Take it in smaller bites

Posted on August 3, 2020 by Jen

My good friend and I were chatting the other day and she asked, “What’s the tune of the week?” To which I replied, “ummmmmm” (because I’m a clever conversationalist like that). And because I had started working on five tunes all at once, I couldn’t answer the question because I wasn’t really learning them very well. Ok, really I hadn’t learned any of them (up to and including not being able to remember any of the titles!).

That got me to thinking – when you’re trying to learn new music, do you often have that sinking feeling that you are never going to get it? Does it seem like every tune you learn is longer than you thought (or maybe the harder you try to learn it, the more the number of phrases telescopes!). Do you laugh inside your head and blame increased age? Do you secretly think maybe it’s just going to be too hard to get into your head? Does it seem like everyone around you is always learning about 50 tunes really quickly while you struggle to get just one?

Asking for a friend.

So, how can we make the whole process of learning a tune a little more palatable? Take smaller bites! You’ll enjoy it more. And it’s better for you.

There are so many ways to get the music into your head but you can be sure that the “all at once” approach is one of the most frustrating. Let’s think about this. Ok, I really mean, let’s extend my eating metaphor. For your next tune, try taking “smaller bites” and like fine dining, arrange your learning into “courses”.

First, we’ll have the Appetizers – Study the music. No matter if you are ingesting the tune from printed music or learning by ear, take time to actually study the music. Analyze it. What is the structure? Where is it? What type of tune is it? What are the small motifs? Are there larger patterns or “story arcs” (if it were a TV show would you know who did it at the end of the episode or the end of the season?). Do not skip this course – it may feel like all you’re doing is killing time, but it is actually the start of learning. This is also when you might start listening and beginning to try to sing along.

Then we’ll have the Entree – Bring out the knives! We know that music is a collection of patterns. But also keep in mind that it is a bunch of small patterns that banded together to make bigger patterns and those bigger patterns banded together to make up the tune. The smaller patterns might be phrases and the larger patterns might be the parts. And of course, the biggest pattern is the overarching tune. While the smaller patterns maybe be easy to find, these larger patterns may be difficult to discern (or to remember) as patterns. So if necessary, break those larger patterns into smaller bites. And just like the entree, you need to be sure not to eat one thing at a time on your plate before going on to the next – DO NOT spend all this time playing from the first measure – break it up and work on the parts that need work. Start at the end and work backward, or pick a measure in the middle and start there. This is, of course, where the bulk of what feels like work will occur. Do not be fooled…the other courses are also work – value that time!

Like any fine meal, no matter how tasty or satisfying the Entree is, one simply does not leave out the finale.

Dessert!! – How sweet it is. If you have taken the time to do the work of the previous courses, you will find that the music has become easier to learn and that you learn it more quickly – what could be sweeter than being able to play the music you like so well! However, this is just as much a part of the meal as the other courses – the sweet stuff is when you are polishing, finishing, and finalizing your music. Be sure to include the dynamics and expression, develop your accompaniments, and put your touches (or interpretation) on the tune. Really enjoy – no, revel – in the dessert!

Once you’ve tried this bite sized approach a few times, just like meals, you’ll find you have favorites – those approaches that you enjoy and get the most from. That’s a great idea – these are the “macaroni and cheese” of your practice, but be sure not to stick just to the comfortable dishes – be sure to have a balanced diet of techniques, analysis, and thinking about the music as you continue to grow.

Of course, like a full course meal, you want to take your time, savor the delicacies, and really enjoy the process. Unlike a fine meal, when you are practicing, you don’t have to worry about which fork to use!

From Me to You –

Posted on July 27, 2020 by Jen

It’s Summer – when we know we should practice but probably want to do anything else. Lay in front of the air conditioner. Drink iced tea. Dream of cooler days. None of that is very motivating. Is your practice motivation suffering?

This week – from me to you, a free printable to add some structure to your day so you can focus your practice each day and feel like you have accomplished something. And you’ll still have time for fun.

Click on the button (above – get it? button) to download your free printable. Post it near your harp so each day you’ll have something to look forward to!

Half the way there!

Posted on July 20, 2020 by Jen

It’s mid-July and you know what that means? Yup, we are just a little more than half the way through this year.

And, yes, it has been an epic year so far…I won’t enumerate – you’re living it with me, so you already know. And I mean epic in the classical sense – a (typically long and possibly unending) story of the deeds and adventures of heroic people!

And yes, we’re only half the way through it. Ugh.

But being halfway through is a good time to stop, pick our collective heads up, take a deep breath, and look around. How are we doing?

But think back…in January, we didn’t know any of this was coming and we knew the year was full of promise. And we talked about the 2020 vision we’d have this year. You might remember that we talked about this here.I suggested you take a smarter path that started with examining your life (your whole life!) and finding the balance for your harp within that.

And of course, I exhorted you to practice. And then I gave you a long list of things to practice. I also pointed out that you would do exactly as much work as you fit in and encouraged you to form goals that would be do-able.

So, half the year has gone by. Do you remember your goals (because I am confident you wrote them down as I suggested)? How are you coming?

Did you, at any time throughout the current upheaval we are all experiencing, modify those goals? Did you look at your world and how the world outside you is impacting your world, and modify what you expected to accomplish as a harper this year?

Gosh, I sure hope so! Because this has been a doozy of a year! We certainly didn’t see it coming. And all of us have been impacted in one way or another (or by a number of ways, in quick succession, in a seemingly coordinated attack!). And we have all had varying levels of success with coping, adapting, and overcoming everything.

I’d like to encourage you to revisit the things you set out to do for yourself. Then do the following:

Bring out a big marker (or eraser) and (at least mentally) cross off those things that just are not going to serve you in the six months or so we have remaining in 2020.
Sift through your goals and keep the ones that still make sense…and are do-able.
Capture, but hold for later, those that are still important to you but are not currently realistic – especially since we don’t know when things will revert to what we were expecting. And
Boldly, ceremoniously and with a great deal of fanfare, toss the ones that just are not serving you! (yes, you can do that!).

There’s one more thing you need to do and that is to note all the things you have done so far this year. Especially the ones you never even imaged! Things that come to mind:

Learning to play to your computer
Learning to not play for other people (!)
Learning where to look so you look like you’re looking at the other person (and dealing with not being able to see them so that you look like you can).
Figuring out new software to have lessons or harp circles or play dates
Learning that you really do have to wait for the other person to finish – and wait your turn.
Learning to deal with the fatigue which seems to be unique to spending all day on your computer, even if previously you thought you spent all day on your computer!
Coping in the face of unending uncertainty (and helping others do the same)

So, on balance, you’re probably having a good and productive year. Let’s make sure your goals match and that you’re taking credit for what you have accomplished so far. I’m sure there are even more things you have learned – both related and unrelated to playing the harp – share them in the comments.

Spruce up your practice space – 8 ways

Posted on July 13, 2020 by Jen

We’ve been inside a lot already with winter, the spring that tried hard to not come and then the virus running roughshod over the earth. And now it’s the height of summer and many of us are doing our best to stay in the air conditioning!

All that being inside may lead to ennui. And that ennui may lead to your practice space needing a little sprucing. Do you find that you’re not drawn to your practice space? Are you just not sitting down to practice as much as you’d like?

You might need to spruce up your practice space! Why might you want to do this? Well, here are four reasons – I’m sure there are more, but ones that come to mind are:

It’s your space so it should reflect you!
You’re a creative and being creative in various ways boosts all your creativity.
You want to want to spend time your space so it should be attractive!
You want your space to meet your needs so you can actually use it.

How might you go about this sprucing? Well, you can go all out and paint, get new flooring, and completely redecorate. But that’s a big project! You might need a little less than that – how about contenting yourself with a little reorganizing? What might that include? Here are eight things you might try:

Rearrange the furniture. You might be surprised how much simply moving your harp (even just turning it around) could change how you use your space. Yes, it could be that simple!
Does your sheet music storage make it easy to use? I have come up with a way to organize individual tunes – I have them in dividers, alphabetical by the title I think of the tune by. And yes, that means that some tunes are filed by their title in English and others are sorted by their Gaelic title…but it doesn’t matter….as long as I can find what I’m looking for. There is no “optimal” organization – only a system that will work for you. My books are a hopeless mess – I haven’t figured that one out yet!
Do you have enough lighting? I added a lamp which surprisingly made a huge difference in my already-brightly-lit room.
Is your space neat enough? That is, neat enough for you – it only has to work for you. But make sure it actually is neat enough for you…or develop a way to keep it to the level that allows you to be comfortable (or you’ll avoid the space and not play as much as you’d like). If you have to, re-home tchotchkes, get organizational stuff (boxes? files? bins? baskets? Whatever you will use), add (or remove) furniture) so that you have a level of neat you can live with.
Are your tools close to hand? You know there are things you need frequently – tuning wrench, tuner, pencils, etc. – are they were you can easily reach them, or do you need a place to put them?
Does your space serve your learning process? Do you have a place to put things you’re going to learn, are learning, have learned, are polishing, are refreshing? One that helps you keep those sorted and in work? I’ve suggested a couple of options – from file folders to recipe cards – just something that helps you “move” tunes through their development and into your repertoire.
You want to spend time there so make sure you like it – do you have art you like to look at? A comfy chair if you have room? (hey, you need to listen to music too!). Do you have a plant? Make sure you are enjoying the aesthetic you set!
Does your space serve more than one function? Do you have the luxury of a harp room or do you have a harp corner? Either way, make sure you organize in a way that not only assures you have a place to play but also protects the harp when you’re not playing. For instance, if your guest bedroom is also your harp room, what do you do with your harp when you have company?

Remember, your space has to work for you – in your life and your practice. There is no “right” answer – only the answer that allows you to practice and to enjoy your harp. And don’t shy away from making changes if you find that you “just don’t feel like being there” or you find that you go into your space, but you don’t stay long. That just lets you know you might need make some changes!

Spruce up your practice space so you actually practice! What will you do for your space?

Now go outside and play – No excuses

Posted on July 6, 2020 by Jen

OSAS is finished – but boy oh boy was it a blast! We had a great group of harpers who were wonderful. They learned so much, including loads of harp music and how to zoom for hours on end. And we met new people and saw old friends. We had students from all over including Ohio and Maine and Oregon and Virginia and Maryland and Washington and Michigan and Italy!! We expended loads of energy together and I can’t wait until the next time! We have to wait a whole year.

And after a week of sitting on my bench, in an artificially lighted, air conditioned studio (to make our zoom meetings work), I almost forgot that it’s summer.

But it is definitely summer. So why not go outside and play?

While we all continue to limit going out and we all keep working on our social distancing, we could have an opportunity to bring a little of the enjoyment of being with other people into our lives.

Go outside and play!

Play for your neighbors and just connect in that way music does. But also – remember that you play the harp and you will make more than music – you’ll be making HARP music. And your neighbors will come out to be connected and to hear your beautiful music.

I hear some of you – you already have excuses. Just stop.

You don’t have a huge repertoire yet? That’s ok, you don’t have to play long sets.
You don’t have time? That’s ok, you don’t have to play every day.
You don’t have any neighbors? That’s ok, you can go to a park or your local library or your grocery store.
You’re not good enough? That’s ok, please be convinced that people will be grateful for your gift, no matter how polished or rough. (And I really wish you’d believe me that most audience members are in awe of you! They can’t do what you’re doing…and they know it).

I have been playing for my neighbors once a week (almost every week – I’ve missed a couple) since the lockdown began. I made it easy for everyone – I only play for about 30 minutes, so it’s not a long commitment for them (as listeners) or me (as a performer). I mostly play what I know – whatever comes to mind. Sometimes I add in something I’m working on (bonus – I get a low stress environment to find if it’s ready).

And I’ve been delighted by a couple of things. First – they came! I really wondered if anyone would be bothered to come out at all (remember there’s a plague upon the earth?). Second – they’ve kept coming! Not all of them every time, but there has been a consistent audience and I’m happy to have them. Third – I have gotten some incredible and gracious emails from my neighbors which is flattering, but more importantly, it’s gratifying.

So, go outside and play. Lift your bushel basket and stop hiding under it. Share your gift. Be like the summer flowers – out there where everyone can enjoy. But don’t delay – summer doesn’t last that long! What will you do with your summer? Let me know in the chat!

OSAS is here! OSAS is here!

Posted on June 29, 2020 by Jen

This has been a year of upheaval and I know many of us are feeling it keenly! But we’ve all mustered on, doing what we can – for ourselves and for others – trying to live in what is laughingly called the “new normal” rather than being dragged down by “what might have been”.

I LOVE the Ohio Scottish Arts School! It has been pivotal in my life as a musician and as a person – some of my dearest friendships have grown from this one week in the summer. In addition, I probably wouldn’t be playing the harp at all if I hadn’t found OSAS. I am not exaggerating – as much as I love orchestral music (and the harp for that matter), I am confident I would not have endured playing solely from that repertoire. OSAS helped point me in the right direction and I haven’t looked back!

And I LOVE teaching at OSAS, so I was excited to be doing so again this summer! But when the pall spread across the earth, I was sad that we would all miss out on it. The fun. The friends. The great students. The great tunes. Sigh.

Enter the Virtual Ohio Scottish Arts School! When the decision was made to go virtual, I was delighted and excited! (but you knew that from my earlier post). Virtual OSAS – a new twist for slightly twisted times!

We had meetings to figure out how we were going to do this.

And we kept saying, “It’ll be great. It’ll be easy. It’ll be fine”, and Debbie Doty – our beloved director, leader, Mom would agree, while making this face:

But we kept planning and we kept preparing and we worried (a little) that people wouldn’t come. But we pushed on, learning how to Zoom, polishing up our tunes to share, working together to figure out how everything would work together. You know, being the OSAS family!

OSAS Alumnae who are known for their hi-jinks and wicked senses of humor made thoughtful, heartfelt testimonials to encourage previous students to return and potential students to come along. And come along they did. Being virtual means that people who previously couldn’t get to Ohio can be a part of the week! And many students from previous years are also coming! So exciting! Even more exciting? The Harp Class filled before the registration deadline hit!

HARPHARPHARPHARP!

This week, OSAS will go on. We’ll be TogetherApart – playing our harps, sharing great tunes, learning, and laughing – social distancing by entire continents or oceans!

And looking forward to having a whole set of new tunes to play together when we can be together.

We’ll still be having our Tea –

And enjoying many of the traditions that help make OSAS the event we love!

I am confident that, as usual, I’ll be busy being there and won’t take nearly enough pictures (screenshots?) to share here – but we’ll see what comes of it. If you’re going to be there – yea! Can’t wait to see you and catch up. And if you’ve missed out, it’s not too early to start planning for 2021… OSAS is always the last week of June running up to the 4^th July holiday (in 2021, that will be 26 June – 2 July….go put it on your calendar now, because you don’t want to miss out twice in a row, do you?).

* All photos ripped from the OSAS website

How will I know (what to practice)?

Posted on June 22, 2020 by Jen

There’s SO much stuff to practice! You need to always be watching your technique…and that’s complicated. And you have to keep your tunes in your fingers…and that gets harder as you learn more tunes than you can remember you know. And you have to learn new stuff…which is easy to let slide while you’re busy watching your posture and remembering what you already know. And there’s theory. And there’s history and beyond your repertoire stretches, and…and…and…

…we get it, there’s a lot to practice…

…and there’s only 24 hours in a day…and all those Hallmark movies to watch, and laundry, and exercise, and meals, and work, and…sleep

So how are you going to get all your practice in? That’s not the question. The real question is – how do you decide what to practice?

You might need to use a time budget – but we’ve talked about that before – chopping up your practice time and assigning it at the micro level (think, “of my 30 minutes, I will spend 10 minutes doing…”) and the more macro level (think, “by the end of this week, I’d like to have learned that tune…”) and the even bigger level (think, “by September, I will begin to slowly refresh my holiday repertoire…” before you summarily forget it’s already October, but I digress).

And it’s a great idea to have all those levels of thinking about your practice, but then you have to make the REAL decision – what should you be practicing right now? Well, that’s up to you. I mean, I can only know my goals, and those of my students and the people I coach. If you’re not one of them, I have no way to know (BTW – shameless plug – I’ve got coaching slots available*). So, then the real question is – how do I decide what I should be practicing?

Here is a process to determine what you should be spending your time on:

Actually define what you’d like to be able to do (yes, this means write down what you’d like to be able to do with all that practicing). It can be grand (I’d like to play the Ceremony of the Carols on my 21 string lever-less folk harp) or mundane (I’d like to be able to play my exercises as slowly and carefully as Jen asks me to at my lessons so that I can actually get through them without fumbling). But write it down…maybe in that practice journal you either haven’t gotten, haven’t started, or think is just stupid.
Do a “mind dump”. Mind dumping is really popular right now. And with good reason. Yes, this is more writing things down, but in a good way. You really are going to try to dump, from your brain and onto the paper, everything you know about where you are, where you want to go (see #1 above) and what you already know. Write down everything you can think of that relates to how you play now, what you’d like to be able to do, and anything you might already know about the path between the two. No, really, write it down. All of it.
Now let’s build a “mind map”. Maybe you’re not a writer and you’re pushing back on this. Then you might not mind this step so much – a mind map is just a visual map of the stuff you wrote down. Yup – a drawing! Sort through all the things you wrote in #2 and identify which ones are related to one another. You might find, as you’re making your map, some things are more related than you originally thought (technique? theory? fingering?). For example, Carolan is all the rage this year (don’t ask me, I have absolutely no idea why, but he is!). But to play a lot of Carolan’s tunes, you need to be able to flawlessly and quickly play a scale – part of a scale, all of a scale, most of a scale – he used them a lot. So, in your map you’ll start with what you want to work on (playing Carolan) and “map” it to all the things that might help you get there (smooth, seamless, rapid scales). And I’m sure you’ll have loads of things to work on – so put them all on the map…and show which ones are related to which others.
Give it a hard look. Be realistic. Do you have the time to do all of that? If yes, go to a. If no, go to b.
1. Do the thing! Now you know what you need to work on and how they’re all linked, so you can put together an approach to your practice. Be sure to include steps for each day you practice, each week and each month. Be realistic. Assure that everything lines up in a reasonable way (for example, you’ll want to be able to play simple scales before you start doing scales that are compound rhythms or complex executions). If you’re not sure, ask your teacher. Remember to plan more than just each day – let the days build on one another.
2. Do the thing! Now you know what you need to work on and how they’re all linked, so you can put together an approach to your practice. Be sure to include steps for each day you practice, each week and each month. Be realistic. Assure that everything lines up in a reasonable way (for example, you’ll want to be able to play simple scales before you start doing scales that are compound rhythms or complex executions). If you’re not sure, ask your teacher. You will need to leave yourself plenty of time (over the calendar) and take small… but consistent (daily)…steps. Remember that 15 minutes every day is better practice than 2 hours on a Saturday! If you only have 15 minutes, now you’ll know what to spend them on! Remember to plan more than just each day – let the days build on one another.
Keep track of what you do! This can be easy – write it down. Too lazy? Too busy to spend all that time (20 sec) writing it down? Use that fancy phone you have! Record your practice once a week – then you’ll be able to see what you’re doing right and what needs a little more attention.
Don’t forget the cookie! OK, it doesn’t have to be a cookie (but it can be!) – make sure you also have a reward for meeting your plan. Whether it’s buying yourself a goofy harp trinket (I’m not mocking them, I have them too!) for practicing every day or for learning a tune completely or for performing the tune well when you needed to, you set the reward…and be sure to deliver! You will deserve it.

Let me know how you know what to practice – in the comments below!

* If you’re interested in coaching (or lessons) – let me know!

The Secret Way to Learn a Tune

Posted on June 15, 2020 by Jen

One of the benefits of longevity at the instrument is growing a large repertoire. To be fair, having a big repertoire comes from a long-time learning of tunes and working on them.

The longer you spend learning tunes, the more you learn about learning. Not only about learning in general but also about your specific way of learning. If you pay attention, you learn what is challenging for you to take in and what comes so effortlessly to you (by which I probably really mean painlessly!).

You also learn some tips and tricks along the way. The short cuts. The work arounds. With time, you begin to be able to identify little patterns in the music. And eventually you learn to identify (and remember) even bigger patterns. With enough practice and exposure, you might not even be aware that you are learning. This is equally true whether you are learning by ear, learning from the paper, or the combination of the two. If you know your music theory, you also know that there are “rules” of the game (which could be construed as a different type of pattern). And you know which rules are malleable and which are inviolable, and when those rules can be bent, broken, or ignored.

But there’s a secret way to learn a tune, inside and out, up one side and down the other, whether you know the rules or not.

Are you ready for the secret?

Like most secrets, you’re going to slap your forehead at its obviousness.

Drumroll…

Cue “building suspense” music…

The secret is to teach the tune.

Told you it was simple.

When you are learning a tune, you look at it like an oncoming train – a whole bunch of notes, headed straight for you (that’s why it is so much easier when you begin to hear the little patterns that make it up).

But when you teach a tune, you look at it completely differently. For one thing, the notes aren’t all ganging up and headed at you! Instead, you have lovingly collected them so you can spoon them out. You are looking at them from the other end! And it is funny, but when you look at this this way, the tune looks completely different.

I can’t tell you how many tunes I have changed fingering for – after I had played them for years – because when I taught them, I realized how dumb my original fingering was. My thought process at that moment goes something like, “I can’t teach that! It’s really difficult, not to mention stupid. Why am I doing it like that? I’m going to show it this other way instead!” And then I change the way I play it!

Sometimes I see whole phrases differently. Sometimes I find little bits that are seminal building blocks of the tune. And if I’d noticed those things earlier, I would have learned the tune faster.

Give it a try. Next time you’re with a group, play some fun tune you love (I promise, we’ll be together again soon!). Share it with others. Teach it to them – so you’ll have another tune to play together!

You might think, “everyone’s better than me, I won’t be able to teach them anything!” That may be, although I’m always surprised what tunes other people don’t know/haven’t heard before – so it’s always worth asking. And even if you have a small repertoire, as you learn, it will grow bigger. Eventually, you won’t be the newest harper in the room – so you should be prepared for it. You can also ask someone who is “harp-older” than you if you can teach them the tune – just as a means to “test” your knowledge…you’d be amazed how many people will play along (even if they already know the tune).

Still convinced you’ll never teach anything to anyone? Then pretend! Or teach the tune to your (very disinterested) cat*. Go through the exercise of figuring out – how would you teach it. Stumped? Then ask yourself, “How would Jen teach this?” (or your favorite teacher or your harp hero).

How would I teach the tune? I’d look for the repeating patterns. And I’d give them names (or numbers, or characteristics) – one of my favorites is a tune with a cookie in the middle – two patterns that make an Oreo (or Hydrox) – a bottom cookie (one pattern), the creamy middle (second pattern), and another cookie on top (first pattern again). No one forgets that part of the tune!

Pick a tune you know and decide who you’ll teach it to. Typically, summer workshops are a good opportunity because friends share tunes (and we will, just maybe not this summer!). Look for the patterns and how they fit together. Where do they go? How much is there to learn really? I love teaching tunes where the B part is the A part with one measure changed (not even different, just changed)! What will you teach? Let me know in the comments – and if I don’t know it, hope you’ll teach it to me!

*Someone recently asked me about my cat (since I’m always writing about playing for your cat). I don’t actually have a cat. I haven’t had a cat in a very very very long time. I borrow other people’s cats. But, I like cats so they come up in my thinking. If you’re a dog person, please do not take umbrage. I also don’t and haven’t had a dog in a very very very long time either. I like dogs too but I don’t seem to think of them as much. I also know from experience that dogs will sit there and listen because they are loyal and sweet…but cats will listen because they choose to.

Welcome June

Posted on June 8, 2020 by Jen

In the long sad time, when the sky was grey

And the keen blast blew through the city drear

When delight had fled from the night and the day

My chill heart whispered, “June will be here”

A June Tide Echo, Amy Levy

I find that I’m a little mournful just now. In my original plan, by now I’d be already in Edinburgh, joining friends, seeing sites, sharing tunes (writing on originally scheduled blog post topics!). I’d be helping students prepare for competitions and performances and recitals. I’d be trying to decide what, from my “OSAS at Oberlin” stash would be appropriate for “OSAS at the blissfully air conditioned Baldwin-Wallace”. I’d be organizing my calendar to practice teaching, practice weddings, practice performances, composing, arranging.

[I refuse to think of life before all the sickness of this year-to-date as “normal” because there is no normal. There is only change we do not see. And normal = mundane and who wants to be mundane?!]

But as for right here, right now, it is easy to be suckered in by things around us (like social media mostly, although regular media isn’t really helping any either) and its unending stream of “content” (some good, some pathetic). And for good or bad, I found that I was being sucked in and becoming envious of the people who were posting clever, or at least amusing, videos of their funny children, hilarious pets, perfectly executed, while distributed, performance art, or oops-filled online meetings. Increasingly, I was feeling particularly peeved that I, a creative and artistic person, was not also generating huge vats of content…like so many artists posting (highly edited) stuff.

But maybe, with a little shift in focus, I can see that this is not the truth of it. I am doing inventive things (but maybe not subjecting everyone else with the outputs). And then I remembered one of my favorite quotes.

Never compare your blooper reel with everyone else’s highlight reel.

This quote should probably be updated to include the words “tightly curated and heavily edited” highlight reels.

I remain excited for this summer and I’m trying to embrace all the changes (yes, I’m mournful and still remain excited…I’m complex like that). I’m also trying to appreciate that those changes represent potential. I still look forward to next summer when I might have even more time with friends in Scotland – and the extended absence will definitely make the hearts grow fonder. I’ll have more tunes to share and a whetted appetite for sites, sounds, smells and tastes. My students will outgrow the music we started to ready for performance this year and will move on to other pieces to ready for next year’s events and venues. Pieces we might not have even thought about if “everything was normal”! I’ll have time to consider the joyful memories of the items in the “OSAS Oberlin” bin while dreaming up what excitement we will find in our new OSAS location in Barea, OH. And hopefully I’ll be scrambling to get from competition to wedding to workshop – happily busy and working.

Be careful of the perfectness of what you see. Spend time with your harp – Imperfect time. Try new things. Play new stuff. Play old stuff…in new ways. Share what you feel like sharing. What are you doing? What are you planning for next June? What imperfectly perfect thing are you working on? Let me know in the comments!

OSAS 2020 is coming!!

Posted on June 1, 2020 by Jen

If you’ve read my blog for more than about 15 minutes, you know that one of my most favoritest harp events each year is the Ohio Scottish Arts School. I have participated as a student and as a teacher – and I can tell you the view from either window is just marvelous! The instructors, the students, the Thistle Sisters and Thistle Brothers – all outstanding!

And you also know that this spring has led to a lot of cancellations. A lot of cancellations.

BUT NOT OSAS!!! OSAS is going ON LINE.

It’s taking some planning – and creative thinking (I’d say “out of the box thinking” but clearly, as you can see in the picture below, we’re each in a box!)

OSAS planning – things you learn in a COVID world.

If you’ve always wanted to come to OSAS but haven’t been able to – this is your chance! Live too far away? Live so many timezones away, we’re upside down? All no problem this year! OSAS CAN STILL BE A PART OF YOUR HARP LIFE!

You will have the opportunity to study with the inestimable Sue Richards, the incredible Rachel Hair, the wonderful Rachel Clemente, and the incalculable me.

The fun of working together to learn a tune and play it! PS, do not sit like this when you’re playing your harp (like I am – sidesaddle) or you’ll be calling me for an Ergonomics Lesson to fix all your injuries and pains!

From Monday, June 29 to Friday, July 3, 2020, we will have 3 – 4 sessions per day. In the morning, we’ll learn tunes. After lunch, we’ll gather to review the morning, learn more, and participate in group lectures and/or one-on-one sessions. More specific details will be coming (as we firm up and finalize everything).

Tuition for this special week is $250 (includes $200 non-refundable deposit). Please note that class sizes are limited. Registration deadline extended to June 8, 2020. Here is the link to the online registration form.

I am very passionate about this event (as you can tell by the plethora of exclamation marks throughout this post) – because I know how much you have the potential to learn, from incredible tutors that you won’t find all together in one place in any other workshop. In addition, over time, OSAS has lead to many lifelong friendships, collaborations, and happy memories.

You should join us this summer at OSAS ONLINE. No, we won’t be all in one room, but we will be all in one space – we’ll be TogetherApart! If you have any questions you can go to the OSAS website or you can leave them for me in the comments below. Hope to see you there!

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