Jenius Creations

Blog

  • It’s been that kind of week – Six (or so) elements of Harp Care

    Ok, it’s probably more like two weeks, but it sure feels like it’s all happened in a week.  Two subscriber emails that didn’t quite work the way I wanted.  And a surprise trip that sort of skewed the entire week toward the weird.  And then, on top of everything else, six broken strings on three harps!   SIX!

    This is especially perplexing because I don’t think over my entire harp life, over all of my too many harps, I’ve had this many broken strings – total!  (ok, that might be a slight exaggeration, but not much of one).

    I’m pretty sure I know why it’s happened – temperatures swinging nearly 40 degrees, a hurricane passing not too far away, bright sunny days, heavy humid days, the placid shift toward autumn, and frequent travel that resulted in infrequent tuning all probably went a long way to disturbing the gentle equilibrium of the strings on all my harps.

    And then this.  What’s wrong with this picture?

    I wish I had staged that photo, but nope.  I really did that.  Which just highlights that  e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g needs to be practiced so that it is as effortless as you can make it.  If you’re still trying to figure out what’s wrong with the picture – I knotted the string on the wrong end!

    All of this combined to highlight that you can always be doing something to improve your playing.  Regular harp maintenance is an important piece of your self-care.

    How is that self-care?  Because when you take good care of your harp, it will be ready for you to play when you want to practice, when you need to practice, and when you just need to play.

    What things should you be doing regularly to care for your harp?  Here are six (or so) things to include:

    1. Change strings quickly.  After a string breaks, install a new one as quickly as possible.  Have spare/extra strings available.  Know where to get the ones you need.  Keep your string chart up to date.  If you have questions about what strings to get – ask!
    2. Dust it!  Using a soft microfiber cloth or a fuzzy sock.  Don’t use your vacuum cleaner. Definitely DO NOT use polish!  There are also dust covers available.  I don’t have one but having one would probably cut down the amount of dusting needed.
    3. Check your air.  Buy yourself a hygrometer so that you’ll know how dry the air in your house is (you can buy them at huge online or IRL retailers – you know the ones).  Hygrometers measure the humidity in the air.  Harps are happy when the humidity is about 40 – 60%.  If you’re constantly running your air conditioner or when you have the heat on, it will be dry.  You can improve the humidity relatively inexpensively by installing a small tabletop fountain (with the additional benefit of having the delightful sound of running water in your harp room).  You could also add some house plants.  If you want to spend more money you can get a room humidifier (like you’d use for a bedroom) or install a whole house humidifier (which is quite expensive).  A final suggestion (especially for housebound harps) is to put the bottom of 2-part travel soap keeper on the bottom of your harp (inside the sound box) and place a dampened (cut to fit) sponge inside the lid. Check it daily to assure the sponge is damp. This will likely provide enough moisture to keep your harp happy – and you won’t be broken up at finding a cracked sound board.
    4. Very early in my harp career (before it was even a harp career at all!) I was told that I should treat my harp like a baby – never leave it in the car, or in the sun, or in cold or the heat, and never just stand it up and walk away.  I think you can take a little liberty with this, but it bears thinking about before you just leave it somewhere.  Remember that your harp is held together with glue so especially in warm weather, it could be vulnerable.  And it is your baby after all!
    5. Tune it or die!  (ok, I stole that from a bumper sticker – but it’s true).  Tuning frequently is a good idea to help keep your harp in good shape.  All the parts of the harp really do need to work together – the strings are a part of that.  Letting the strings get way out of tune puts unnecessary stress on the sound board.  It doesn’t take long to tune.  Yes, I know it seems to take forever, but it really doesn’t.   And, of course, the more you do it, the faster (and more accurate) you’ll get.
    6. Related to tuning – make sure you play all your harps.  I try to have a rotation so that I play each of my harps.  Note, I say try because I’m always playing favorites.  When I’m feeling dramatic, I play my Dusty Strings FH-36S.  When I’m feeling outdoorsy, I play my Sharpsicle.  When I’m stressing about playing an upcoming gig, I play my Fisher since it’s currently my “work” harp.  But I do try to make a concentrated effort to play each of them (which also assures that I tune them all!).

    Finally, find a luthier you like, know, and trust.  Not everyone has a local luthier (I am forever grateful to live nearby my solidly reliable, dependable luthier who clearly knows more about my harp than I do, and that I just genuinely like).  If you don’t know a luthier and especially if you don’t live near one – make sure you find a harp luthier (because luthier is general term for anyone who makes or repairs stringed instruments – but you might have noticed that a harp is quite different from a guitar!).  You can also watch for harp technicians that travel and/or participate in workshops and conferences.  Build that relationship.  Make sure that you have your harp regulated regularly (or learn to do it yourself).    

    So, as you can see from the photo, I was having that kind of week – the kind that comes from being relatively out of practice with changing strings!  Be sure to include taking good care of your harp in your regular practice.  There are other things you can do, and I’d love to hear what you do as part of your regular harp maintenance – let me know in the comments below!

  • What to play?

    How about a free arrangement of a classic?

    We are always casting about for new things to play.  I am forever looking for tunes to add to my repertoire that meet my criteria:

    • I like the tune (after all, I have to learn it and then will hopefully play it forever, over and over again – liking it is very helpful)
    • It fits on the harp (because if I’m going to keep it, I have to be able to play it!)
    • It’s “catchy” (the tune structure lends itself to being easily parsed and remembered – because I need to learn it – typically quickly!)

    Catchy is also helpful when people are listening – catchy means that they will recognize the tune more easily (and probably like it too).  And playing what people want to hear is one key to success. 

    Classics are, by definition, well known and typically well liked.  And you’re probably going to be asked to play them.  So, having some under your belt will help you shine when you’re playing for anyone (want to bet your cat probably knows all the standards already too?).

    So this week, the tune I’ll share with you is a classic traditional tune – well-known, well loved, and currently well used.  Everyone should have this one in their toolbox.  This arrangement is designed to be playable by advanced beginners.  The tune itself is short and so you’ll need to develop some of your own ideas too to make it last longer than a musical amuse bouche.  Use this arrangement as a launching board. 

    The tune is hot right now since it is being used as the theme for the Outlander television series – the Skye Boat Song.  It is a song, so feel free to inflect it with all the emotion the lyrics suggest to you.  There is no joy to expansive, no pathos too pathetic – really work your musicality muscles.  And enjoy playing it!

    Would you like a copy of this arrangement? It’s easy, just send me an note here (and I’ll subscribe you to my free weekly email) so you don’t miss a post and each week you’ll get a direct link to the blog, the occasional freebee and more. 

    Let me know how you like the tune in the comments.  And if you’re really excited about it, send me a recording of what you’ve done – I’d love to hear from you!

  • Are we done stretching? Not yet!!

    So, throughout August we have stretched our artisticness away from the harp. We’ve stretched our bodies and we’ve stretched our repertoires.  What could possibly be left?

    Maybe the most important part. Have you stretched you?

    I hear you grumbling. I’m all stretched out. Yes, I’ve stretched me.

    But have you stretched all of you?

    Have you stretched to playing for others, in new places? For new audiences? Have you put yourself out there to share your art?  Have you stretched emotionally?

    I really thought I had. I’d played for all kinds of people. What could be left? And then I was asked to play for first graders! Wow! A very different audience that I had never even thought of. They were great! Just imagine what I would have missed if I had said no. Was it out of my comfort zone? Oh yeah – I couldn’t even see it from my comfort zone!  But if I had to take a chance, what a great place to land!

    How about that gig that isn’t your norm? I booked that one. Now I’m learning a tune that I’d never select – a pop tune I have always hated! But, now that I’m working on it, while I don’t like the tune any better than before, I can appreciate its rhythmic qualities.  And I can respect the technique that I need to play it accurately. It is drawing on skills I rarely use. So, I also got to stretch my practice routine to boot!

    How about finding a new way to share with friends, family, or audiences? Have you taken the opportunity to unguard your heart (you know, the one that’s in your mouth when you contemplate something new, different, and challenging!) and share just a bit of the joy you find in playing? Or some other emotion – loss? happiness? contemplation? contentment?

    Stretching to share your emotions can be very freeing. You know, after the freefall of terror.  As we’ve identified before, stretching can be many (good) things, and here are six:

    1. Stretching is the opposite of static and facing things straight on is definitely not static!  Meeting your resistance to something will help you keep moving, growing, developing.
    2. Stretching makes you flexible. When you’re sharing with others, you can telegraph what you’re feeling. Being flexible gives you the opportunity to change up what you’re doing to suit your audience (and yourself). I try to have a couple of options available for each program – for those times when noting is coming together. I want to convey to the listener that, even in the face of [pick one: forgetting how the tune goes, being unable to exert any control over my fingers, starting in the wrong key, (why yes, I have done all these things and more – in front of audiences)], I’m glad to be there with them, and grateful to know that they’re on my side, even if I can’t seem to conjure any knowledge of how to play the harp!
    3. Stretching helps alleviate stiffness – and putting yourself out there might make you feel stiff (terrified stiff?).  Nothing like working on music way beyond the pale of your favorites will help you approach new, different things with more freedom – that comes from the comfort of being less stiff as you approach the music…or the audience. Remember to “bend your knees” musically. Just imagine what I might do with that tune I hate (after I deliver it for the gig – I could completely rejigger it (perhaps literally – make it into a jig? Just an idea – I’m flexible like that!)
    4. Stretching helps relieve stress. Don’t you ever think that you’re the only one who feels stress (nervousness, tension, etc.) when you’re performing. We all do – even your harp hero! If you’ve done the stretches we have been talking about, you will be more comfortable no matter where you play.  And that will help you feel less stress while you are playing. Don’t get me wrong – you might feel a little bit of nervousness (and research suggests that this actually helps you play better) but you won’t have that heart-pounding, breath-stealing paralysis that gets in the way (ok, you can call it stage fright, but I can only focus on how I can’t breathe…until I remember that I’m looking forward to playing…once I get started!).
    5. Stretching helps develop and maintain focus. By stretching yourself to new audiences, you have to focus on them to share all that you have brought. You will, of course, get better at this with practice, so keep at it!  And remember to focus on the good – you know your music, you enjoy playing, and they will love you!
    6. Stretching stretches you. You will definitely benefit from sharing yourself and your music with others. Open your heart and give your gift. Do not worry about receiving a gift in return – just enjoy the delightful feeling of giving! And keep on giving as you stretch yourself again and again.

    So, as the end of summer nears and we have stretched ourselves in so many ways – physically, artistically, emotionally, and through our repertoire. Each of these aspects of playing are essential – and stretching in each of them helps keep you flexible – ready to take on any challenge and not only succeed but also the enjoy it! Now that you’re all stretched – what will you take on next? Let me know in the comments!

  • Expand your musical reach – another stretch (or 7!)

    We have talked about stretching through making art and stretching our bodies.  There’s another place we need to stretch and that is in our music.  And it’s the perfect time to think about it – it will be the winter holidays and all the lovely opportunities to play will be coming.  I mention the holidays because they are the perfect foil for stretching our music.

    The holidays are great from a repertoire perspective.  There is a relatively small set of tunes to work from and each year, those that have been on our set lists for a while seem to become easier to prepare and to play.  It’s also easier to knuckle under and practice – we know it’s coming; we know we’ll be playing; and we know the bulk of what we’ll bring to each performance.

    That doesn’t exactly sound like stretching.

    And that’s why it’s so great!  There are loads of holiday tunes – so you probably don’t know them all.  But you know some and so each year you can add another one or two to fill in your set list.  But we have to fight the urge to be lazy and just play all the same stuff. 

    I don’t know about you, but I really like hearing new (to me) stuff at the holidays.  From countries whose music I don’t know well, from new sources, and from the set of those songs that hardly anyone records but are just so good. 

    So, the holidays are an opportunity to stretch ourselves – musically.

    What does stretching musically mean? Trying new things!  It can be adding techniques we don’t usually use, playing music we don’t usually play, finding stuff we didn’t know existed and fitting it into our lives, arranging music we like (from other instruments) and playing it on the harp, or more.

    How is stretching musically good for us?  Here are seven unsurprising ways (some of these might sound familiar since they are as with making art)

    1. Stretching is (still) the opposite of static!  Static is not moving or changing.  Static introduces b-o-r-i-n-g into your playing.  It also means that you’re not growing as a musician.  So, learn how to do some effect you think is cool…and actually use it in your playing!  Do the work of technique practice.  And after learning some new technique, actually add it to your playing!
    2. Stretching makes you more flexible.  By adding new music, new sources, new techniques, new practice approaches, just new stuff to your playing, you will begin to explore yourself more and bring that into your playing and performance.  And you will be free to do more than you thought you could when you were less flexible.
    3. Stretching helps defeat stress.  The more you stretch your music, the more comfortable you become with playing it – because you’ll become more accustomed to being stretched.  In your practice, in performance, in ensemble, in sessions – no matter where you’re playing you will be more relaxed, able to enjoy the process and product of making music.  That comfort is an indication of your reduced stress.
    4. Stretching helps overcome pain and discomfort.  You might decide to stretch your music when you feel the discomfort be becoming bored.  Of course, once you decide to stretch your music, you might feel self-conscious, uneducated, or ignorant.  The music activities that stretch you might make you feel uncomfortable in and of themselves.  But keeping at it – a little bit each day – will help you be more comfortable and soon, you’ll be interested in the flexibility of trying new music.  I’d suggest adding time for creativity in your practice each day so you will be able to stretch musically with less (perceived) “stiffness”.
    5. Stretching helps you focus.  You can be mindful when you are stretching your music.  Mindful of what it is about the music that attracts (or repels) you, what technique elements you need to work on, what your harp really shines with.  In addition, a broader repertoire may help you to feel more accomplished and allow you to comfortably book gigs previously out of reach.  Be sure to pay attention as you’re stretching your music to identify what to keep on doing.
    6. Stretching improves your range.  As you add music to your toolbox, and include the listening, reading, technique and effects the new music might require of you, you will become more able to do more things with greater musicality – and add new things more quickly.
    7. Stretching stretches you.  There’s nothing like playing something you never thought you’d be able to (or possibly even that you never thought about adding) to boost your confidence and encourage you to try even more new things!

    Stretching – the gentle kind that broadens your abilities, and leaves you relaxed and enjoying making music, is just what you need.  With these seven stretches you might become a better musician!  What kind of music might you add to stretch yourself?  What else might you do to stretch yourself musically?  Tell me in the comments – I can’t wait to hear!

  • Can there be a First Inning stretch?

    Last week we talked about stretching yourself in your art and I hope you’ll agree that is important.  But, we might have been a little bit ahead of ourselves.  Typically when we talk about stretching, we are talking about moving our bodies, stretching our muscles.  Maybe that’s the First Inning stretch?

    Well, that’s pretty important too. And for a lot of the same reasons.  And for a few different ones.  Physically stretching may be important purely because playing the harp is a physical activity.  Don’t believe me?  Play a 3 hour gig!  Or even an intense hour long practice.  Then you’ll know. 

    So that physicality, which is easy to minimize or rationalize away, is exactly why we need to be rigorous about stretching our bodies.  Here are six benefits when you need to stretch your body.

    1. Decrease stiffness – all over.  You won’t just stretch part of you – stretch all of you!  As stated before, stretching will also increase your ranges of motion – all those joints and muscles need to work together so you can play…and play well.
    2. Remember what relaxed feels like.  Now, you might think this is about chilling out, but really it’s about letting the muscles relax.  This relaxation needs to be paired with the contraction of the opposing muscle.  And together these actions make playing possible.  Balancing these is what really makes the tone possible – and you’ll get that when you not only contract the muscles but also let them relax.
    3. Stretch your body, refresh your mind.  Whether you’re practicing, performing, or just going through your day, you can have a little break just by stretching.
    4. You already know this – stretching may help you avoid injuries.  And while it will help you be flexible enough to not develop big injuries – perhaps more importantly, you’ll be more likely to avoid those nagging little nigglings that bug you but don’t qualify as injuries in your mind. These little insults can build up over time while you’re ignoring them – so stretch to prevent them in the first place.
    5. Stretching helps you become aware of your body.  That includes when you’re body is humming along….and when something is out of whack.
    6. Stretching helps you focus.  By helping to increase circulation and by promoting breathing, you will be more able to draw your focus to your activities of practicing, playing, and performing. 

    If you’re not already stretching, you might consider adding it to your day.  You can incorporate ministretch sessions throughout your day.  At a minimum consider at least stretching during your practice time. Are you really out of practice?  Then you could start by having a big stretch before you get out of bed in the morning! 

    Are you stretching?  Do you stretch as part of your harp practice?  What stretches do you do?   Which is your favorite?  Let me know – share them in the comments!

  • 7th Inning Stretch

    The start of August is sort of the “7th Inning Stretch” of Summer. 

    Most of the Summer is gone, but there’s easily another six (or more!) weeks to go, so it is the metaphorical 7th Inning.  For those of you unaccustomed to baseball, there are nine innings (in a regular game) so the 7th is about ¾ of the way.  Onlookers are encouraged to stand up and stretch before the end of the game commences.  It is a time of frivolity, merriment, and getting the last snacks before the vendors shut down.

    In our case, it’s not the inning that matters – it’s more about the stretch.  So, for August, we’ll talk about stretching.

    We actually started stretching ourselves in July by giving ourselves permission to cross into making art in other media.  This challenge to ourselves is a type of stretching –

    • Stretching our creative muscles
    • Stretching how we think about our arts
    • Stretching our comfort zone to share pieces in various phases of done-ness
    • Stretching our world of sharing.

    So many of you graciously shared your work in other media (and continue to do so – don’t stop!).  This is a relatively easy way to stretch yourself.

    Why is stretching so important? There are loads of reasons you should stretch yourself, but here are 7 (one for each Inning up to the stretch? Maybe ????):

    1. Stretching is the opposite of static!  Being static is stultifying.  It is not making progress of any type.  It is status quo.  What it isn’t is electrifying!  Or creative.  Or enriching.  So we want to avoid being static.
    2. Stretching makes you more flexible.  The more you stretch, the more all of you can be brought to everything! Practice. Creating. Lunch with friends. Everything!
    3. Stretching helps defeat stress.  The more you stretch, the more comfortable you become with being stretched.  Because you are comfortable with stretching and being flexible, you can be more relaxed in the face of stressors and this comfort allows you face every stressor more easily.  And the more you create, the more flexible you will be as you create – anything.
    4. Stretching reduces pain and discomfort.  When you first start stretching you will feel self-conscious, uncoordinated, ignorant, and you might feel discomfort or pain from the activities that stretch you.  But if you go gently and keep at it daily, you will soon (sooner than you think) adapt and become more flexible.  So, by adding some time for creativity in each day you will be able to do so with less stiffness (e.g. “I don’t know what to draw!” or “I can’t paint!”)
    5. Stretching helps you focus.  You can be mindful when you are stretching, and your enhanced presence means you can focus on where you are rather than being focused on any pain or discomfort. By creating more in all domains, you will be able to focus on the act of creating at your harp when you are there (or your easel, your notebook, your kitchen counter – wherever you are focused and being creative).
    6. Stretching improves your range of motion.  As you might have seen by the challenge, your “range of motion” in other media might be limited – by self-critique, by lack of experience, by lack of training.  Stretching will allow you to side step these things and create anyway.
    7. Stretching stretches you.  What?  That might sound silly, but by stretching you are always challenging yourself to try more, new, different – and it feels good!

    So, we’ve sort of gone backwards starting with stretching your creativity but that’s ok – we’re nothing if not flexible, right?  As we progress through August, we’ll look at other, more conventional views of stretching.  But as you’re creating, remember to stretch and be flexible.  What do you do to be creatively flexible?  Share in the comments – I can’t wait to hear!

    PS – as I mentioned last week – if you’ve got a piece of art from another medium that you’d like to share – I will add it to the post.  Haven’t finished your piece?  Haven’t finished convincing yourself?  Still on the fence about sharing? Just do it for yourself!  When you send it to share, I will put it up.  If you missed last week’s post where people shared their amazing art from other media, prepare to be amazed and check it out here:

  • Challenge Accepted! Updated

    You are amazing!!  All I can say is “WOW!!”  and “Thank you!” 

    So many of you were willing to make art and share it with the rest of us.  You were artistic, creative, and definitely away from the harp.  And you made such wonderful stuff!

    I know some of you are away on vacation.

    I know others of you were in “watch and wait” mode – you may have made something but maybe not been willing to share it.  And that’s ok – the real point of this was to make something.  The willingness to share can come later.

    And I know some of you are in that place of “can’t” – that’s ok, but I think we might be having a little bit more fun over here. I hope you know there’s always room on our blanket (and there’s always an extra cookie) when you’re ready to come over here.

    Here are a sample of the wonderful things people sent.  We have art made from pastels, markers, textiles, pencil, and clay!  Some of these pieces have been in the making for a bit and others were dashed off to participate – either way, all are welcome.  I hope you find this encouraging and go off to try something new!  And if you didn’t finish in time, you were full of trepidation (but now you see that really, they won’t take away your birthday!), or you just forgot but now you’re willing to share, I’m still willing to post – just send it to jeniuscreationschallenge@gmail.com and we can keep this up for a while! 

    New pieces added to end as they come it – thank you!

       

     

  • Give yourself permission – be a mixed media artist

    I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty comfortable being a musician.  And that’s good.  I don’t avoid the topic – I tell people that’s what I am and it’s what I do.  And I guess now I can say I’m a recording artist too*.  But then I become less comfortable.  I have a hard time seeing myself as an artist of any kind!

    That word conjures up visions of “real” artists like DaVinci, Rafael, Van Dyke, Mondrian, or Basquiat (don’t like my list?  I’d love to know how you like better! Tell me in the comments.).  And then I become full of “can’t”.  I can’t draw, I can’t paint.  I can’t sketch.  Heck I can’t even doodle (no seriously, check any of my margins.  They are all starkly blank!).

    And that pile of “can’t” starts to weigh me down.  If I can’t be an artist how can I call myself one?

    How you look at something defines what you’ll see.  Reframing is simply actively deciding to look at something differently.  For instance, if I need to find a particular word on a page of text, I turn the book upside-down.  Because it is now harder to read, it becomes easier to search.  By reframing the problem, I have changed my perspective and thereby made finding the answer just a little bit easier.

    And so, to become comfortable calling myself and artist, I have to think about reframing how I see – myself, art, as well as the various media within which I can work.  Sometimes we need to push ourselves and allow ourselves to grow as artists.  And that push is not just at the harp – we need to push ourselves to do what we don’t think we can…in another medium.  We have to give ourselves permission to work in multiple media and possibly we’ll see growth across media!

    Remember when you started playing the harp?  It certainly is a forgiving instrument, but even so, there were probably times when you were sure you’d never learn to (Gliss accurately? Play harmonics? Get faster?).  You were a beginner.  When you’re a beginner, everything is a challenge, but you’re excited and curious and while you hope it will come easily, you sort of expect to not do it right immediately. As adults we have a much more difficult time adapting this beginner mindset and we stop allowing ourselves to be beginners – we expect a perfect try straight from the box.  Which is ridiculous – we’d never expect other people to do that well on the first try, but we maintain ridiculous expectations of ourselves!

    Being creative away from the harp will allow you to have room to grow.  Working in another medium also means learning new things, practicing different things that you need at the harp and having to think differently – even if only briefly.  Being creative in any medium will help you be more confident in your capacity to be creative.  And while the skills you master may (or may not) transfer – the freedom certainly will.

    I have a number of creative, artistic, free friends who make amazing art.  They create knitwear that actually looks like clothing, paint pictures that look like actual scenes, take breathtaking photographs, write captivating poetry.  They freely make and create and generate.  They are all harpers.  They create all the time.

    I have learned a lot from them.  OK, I’m still learning!  What have I learned?

    1. Be Creative.  As the shoes say, just do it.  Stop talking (inside your head) and make!
    2. Don’t judge! No really.
    3. Be Flexible.  It didn’t turn out the way you imagined?  Is it still kind of cool or do you need to learn some more and try again?  Either way…ok.
    4. Try things.  Just try it – you might like it!  Don’t know how to draw?  Ok, well, pick up your pen and do something and keep working on it.  And try again.  You’re learning!  (A friend also exasperatedly reminds me to go find a YouTube video to learn how to do something – she’s right, there’s videos for just about everything).
    5. Identify your hang-ups. What’s stopping you?  I usually know I can’t do what they’re doing so I’m tempted to not try, because it won’t be good enough (reference TWO and FOUR above).  Be tough here – what is r-e-a-l-l-y stopping you?  Name it!
    6. And defeat it!  Now that you have named what your hang-ups are – defeat them.  Look into their metaphorically beady little eyes and tell them to pound sand!
    7. Be Brave.  What’s the worst that can happen?  Your drawing of your dog looks like a firetruck? Your photo looks less like Loch Ness and more like Loch Mess? So what? It’s not like they’re going to take away your birthday!  Sneer at your inner doubter and be brave!

    Being creative away from the harp in another medium will allow you to have room to grow.  Being creative in any medium will help you be more confident in your capacity to be creative.  And while the skills may (or may not) transfer – the freedom certainly will.

    I talk a big game.  I am always starting to make art in other media and get caught up in “can’t”.  So, let’s set ourselves a challenge.  Within the next week, make some art.  It doesn’t have to be large, complicated, complex, or tortured – it just has to be yours.  Take a picture of it and post it in the comments and we’ll share them next week.  I say this with trepidation – because, you know, I can’t draw.  But I’ll be doing it too.  A doodle? A sketch? Photo from your phone that you crafted? An ashtray (are these still made in art?) Whatever you want – make it, photograph it and post it and I’ll make a gallery of our work next week.  We’ll all be in this together.

    UPDATE: PLEASE EMAIL YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO JENIUSCREATIONSCHALLENGE@GMAIL.COM (YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO LOAD IT INTO THE COMMENTS!).

    * why yes, my cd, This Moment, is available in ShamelessSelfPromotionLand.

  • In the Bleak Mid-Summer…8 ways to stay Motivated

    It is the Bleak Midsummer – that time of year when it might as well be winter for all that you intend to go outside!  It’s predicted to be about 100o tomorrow – ugh.  And raining.  The remnants of a tropical depressed (yes, I meant that).

    Of course, it will be pouring while I try to load my car to head to Somerset Folk Harp Festival.  Why does it always rain when you need to load your harp into the car?  It’s just a law of nature I supposed.

    But that’s the thing about the Bleak Midsummer (you might call it the Summer Doldrums, but that’s not bleak enough for me) – the heat, the humidity, the knowing that it will last another eight weeks – all gang up on you and sap your strength and motivation!  Who wants to play when you know you’re going to sweat on your harp?

    Ugh.

    So, how do you stay motivated?  Here are 8 ways that might work for you:

    1. Go to summer harp events! I’m delighted to be going to Somerset Folk Harp Festival and I’m missing all the fun we had at the Ohio Scottish Arts School, and I’m really looking forward to Harp Quest! I wish I was able to fit more in, but these events (and others like them) really help you break out of any rut you might be in, let you catch up with old (but distant) harp friends, make new harp friends, and learn a lot in a relatively short time.  Best of all, you come home with new tunes, cool tricks and tips, and usually a bounce in your harp-step!  [BTW -There only a few remaining spots in Harp Quest and registration will close soon, so be sure to get in while there’s space!  More info here or contact us here]
    2. Use the long days to your advantage – if you normally practice in the evening, you can use the early light to get a new view on your playing. Never gonna happen that you get up at 5 to practice? No worries – enjoy practicing in the late afternoon or early evening – here too the light is so bright and the sun still so high that it feels like you’re practicing much earlier than you are. Or wait until the lingering sunsets of summer to enjoy the feel of playing the evening in.  No matter what, you can use the longer days to get a fresh perspective on your playing.
    3. Don’t let the short nights get the better of you – be sure you’re still getting enough sleep. Getting enough sleep will not only help you play better but will also help stave off the blues.  Those long nights will be upon us before we know it (even if it feels like they’ll never come) but you can still arrange to get plenty of rest.
    4. It’s VACATION TIME! You can take this a number of ways. You’re going to go away and have a frabjous time somewhere else doing nothing (including not playing).  Or you’re going somewhere amazing and taking your harp with your time away.  Either way – use the down time to rest and recover.  And maybe devote a few quiet moments to reminding yourself of how much you love playing the harp and that the work is just a path to enjoyment. [And if you want to plan ahead – you could never go wrong spending your vacation on a trip with us!  Harp the Highlands and Islands 2020]
    5. Use those long sunny (hot) days to spend time in your favorite chair with your favorite libation thinking about how lucky you are to play the harp! That should perk you up and make you want to play (and maybe even to practice?). Of course, that libation should be part of your hydration plan – it’s so easy to get dehydrated in the summer and that will throw you off your game, sap your motivation, and probably give you a headache – all no fun.
    6. Think about Christmas – every year Christmas comes racing up and we’re never really ready, so give it a little thought now. Maybe plan out your cold weather strategy while it’s still nice and hot. When will you start?  What tunes are you going to add this year?  What have you played in the past that needs more work  (and inevitably, more than you think)?  Where are you going to play?  What non-holiday tunes will you keep in the rotation to avoid boring the socks off your listeners?  See, there’s loads to think about, while you’re sweating and not wanting to play.
    7. Just sit for 15 minutes. Promise yourself that you’ll only play for 15 minutes – after all, it’s hot and you won’t be able to concentrate for too long, so don’t think you will – just do it in bite sized chunks throughout the day.
    8. Have ice cream. Really? You’re going to question this?  Fine, I’ll have yours.

    Power through – it’ll be autumn soon and before you know it, we’ll be complaining about how cold it is!  There’s eight ideas – do you have others?  How do you stay motivated throughout the summer?  Leave me a comment and share!

  • Announcing the Harp the Highlands and Islands trip for 2020!

    We are so excited to be planning the Harp the Highlands and Islands trip for 2020.  It sounds so far away – and it is…until it isn’t!

    This is your chance to see Scotland in the glorious early summer—when days are bright, and temperatures are nothing like you experience at home!  Our trip will run 9– 16 June when the flowers are blooming but before the tourists have arrived in earnest!

    If you’re not familiar with our trips – it’s your opportunity to tour Scotland with our amazing guide and driver – native (and harp appreciator) David Leitch.  And I really look forward to sharing Scottish tunes each day!  David continues to build on the resounding success of his customized Scottish Highlands and Islands tours, and we have worked together to expand his tour to include elements that inspired the tunes that harpers love to play.

    Each day we’ll see more of the Highlands and Islands while learning tunes related to our travels.  You will enjoy an intimate group setting – we never take more than six travelers which allows you to see the real Scotland.  And you certainly see, and experience more than you would from the heights of a giant tour bus.

    The itinerary includes the natural beauty and manmade testaments to Scotland’s history, as well as the prospect to learn more about history and the harp.

    The trip includes all bed and breakfast accommodations, dinners, David’s enchanting guiding, entrance to group attractions, a small harp for your use and harp tunes from Jen. The very small group size allows flexibility so that each day you can see the very best Scotland has to offer!

    Each trip David crafts an itinerary to assure that you see the wonders of Scotland.  But we also know that a number of you have come with us before and are thinking of coming again – so if you come along, he has planned some new amazing things for you to see!  A sample itinerary might include:

    David and Jen will meet you in Edinburgh and our adventure begins — on to Perth, one of Scotland’s seven cities!  The next day we might see the scenic beauty of the Falls of Dochart, the enigmatic splendor of Glencoe.  We could follow the Great Glen and the Caledonian Canal, then head westwards in pursuit of the Islands.  We will see a lovely island including unique and stunning scenery and possibly gain an insight into the people who live there now and over time.  And of course we’ll see loads of magnificent views through the Mountains.  But the Highlands are calling and we could see incomparable Eilean Donan Castle or meander through the glens to Inverness.  We could explore a dark, mysterious, and well storied Loch or wander the coast and it’s quaint fishing villages.  Our final night, David and his beautiful wife Heather will welcome you to dinner in their home for authentic Scottish cuisine and hospitality. Then we’ll head back to Edinburgh for the journey home…or you might decide to explore Edinburgh on your own. Our final itinerary will be determined by you!  If our group includes old friends who have traveled with us previously, we will have an itinerary that promises all of us new delights and sites that we will all enjoy – without repeating a previous itinerary! 

    Music is central – each day you’ll learn a new tune, add to your harp lore and experience the history of our harp heritage.  The tunes taught will be associated with the places we see, the history we uncover, and the incredible Scots we meet.  And your travel will be easier with a lovely small loaner harp waiting for you, so you don’t have to travel with your harp and all the worries that brings! 

    Invite another harp player or bring a harp loving companion!  There will be activities both for harp players and for harp appreciators. Not a harp player?  We welcome other small traditional instruments!

    The price includes seven nights dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation, tour and guide, admissions, lend of a harp for your exclusive use, harp tuition, and special treats.  Price per person double is $3499.  If you prefer to have a room to yourself, single supplement is $350. A $1000 deposit will hold your place (remember there are only 6 places per tour), with the balance due two months prior to your trip.  Discount for early booking — book by 15 October and pay just $3200.  Got a crowd that will fill the minibus? Call for discount booking, but hurry before the bus is booked up.