Happy New Year fellow harpers!
January 2
I've been quiet lately and I don't quite know why, I guess too much other stuff going on. This is one of the things that gets in the way of playing and practicing, in fact, but there isn't a lot one can say about it.
New Year's is the time for resolutions - practice more, learn more tunes, revive old tunes....... What are you all thinking about? I don't know yet myself. I hope something occurs to me.
January 3
It is bitterly bitterly cold and I am finding it hard to muster the energy for much of anything...... perhaps what it is is winter doldrums? Whatever it is I am not enjoying it very much and I'm not playing! Before this hit I was doing pretty well reviving the Michael Rooney's lovely tune Glor Na nAingeal which we learned for Kathy's Harp Orchestra and I let lapse..... also I've been reviving The Blackbird, which wasn't as hard to do as I've periodically brought it back into my repertoire. Both take energy to play and I haven't any. Just taking the dog out for five minutes is like being thrown against a wall, a real shock to lungs, skin, bones! Ugh. We're going to be -19 F tonight - I really really don't like it! I'm hydrating my harp like mad too......
January 29
I have no idea why I have found it so hard to stop in here this month. I have been playing the harp plenty - having the goal of playing at least one unplayed before tune at my hospital lobby gig every week, has borne fruit - it's fun as well as helpful. This week the 'unplayed before' tunes will be the very pretty Planxty Dermot Grogan or else a set of hornpipes: Napoleon Crossing the Rhine/Rights of Man. Or maybe both, won't know until I try! Other recent tune revivals have been Henry McDermott Roe, Michael Rooney's lovely Glor etc. Last week it was The Blackbird, which I had better listen to and work on a little bit tonight. I have one place - not too far from the end where I tend to drop a beat whenever I haven't practiced it for longer than a week. Drives me mad!
The endless bitter cold of this winter has really gotten to me. Normally taking the dog out for a good ramble morning and evening is one of my favorite things, but I've gotten so sick of having to bundle up - and it makes my nose hurt, my hands hurt - no fun!
I'll try to be better in February.
I can't believe just how cold it is in the NE part of the US right now! The winter doldrums will pass, they always do! I am also working up The Blackbird at the moment, comparing what Kathy showed me with Grainne's version (looking at the notes as well as listening).
ReplyDeleteAnyway, don't be too hard on yourself, even hydrating and tuning is a step in the right direction!
I have also been in winter doldrums...perhaps post Christmas blues fueled by pre Christmas flu exhaustion? Need to get practicing fast, as am supposed to be participating in Women Only Open Mic performance the very beginning of Feb- will dig back for some old and familiar tunes and doing duets with daughter (either she will sing or play flute, depending on the tune). Crossing fingers will muster the energy to pull it together! Not sure I remember a winter like this, where I just want to hunker down, and not much else!
ReplyDeleteWe've all been there! I had winter doldrums (divorce doldrums!) before which lasted two years, but there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe just try to sit with your harp and tune it everyday, and if you decide to play that's just icing on the cake. If you don't there's always tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of a women only open mic--what brought that about? At our open mic if there's more than two or three women (including me) it's pretty rare.
Actually Pamela, who is a co-blogger here- has been organizing the Open Door this year, and it was her idea! I had participated in a fundraiser a few years ago- different folks, same venue- for the local Food Pantry, and THAT organizer also did "women only" for that performance. There does seem to be more men, typically, at the open mics around here....or there is one woman and several men in the group! We need to encourage the ladies!!
DeleteWell, I wish I could come!
DeleteAlthough my husband is a wonderful guitarist, The Open Door Coffeehouse features a lot of what I call 'sensitive men with guitars' which gets a little....predictable, and since I'm co-manager of it, I get to try out stuff when I like. It helped inspire me when we booked the wonderful Nice & Naughty, a local sassy stand-up bass/guitar duo. I'm also trying to do a tie-in with a local restaurant. Running a coffeehouse is hard work and a serious responsibility, but I DO like freshening things up!
DeleteWhat a good idea that is Andee - to sit and tune the harp when you're feeling blue and not 'ask' anything else of yourself.....
ReplyDeleteI've buffed up The Blackbird of late too - and I admire your determination to get in a couple of variations..... Every now and then I find I can be more spontaneous with a tune but it's still difficult.