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.
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