Jenius Creations

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  • Enjoy the silence II

    Last week we talked about silence as necessary to build creativity. For those of you who know me personally, you might be surprised to hear me say that (since you’re so used to hearing me say something – I do talk a lot). But truly – finding quiet is essential to being creative – it is the only way to hear what’s possible inside your head, or your heart, or your hernia for that matter. And whether it’s you brain, your emotions, or your gut, there’s good stuff in there for you to work with to create.

    But how do you get to hear the silence? After all we live in a noisy world. And we often don’t even recognize the noisiness. I didn’t until a friend pointed it out. We have sounds and distractions everywhere. In fact we view sitting quietly as being idle – and idleness is bad. But when was the last time you drove somewhere without the radio on, or walked somewhere without your ipod?

    Quiet can be found, but you have to seek it and make it happen around you. Spend a little time with no distractions (even if you have to hide in the bathroom to do it). Enjoy the silence – and what you hear in it. We’re not talking about the kind of mental stillness that monks pursue (we could be, but I’m not that ambitious about this). This can be the kind of quiet that comes from a walk alone, a brief sit in the sun, or quiet contemplation. Don’t make it too hard – just a minute or two to start…you might be surprised how refreshing it is. And if you practice being quiet, you’ll find that you’re more creative than you had heard!

  • Enjoy the silence

    You might recall that music is made up of sounds and silence. Silence is a very useful thing – grabbing attention of the listener, helping to focus on the upcoming phrase or giving the listener time to reflect on the phrase that has just recently past.

    Unfortunately, in our daily lives we have precious little silence – we sing in the shower, turn on the television when we awake, get in the car and put on the radio, and walk around with our phone or music player firmly ensconced in our ears. One might think we are afraid of silence – we do go to great lengths to avoid it.

    But silence is more important than being space in our music – it provides a consistent background against which to think. It gives your brain a chance to catch its metaphorical breath. And then, you can create. Whether you’re composing, arranging, interpreting or conjoining music in new ways, you need that space to create – you need that silence.

    Of course, finding silence can be a challenge. Even if you have decided to create a quiet place in your world, the others in that world may make it difficult to get there. In addition, even if you get the world around you quiet, it may be difficult to get the world within you quiet. But you do need that quiet – in the quiet you can generate creative new things, or just be, it’s your choice.

    How do you find silence in which to be creative?  Let me know – and I’ll share some of my paths with you soon.
    Let the silence sometimes be your choice – and enjoy the silence.

  • Southern Maryland Celtic Festival Harp Competition Results

    We couldn’t have had a better day in Southern Maryland for the Celtic Festival Harp Competition – it was mild and bright and beautiful! We held a Scottish Harp Society of America Sanctioned competition modified for a Celtic field (music from any of the Celtic nations).

    Our judge was Sharon Knowles who is a great comment writer. Comments are the real meat of any competition – and Sharon is particularly good at providing excellent feedback for improvement while also pointing out the very best of each performance.

    And we had some fantastic performances by the competitors – Sharon remarked on the enhanced standard of play – and she is right. We had a very accomplished field. Remember that the SHSA rules establish a competition against a standard rather than against the other competitors which includes the possibility of no one winning. But that wasn’t possible here – the play was just too good! And the scores were very close indeed. The results:

         Beginner          First Place: Jennifer Plunk
         Novice             First Place: Mary Abbott
                                Second Place: Donna Bennett
         Apprentice       First Place: Barbara Costello
         Journeyman     First Place: Mike Connors
                                Second Place: Saori Nystrom
         Master             First Place: Caroline Kemper

    Congratulations to all the winners!

    Throughout the day, after the competition, we had many other harp activities. Sharon taught a workshop before she performed on two separate stages. In addition we had an impromptu jam session as well as joining other musicians for a session for the country dancers before the ceilidh.

    I’d like to thank Sharon for her wonderful judging. I’d also like to thank the volunteers who helped make the day run so smoothly – Sue Richards – steward, Linda Rice-Johnson – photography, and David Narkevicius – harp schlep, handyman, and gopher as well as John Knowles, wrangler and Donna Bennett, movie extra.

    We had a lovely time and I hope you’ll come out to compete next year.

  • Is Time on your side?

    We’ve been talking about the physical and mental demands of participating in the great summer offerings that will help you become a more accomplished harp player. Now you know the importance of preparing. But to do that, you have a little more homework to do.

    You need to set a schedule. This is gradually lengthening practicing time. You really shouldn’t practice for an hour today and four hours tomorrow. That would just invite injury!  Instead, look at your calendar and give yourself plenty of time to ramp up the amount of time you spend practicing. Add a little more time each day until you’re playing significantly more than you are now.

    There are two reasons to look ahead. First, you might have heard, time flies like an arrow (you might also have heard fruit flies like a banana, but that’s not important here). It will be time to go before you know it. If you don’t establish your practice schedule, it’ll be time to leave for your selected event and you won’t have done any of the work you needed to do to be ready. This is potentially heartbreaking because no one wants to leave a workshop or other event knowing they would have gotten so much more out of it if only:

    • Their hands hadn’t given out on them
    • Their shoulders didn’t ache
    • Their backs didn’t throb
    • Their heads weren’t so full
    • Their arms weren’t so tired
    • Their practice didn’t prepare them for this performance! 

    The second reason to look ahead is that you may already be busy. And while it is good in principle to say to yourself, “I will practice more each day.” it is very difficult to achieve. What with day jobs and the rest of life’s sundry demands, you might have difficulty fitting in more practice time. I find that the only time I can consistently practice (without everything else getting in the way) is before 6 am. Now, I’m not advocating that for you, but you may have to really give your schedule a shake to get more time at the harp into it!

    You’ll note that I have not indicated how much time to add, in what increments or up to what threshold. This is because it will be specific to each individual. If you’d like more guidance, feel free to contact me- I offer ergonomics lessons that focus on your specific performance which will help you determine the amount of time you should be adding to increase your play time and performance without also incurring injury. You know where to find me…

  • This Build up is not waxy or dulling – but rather gets you where you want to go!

    Last week I started talking about improving your condition so you could play better. But how do you do that, exactly?

    No matter what you decide to do this summer, make sure you condition yourself. Be prepared to spend more concentrated time on your bench. Remember that workshops are hard work – you do a lot of concentrating. So spend some quality time taxing your brain before you go – you want to be ready to take in more. This is not the time to start trying to sight read Faure’s collected works to perform – but you could spend a little more brain time as you get ready to go. Learn some easy pieces by ear, read something new (not to performance, just practice your reading).

    You’re going to be physically tired – you’re going to be working hard. And you’ll be spending your time doing things you don’t normally get to do – sitting at your harp! To have the stamina to spend that time on your bench, you should work up to it! Be sure your fingers, arms, shoulders, back and tush are ready for the demands you’re about to place on them. Spend more time at your harp in preparation. Be diligent about those exercises – get out your favorite book. I am currently switching back and forth between Grossi and Friou – use what works for you.

    And don’t forget to stretch. You’re doing a lot of hard work to prepare. Stretching will help keep you limber and flexible and stronger – more able to enjoy the workshop time. Be physically and mentally ready for your workshop – don’t let little nagging bits of unpreparedness ruin your summer workshop. Be prepared so you can soak up loads of learning. You may not be ready yet, but if you start now you’ll be ready to have a great workshop experience!

  • Conditions are favorable for Conditioning

    Last week I listed things that might help you prepare to get the most out of the summer program you choose for this year (or programs if you’re lucky!).  As I mentioned, all the events I listed are wonderful opportunities to learn new stuff, meet great people, and harp, harp, harp! But to get the most out of any event – you MUST be prepared. And to be prepared for the rigors of these summer outings – you must be in good condition.

    We all know that even a weekend workshop can be really draining – it is a lot of work to be in early lessons and late night sessions, lectures, practicing, coffee breaks and shopping – they all take their toll. In addition, these are chance to be surrounded by other harp players – some less advanced than we, others the shining stars of our world who turn out to be real, approachable people. All this amazing stuff takes energy. And it’s not that we don’t have the energy – we just don’t usually expend it all at once like that! Most of us are lucky to get an hour a day at our harps. So a weekend workshop in which we are at it from breakfast ‘til bedtime is a significant ramp up! And the week long events are even more challenging

    So, regardless of the program you elect to participate in this summer – make sure you condition yourself. Be prepared to spend more concentrated time on your bench – concentrating. Be sure your fingers, arms, shoulders, back and tush are ready for the demands you’re about to place on them.

    Also give your calendar a good hard look. Every workshop is chock full of information – new tunes, new techniques, new people, new approaches, new outlooks. So be kind to yourself – clear a little time around the event so that you won’t be rushed or stressed before you get there – be sure that your mind is in good condition to learn too!

    And when you get there – be there! Enjoy the time but focus on your harp life – don’t bring a bunch of other work with you – there’s not that much time, you’re going to be tired, and mostly likely, you came to the event to focus on your harp playing – other stuff can wait (not true emergencies of course, but work – make it wait!).

    Just imagine the condition you’ll be in when the activity is over – you’ll be flush with excitement, primed to go home and play more, ready to take on new challenges – you’ll be in fantastic condition!

  • Summer is coming and that means much more important things than bathing suit shopping!

    Throughout March I posted about harp opportunities that occur in the summer. I have personally attended each of these annual events and I am happy to encourage you to participate in them as well. Of course, if you were able to participate in only one, I would strongly suggest coming to Scotland on the Highlands and Islands Tour – because it is so much FUN – and we’ll have a great time! There are only a few seats remaining 22 – 29 August – a beautiful time to visit Scotland. You know the drill – if you’d like more information or to reserve your seats – go to my webpage: http://www.jeniuscreations.com/Harp_Tours_of_Scotland.php

    However, as I mentioned, all the events I listed are fantastic opportunities to learn, meet new people, talk harp, play harp, eat and sleep harp! But to get the most out of any event – you MUST be prepared. And to be prepared for the rigors of these summer outings – you must be in good condition.

    As with all future events, if you’re planning to get the most from the summer harp event you select – you want to be ready….and you know that I’m going to tell you the getting ready means setting some goals!

    I’d suggest that your primary goals be tied to the event you’ve chosen. Are you going to be able to hang not only through the workshops during the day but the sessions that go on all night at OSAS? Or are you going to go to a workshop during each period of Somerset? Are you going to come to Harp Camp and end the weekend elated and excited rather than elated and exhausted? Are you going to spend the week traveling through Scotland and come home with all the tunes learned?

    Your goal is up to you. But you also need to set interim goals that help move you along between now and when you go. Here are some suggestions:

    Improve your condition. Whether you need to work up to playing more each day or just need to improve your overall fitness so you’re more able to tackle learning more, you can establish smaller goals that help you get there with “check in points” along the way. This will assure you pace yourself and allow you to evaluate how you’re coming along.

    Build up your playing. No matter our level of experience, summer programs are fun – and tiring. One reason is that we don’t normally get to spend so much time playing – so be ready – build up! To do that, you need to figure out what will work for you, implement that plan, and assess that you’re sticking to it.

    Set a practice schedule. We are all busy. Frankly, deciding to go to a summer event adds more to your schedule than just the event itself – you have to get ready. Setting a schedule will help you do that.

    And remember that a goal also helps you keep your eye on the prize – remember every day what you are working toward and thank yourself for doing this small thing for you!

  • To wrap up our March on Spring Planning

    I’ve taken the month of March to tell you about some great harp opportunities that are available this summer. I mention these particular events because I have participated in each of these events in the past.  I am confident that if you choose to go to any of these you will have an excellent learning opportunity – and you’ll have fun!  There are many harp events throughout the summer and this was not meant to be an exhaustive list – just a sampling, so I’ll end with the last of my suggestions – Harp Camp.

    I’m particularly partial to Harp Camp because it is not only where I have such fun teaching and sharing – it is also where my harp life began.  This will be the 16th consecutive year for Harp Camp and each year Director Kris Snyder puts together a wonderful teaching staff.  I wasn’t at the first few, but I am delighted to be invited back again this year.  Lucy Stevens, the wonderful arranger and performer, will also be teaching this summer. I am so excited – we have done all the planning and have put together a really nice workshop for you – if I may say so myself!

    Harp Camp is a great learning environment.  The setting and the facilities allow participants to be comfortable.  That comfort allows you to safely try new things, meet new people and ideas, and grow regardless of your level of experience and expertise. In fact, Harp Camp is an excellent place to come if you have never played the harp before and are not certain it is for you. At my first harp camp, two of us were in that category…one is now a harper (me) and the other decided that it wasn’t really for her, but don’t worry, she had another instrument to fall back on.

    Harp Camp will be in the lovely Glen in Southeastern PA which is beautiful (that’s not really what its called – but that’s what it reminds me of).  This setting lets you breathe and be creative.  In addition, we have a variety of activities that all contribute to our growth,  In case you’re worried, we don’t spend 8 hours a day slaving behind our harps – we spend the days in a variety of activities and we have FUN too! We approach developing our musicianship in a number of different ways and in many modalities – it’s exciting and I am very thrilled to be returning!  We have a variety of learning experiences, exploring basics of music, technique, performance, as well as creativity, ensemble play, arranging and writing, improvisation, and other aspects of being a solid musician. We also play games, enjoy good company, and play a lot of great music together. It’s a busy workshop – jam packed with harpy goodness!

    We’ll be updating the website so you can find all the particulars and I’ll post here when the information is available.   Don’t forget the date – join us for Harp Camp 28, 29, and 30 July!

  • The REAL highlight of the Harp Summer

    I have been posting about some of my favorite music opportunities for the summer.  Each of them is an event I have participated in and really enjoyed as well as learning a great deal.  Summer is a great time to learn and a wonderful time to play the harp. 

    But by far and away, my favorite summer harp activity is GOING TO SCOTLAND!  We do have a couple of spots left in the Harp in the Highlands and Islands tour in August.  As much fun as it is to go to schools, though, it is nothing like actually going to Scotland and playing harp tunes smack in the middle of the places the tunes evoke!  It is a breathtaking experience to sit in a castle and play a tune that was written to honor the Laird or to look over a field and play a march that commemorates the bloody history that occurred there – reminding us that people live history every day.

    As you can see, we had a great time last year – and this year looks to be even better! 

    And you can live your own harp history – come with us!  We go along the byways – not the highways – to see the parts of Scotland most people never see.  Through villages and along Lochs we find our way to the gems – and learn the music associated with them.  Accommodations are wonderful and the food in incredible!  Each day brings more – wonder, beauty, history, scenery.  And you may think I’m just gushing to get you to come – but really I’m gushing because I can’t believe how lucky I am that I get to go and see the sites, play the tunes, and show you the things I love about Scotland.

    I hope you’ll join me – for more details, go to http://www.jeniuscreations.com/Harp_Tours_of_Scotland.php.

  • Summer time at Somerset

    The Somerset Folk Harp Festival will be held in Parsippany, NJ July 14-17 and in conjunction with the Historical Harp Society Conference.  Somerset is a great conference – see people you know, meet people you’ve only dreamed of meeting, and learn from some of the brightest stars in our modern harp pantheon.  With over 90 workshops to choose from the question is not will there be anything to go to but rather how will you ever decide on just a few in the available time.  In addition, the vendor area is a veritable cornucopia of temptation and delight with products ranging from delightful jewelry and trinkets to harps that are beautiful, mellifluous and harp-lust inducing!  And if it needs it, you can even take your harp to the doctor – and have it regulated!  All in one place and for an excellent price.

    No matter your interest area – historic, wire, Celtic, Latin, classical, bedside – there will be workshops.  There are sessions on business, teaching, and other “tools of the trade” for professionals and those contemplating becoming professionals.  And there are excellent concerts each day of the event.  And even more – there are jams, the Carolan marathon, fancy dinners,  meeting old friends, making new friends, and harps everywhere! 

    Somerset is well run, fun, informative, and worth the trip.  Early Bird registration offers a great deal on the registration price and is open until May 14th.  For all the details go to the website (being updated frequently with even more information, presenters, performers, exhibitors and more) – http://www.somersetharpfest.com/.  Don’t miss it!