This image at least has a feeling of something New Yearish about it, I tried googling "fireworks harps" and found nothing. Did better with "lights harps". Ah well. The big question for me would be what will happen this year. Anything? Nothing? I seem to putter along on the harp with small bursts of enthusiasm followed by nada. I had a student for three months, but truly she was not very committed, busy getting engaged and now moving and finding a new job. We had so few lessons and she practiced so rarely that we never even got to the left hand of South Wind. However, she did learn the whole melody and has worked on hand placement and knows how to tune a harp. So she has learned something.
Meanwhile, I think my biggest insight for 2015 is that the harp is the harp is the harp. What I mean by that is that some tunes work best on it and it is best to stick with those and insist too, on playing in a way that shows off the harp's special qualities. I did, in December, spend a lot of time on Inis Oir, and also on the three Broderick jigs (or is it Crehan?) The Whistler at the Wake, one in the middle that I am forgetting the name of temporarily, finishing up with The Haunted House. It's a brilliant set.
I'm also working on Last Train to Loughrea - using a wonderful slow setting of it that I think will turn out really well once I figure out the left hand so it really complements the tune. It's good to come here and write about this, because it reminds me that even though I don't play as much as I think I ought, I am playing some.
Love and Happy New Year to all!
I love the image! And yes, there are some tunes, airs, pieces, whatever that show off the harps strengths the best. I must learn Inis Oirr, people are always asking me to play it!
ReplyDeleteTrying again! Commented, clicked publish, comment disappeared and a notice that I was offline appeared! So it may be floating in the ether somehow! Should it actually reappear in published form, it will sound similar to this retry...gotta love computers! Love the image, and totally understand how life can pull us away from harp time. But what a joy to learn a new tune, rediscover and add dimension to old tunes, and play for folks who have never seen or heard a harp in person and are enchanted!! Because, it IS a magical instrument! I also agree that certain things work better, and fit better, on a harp...and maybe even on only certain harps, as they all have their own personalities, etc. Just had a house guest for a few days. A very serious student, retired, lives alone, spends tons of time a day literally doing battle with the music and the instrument! Met her two summers ago at camp in Lubec, Maine as another member of Sue Richard's class. She is just now realizing the fun side of the process! We spent one afternoon with my student of one year, noodling on duets and trios designed for different levels of ability and none of it too taxing, all of us sightreading ad swapping parts, and adding if we felt comfortable throwing something in. Also wine, cookies, conversation, and lots of laughing! Had a total blast! Need to do more of that....no pressure, just fun! Learned a lovely version of Eile Gheal(sp?) so added to my repertoire besides. So a new burst of enthusiasm just as I am ready to start a second student. Yay!!! Love and hugs! Sharon
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