April has almost slipped away too....

Don't know why I am finding it so difficult to post here - I think it reflects the fact that I am in a bit of a harp slump.  In fact, there is irony here, as the whole reason for having this blog is to help with this problem.  Playing weekly at the hospital certainly helps, but I think my problem is a larger one in some way that I find hard to define.  Not quite so 'profound' (or profoundly stupid) as 'why am I playing this music' because when I play I love it, but because I suspect that my conditioning leads me to always want to set goals so as to improve or progress or some such thing, and I can't figure out, now, what my goals should be.  I would like to find someone who plays another instrument, preferably flute, I think, who would like to work up a wedding/event repertoire, but such people don't grow on trees and land in your lap when you snap your fingers.

Also I am distracted, as I mentioned before, by finishing up this book, which is like the ever-receding horizon.... or the task of Sisyphus.

I am in the spring session with Benedict and Hilarie right now, week 5 of 6.  I think that Brian McNamara the piper will be at class tonight, which should be fun.  (Have to practice up a couple Leitrim tunes, quick!).  They decided we should have a concert on May 9 - just when I planned to be away working on the book so I am waffling and quandery-ing about that.

This is a salamander year, btw, and we have the cutest little yellow spotted critters running about everywhere.   There are lots of 'salamander crossing' signs up on the roads!  (Not official ones, mind you).  Vermont is a funny place to live.

I'll post a photo of one of them when I get it out of my phone and into the computer.

Organizing and Focusing

For April I am really trying to focus and organize.  I am no longer working crazy hours and have more time to practice so that's good.  I am finding it difficult to focus though for some reason.

I have decided to work my way through my Book (Lucy will know all about my book).  It's basically all my Irish tunes (airs, songs, O'Carolan pieces, etc.).  They are arranged by tune type so I am starting with jigs and working my way through.  I am working on each one to bring it back up to performance-ready standard (except for those which I have pretty much lost for the time being) and choosing one or two from each tune type to revive.

I have gotten through jigs and reels so far and have chosen to revive My Darling Asleep for jigs (as well as finishing up learning the two from the workshop last month) and Toss the Feathers and The Wind That Shakes the Barley for reels.

It's now the last day of April.  Beltane Eve!  Anyway, I am still plugging away at my repertoire, reviving and re-learning.  I skipped over polkas and slides (just for now)--haha!

I have also finally made a very big decision.  I told the harp ladies in the performance group that I would no longer be participating.  I did it in the nicest way possible (after all it's all about what I can handle, nothing to do with any one of them personally).  I told them I hoped no-one would be upset with me and that I considered them all my friends.  I hope to see them at the June play together which will be at my house.  The play-togethers have nothing to do with the performance group, it's open to everyone and the person hosting it usually teaches everyone a tune  (which is actually a lot of work!). Also people can generally share anything they want that they have been working on, etc.