual performance, right? Should have brought a board to lay down on the uneven grass surface - there was no position I could find that made the harp perfectly level, and I ended up leaning in way more than I usually do. When you play outside, ladies, how do you handle an uneven surface? I am planning on bringing a sheet of plywood next time and covering it with a small rug unless I hear something better from you! Made some good connections with the Justice of the Peace and the Banquet Manager at the facility, so perhaps more wedding gigs in the future? But here's the thing - not one person, (guest or wedding party member) said one thing to us the entire time. I guess I was raised that, even if you don't think so, you go over and say something complimentary. JP says this is the way things go when you play out. Ugh! All that work and not one moment of kindness? I am not sure I am made for this. But concerts? Isn't that more nerve-wracking? Would love to hear your comments! Thanks for reading.
Gig 1 - A wedding at the top of a local ski area, our first gig out that involved what I call real money. 2 hours, maybe 100 people. Outside, no electricity so no amplification. The bride requested the song All Your Life by The Band Perry, as her processional, so we worked up an arrangement for harp and mandolin. (A song we don't really like, and so we can't stop singing/humming/lalala-ing it, of course...) Our song list: Wild Mountain Thyme, My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose, Trip to Sligo, Swan Lk 243, The Grenadier and the Lady, Squire Wood's Lamentation, Baptist Johnson, Var Det Du, Ashokan Farewell, George Brabazon #1, Fanny Poer, Planxty Drew, Boys of Ballisodare, Carolan's Concerto, Sheebeg Sheemore, Kean O'Hara #3, O'Carolan's Welcome, Scarborough Fair, Over the Rainbow, Skye Boat Song, Fhear a Bhata, and a few improvised pieces by JP. (We will pick and choose from this list for our next 3 gigs...) Anxiety report: not nervous the day of or on the way over. No shaking hands at the strings like the last time I played at the Dunbarton Coffeehouse, but playing as background music is way less intimidating than an actual performance, right? Should have brought a board to lay down on the uneven grass surface - there was no position I could find that made the harp perfectly level, and I ended up leaning in way more than I usually do. When you play outside, ladies, how do you handle an uneven surface? I am planning on bringing a sheet of plywood next time and covering it with a small rug unless I hear something better from you! Made some good connections with the Justice of the Peace and the Banquet Manager at the facility, so perhaps more wedding gigs in the future? But here's the thing - not one person, (guest or wedding party member) said one thing to us the entire time. I guess I was raised that, even if you don't think so, you go over and say something complimentary. JP says this is the way things go when you play out. Ugh! All that work and not one moment of kindness? I am not sure I am made for this. But concerts? Isn't that more nerve-wracking? Would love to hear your comments! Thanks for reading.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Lucy is surprised that suddenly It's September!
How did it get to be September so fast???
Before the month closes, I'm going to plaster my response to Andee's query here and elsewhere. She asks if we're to contain ourselves in one post-per-month (plus any comments, of course) and the answer is YES, that is the idea, to keep it neat. You can edit, add and subtract etc. your once-a-month blog as long as you are signed in. There should be a pencil symbol at the bottom of it. Click on that and when you're done hit 'Update'. I date my entries normally (not this one, of course). It will automatically roll over into a new month because I've set it up to do that.
I'm mostly practicing the tunes for this gig on September 20, but of course, I find myself getting easily distracted... I am finding I am missing Michael Rooney these days - I LOVE every tune I have ever learned from him in a workshop and I find that, at last, some of the ones I learned years ago are finally beginning to sink in, none of them are all that easy. He has such a special sound. I hope he and June can come over sometime before too long, or that I can get over to Ireland. That would be dreamy.
The harp tunes for the gig are:
The Piper's Picnic/Leslie's March
Fanny Power (probably start this alone)
Joe Bane's (slow reel) (start this alone)
Accompaniment:
Three hornpipes: Mrs Crotty's/Humours of Tullycrine/Cronin's
I may do another accompaniment, not sure......
All the other tunes, and there are many, I'll be playing on the concertina.
Right after the concert the Irish music class taught by Hilari Farrington and Benedict Koehler starts up again for six weeks. Again we'll be focussing on a region, last time it was Clare, not sure what it will be this time.
I don't have a musical photo to post right at this moment (although I will - we took a photo of ourselves for the gig) We're calling ourselves The Flies in the Porter - which is slightly gross but the lads all liked it. Anyhow here is a photo of a fawn raiding our blueberry bushes!
Before the month closes, I'm going to plaster my response to Andee's query here and elsewhere. She asks if we're to contain ourselves in one post-per-month (plus any comments, of course) and the answer is YES, that is the idea, to keep it neat. You can edit, add and subtract etc. your once-a-month blog as long as you are signed in. There should be a pencil symbol at the bottom of it. Click on that and when you're done hit 'Update'. I date my entries normally (not this one, of course). It will automatically roll over into a new month because I've set it up to do that.
I'm mostly practicing the tunes for this gig on September 20, but of course, I find myself getting easily distracted... I am finding I am missing Michael Rooney these days - I LOVE every tune I have ever learned from him in a workshop and I find that, at last, some of the ones I learned years ago are finally beginning to sink in, none of them are all that easy. He has such a special sound. I hope he and June can come over sometime before too long, or that I can get over to Ireland. That would be dreamy.
The harp tunes for the gig are:
The Piper's Picnic/Leslie's March
Fanny Power (probably start this alone)
Joe Bane's (slow reel) (start this alone)
Accompaniment:
Three hornpipes: Mrs Crotty's/Humours of Tullycrine/Cronin's
I may do another accompaniment, not sure......
All the other tunes, and there are many, I'll be playing on the concertina.
Right after the concert the Irish music class taught by Hilari Farrington and Benedict Koehler starts up again for six weeks. Again we'll be focussing on a region, last time it was Clare, not sure what it will be this time.
I don't have a musical photo to post right at this moment (although I will - we took a photo of ourselves for the gig) We're calling ourselves The Flies in the Porter - which is slightly gross but the lads all liked it. Anyhow here is a photo of a fawn raiding our blueberry bushes!
20 September
I've been a bad bad bad blog admin person, I admit, but I've been wildly busy with both music and my RL - school starting, things coming to a head with a big writing project, and preparing for this concert in the 'bandshell' in Richmond this afternoon. My biggest worry was the weather, but we are getting handed the most beautiful early autumn day imaginable - it should be lovely and the harp will be happy with temps in the mid-seventies and not humid. So all that is good! I've got my checklist handy and am about to go wash my hair and figure out just the right casual but slightly special outfit..... not my strong suit! Ha ha.
I am playing the tunes listed above, plus a boatload of concertina - really mostly that - I love my posse and am counting on their support and warmth to get me through the harp tunes (only one solo - the first round of Joe Bane's) and the brief concertina solo as I start "The New Custom House" one of my favorite reels. For some reason though, I have almost no problem playing the concertina publicly. It feels like a dear little pet in my lap, not this big imposing thing. People get so excited by the harp, their eyes light up and they go 'Awwww, a harp!" and I am afraid of disappointing them! No one feels that way about a concertina. The cats howl and want to go outside or else they come and try and make me stop! I am an expert at playing c'tina quietly, in fact.
So I'm nervous. Yep. I'll get Knox (spousal unit) to take a photo of us, maybe even a little clip would be cool, and I promise to post it here as soon as I am recovered.
23 September
So far the spousal unit has hogged any media on his smartphone.... In the meantime, the concert went very well, it was actually fun! I must be maturing or something. We didn't get to play anywhere near all of our tunes and I'm thinking of taking the harp to the Thursday session which I never do..... but I think I have to.
Meanwhile, the Harper's Escape is coming up - I am going although I dread the long drive. It's an hour less for Somerset, and I appreciate that! I have my CD somewhere although I can't remember what I did with it, which is kind of bad of me, eh? Looks like fun.
29 September
Don't know if I mentioned that I was 'trying out' for a regular gig in the lobby of our local (Burlington, VT) hospital (Fletcher-Allen). I 'got it' and I start this Thursday afternoon. Then the next day I head south on the long trek to Harper's Escape in New Brunswick. I wish it wasn't so far away! I ALWAYS get stuck somewhere in some ghastly traffic jam (one time it was right in NB within a mile of my destination). I had to take a crazy cross-country route. For once I would like to arrive not frazzled.
My non-harp Irish music class has started up again - Regional Styles this time, Leitrim this week. Fun!
I'm tackling Limestone Rock on the harp because one of my flute friends is dying for me to learn it to play with her. We do Miss Johnson's, then George White's and she wants to add Limestone Rock which she usually plays after GW.... that should be quite the set!
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
A Silly Month Indeed!!
Pam- I am so sorry about your harp accident!!! But, I LOVE the folks at the Harp Connection in Salem, Mass!!! THE place to go for harp repairs and regulating your harp! So glad you found the help you needed- and for shipping as well. Kudos!
I have just returned from SummerKeys camp in Lubec, Maine, where Sue Richards led a group of 5 of us harpers (all skill levels) in learning new tunes and ensemble work (well- duets played amongst the group as we could manage). Private lessons followed thruout the day. I was really working on picking up more tunes "by ear", as it seems IF I can learn a piece that way, it seems to stay in my memory banks longer, and I master it faster, than my usual "paper trained" approach! For a visual learner, that is a puzzlement to me- why would I master it faster learning by ear...? But, that is really the second step from sightreading, I guess...getting the tune in my head! Once it is in the head, and I am humming it everywhere I go, and can't stop thinking about it til I try it again on the strings...pretty quick to getting it! This was especially true of the Scandanavian tunes we worked on- Var Det Du was a repeat from last year, then I added Josefin's waltz and an absolutely WILD contemporary piece called Amanda by a Swedish "rock group" named Vasen (with an umlatt over the a) (they play an instrument called the nyckelharpa, as well as guitar and fiddle- really fast!!!) that sounded very ancient and possibly a little Middle Eastern! And you tune the harp with fsharps and bflats! ( My music theory is weak...my daughter says it is melodic minor, but not exactly...some mode perhaps??) Definitely enjoying adding a bit of Scandanavia to the Celtic repertoire!
Also really enjoyed getting to know my new harp better- still nervous about the heat and humidity fluctuations down here! Ugh!
I believe Grainne and her hubby Will are both coming to do a concert in Dublin, NH on October 9th.
I have been so blessed to have had workshops with both of them when Mary Graham was organizing such wonderful events in Wilton. Grainne is just amazing, and so very sweet besides...I may have to try Somerset out next year by hook or by crook, just to have the chance to learn some more from her!
Pam, I am so jealous that you have such a great and willing musical partner to play gigs with you! I have a house full of musicians and can only get my daughter to play with me on rare occasions...If you are not over performance anxiety by month's end, I will be as surprised as JP! And, as someone else blogged, and Sue Richards also emphasized: "it isn't about you...it is about the music and the audience." Still....working on that! Hope you get your Dusty back soon, safe and sound!
Thanks, ladies- you are all an inspiration!! Sharon
Pam- I am so sorry about your harp accident!!! But, I LOVE the folks at the Harp Connection in Salem, Mass!!! THE place to go for harp repairs and regulating your harp! So glad you found the help you needed- and for shipping as well. Kudos!
I have just returned from SummerKeys camp in Lubec, Maine, where Sue Richards led a group of 5 of us harpers (all skill levels) in learning new tunes and ensemble work (well- duets played amongst the group as we could manage). Private lessons followed thruout the day. I was really working on picking up more tunes "by ear", as it seems IF I can learn a piece that way, it seems to stay in my memory banks longer, and I master it faster, than my usual "paper trained" approach! For a visual learner, that is a puzzlement to me- why would I master it faster learning by ear...? But, that is really the second step from sightreading, I guess...getting the tune in my head! Once it is in the head, and I am humming it everywhere I go, and can't stop thinking about it til I try it again on the strings...pretty quick to getting it! This was especially true of the Scandanavian tunes we worked on- Var Det Du was a repeat from last year, then I added Josefin's waltz and an absolutely WILD contemporary piece called Amanda by a Swedish "rock group" named Vasen (with an umlatt over the a) (they play an instrument called the nyckelharpa, as well as guitar and fiddle- really fast!!!) that sounded very ancient and possibly a little Middle Eastern! And you tune the harp with fsharps and bflats! ( My music theory is weak...my daughter says it is melodic minor, but not exactly...some mode perhaps??) Definitely enjoying adding a bit of Scandanavia to the Celtic repertoire!
Also really enjoyed getting to know my new harp better- still nervous about the heat and humidity fluctuations down here! Ugh!
I believe Grainne and her hubby Will are both coming to do a concert in Dublin, NH on October 9th.
I have been so blessed to have had workshops with both of them when Mary Graham was organizing such wonderful events in Wilton. Grainne is just amazing, and so very sweet besides...I may have to try Somerset out next year by hook or by crook, just to have the chance to learn some more from her!
Pam, I am so jealous that you have such a great and willing musical partner to play gigs with you! I have a house full of musicians and can only get my daughter to play with me on rare occasions...If you are not over performance anxiety by month's end, I will be as surprised as JP! And, as someone else blogged, and Sue Richards also emphasized: "it isn't about you...it is about the music and the audience." Still....working on that! Hope you get your Dusty back soon, safe and sound!
Thanks, ladies- you are all an inspiration!! Sharon
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
August
Well I am just back from two weeks in Ireland! Not a lot of harp news for me other than practicing for my upcoming gig at the abbey on Sunday. I played my harp at a couple of sessions, BUT not sessions out at pubs, just sessions at the Boghill Centre where we stayed.
I did play my fiddle out a bit more this year than I did last year and I learned a few new tunes (which can be transferred to harp eventually), I was most excited by learning a couple tunes from fiddler James Devitt, one of the senior members of the Kilfenora Ceili Band. He taught Tell Her I Am and Humours of Ennistymon as well as The Red Haired Lass. The third one I don't really have yet.
Oh, Lucy--I found the Junior Crehan book in the music shop in Doolin.
I just remembered that you asked me to post what tunes we did, Pam--I will try and get to that by tomorrow.
I did play my fiddle out a bit more this year than I did last year and I learned a few new tunes (which can be transferred to harp eventually), I was most excited by learning a couple tunes from fiddler James Devitt, one of the senior members of the Kilfenora Ceili Band. He taught Tell Her I Am and Humours of Ennistymon as well as The Red Haired Lass. The third one I don't really have yet.
Oh, Lucy--I found the Junior Crehan book in the music shop in Doolin.
I just remembered that you asked me to post what tunes we did, Pam--I will try and get to that by tomorrow.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
August and Angst
What a great topic it might be, for this August, to tackle performance anxiety. I will be playing in a concert in mid-September where it would be appropriate for me to at least play one round of several tunes solo, starting them........ the group I play with was invited to play in the bandshell at the Friday Farmer's Market and it's a 2 1/2 hour gig basically so there will be a lot of time to fill and variety is important.
Week One
I'm briefly on the road visiting family, but I will watch the video Pamela posted and get serious about all this when I get home. I did bring my harp with me and I have played a bit, never as much as I would like, but enough to keep the fingers going.
Probably the most exciting harp news I have is that for my birthday I was given one of those fabulous carts by my loving husband - he even found it for about half the price at an on-line vendor. One reason I think I decided to bring the harp with me on this trip was really just the excuse to use the new cart! But I also find playing in unfamiliar places helps with the above problems. Once I have played a tune (successfully or close to it) in front of people, that tune seems to start to settle in and I can stay unflapped and confident.
Weeks Two and Three
Not sure what my excuse is for being so lax here lately - it's that time of year, I guess, and I have been gadding about or loaded up with family and guests. However, I have been steadily playing the harp because we do have a big gig (we being my little irish music posse in VT) on September 20 - and I will be playing four tunes on the harp and accompanying some hornpipes..... So besides those I have a ton of tunes to work on on the concertina, many of which I basically have to learn......Let me see, I will be playing Joe Bane's (a slow reel) and The Piper's Picnic and Leslie's (Oscar and Malvina) and Fanny Power..... accompanying..... I can't remember right now, three hornpipes, I think one of them is Mrs. Crotty's.....! I've kind of worked out the accompaniment, but I haven't had someone to play the tune while I play what I've worked out. Pam and Andee you are lucky in that you have a live-in person who can do that!
Otherwise I've been trying to keep various tunes alive, specifically The Sweetheart Reel, Maghera Mountain, a couple of Airs that Grainne taught - names temporarily unavailable.....
Week One
I'm briefly on the road visiting family, but I will watch the video Pamela posted and get serious about all this when I get home. I did bring my harp with me and I have played a bit, never as much as I would like, but enough to keep the fingers going.
Probably the most exciting harp news I have is that for my birthday I was given one of those fabulous carts by my loving husband - he even found it for about half the price at an on-line vendor. One reason I think I decided to bring the harp with me on this trip was really just the excuse to use the new cart! But I also find playing in unfamiliar places helps with the above problems. Once I have played a tune (successfully or close to it) in front of people, that tune seems to start to settle in and I can stay unflapped and confident.
Weeks Two and Three
Not sure what my excuse is for being so lax here lately - it's that time of year, I guess, and I have been gadding about or loaded up with family and guests. However, I have been steadily playing the harp because we do have a big gig (we being my little irish music posse in VT) on September 20 - and I will be playing four tunes on the harp and accompanying some hornpipes..... So besides those I have a ton of tunes to work on on the concertina, many of which I basically have to learn......Let me see, I will be playing Joe Bane's (a slow reel) and The Piper's Picnic and Leslie's (Oscar and Malvina) and Fanny Power..... accompanying..... I can't remember right now, three hornpipes, I think one of them is Mrs. Crotty's.....! I've kind of worked out the accompaniment, but I haven't had someone to play the tune while I play what I've worked out. Pam and Andee you are lucky in that you have a live-in person who can do that!
Otherwise I've been trying to keep various tunes alive, specifically The Sweetheart Reel, Maghera Mountain, a couple of Airs that Grainne taught - names temporarily unavailable.....
About performance anxiety....
Do you get The Musicians' Way newsletter? Because if you don't, I thought you might like to watch this video, which a link in the newsletter brought me to It's long, and not all of it is about performance and your 'little voice', but I thought what she said on the subject was really, really valuable!
http://www.bulletproofmusician.com/are-great-performers-as-cool-and-collected-on-stage-as-they-appear/?utm_source=The+Musician%27s+Way+List&utm_campaign=84dfdf047d-Aug_2013_Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_cd12a0d389-84dfdf047d-412962138
http://www.bulletproofmusician.com/are-great-performers-as-cool-and-collected-on-stage-as-they-appear/?utm_source=The+Musician%27s+Way+List&utm_campaign=84dfdf047d-Aug_2013_Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_cd12a0d389-84dfdf047d-412962138
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Strings and things!
Well, I was up way too late last night trying to put 2 new strings in the highest octave of my 34 string Kortier. I was only supposed to be replacing the F string, but snapped the neighboring E string because I was distracted and turned the wrong tuning pin! AArrgghh! I had checked online for videos of how to tie knots, and replace strings, to see if someone had tips or tricks to make what has- for me-usually been a very trying experience! I did learn that the center stick from Qtips makes a great anchor! And then I watched Sylvia Woods put the string up, around pull tie, etc...looks so easy for her, but these 2 strings needed a fair amount of slack, being so high, and after 2 or 3 times around and not quite catching.....aaaarrrrggghhh...the string began to crimp...and the slack began to twist, and I realized I needed a 3rd hand, and the heat and humidity in my living room began to rise, and I was a wreck. Take it out, start over...breathe, try again...calm down, it is only a string, for Pete's sakes! I must be a total numbnuts! I have put plenty of strings on in the past, but not for quite a while, now. Been very lucky til this crazy weather finally won. Anywho- once I am on a roll, it is not so hard, but relearning after a significant amount of time has passed, a real trial. I am not happy with the final results, as the string on the pin is not caught quite the way the rest on the harp are, but so far seem secure. What am I doing wrong?! Two hours for 2 strings is ridiculous! Mind you, the 2nd only took 15 minutes, but still that seems excessive. This is elementary stuff, but I have always dreaded the procedure- will do most anything to avoid a broken string- and the thought of restringing a harp just because it has been awhile? Yagottabekiddinme!
The good news is, actually spent time this week playing! Hooray!! The fingers still work!! Now to keep that up on a regular basis- even while fearing the potential broken strings in this weather!
Hope my sad tale of stringing woes does not get me booted off the blog for immaturity and general whineyness! Can't wait to hear about Somerset!
The good news is, actually spent time this week playing! Hooray!! The fingers still work!! Now to keep that up on a regular basis- even while fearing the potential broken strings in this weather!
Hope my sad tale of stringing woes does not get me booted off the blog for immaturity and general whineyness! Can't wait to hear about Somerset!
Friday, July 5, 2013
JULY! It's Somerset Month!
Just the fact that I haven't been around should tell you something. June was a very solid harping month but so far July, which admittedly, hasn't even been a week, is proving to be highly distracting - in part because we've had a huge amount of rain and I have spent a ridiculous amount of time and energy doing things like digging water bars and trying to keep our driveway from washing out...... and after a round of that I'm too tired for music. But I have high hopes anyway. I am a bit unfocussed as to goals which is always a problem, but if I do start this volunteer gig at our local hospital that will likely concentrate my energies!
Week One
Lame so far!!! Did run through Kean O'Hara 3rd a bunch of times for some unfathomable reason.
Week Two
Well..... I'm loving both the Carolan tunes I learned recently, Planxty Sweeney - very short and sweet and George Reynolds, really a graceful tune indeed with some nice unexpected turns in it. Otherwise I'm falling into that trap of the smorgasbord confusion - so many great tunes, so little time...... What I would like to do is work up a set with Caislin Or and Her Golden Hair. I can't decide what keys to play them in though......I have various recordings, I do have 'the book' somewhere that Junior Crehan's daughter put together and ultimately it is best to learn these tunes in keys so that other folk can play with you..... so that means I'll have to find the book which means another distraction from actually playing anything. So you all have a good week now while I.......
Week Three
(Hard to believe that it is the third week of July already!). I've been playing mostly tunes that I already play pretty well, tuning up the two other harps going with me - one of which I am thinking I might try to sell, the Camac. I don't use it and I thought I might do some teaching but I haven't been doing that. On the other hand, the minute I do sell it, someone will want lessons, right? Haven't been able to connect with the person at the hospital who organizes the music in the lobby, but I think it is that summer time problem of people being in and out.....
I'm at Somerset now - working behind the desk...... my obsession is the Harp Corral and this year I'm trying out a new approach - short and long term parking - the first is self serve to save my back. I was so exhausted last year it was painful. I'll find out at lunchtime if this is going to work. Otherwise - I've had some tunes with Laura and Dennis.
Soooooo Somerset is over and it was great this year. Things went smoothly, there were more attendees than ever, lots of classes to choose from. My parking idea turned out brilliantly and I think everyone was happier and calmer getting to park their own harps and not having to wait around in line. I was happier not having to do so much schlepping!! The Carolan Marathon was great - played the two new tunes from the Festival - although Geo. Reynolds had no more than a feeble accompaniment...... What made me happiest was playing after all the activities ended. Cormac de Barra was new to the Festival and I hope he'll be back, he made the late night sessions rock!
Week 4
It's Wednesday already and I haven't started in on this week.... although that will be OK because July is a long month... I haven't done more than review the slides that Grainne taught (well, she really only taught one and 'gave' us another - Mrs. Murphy's Quadrille being the first and An Choisir being the second. Both delightful tunes. I feel that I haven't said enough about Somerset - but really - my perspective is a bit skewed. Despite the fact that the Hilton was in an annoying state of 'under construction' in many inconvenient ways, it seemed that overall the mood was buoyant and few were going to let the inconveniences bother them. Usually I swim a couple of times and even use the work out room, but not this time. I somehow managed to lose 2 lbs so I guess I was busy. I brought my own breakfast and lunch and it made all the difference, I think. Which has nothing to do with harping, not really.
Been working a little on the two slides An Choisir and Mrs. Murphy's Quadrille (one just a recording and handout) we 'got' from Grainne and also on The Boys of the Town and The Green Hills of Woodford which I am putting together..... they are just dissimilar enough to be intriguing together, I think..... sort of flowing from one to the other...... I'm trying to make my own accompaniment, riffing off of Grainne's a little but trying to make something that feels right for me.
Also working on keeping Molly St. George alive...... I'd really like to get this one into the long-term storage area of my brain.
Week One
Lame so far!!! Did run through Kean O'Hara 3rd a bunch of times for some unfathomable reason.
Week Two
Well..... I'm loving both the Carolan tunes I learned recently, Planxty Sweeney - very short and sweet and George Reynolds, really a graceful tune indeed with some nice unexpected turns in it. Otherwise I'm falling into that trap of the smorgasbord confusion - so many great tunes, so little time...... What I would like to do is work up a set with Caislin Or and Her Golden Hair. I can't decide what keys to play them in though......I have various recordings, I do have 'the book' somewhere that Junior Crehan's daughter put together and ultimately it is best to learn these tunes in keys so that other folk can play with you..... so that means I'll have to find the book which means another distraction from actually playing anything. So you all have a good week now while I.......
Week Three
(Hard to believe that it is the third week of July already!). I've been playing mostly tunes that I already play pretty well, tuning up the two other harps going with me - one of which I am thinking I might try to sell, the Camac. I don't use it and I thought I might do some teaching but I haven't been doing that. On the other hand, the minute I do sell it, someone will want lessons, right? Haven't been able to connect with the person at the hospital who organizes the music in the lobby, but I think it is that summer time problem of people being in and out.....
I'm at Somerset now - working behind the desk...... my obsession is the Harp Corral and this year I'm trying out a new approach - short and long term parking - the first is self serve to save my back. I was so exhausted last year it was painful. I'll find out at lunchtime if this is going to work. Otherwise - I've had some tunes with Laura and Dennis.
Soooooo Somerset is over and it was great this year. Things went smoothly, there were more attendees than ever, lots of classes to choose from. My parking idea turned out brilliantly and I think everyone was happier and calmer getting to park their own harps and not having to wait around in line. I was happier not having to do so much schlepping!! The Carolan Marathon was great - played the two new tunes from the Festival - although Geo. Reynolds had no more than a feeble accompaniment...... What made me happiest was playing after all the activities ended. Cormac de Barra was new to the Festival and I hope he'll be back, he made the late night sessions rock!
Week 4
It's Wednesday already and I haven't started in on this week.... although that will be OK because July is a long month... I haven't done more than review the slides that Grainne taught (well, she really only taught one and 'gave' us another - Mrs. Murphy's Quadrille being the first and An Choisir being the second. Both delightful tunes. I feel that I haven't said enough about Somerset - but really - my perspective is a bit skewed. Despite the fact that the Hilton was in an annoying state of 'under construction' in many inconvenient ways, it seemed that overall the mood was buoyant and few were going to let the inconveniences bother them. Usually I swim a couple of times and even use the work out room, but not this time. I somehow managed to lose 2 lbs so I guess I was busy. I brought my own breakfast and lunch and it made all the difference, I think. Which has nothing to do with harping, not really.
Been working a little on the two slides An Choisir and Mrs. Murphy's Quadrille (one just a recording and handout) we 'got' from Grainne and also on The Boys of the Town and The Green Hills of Woodford which I am putting together..... they are just dissimilar enough to be intriguing together, I think..... sort of flowing from one to the other...... I'm trying to make my own accompaniment, riffing off of Grainne's a little but trying to make something that feels right for me.
Also working on keeping Molly St. George alive...... I'd really like to get this one into the long-term storage area of my brain.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Happy 4th!
The sun is shining!! Two days in a row!! But the temps are rising, and after I got a facebook post from Sue Richards showing the harp she had been tuning that exploded in her arms, in pieces, snapped at the neck, and read the comments from other harpers that they had seen (or had) the same thing happen in the same spot- I panicked! I have never babied my harps (while trying to keep them reasonably humidified and temperate) because I felt if they were used to "perfect" all the time, I could never take them out to other places where conditions would be so different. So far that has worked for me... but my new harp is so new and still settling in, when I saw the photos, and the weather forecast, I put the new baby back in his/her case and plunked it in the basement, where I do have a dehumidifier running, and the temp is about 68 degrees right now. Not the place to practice, but I don't want the new glues melting as the strings are getting settled! Yikes! There is no way I can provide perfect in my house- so this is the best I can do for now. And I loosened the strings on the big harp, as well. Till things even out a bit, that is what I am doing...
So glad to hear that it is not only MY red and blue strings that disappear in the lights on stage! Such a disorienting place- if the lights are too bright or too dim, I am in trouble. I definitely prefer being "background music" than performing front and center! Will have to try and catch Pam and her hubby at the farmers market- they sound SO good together! If you have a chance, grab a cellist, as harp and cello, or harp and flute, also make great duos. AND, I am much more comfortable on stage if it is NOT all ME!
Have fun!! Stay cool!
So glad to hear that it is not only MY red and blue strings that disappear in the lights on stage! Such a disorienting place- if the lights are too bright or too dim, I am in trouble. I definitely prefer being "background music" than performing front and center! Will have to try and catch Pam and her hubby at the farmers market- they sound SO good together! If you have a chance, grab a cellist, as harp and cello, or harp and flute, also make great duos. AND, I am much more comfortable on stage if it is NOT all ME!
Have fun!! Stay cool!
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
The Whole Month is Mine!
Week One
You can tell I'm a teacher by the title of my post. Summer is so exciting and relaxing at the same time if you're a teacher. Clean out the garden, refinish a floor, reading, kayaking...the possibilities are endless! And, of course, more time than ever to practice my harping. Thanks to Andee's example, we've decided to busk at our local Farmers' Market in a few weeks. I hardly ever play outside, so that's cool to begin with. And who doesn't like playing and having fun when most people are not too focused on your performance??? (And everyone who has a table at the market sends a little gift your way - last year we got the BEST Wild Blueberry Jam...)So far the other biggie is Somerset, about which it's almost impossible to speak. Harp 24/7, so much to see and try! I hope to come back with some South American tunes that will make for good harp/guitar duets.
I work on O'Farrell's Welcome every day, but I seem to have hit a plateau. It sounds more like an exercise than it does a snappy dance tune. So I think I'll put it on the back burner and choose a new Kim Robertson arrangement of some other tune. If I come 'round to it again in a few weeks, maybe I'll bust it out??
My dehumidifier is working overtime with all this New England humidity, but so far only one broken string!
Week Two
The heat/humidity twins make it hard to move. Too lazy to tune, just phoning in my practicing. Can sight read through Kim Robertson's Slumber My Darling, too darned stupified to clean it up and make ready for a performance. O'Farrell's creeps along slowly - I am thinking that in 4-5 years I will play it as fast as IrishKeyley(sp) on YouTube. When I'm done typing will go to iTunes and buy Grainne's version, which is maybe a little slower? (in my dreams...) If the weather cooperates my husband and I will play for an hour or so at the local Farmers' Market this Saturday. We have maybe 20 songs we always play together, so it should be OK; nevertheless I need to go back to 'Slow Tuesdays' and stop nancy-ing around. You'd think the thought of the zillions of terrific harpists I'll hear at Somerset would make me get off my duff. We'll see.......
Week Two and a Half
So hot and sweaty I wear an old pillowcase over my forearm while I'm practicing. :))
Week Three
Played at the local Farmers' Market for an hour. Made $25, not much but still we were happy to be paid. After the 1st 15 minutes was not nervous at all, and when I had a tiny brain freeze once or twice, found my way right back into the phrase with no issue. Of course, it helps that the guitar covers you while you're unfreezing....Our set list included Scarborough Fair, Swan Lk 243, Sheebeg, Planxty Drew, Carolan's Concerto, Fanny Poer, Squire Woods, My Love is Like a ..., Ashokan Farewell, Baptist Johnson, George Brabazon #1, Var Det Du, Grenadier and the Lady, Trip to Sligo, O'Carolan's Welcome and Kean O'Hara #3. Nice children asking questions, nice puppy licking my foot, very nice shoppers who snapped our pix. In an unrelated story, got a wedding gig on top of our local ski area. Now, all focus will be on Somerset. Lucy, did you download the phone app? I can hardly say how much I like it! Your schedule, a hotel map, to-do lists (as in remember to bring a 3-hole punch this time!), artist bios, etc, etc. Will post more from Parsippany....
You can tell I'm a teacher by the title of my post. Summer is so exciting and relaxing at the same time if you're a teacher. Clean out the garden, refinish a floor, reading, kayaking...the possibilities are endless! And, of course, more time than ever to practice my harping. Thanks to Andee's example, we've decided to busk at our local Farmers' Market in a few weeks. I hardly ever play outside, so that's cool to begin with. And who doesn't like playing and having fun when most people are not too focused on your performance??? (And everyone who has a table at the market sends a little gift your way - last year we got the BEST Wild Blueberry Jam...)So far the other biggie is Somerset, about which it's almost impossible to speak. Harp 24/7, so much to see and try! I hope to come back with some South American tunes that will make for good harp/guitar duets.
I work on O'Farrell's Welcome every day, but I seem to have hit a plateau. It sounds more like an exercise than it does a snappy dance tune. So I think I'll put it on the back burner and choose a new Kim Robertson arrangement of some other tune. If I come 'round to it again in a few weeks, maybe I'll bust it out??
My dehumidifier is working overtime with all this New England humidity, but so far only one broken string!
Week Two
The heat/humidity twins make it hard to move. Too lazy to tune, just phoning in my practicing. Can sight read through Kim Robertson's Slumber My Darling, too darned stupified to clean it up and make ready for a performance. O'Farrell's creeps along slowly - I am thinking that in 4-5 years I will play it as fast as IrishKeyley(sp) on YouTube. When I'm done typing will go to iTunes and buy Grainne's version, which is maybe a little slower? (in my dreams...) If the weather cooperates my husband and I will play for an hour or so at the local Farmers' Market this Saturday. We have maybe 20 songs we always play together, so it should be OK; nevertheless I need to go back to 'Slow Tuesdays' and stop nancy-ing around. You'd think the thought of the zillions of terrific harpists I'll hear at Somerset would make me get off my duff. We'll see.......
Week Two and a Half
So hot and sweaty I wear an old pillowcase over my forearm while I'm practicing. :))
Week Three
Played at the local Farmers' Market for an hour. Made $25, not much but still we were happy to be paid. After the 1st 15 minutes was not nervous at all, and when I had a tiny brain freeze once or twice, found my way right back into the phrase with no issue. Of course, it helps that the guitar covers you while you're unfreezing....Our set list included Scarborough Fair, Swan Lk 243, Sheebeg, Planxty Drew, Carolan's Concerto, Fanny Poer, Squire Woods, My Love is Like a ..., Ashokan Farewell, Baptist Johnson, George Brabazon #1, Var Det Du, Grenadier and the Lady, Trip to Sligo, O'Carolan's Welcome and Kean O'Hara #3. Nice children asking questions, nice puppy licking my foot, very nice shoppers who snapped our pix. In an unrelated story, got a wedding gig on top of our local ski area. Now, all focus will be on Somerset. Lucy, did you download the phone app? I can hardly say how much I like it! Your schedule, a hotel map, to-do lists (as in remember to bring a 3-hole punch this time!), artist bios, etc, etc. Will post more from Parsippany....
Monday, July 1, 2013
July
Well I started out July on a good note (well ended June, more like). Mike and I went to a new open mic night and it was fantastic!
In the first half I played The Morning Star and The Temperance Reels and the Eleanor Plunkett / The Rights of Man. In the second half I played She Moved Through the Fair / Cooley's Hornpipe and Black is the Colour / Nellie Your Favour I'm Afraid I'll Not Gain.
I stuck with familiar stuff because no-one would have heard me play it before since it was a new venue in a different town *and* familiar material is best when I may be confronted with new things that will throw me off like dim lighting (I can't see!), a red floor (my red strings disappeared) and lots and lots of black tangled wires (my blue strings disappeared, too!) everywhere!
Anyway, I did fine with only a few minor mess-ups. Practice does help--a lot!
Week 2 I'm getting an hour set together for two performances coming up. One is the little performance at Kirkstall Abbey in August, the other is The Saltaire Festival in September. I need an hours' worth of material polished up. Saltaire is only 40 minutes, but I can pick the best from the hours' worth.
I think I'll have more airs for the Abbey gig and knock some of them out for the Saltaire Festival because of the different moods of both gigs.
Did I mention I have put the finishing touches on Lament for Limerick? It's really pretty.
Here's a pic from the open mic night at The Sparrow in Bradford from two weeks ago. Some guy did a review of the evening and said I was one of the highlights (wow!)!
I'm right now gearing up for our usual open mic night. I think I'll do Lament for Limerick and The Mist Covered Mountain / Cliffs of Moher in the first half. Not sure what I'll do in the second half yet...
I did Father O'Flynn / MacAllistrum's March and She Moved Through the Fair / Cooley's Hornpipe.
All went well, hardly any mistakes. Now only a week and a half until we go to Ireland for two weeks!
End of July I played through my hour long set yesterday with an eye (ear?) to what needs working on the most and what I've got to do in order to get it polished. Afterwards I found out that Mike's friend can't play that day (Mike and his friend Brian--known as Craig & Wylie--were supposed to play from 3-4 after I play from 2-3). So now my perfect set list will have to be re-arranged a bit and maybe a couple more sets of tunes thrown in. Mike will do some of his songs and play with me on several sets so I won't have to add *too* many more pieces.
We're off to Ireland tomorrow morning!
In the first half I played The Morning Star and The Temperance Reels and the Eleanor Plunkett / The Rights of Man. In the second half I played She Moved Through the Fair / Cooley's Hornpipe and Black is the Colour / Nellie Your Favour I'm Afraid I'll Not Gain.
I stuck with familiar stuff because no-one would have heard me play it before since it was a new venue in a different town *and* familiar material is best when I may be confronted with new things that will throw me off like dim lighting (I can't see!), a red floor (my red strings disappeared) and lots and lots of black tangled wires (my blue strings disappeared, too!) everywhere!
Anyway, I did fine with only a few minor mess-ups. Practice does help--a lot!
Week 2 I'm getting an hour set together for two performances coming up. One is the little performance at Kirkstall Abbey in August, the other is The Saltaire Festival in September. I need an hours' worth of material polished up. Saltaire is only 40 minutes, but I can pick the best from the hours' worth.
I think I'll have more airs for the Abbey gig and knock some of them out for the Saltaire Festival because of the different moods of both gigs.
Did I mention I have put the finishing touches on Lament for Limerick? It's really pretty.
Here's a pic from the open mic night at The Sparrow in Bradford from two weeks ago. Some guy did a review of the evening and said I was one of the highlights (wow!)!
I'm right now gearing up for our usual open mic night. I think I'll do Lament for Limerick and The Mist Covered Mountain / Cliffs of Moher in the first half. Not sure what I'll do in the second half yet...
I did Father O'Flynn / MacAllistrum's March and She Moved Through the Fair / Cooley's Hornpipe.
All went well, hardly any mistakes. Now only a week and a half until we go to Ireland for two weeks!
End of July I played through my hour long set yesterday with an eye (ear?) to what needs working on the most and what I've got to do in order to get it polished. Afterwards I found out that Mike's friend can't play that day (Mike and his friend Brian--known as Craig & Wylie--were supposed to play from 3-4 after I play from 2-3). So now my perfect set list will have to be re-arranged a bit and maybe a couple more sets of tunes thrown in. Mike will do some of his songs and play with me on several sets so I won't have to add *too* many more pieces.
We're off to Ireland tomorrow morning!
Sunday, June 30, 2013
First blog as soggy June ends!
Greetings! brand new on this blog from soggy NH, and after finally getting thru the grueling sign in procedures so I could participate, I am exhausted! That aside, I have recently gotten a new harp, so I have been retuning a lot, and getting used to the touch. It has a much brighter tone and bigger voice than my other harp, and I am loving the difference. I can really see why so many people have multiple harps, depending on the tune, the event, the venue...feeds into harp lust, I am afraid! Oh to be independently wealthy!
I am hoping this blog and you all will help me actually "play my harp today" nearly everyday! For some reason I have allowed other time consuming and not always so rewarding STUFF get in the way. I am focusing on regaining tunes I once had solidly memorized and under my fingers, but have pretty much lost. And working on some tunes in Sue Richards and Grainne's books. I need some more O'Carolan handy!
Wish me luck! Hope we don't all turn to moldy heaps in this weather!
I am hoping this blog and you all will help me actually "play my harp today" nearly everyday! For some reason I have allowed other time consuming and not always so rewarding STUFF get in the way. I am focusing on regaining tunes I once had solidly memorized and under my fingers, but have pretty much lost. And working on some tunes in Sue Richards and Grainne's books. I need some more O'Carolan handy!
Wish me luck! Hope we don't all turn to moldy heaps in this weather!
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
June (Summer finally arrives in Yorkshire!)
Week 1 Finally we are getting some warm temps and sun here! I even was able to practice my harp in our back garden the other day. Getting my harp and me used to being and playing outside in preparation for my upcoming busking (maybe this week?).
Practicing loads today (harp and fiddle). Learning 'Limerick's Lamentation' on the harp (I already have it on the fiddle).
Mike and I took our instruments to our friends' BBQ on Saturday.
End of June I *have* been practicing, just not posting. Today I'm working out a one hour set for my upcoming gig at the Kirkstall Abbey. I'm trying not to repeat too many tunes from last year and the year before that. I've got a few new ones, so will only repeat a couple 'greatest hits' and comfy ones in case I need a security blanket.
Open mic night was last night and it went well. I played The Foggy Dew / Rights of Man, She Moved Through the Fair / Cooley's Hornpipe, The Downfall of Paris, Were You at the Rock?
Did I mention I'm re-working The Blackbird set dance? Coming up with some melodic variations as I listen to different versions of it.
Practicing loads today (harp and fiddle). Learning 'Limerick's Lamentation' on the harp (I already have it on the fiddle).
Mike and I took our instruments to our friends' BBQ on Saturday.
End of June I *have* been practicing, just not posting. Today I'm working out a one hour set for my upcoming gig at the Kirkstall Abbey. I'm trying not to repeat too many tunes from last year and the year before that. I've got a few new ones, so will only repeat a couple 'greatest hits' and comfy ones in case I need a security blanket.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
June is Carolan month.
I've treated myself to the Caitriona Rowsome opus plus 4 CD's with her rendering of every single verifiable Carolan tune - Here's the cover:
I've been listening and she has chosen, I think, to play the tunes simply and with very straightforward accompaniments. What a treasure.
Week One - Because I've been on the road I haven't played at all. I am home now, but yesterday was too exhausted to do anything much and today had endless errands and chores. But I might get a chance to play now! I seem to be focussing on, among other tunes Planxty Browne (with two lever changes in a lively tune, what am I thinking?) and also The Fairy Queen, which I've had my eye on for awhile. I think Rowsome may have struggled a bit with the latter because I'm having trouble in the beginning of the 2nd part hearing just what she was doing and matching it up with 'the dots' - it's one of those difficult spots where maybe as long as you end up on the right downbeat in the next measure it doesn't matter a whole lot what you do, but getting the timing right is hard. The final section (5?6?) is very very notey, but I've learned my lesson that looking at the music just means it will take me longer to really memorize it and get it into my fingers. I've also noticed that I work twice as fast if I learn a tune in the morning than late in the day......
Week Two (Which snuck up on me and is half way through....) I've somehow been distracted by concertina but I am trying, today, to get back into the Carolan program. I think basically, I've brought most of my repertoire more or less back to some acceptable place and I've been working hard to add Lord Inchiquin and Planxty Browne (which has wicked lever changes in the second half, but that's a good challenge, right - it's so much easier on the concertina, very tempting).
Week Three An excellent festival this year - gorgeous weather and lots of enthusiasts. There is also a good deal of English Country Dancing - which one of the festival organizers loves - perhaps this year a bit too much. Besides the sessions, truly, I only wish to find a corner in which to huddle in some shady spot with one or two others to play - although I did help play the music for one of the dance classes and it was fun, very therapeutic to play Planxty Irwin ten times in a row. Mostly for that class I played the concertina anyway as we were moving right along. Of course, you come home resolving to work on all the tunes that could have been better...... I also learned (more like got acquainted with) two new tunes, Planxty Sweeney and George Reynolds, both of which are delightful. I also played Molly McAlpin a bunch of times on the sly.......
Week Four
I've been running around dealing with RL but I did get a chance to practice some - however - I haven't practiced those new tunes!! I am presently 'reviving' a few like Soft Mild Morning and the set dance Blackbird and so on in anticipation of playing with friends at Somerset. I'm fairly satisfied with the amount of harp playing of done this month and that's what matters!
My big news is that I am currently in process of signing up to play harp in the lobby of the big hospital in Burlington, VT - Fletcher-Allen. One of my session friends (flute) works there and told me about it. It is the kind of playing I like to do, not for an audience, just sort of sitting among the potted plants, take it or leave it.
My annoying news is an RL that I discovered a deer tick bite this morning. Grrrrrrr. I try to be very careful. I don't think it bit for long, but there is a little welt. Will see the doc tomorrow and no doubt have to take antibiotics. I knew it wasn't a regular tick the minute I saw it.
To round out the month - I did dedicate myself to Carolan, pretty much, and I'm happy. I've got Lord Inchiquin firmly under my fingers and I've added two new tunes, Planxty Sweeney and George Reynolds, although I do seem to be more attached to the latter. July's theme is a no-brainer - cos that would be SOMERSET!
I've been listening and she has chosen, I think, to play the tunes simply and with very straightforward accompaniments. What a treasure.
Week One - Because I've been on the road I haven't played at all. I am home now, but yesterday was too exhausted to do anything much and today had endless errands and chores. But I might get a chance to play now! I seem to be focussing on, among other tunes Planxty Browne (with two lever changes in a lively tune, what am I thinking?) and also The Fairy Queen, which I've had my eye on for awhile. I think Rowsome may have struggled a bit with the latter because I'm having trouble in the beginning of the 2nd part hearing just what she was doing and matching it up with 'the dots' - it's one of those difficult spots where maybe as long as you end up on the right downbeat in the next measure it doesn't matter a whole lot what you do, but getting the timing right is hard. The final section (5?6?) is very very notey, but I've learned my lesson that looking at the music just means it will take me longer to really memorize it and get it into my fingers. I've also noticed that I work twice as fast if I learn a tune in the morning than late in the day......
Week Two (Which snuck up on me and is half way through....) I've somehow been distracted by concertina but I am trying, today, to get back into the Carolan program. I think basically, I've brought most of my repertoire more or less back to some acceptable place and I've been working hard to add Lord Inchiquin and Planxty Browne (which has wicked lever changes in the second half, but that's a good challenge, right - it's so much easier on the concertina, very tempting).
Week Three An excellent festival this year - gorgeous weather and lots of enthusiasts. There is also a good deal of English Country Dancing - which one of the festival organizers loves - perhaps this year a bit too much. Besides the sessions, truly, I only wish to find a corner in which to huddle in some shady spot with one or two others to play - although I did help play the music for one of the dance classes and it was fun, very therapeutic to play Planxty Irwin ten times in a row. Mostly for that class I played the concertina anyway as we were moving right along. Of course, you come home resolving to work on all the tunes that could have been better...... I also learned (more like got acquainted with) two new tunes, Planxty Sweeney and George Reynolds, both of which are delightful. I also played Molly McAlpin a bunch of times on the sly.......
Week Four
I've been running around dealing with RL but I did get a chance to practice some - however - I haven't practiced those new tunes!! I am presently 'reviving' a few like Soft Mild Morning and the set dance Blackbird and so on in anticipation of playing with friends at Somerset. I'm fairly satisfied with the amount of harp playing of done this month and that's what matters!
My big news is that I am currently in process of signing up to play harp in the lobby of the big hospital in Burlington, VT - Fletcher-Allen. One of my session friends (flute) works there and told me about it. It is the kind of playing I like to do, not for an audience, just sort of sitting among the potted plants, take it or leave it.
My annoying news is an RL that I discovered a deer tick bite this morning. Grrrrrrr. I try to be very careful. I don't think it bit for long, but there is a little welt. Will see the doc tomorrow and no doubt have to take antibiotics. I knew it wasn't a regular tick the minute I saw it.
To round out the month - I did dedicate myself to Carolan, pretty much, and I'm happy. I've got Lord Inchiquin firmly under my fingers and I've added two new tunes, Planxty Sweeney and George Reynolds, although I do seem to be more attached to the latter. July's theme is a no-brainer - cos that would be SOMERSET!
Saturday, June 1, 2013
We're having a heat wave...a trropical heat wave!
June - Week #1
I am a Gemini, and usually I enjoy the heat, but WOWZA, so far it's been quite a week. The humidity level is rght up there (so are the pollen levels..) and for a few days we were dehumidifier-less. So far only one broken string, but I'm going to leave the harp alone today to settle down after the delivery and set-up of the new water remover. My goal for the month is to play out more and fumble less. To that end, I've put another PR CD in the mail to a small local gallery, so we'll see what develops. Maybe we'll go out to the local Farmers' Market one Saturday if the weather improves. My only other goals this month - so far, at least - are to survive the last 10 1/2 days of school and to learn the Ray Charles 'America the Beautiful' piano part for this cover band I've joined. Wish me luck!
I am a Gemini, and usually I enjoy the heat, but WOWZA, so far it's been quite a week. The humidity level is rght up there (so are the pollen levels..) and for a few days we were dehumidifier-less. So far only one broken string, but I'm going to leave the harp alone today to settle down after the delivery and set-up of the new water remover. My goal for the month is to play out more and fumble less. To that end, I've put another PR CD in the mail to a small local gallery, so we'll see what develops. Maybe we'll go out to the local Farmers' Market one Saturday if the weather improves. My only other goals this month - so far, at least - are to survive the last 10 1/2 days of school and to learn the Ray Charles 'America the Beautiful' piano part for this cover band I've joined. Wish me luck!
Week #2
This was us last summer, playing at our local Farmers' Market. My hair was frizz city, and we were slobs about our music in the guitar case between us. And why didn't we put the harp case somewhere out of the picture??? Oh well, we had a good time and got some nice comments. 3 1/2 days of school left, yipppeeee! The cover band is taking up way too much practice time, but in just a few days I will be able to play the harp for an hour at a time, which will be wonderful. Have had to cancel my plans of going to the Carolan Festival in Vermont for this year :((. And so far this month have not played out even once. Well, I'll keep looking for venues.....
Week #3
School is out, scream and shout! It usually takes me a while to re-learn how to loosen up, and I have a lot of projects to complete. But today I DID download Grainne's Traditional Irish...Vol. 1. (God, I love downloadable books!) I'd like to learn/memorize O'Farrell's before the month is over. It looks a little easier than I thought it would, which is probably a sign that it will take longer than usual! I'm hoping that I can be a little less rigid about the syncopation than I usually am. Wish me luck!
Week #4
Haha, if I really think about it I can play the first of the 3 pages of Farrell's. No time, and I mean no time, to play the harp. Cleaning out a 40x40 flower bed and the carpal tunnel is wild Had a phone call from a bride looking for a harpist; sent her out our bio, the sample CD and a sample wedding contract. The response? Zilch. Sorry, I will try to be more positive. Somerset in about 4 weeks, woo woo. Getting a room by myself this year, with a 'fridge to boot. Juices on the house. So much to learn, so many wonderful concerts to attend! And I love driving down by myself.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
About this month...
You were so nice to ask if I was OK! So I'm going to tell you 2 stories about things that happened to me this month, one of which relates to this blog. #1: I ordered something off Amazon.com, and a woman in California was mistakenly billed for it. I am not sure that she called to have the charge removed. But she Googled me, left 4 increasingly angry voicemails on my landline, and then she went to Facebook and looked at my photos (which I had thought were private) and read all of my blog postings. So when I called her to tell her to knock it off, she proceeded to tell me how beautiful my house was and how wonderful it was that I played the harp. Yuck, I still feel nasty about this. (And if you're that woman reading my new post, yes I have saved all 4 voicemails, and yes, what you did is called harrassment...) And story #2: We finished mixing our little 3-track CD and began to play it out at coffehouses, etc. I was not sure how to pronounce the composer's first name - Catriona - so I messaged a famous American harpist whose name you would recognize, who is friends with me on FaceBook, to ask her the correct pronounciation. She then messaged me back 5-6 paragraphs about copyright, ethics, etc. As I was not expectiing a lecture, just the composer's name, I was a little (well, alot!) taken aback and maybe even offended. I am over that now, but needed to take a bit of time off. Thanks for listening, ladies!
Now, about playiing the harp!! So far this month we have mixed our little CD, and we have an interesting little pre-loaded program on our computer that lets us make a laser-inscribed label for it, so that's been fun designing. I love, love, LOVE my new tuner, thank you so much for the recommendation. Since it looks like I won't be having knee surgery this summer after all, I was thinking of driving to the Vermont Carolan weekend. Will I feel out-of-place because everyone will know everyone else and I'll be a goober on the sidelines? I can actually play quite a few O'Carolan tunes because I love the Sue Richards book, but if everyone plays let's say Grainne's arrangements maybe I'll just look like an amateur. (On this subject, do either of you know why Sue Richards is not on the docket at Somerset?)
End of the Month Wrap-Up
Played at a new-to-us coffeehouse last weekend. We were assured by friends who've performed there previously that it was a quiet little affair. All acts toss their names in a hat, and then the order of performers is determined by the order that names are pulled out. 2 song limit unless you're the featured act. Our name was pulled third from last, and we waited 2 HOURS to perform!This is not good for a person with performance anxiety (well, it's probably not good for anyone)! Had committed everything to memory, but by the time we went on was sure I had forgotten everythng. Hands shook, fumbled through occasionally, but survived as usual, and MC said following our performance "THIS is why it pays to stay 'til the end of the evening." Sending off our new 3-track CD to a New Hampshire museum that pays $350 for a 2-hour gig. We think we're the only Celtic harp/guitar duo in the state, so anything is possible. Happy Memorial Day to you both!
Now, about playiing the harp!! So far this month we have mixed our little CD, and we have an interesting little pre-loaded program on our computer that lets us make a laser-inscribed label for it, so that's been fun designing. I love, love, LOVE my new tuner, thank you so much for the recommendation. Since it looks like I won't be having knee surgery this summer after all, I was thinking of driving to the Vermont Carolan weekend. Will I feel out-of-place because everyone will know everyone else and I'll be a goober on the sidelines? I can actually play quite a few O'Carolan tunes because I love the Sue Richards book, but if everyone plays let's say Grainne's arrangements maybe I'll just look like an amateur. (On this subject, do either of you know why Sue Richards is not on the docket at Somerset?)
End of the Month Wrap-Up
Played at a new-to-us coffeehouse last weekend. We were assured by friends who've performed there previously that it was a quiet little affair. All acts toss their names in a hat, and then the order of performers is determined by the order that names are pulled out. 2 song limit unless you're the featured act. Our name was pulled third from last, and we waited 2 HOURS to perform!This is not good for a person with performance anxiety (well, it's probably not good for anyone)! Had committed everything to memory, but by the time we went on was sure I had forgotten everythng. Hands shook, fumbled through occasionally, but survived as usual, and MC said following our performance "THIS is why it pays to stay 'til the end of the evening." Sending off our new 3-track CD to a New Hampshire museum that pays $350 for a 2-hour gig. We think we're the only Celtic harp/guitar duo in the state, so anything is possible. Happy Memorial Day to you both!
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Oh the Merry Month of May
Week 1 (April 28 - May 4) In honor of May I have been reviving Samradh Samradh (Summer Summer) which is an easy little tune, but for some reason I never learned it fully. It was taught to me 15 years ago by Janet Harbison when I took her week long harp intensive in the Antrim Glens.
I've also been learning The Shire Song (Concerning Hobbits) and though I've spent a lot of time on it the second longer and more complicated part is still barely formed. I can play the first part and then go into another tune, but really should learn the whole thing properly.
I really jumped the gun with my busking idea as the weather has been windy and cold and a bit wet. I went walking yesterday in the Dales and needed gloves, hat, scarf, multiple layers. So yeah, I'll leave it til temps and conditions are more summery.
I did practice a good amount this week, up until Friday. We went to Manchester to visit Mike's family on the weekend.
We have a play-together at one of the ladies' houses on Sunday and I'm going to teach a tune by ear. I have decided on The Rakes of Clonmel as it's one I've taught before and it's one of the first tunes I learned, so should be doable.
Open mic night was last night. I stumbled a lot. Once I get unhinged I find it really hard to recover. A bit nervous, a bit too dark, hard to see the strings, lost the red and blue ones to the background. It was a mess. Here are a few pics from some recent nights:
Practiced loads on Tues, Wed, and Thurs. Got myself booked in to a sort of open mic that I've done once before with the harp group I play with. Our group (Pennine Harps) will be doing it next month, but this month I'll be on my own.
It's a bit more formal than an open mic with a program and everything. Everyone gets (only) 10 minutes. So I'm going to play Black is the Colour / Nellie Your Favour I'm Afraid I'll Not Gain, Teatotaller / Morning star, and Soft Mild Morning. 10 minutes exactly.
I also got myself booked in for the Kirkkstall Abbey Music in the Abbey Series. All of the deli markets were booked up but they brought back the music in the abbey series which they didn't do at all last year. I did it two years ago. There's less exposure as the deli market won't be on that day, but if the weather is good there could still be loads of people (which there was two years ago). The acoustics are better because I play just inside the abbey (facing onto the grassy area in the courtyard cloisters). Last time there was over 60 people milling around, sitting on lawn chairs and picnic blankets, etc listening! I get a two hour slot and can play for however long I want. I did and hour and a half two years ago. Mike joined me on several tunes and did a few songs on his own. We'll do it that away again this year.
Week 3
At our play together today we had at least 10 harps again! I taught Rakes of Clonmel by ear and they all learned the tune, right and left hand and they all loved it! Yay!
Week 4
I didn't post much last week, but I did practice! Last night was the Bradford Music Club which is a bit more formal than an open mic. I did great! I wasn't nervous at all and only made one little mistake--yay me!
Today I had rehearsal with the Pennine Harps ladies and we worked on our usual stuff, getting ready to do the Bradford Music Club for next month. We're getting a double slot to allow for a few solos as well as our common repertoire. I enjoy playing with the ladies very much, but don't ever get very excited about the tunes to post much here about them. A couple Welsh tunes, Princess Royale (my choice, of course), Ashokan Farewell (which I have adopted into my own repertoire), a couple others. I think for my solo I'm going to do Eleanor Plunkett / The Rights of Man.
Also, have to decide what I'm going to do for our usual open mic night which is tomorrow night...
End of May
We never made it open mic last week as Mike had to much work to do. The next one is next week. Been working on much of the same stuff. One new thing is I'm re-working (re-learning) The Blackbird (set dance).
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