Hello Fellow Harpers out there! Are you there??!!
Cold, crisp, snow and ice covered New Hampshire is looking and feeling like Christmas. When I spoke with friends in Scotland last week, they were complaining it was warm and gray- not at all feeling like the holiday season. I guess we have to make do with what we get!
Playing Carols on the harp by ear- just noodling- and am amazed that this completely paper trained person has been able to learn tunes by ear and figure things out without a note in front of me! I fought this as a possibility for so long- insisted I was not good at playing anything by ear, much less being able to put a left hand and harmony to it! And memorize pieces- like, a LOT of pieces! Found I could play with much more confidence without referring to the music. Total shock when 5 years ago or so I found this whole new world. Piano and keyboard stuff, depending on sight reading ( which I was very good at) convinced me I was only good in a "visual learning" scenario. If you know a struggling new harp player, pass this along! There is a reason traditional tunes were taught for generations this way. Our education system the past 50+ years has discouraged memorizing or learning anything "by rote"- you can always "look it up" the teachers said. Well, that philosophy has done a huge disservice to students all that time. So- having fun with noodling around on the strings- and playing piano and organ music (WITH the music!) getting ready for Christmas Eve. Lots of music- all good!
Have missed hearing anything from Lucy and Andie- hope things are ok with you both! I know there were some new ventures and projects happening- I just hope harping has been part of it all, somehow. So impressed with Pamela- what an inspiration! Best of luck with the new endevors!
So- we have a smaller group coming for Christmas dinner this year- our family circle seems to be getting smaller, and I know we are not the only family missing loved ones this year. Some are just too far to come home, and others have left us completely...bittersweet time for many of us. I hope this Christmas will still bring you all much joy- good memories are shared and new ones made- and praying fervently that 2017 will be the year the world decides to try Peace instead of War, heals the earth with care, and acts in Love rather than Hate and Fear. We are all connected- as music lovers and music creators, we know this better than most! So- Harp On!!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you All- love, Sharon
