I am so excited that our group will be setting out on this year’s tour in just a couple of days!
David and I are looking forward to collecting everyone in Edinburgh before heading out for an entire week of beauty, fun, and tunes before some of us will participate in the Cromarty Harp Village –
bet you wish you were with us – we do! Maybe next year –
until then, just remember, we’ll be seeing things like this. We’ll be posting along the way as we get a chance so you can see what we’re up to!
I have never been interested in keeping a journal. I always thought it would be a pointless narcissistic exercise. But now I’m not so sure. Journaling can be very useful to your development as a musician if you are willing to take the time. Here are five ways journaling can help you as a musician:
The journal is for you – use it as you see fit. I capture my musical thoughts and ideas. My journal has pockets to collect napkins (I write on a lot of napkins), as well as things that push those thoughts into being (like cool bits and bobs that spark my imagination along the way). Then I have all the elements in one place when I work to generate new music. Give it a try – don’t just have the thoughts – put them in writing!
Sorry to be late posting, I am having a bit of an emergency. Travel, focus, caring, fatigue, etc. You’ve all had emergencies, so you know.
I did think to grab my little harp on the way. I spend so much time teaching and writing and arranging and practicing and blahblahblah, that I sometimes forget that I really enjoy playing my harp. It not only provides distraction and pleasure, it adds a soothing balm at the end of a hectic day.
I’m not spending a lot of time with it but, like my good friends, it is there at the end of the day, waiting to provide it’s own form of help. It assuages my heart and quiets my thoughts.
Don’t forget why you fell in love with your harp. And don’t wait for the universe to prompt you to remember. Go play, and enjoy, and don’t ever let the mundane everyday suck the joy from your relationship with your harp.
Sometimes you work so hard that you forget to have some fun. Well, not in my world! I am delighted to have spent last weekend teaching with my good friend Kris Snyder at the 19th Annual Harp Camp. We had a blast! We had wonderful students, lovely tunes, and loads of fun.
And sometimes we got silly… and that lead to some great tunes made together! We played directed ensemble music, and our students generated amazing creative ensembles – each year they are more amazing than we could possibly imagine. I think these photos sum it up!
I’m off to this year’s Harp Camp and I’m so excited to be invited again to teach with Kris Snyder at this, the 19th annual! I’m looking forward to seeing you there – we have a lot of good stuff planned for this year as we explore this year’s theme – the Game of Music.
What better way to spend a part of your summer – learning and sharing and having fun! See you soon – I’m off for a good game!
Summer is a wonderful time. Not only is the sun shining and the warmth of the days calls us to spend more time in that glorious light, but perhaps more importantly…it’s festival season!
I am basking in the afterglow of participating in the Somerset Folk Harp Festival in a summer full of enjoying the thrill of the middle of the summer Games and Competitions season, while getting ready for this year’s Harp Camp, and gearing up for the Harp the Highlands and Islands tour for this year*. 
Summer is just chock-a-block with great opportunities to learn, to play, to meet new friends, to see old friends, and to just enjoy our music! I hope you have had to occasion to avail yourself of the discovery, the camaraderie, and the pure joy of making music.
Summer is fleeting though and soon we’ll be in the bitter cold of winter when there are fewer opportunities to get together, time will be spent alone, practicing for Christmas gigs, and the shortened days seem to suck some of the joy from the day. With the waning daylight we will miss the carefree days of playing through the summer.
Find your opportunity to join with others, to make music and have fun!
*there’s still time – if you want to get in on this year’s Harp the Highlands and Islands tour, get more information here or send me an email.
There are a number of basic things that we can do to help us learn music, play better, and have an easier time of getting from one to the other. Usually these things are simple, easy really. Marking your music is one of those things. So why do so many people skip this important step?
Ok, I don’t have an answer for that, maybe because it seems difficult? Or because we never want to do the fundamental work which looks easy but usually is anything but? Since we don’t have an answer, instead let’s focus on what marking your music can do for you (besides get you from first look to easy playing!). Here are six reasons to mark up your dots!
Never forget that you have the dots in front of you to help you remember. Adding marks to the dots will allow you to remember more. Marking in pencil gives you room to develop, grow, learn and change how you play. And remember — the marking is there as a guide – nothing is sacrosanct about the marks – just erase when you’re ready to move along! Enjoy making your mark!
Why are we so impatient with ourselves? We are always sure that other people are having an easy time of it, but really, we all struggle from time to time – with a technique, with a phrase, with a tune, with reparation for a gig.
But really – why are we in such a hurry? You might think we’d rather slow down and enjoy the time at our harps, but instead we pressure ourselves. We can really work ourselves up. Sometimes we pressure ourselves right out of enjoying playing!
So, how can you tamp that impatience just a little, and in the process not only learn more and play better but also enjoy your time on the bench more? Here are 5 things you can do to be more patient, take things more slowly, and likely play better:
Spend the time you need to become the harper you want to be. Be patient. Take it slowly. Do the work…and reap the reward in good time!
Its about that time – we’re a little over half way through the year. That makes it a great time to review how you are progressing toward your goals for this year. You’ve had plenty of time to forget your resolutions, to have slid off your goals, to need to be gently reminded of where you wanted to go this year.
Back in January I suggested you do these six things:
So, how are you doing? If you’re making progress – congratulations! Keep it up and you’ll have a really productive year.
If you’ve “fallen off the wagon” you have plenty of time to get back on course. Review (or actually set) your goals, identify the specific steps to get you there, and then schedule time for yourself to perform those steps. And within the year, you’ll have done really well and made progress!
We’re running out of time and space! Don’t miss your opportunity to join us on the 2014 Harp the Highlands and Islands Tour. We are looking forward to seeing beautiful Scotland and its breathtakingly views! See it with us – we are planning a great time for all. Whether you are a harp player, play another small traditional instrument, or just appreciate Scottish music, you’ll enjoy a wonderful time.
Each year we build on the previous outings leveraging the resounding success of our previous Harp and the customized Scottish Highlands tours. We include music of course, but also history, stories and anecdotes that enhance your visit and make the scenery come alive!
We have expanded the tour this year to encompass the magnificent route through to the 
west coast of Scotland, the source of so many wonderful tunes. And we are so excited to be able to be working with the Cromarty Arts Trust to offer you the opportunity to expand your trip and add on participation in the Harp Village.
This will be a veritable musical feast – I hope you’ll come along. There are only 2 seats remaining – details and additional information on www.jeniuscreations.com/
