Choosing new music

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There is so much great music in the world and many of us want to play it all!  However, at some point you must select the music that you are going to choose to learn and acknowledge that it is not possible to learn it all.  When you select a tune, whether it’s for competition, performance, weddings, healing or simply to amuse yourself, you should think about a few things to assure that you select the right music for you.
  1. Do you like it?   Early in my harp career I got excellent advice – don’t play music you don’t like!  Just don’t.  Life is short, enjoy the music!  (If you are booking weddings, this does have the unintended consequence of requiring you to know more music so you have something to suggest to counter a request you don’t like.)
  2. Does the arrangement work for you?  We all have strengths and weaknesses.  We have “tricks” we like, while there are others that just don’t fit our hands.  Make sure you select arrangements that are a good match to you…or arrange the tunes to make that match.
  3. Does it match your comfort zone? This goes both ways – if you are seeking to add to your repertoire, staying in your comfort zone will make learning the tunes easier and faster.  However, if your goal is to learn new things while learning new tunes, work outside your comfort zone and stretch!
  4. How are you going to play it? What’s it story to you? There is more to playing than getting the notes in the right order – what do you want to do with the tune?  You can be forming those ideas while learning the notes but coming to the tune with the story in mind might make it easier to learn.
  5. Is it over-played?   If everyone is playing a particular tune (especially if you’re choosing a “party piece”) do you want to be playing the same music?  Select the tunes to catch your attention.  [Note – this does not include session tunes, in which case the entire point is to learn tunes everyone is playing!]
  6. When you play the song for the first time, does it seem easy?  One of my favorite  indicators that a tune is a good fit is that it comes “falls into my hands”.  Don’t beat yourself up learning a tune that will not come together in your hands.  There are so many to choose from.  And if you really, really love the tune – come back to it later – it might just surprise you.
And don’t forget to have fun while selecting new tunes.  Enjoy the process!

Three ways to do good

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We all play our harps for our own reasons – we love the feel, we love the creativity, we love to perform, etc.  But sometimes we need more.  Sometimes we need to give back, to help others, to do more.  You can use your harp in service – and the harp is an excellent way to do that.  Here are three ways you can give back with your harp.

Health and Healing – Many people are called to contribute by supporting healing. There are a number of programs available to become trained to provide music in health care delivery systems.  Find a program such as Music for Healing and Transition – accredited  with the National Standards Board for Therapeutic Musicians to assure that you are learning the material you need to provide an environment conducive to the healing process.  Not interested in pursuing study?  You can still play in hospital waiting areas for the families anxious and waiting. 
Work with education – If you are interested in helping children, you could develop presentations to introduce them to the harp and its music.  Many schools would be delighted to have your contribution.  And remember how many people have never seen or heard the harp – you can get in there early!  You might even find some new harpers there.  Schools need enrichment content and all the pupils could benefit from your time.
Entertain the under-served – no matter where you live there are likely to be people who are not able to access quality entertainment so why not share with them?  Nursing homes, shut ins, group homes, and others would be delighted with any performance you would be willing to share. 
Service is an excellent way to overcome any reluctance you might have about performing – these audiences will be so grateful for your time and talent.  In addition, it helps us to learn that playing and performing is about sharing, it’s not about us!
There are so many ways to share – if you have others, please add them in the comments below – I’d love to hear from you – 

Southern Maryland Celtic Festival Harp Competition 2014

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April 26, 2014 marks the 36th year for the oldest Celtic celebration in Maryland!
The festival is scheduled on the last Saturday of April every year from 10 AM to 6 PM, rain or shine, on the 560-acre Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum.  With more than 50 clans and societies and three performing stages offering continuous music and dance, it will be a fun and full day.  There is a Celtic marketplace and after the closing ceremonies, stay for the evening ceilidh.

We are so excited to have Jo Morrison judging the Harp Competition this year.
Jo is nationally known for her evocative interpretation of Scottish and Irish music on the harp.  Having spent several months in 2005 teaching, writing music, and performing on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland, Jo’s knowledge and understanding of the Celtic genre puts her in great demand as performer, adjudicator, and teacher across the country.
When not performing, Jo spends her time teaching harp privately and in classes and workshops, and composing and arranging Celtic music for the Celtic harp. She also teaches harp at Common Ground on the Hill in Westminster, Maryland, and taught at the Ohio Scottish Arts Schoolin 2002, the Somerset Harp Festival for several years, and at various workshops around the country. She taught on the Isle of Lewis in July of 2007. She is currently Vice-President for the Washington Area Folk Harp Society.  Jo is also trained as a Certified Music Practitioner with the Music for Healing and Transition Program (MHTP).
Jo has five CDs – her debut album, The Three Musics (1998), as well as A Waulking Tour of Scotland (2000), Christmas Gifts (2003), is a collection of carols from around the world, By Request (2004) is Jo’s musical reply to the oft-posed question, “When are you going to record that tune?” and  her 2008 CD of all original music. Flights of Fantasy.   In addition, she has published three popular collections of harp arrangements, “The Three Musics of the Celtic Harp“, “The Morrison Scottish Repertoire Book“, and “The Beginning Harper’s Tunebook,” which is rapidly becoming a standard for beginning folk harpers.
Keep an eye on the CSSM website for more information as it forms up (although there is a start time posted it might change to assure everyone has the best day possible) – but definitely plan to participate as a competitor, a volunteer, or as an observer – we need them all!
   

Clarity … with time

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Some of you let me know that you thought my post last week was exciting but hard to follow.  So, I wanted to take the time to be clear  – because I don’t want you to miss out!

We have worked with the Cromarty Harp Village to bring you the chance to extend your visit to Scotland to participate in a tremendous workshop.  After spending the week with us seeing beautiful Scotland, you can add on an additional night of dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation, transportation (and more to see) to and from Cromarty, and the three days of the incredible Cromarty Harp Village events with four amazing tutors – Corrina Hewat, Patsy Seddon, Mary Macmaster, Heather Yule and Una Monaghan – all for just an additional $800.

 

Take part in the entire Cromarty Harp Village experience including a Friday night concert, Saturday and Sunday workshops for all ability levels, a fun, informal session on Saturday night and a final afternoon gathering on Sunday.  And don’t forget that this year, there is the newly commissioned Homecoming piece by Corrina, Patsy and Mary that you will get to play and perform!

Both the Harp the Highlands and Islands Tour and the Harp Village have limited seating – and when we’re full, that will be all for this year, so be sure to book soon.  

Leave the details to us and just enjoy visiting Scotland and then immersing yourself in an incredible weekend workshop.
 

UPDATE! Harp the Highlands and Islands Tour UPDATE!

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This year, for the first time Cromarty Harp Village Opportunity!

We have wanted to meet up with Corrina Hewat and the amazing Cromarty Harp Village in previous years, but this year, everything worked and we are SO excited that we will be able to offer this add on to the 2014 Harp the Highlands and Islands Tour!
Why not extend your visit to Scotland and participate in this incredible opportunity?  The Cromarty Harp Village brings incomparable tutors and an incredible setting.  You cannot miss an opportunity to participate in a weekend workshop with Corrina Hewat, Patsy Seddon, Mary Macmaster, Heather Yule and Una Monaghan from Ireland.  I am breathless just thinking about it!
Adding on to your tour would be immeasurably better than flying over on Friday and coming right back Monday.  And of course, it would be so much easier to come with us than to plan your own visit. Leave the details with us!
For just $800 you can extend your tour an additional night, have an additional day of seeing more off the beaten path wonder while we go to Cromarty.  You will enjoy the entire Cromarty Harp Village experience including a Friday night concert with dazzling harp playing of Corrina Hewat, Una Monaghan, Patsy Seddon and Mary Macmaster and exquisite storytelling and harp from Heather Yule. Saturday and Sunday experience workshops for all ability levels.  In addition, enjoy a really friendly, fun and informal session on Saturday night and a final afternoon gathering on Sunday.  When you are full of great harping, we will return you to Edinburgh either to continue your visit or to return home.  
BUT WAIT!  There’s more!
This year’s Harp Village will feature a brand new commissioned piece of music written by Corrina, Patsy and Mary. This will be taught to all the harping students over the weekend and will be performed by all the participants on Sunday afternoon in a very special concert. The theme for the piece is Homecoming.
Harp Village has limited seating (as you might imagine with that lineup!) so be sure to book soon – don’t miss out!
As always, for more information go to: http://www.jeniuscreations.com/harp-tours-of-scotland/

Check Your Resolutions

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Surveys earlier this month indicated that many people make resolutions each year.  Those same surveys indicated that most people didn’t make it very far on those resolutions.   
We typically make resolutions to focus on something we think we should be doing but haven’t done or on things we do that we know are bad for us. Assuming you’ve made some harp resolutions, this is a good time to determine if you’re on track to achieving those resolutions or if you’ve already fallen off the wagon and need to climb back on!   
Here are four ways to keep yourself moving forward to successfully achieve your resolutions for 2014:
  1.  Make sure you really want it– sometimes we set a resolution that we think we should set, rather than one we actually want.   For example, we think we should practice for two hours every day, but we don’t really want to. Be clear on what you want and work toward that.  If you really only want to practice for half an hour a day, a better resolution would be to structure your practice and really get benefit from those thirty minutes.
  2. Identify what has gotten in your way and how you’re going to get around it – if your resolution is to practice every day but you’re not making it, examine why – what is getting in your way?  Once you know what is blocking you (you don’t really want to, you have to move your harp to play it, you haven’t scheduled the time) you can devise a strategy to stay on track.
  3. Catch yourself doing good – set up a reward schedule for making progress on your resolution.  Make sure it is a good reward!
  4. Verify that it was a good resolution to begin with – sometimes we set resolutions that really aren’t good (something we just can’t achieve or a resolution that you don’t really want)…change it!  Resolutions are not set in stone and you can set a new one that is a better fit at any time.
Remember that you set a resolution to make you better, not to punish yourself!  Do what you can to help you make your resolutions successful and you’ll have a real feeling of accomplishment.

Step out there

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Stage fright has an incredible power over people. There are well known, well loved performers who famously suffer from stage fright.  The problem with suffering with stage fright is that it cuts you off from opportunities – and most of us don’t like to have good opportunities disappear.  However, being afraid to get in front of a group and perform can significantly impact your harp life.  After all, why do we play if not to share our gifts with others? 
So how do you get to a point that you can perform for other people when you are terrified?  It is easy for others to tell you to get over it or to tell you that you need to focus outside yourself and share.  But if all that goes right out of your head when you’re about to set foot on stage, here are a few things to bring into your practice to help you be feel more easy and lower your stage fright.

  1. Practice the material!  Be sure that you know all the tunes you want to play in your program. 
  2. Record your self – at first you’ll be self-conscious…but keep at it – you’ll hear all kinds of things you don’t hear while you’re playing (both good and bad)…use this to build your practice, your program…and your confidence. 
  3. Practice improvisation – most stage fright comes from the fear that you’ll forget what you were going to play and will be left standing on the stage like a doofus.  The sure way around this is to practice improvisation to get you out of scrapes and to fill time while you think (I am not kidding). 
  4. Build up – first play for your cat, then your immediate family, then add your best friend, other friends, etc.  Work your way up to a room full of strangers. 
  5. Connect with your audience – it is one thing to be told that they want you to succeed.  But if you look up, look at them, connect verbally and nonverbally, you’ll finally believe it – you’ll see it in their faces.  They know they can’t do what you’re about to do…and they will be amazed! 
  6. Laugh – you will be tense…it probably helps that you’re a little tense…but be prepared to laugh, to enjoy yourself…and your audience will too. 
  7. Plan for the day – arrange to have time before you play to give yourself time to get there, get set up, breathe, and settle in. You will feel better if you’re settled than if you have to race in at the last minute.
  8. You are not alone!  Know that everyone has some level of trepidation.  Once you realize that everyone feels this way to some extent, you might not feel so marked out.

Stage fright is just another thing you can overcome with practice.  Maybe that should be a goal for this year?  Always play to enjoy – even if there is a little bit of fear mixed in.

It’s a new year –

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It is a new year – the time when we know that we “should” be reflecting on the past year and generating new goals for the coming year.  Making resolutions that we’re highly unlikely to actually keep.  And we do this every year…sigh.
So how about this year we make a plan rather than a goal? What if you focused on what you wanted to do rather than generating objectives?  What if this year you started out knowing that you could do it rather than waiting to fail?  What would you do to make this plan so that you can follow it all year long?  
Here are six things you can do to start working toward a plan:

  1. Write it down – this way not only can you not forget what your plan is, but you can make sure the plan doesn’t get any bigger (or any smaller) as time passes (unless you intend for it to).
  2. Think first – don’t just burst into action, but each day think about how you’re doing to get through that day’s part of the plan.  Take a few moments of quiet time (can be in the shower, over your morning cuppa, or anywhere else you have the time to be quiet) and think about it.
  3. Focus – spend time in your harp space, doing harp things.  Don’t bring your phone in with you, don’t turn on the TV, put down your novel and focus on your harp.
  4. Keep your space neat (to help you focus…and to be able to find your harp).  If at all possible, have a harp space – an area that is harp only with no other obligations for the space (that is, don’t play from your desk chair or turn the bench around to have breakfast, but rather have dedicated space for harping).
  5. Make a habit – this is not just me telling you to practice but rather, develop your own habits for your harp time. Warm up in the same basic way, work through your new material in the same pattern, segment your practice time similarly each day.  Once this becomes a habit you can begin to deviate to alleviate boredom – but stay within your habit pattern.
  6. Develop a ritual – this is akin to the habit, but a ritual helps set the mood. Start each day at your harp after you’ve had your tea and brushed your teeth.  Or put up the dinner dishes before your sit down, secure that all is well before you begin to play.  Or light candles in your harp room…or develop any other ritual that reminds you that it is time to practice and prepares you to spend time with your harp. 
This is a gentle way to slide into the new year.  Sneak up on your plan and accomplish your goals without anyone (except you) being the wiser!

It’s a new year and a new tour!

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You know that at the beginning of the year you should set some goals.  One way to achieve your goals is to have fun getting there – so I suggest you join us on the 2014 Harp the Highlands and Islands Tour!

We continue to build on previous year’s successes including making improvements suggested by our guests.  We have updated the agenda and will include new sights and opportunities.  

We will travel 11 – 19 September beginning and ending in Edinburgh.  We have a great time, see amazing stuff and learn from terrific tunes!  Hope you’ll join us!  For more details go to the website.

What will you do on your vacation?  Join us and do something interesting!