Jenius Creations

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  • Just Say NO!

    After at least a week of saying “Yes!” perhaps it’s also time to start saying “NO!”

    No can be so negative but sometimes it’s the best answer to allow you to hang onto your sanity! Or to make progress toward your goals.  I will always encourage you to stretch – to do things that are a little scary or uncomfortable. This is because typically these things only l-o-o-k scary but are actually a lot of fun once you break through.

    But some things are scary for good reason. They are better avoided – a stretch piece that is a huge stretch, a stretch piece with an unreasonable or unrealistic deadline, something you just really do not want to do (or don’t agree with doing), something that will just add the straw that broke the camel’s back to your schedule.

    Here are some things it might be helpful to say “NO!” to:

    • Weddings – if you don’t like to be stressed, don’t book weddings! Only do them if you feel confident – otherwise they will chip away at your confidence and possibly your self-esteem.
    • Short notice gigs – if you don’t have regular practice time in on your repertoire, you will not be ready at the drop of a hat.  So don’t do that to yourself. Only book gigs for which you can be confidently and competently prepared.
    • Music you’re not interested in – now, I’m not saying don’t experience new things but this music is also typically music you don’t know (so you won’t have tricks up your sleeve for dealing with not being rock solid on the tunes).  Or it’s music you haven’t worked with (so you’re likely not solid and confident).  And this is often coupled with short notice and/or weddings!
    • Only playing for the cat and the curtains – Get over yourself! No one plays perfectly and you never will either. The only way to get better at playing for people is to do it. You know – to practice doing it by doing it. The longer you put it off, the more you tell yourself you’ll do it later, the harder it will get. So get out there.

    Say no to anything that will require more preparation than you will be able to devote. If you are only able to practice 30 minutes a day, don’t even think you’ll be able to take on a challenge and succeed (Carol of the Bells from scratch in 2 weeks? Ha, don’t even). You will be stressed and unprepared and miserable.

    Practice saying No at the right times so you are ready to say Yes as appropriate.  And if you’re knocking yourself down (over these or anything else) – Definitely Just Say No!

  • Just say “Yes!”

    Music can open so many doors. People are genuinely interested in how we make music – our instrument, ourselves, our repertoire. And we should be honest – making music is a rare gift. We are very fortunate. Did you know that a Gallup poll indicated that 96% of adults surveyed thought music could be learned at any age? Perhaps more surprising, a whopping 85% of adults wish they had had music lessons as a child! And 70% stated that they’d like to learn to play an instrument. Further, 66% stated that there were too many impediments to learning to play*. And only 5% of adults are proactive and arrange to have music lessons in their own lives**.

    That makes those of us who took up the harp as adults a rare breed! And whether we were trained in music as children or came to our instruments as adults – we are making music and we are extraordinary!

    You may not feel special. You may not feel accomplished. You maybe still comparing yourself to others and therefore maybe unwilling to share your music. But maybe it’s time for you to just say Yes.

    Yes – to those people who visit you and ask you to play for them.

    Yes – to going into schools to share your instrument and your talent with young people who might not otherwise ever see or hear a harp – and certainly are unlikely to ever get to touch one!

    Yes – to volunteering to play at a local care home on a regular basis.

    Yes – to your local church or civic gathering.

    Mostly, say Yes to yourself – Yes, I am a musician who is continuing to grow and Yes I will share with others. Yes I will commit to investing in myself and my practice.

    Just Say Yes to plucking up the courage to do more with my harp!

    * https://www.namm.org/news/press-releases/new-gallup-survey-namm-reflects-majority-americans%20
    ** https://gb.abrsm.org/en/making-music/4-the-statistics/

  • How to select a teacher

    There are teachers all over the world so selecting one can be a challenge.

    Some are out of reach (they keep a very small studio or you’ve decided you wouldn’t be acceptable as a student).  Some aren’t a good fit (they don’t teach what you want to learn).  Some are just too far away.

    So how do you select the best teacher for you?  Look for these things:

    • Approach – does their approach work with your way of learning?
    • Level – do they teach at a good level for you? A little stretch is good but no support or a big stretch may not work for you.
    • Time – be honest, do you have time for the lesson, the commute, and the expected practice?
    • Cost – again, be honest.  This is a recurring cost, so plan for it.
    • Content – do they teach what you want to learn?  If you are set on playing something specific (Folk? Orchestral? South American?) say so up front and work with someone who can help you get there.
    • Personality – again, be honest.  You have to enjoy the teacher enough to spend the time.  Don’t work with someone you don’t like.  This is a biggie.  Don’t take it personally – they won’t!  If it’s not a good fit, ask for suggestions for a better fit!

    Teachers teach because they genuinely enjoy seeing their students develop, grow and eventually outgrow them – take them up on it!

     

  • What about after the lesson?

    Whew! That’s over!

    Hopefully you leave any lesson with your brain full. That’s why the notebook and recorder are so helpful – they make overflow space!

    But what you do after the lesson is also important, before all that good content falls out of your head. Of course, you know you plan to practice and that will help, but what else could you do?  Here are some additional ideas:

    • Think! Away from your harp, really think about what you learned. What has already escaped you? Sometimes you’re not ready for what you learn – don’t worry, it will fall into place when you are! What puzzled you? Make a list and try to fill the gaps.
    • Review your notes. That will fill a number of gaps.
    • Review your recording. That will fill additional gaps.
    • Practice. No really, preferably as soon as possible! Really work what you learned into your head and your hands.
    • Start a new want list. Whether a regular lesson or the occasional workshop, get a leg up and start capturing what you’d like to learn next. Of course this is always in flux, but it helps to keep it up to date.

    The lesson lasts longer than the hour – it will last as long as you work it in your head!

  • What do you bring to the lesson?

    If you have already identified what you want to learn in your lesson, you are ready to prepare for the event. What will you need to bring to make the most of your lesson time?

    Of course you will bring you – all ready to go, on time and tuned! But the following things will also help:

    • Notebook. Plan to take notes to help capture the gems you came for. You might think you’ll remember it all, but you won’t! You’re likely going to get full answers to your questions (your wants) and it will likely be a lot of information!
    • Recording device. Especially if you want me to be taught a tune. You won’t be able to play it until you have it in your head – which is best accomplished by listening to it. By the way, this doesn’t replace the notebook!
    • Music you are currently working. Even if you have it memorized, bring it so everyone can read it! Just bring it!
    • Your wants list. I swear there is a switch in the bench which evacuates your memory. Being able to state what you’re hoping to leave with will help you both focus on the most important things in the time you have.
    • Journal. Another memory aid, the place you have been collecting your thoughts – and an aid to sharing your progress (this can be your notebook if you’re already keeping a journal).
    • Your full attention. Enough said.
    • A confidence builder. I get it – there’s a lot of stress at a lesson, especially if you don’t have regular lessons. Anything to help you have a good lesson (maybe a “no fail” piece) is a good idea and will help you settle in.

    Being ready will help you have a great lesson and learn a lot. Be ready!

  • What do you want?

    I enjoy teaching lessons. I learn so much each time and I get to help someone learn – it’s a win-win! But sometimes it can be challenging. Teaching regular and recurring lessons to the students in my studio is fun and the progress (and pitfalls) are relatively easy to find.

    But when I’m teaching one off lessons, figuring out what I can best offer can be difficult. That’s when my fervent hope is that the student will be able to tell me what they’d like to get from me. And few things are more frustrating than the answer, “I don’t know” or “Whatever you want”!

    You are paying good money for the lesson, so it’s worth taking a few moments to figure out why you are there! Don’t know where to start? Here are a few ideas:

    • Consult your practice journal – what continuously crops up? Maybe that is something to work on?
    • Record yourself – review the recording and find what isn’t working for you (bring the recording if you think it will help).
    • Review your competition comments – judges are great at spotting things you could work on.
    • Are there things you never learned that you’d like to work on (Harmonics? Arpeggios? Key signatures?)?
    • Is there a specific tune you’ve heard me play that you’d like to learn (please don’t ask me to teach you a tune you haven’t heard me play – what if i don’t know it either?)?

    Knowing what you want to get from the lesson before you go in will help both you and the teacher get as much as possible from the time you have. Even a vague idea will make your lesson better – and get you farther along your journey.

  • Back to School

    It’s back to school time so it’s time to think about learning! This month we’ll focus on lessons. Whether you take regular lessons or catch as catch can, this is for you!

    Do you take lessons? Sometimes the question is stated, “do you still take lessons?” Beyond the philosophical discussion of whether every day is a lesson, it’s a good question. You don’t have to have a regular weekly lesson, but I hope your answer is yes!

    If your answer is no, you’re probably wondering what could possibly be gained. After all, you already know how to play. You’re a self-starter who finds and learns music on your own. You play well enough. Why would you need to take a lesson? You certainly don’t need regular lessons…do you?  Maybe you do – here are six good reasons to take a lesson (or a series of lessons).

    • To get a fresh perspective on your music
    • To spot and fix those bad habits that crop up on all of us
    • To learn something you didn’t know you needed to learn
    • To get your spark back
    • To refocus or refine your attitude
    • To avoid complacency

    We all want to continue to grow and get better and a lesson can be a quick way to get there. There are many ways to schedule lessons – at workshops, at conferences, or with individual teachers.  And typically, teacher enjoy sharing so it’s a win-win for all!

    I’m sure there are other, additional good reasons to take a lesson – let me know yours!

  • Just be you, only a little better

    As much as we talk about it, I hope you have developed an appreciation for the physical athleticism of being a musician.  From carrying your harp to sitting behind it playing Carolan’s (or Handel’s Bb) Concerto – playing the harp is physically demanding! And playing it well is even more so. You need strength and stamina to get through practicing, performing or teaching.  And while it is comfortable for us to focus on the “pretty” or the music, we need to face the reality – it’s a lot of work!

    Given that, it’s time to acknowledge that being more physically fit will only help you play better and feel better between sessions at the harp. This doesn’t mean you need to be ready for the next Ninja Warrior casting call. Nor does it mean that you have to become a CrossFit adherent.

    It just means that you should put taking care of yourself further up on your priority list. Acknowledging that this will benefit you in multiple ways.  Being in better shape can only help!

    There are loads of workout plans available in books, magazines and online, so you can find what works best for you. A simple and effective answer might be to just take a walk each day and spending time focusing on assuring you are actually breathing! If you want to do additional cardio or calisthenics, or weight lifting, that could also help you improve your strength which would help too.

    But you don’t have to become Arnold or Richard Simmons. Be you – just a little better!

  • It’s a Stretch!

    We all know that stretching is a smart thing to do. We read about the importance of stretching for our good health, to improve our productivity, and to help us feel better.

    Run a 5K? Clearly your legs will need stretching. Do a heavy lifting routine? You’ll be feeling it more if you don’t stretch.  It makes sense that we need to stretch after strenuous exercise. After all, you do all that hard work, and it’s clear that you will need to stretch to recover from itBut what about when you do very focused but less strenuous work? Lie in bed sleeping all night and you will need and want to stretch when you wake up. Binge watch an entire season and you will be glad to stand and stretch (probably before the big season finale!). Spend time at your harp practicing and what do you do?

    It’s so easy to just get up from the bench and get a cookie! But don’t!! The time at your harp, especially if you are working hard learning or perfecting, may be the worst combination of strenuous work and lying about! Your larger muscles (think butt and legs which are not moving much) are holding still while your smaller muscles (think fingers, hands, and forearms) are working continuously. You may also be tense which will make all your muscles work harder.

    In other words, when you are playing you are both not moving and moving like crazy! As we said above – both of those will leave you needing to stretch!

    So be sure to add stretching to the end of your practice time. Stretch your small muscles – fingers, hands, arms, shoulders – to help them relax. And stretch the larger muscles – glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps – to help reinvigorate them.

    And don’t feel like you have to wait until the end of your practice session to get a little stretching in. You can stretch at least every 45 minutes.  Alternately, you can stretch at the end of each practice segment (warm up, exercises, reading, learning, etc.) to help keep you limber, focused, relaxed, and productive so you get the most out of your time at the harp.

  • Checking in at the midpoint

    It’s July and we’re about half way through the year. It is a good time to check in and see how we’re doing. While it is a good exercise to review goals, it is also an excellent time to review other important things. Especially those that we take for granted and think are taking care of themselves! Let’s start with….Posture!

    Your posture really is the core of all your playing. That’s not just a play on words. Being able to hold yourself upright and to keep your arms up but relaxed, your hands in an appropriate position, and keep your core tight all take work. Are you ready for that work?

    There are numerous resources available providing methods for strengthening your core. By incorporating appropriate exercises to strengthen your core you’ll be able to sit up straight with good balance for as long as needed with less fatigue. That means that your next long background gig will be easier. And your long practice session will definitely be easier to sit through. Your core works while you’re sitting and supports your back and your hips. A strong core will also help you avoid curling into the harp while you’re playing which can cause strain on the neck and increasing the possibility of injuring yourself. It also will provide you with the stable base from which you can build your good technique.

    Of course, a strong core will also be good for you away from the harp assuring your balance and stability are better whether you’re carrying your harp or walking down the street. Strengthening your core isn’t just sit ups! Spend a little time online to learn ways to get stronger so you can play as long as you like!

    * I am, of course, not an exercise physiologist or a physician – but you already knew that! Consult your physician before undertaking any exercise program.  Don’t do any of this if your physician tells you not to.  Seek specific advice from qualified individuals.  This information is presented for educational purposes only.  It does not replace or substitute professional advice from your physician, certified trainer, or any other health-care professional.  Use of the information on this site is solely at your own risk.  Don’t be daft – get the right help and don’t hurt yourself!