Category Archives: Holiday

Gift Guide for 2024

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Gift Guide for 2024

It’s gift giving time. That glorious time of year when the days are short, time is shorter, tempers might be shortest of all. And it’s not like it doesn’t come along every year at the same time. No matter which winter holidays you celebrate, there’s gifting involved. And where there’s gifting, there’s stress over what to give and whether it will be the best gift given.

Well, I have a shortcut for you! People love handmade presents. And there’s nothing like the present. And when you present someone with their gift that you have made especially for them, while you might have trepidation, they are just too busy being delighted to notice.

What better handmade present than to share your music? There really isn’t one. Your recipient instinctively knows that there’s a little part of you in the music. They know you had to work hard to bring their gift into the world. They know how precious that time is – because the music is ephemeral. And they can carry it with them for the rest of their life because while it is ephemeral it is also permanent as a memory. They might be extra happy that they don’t have to find a place to put your gift (or dust it) because it will be stored in their heart/brain.

You might not have thought making music for someone is a gift, but it is. You need to value it as such. And I don’t just mean for kids to give their parents – although I have found that this motivation helps my kid students focus on learning their Christmas tunes. And I have to give a special thanks to my parents who taught me at a young age that playing for someone is a good present (although I never really believed them – until I started teaching).

Because you want each gift to “fit” you can choose from many options:

If you have a fan(s) – you can play a concert! (not kidding). Play all the tunes they love – a curated playlist just for them.

If you have a supporter – you can compose a tune for them (or an improvisation – you know a composition that you don’t bother to write out fully). Play it one off (with a heartfelt, “I made this for you!”) or make it part of the concert you give them.

You can make them a recording to take with them. Good quality recording is available easily now so you can probably make a solid attempt with your phone and a quiet room. If you really want to make yourself crazy, you can use a free editor to put the whole thing together.

  • Really a glutton for punishment? You could use that recording to make a video with pictures and snippet videos embedded with the music. Use graphics that share your thoughts and feelings about the music (e.g., you could find some video of eagles on the wing to pair with a soaring melody or a photo of a fire for a cozy tune).

If you’re crafty, you could go in other directions and still reflect your music.

You might have an admirer who listens to you practice all the time. This might make you feel like a performance isn’t a good fit. How about decorating a score and framing it? Use the dots from one of their favorite tunes. This can be plain with just the score in a frame, or you can literally decorate it by making a picture from the shape of the melody. Or you can draw and paint on the score as a canvas. There are so many possibilities!

You could knit a scarf that represents the music of their favorite tune. I thought of this when I watched my friend make a “sky scarf” that reflected how sunny, cloudy, rainy, or snowy the day had been. No reason you couldn’t also knit the “story” of your music! Chose the colors that you “hear” to reflect the mood of the tune and (if you’re a better knitter than I) even change stitches to reflect the shape of the melody.

How about a bake that incorporates the tune? Shortbread would go with absolutely any Scottish tune. Soda bread for your Irish? Cream horns to play hornpipes? Sacher torte for your favorite Viennese waltz? You get the idea. You can have a tea party or refreshments for your concert.

That’s just a few ideas to help move your holiday gifting along. I know you have other, better ideas. Let me know what you’ve made or are planning to make to share your love with your giftees – leave me a comment (you know the drill).

Happy Thanksgiving!

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It’s that time of the year when we take a beat to be grateful and thankful for all we have and all we have been spared. I hope you know that I am grateful that you share your time with me. Here, I made this to share with you.

Happy Thanksgiving

PS – looks like I might be back in business publishing blog posts here on the website. Thank you to all my subscribers who have hung in there while we got this worked on! I’ll get caught up on previous posts soon! Until then – let me know what you think of the email or if you prefer to read here on the blog. I always appreciate hearing from you! Let me know in the comments (yay – so glad to say that again!).

Remember & Honor

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Remember & Honor

It’s Memorial Day – a day to remember and honor all those who have lost their lives in combat protecting those things we hold dear. In the middle of enjoying a day off and the unofficial start to summer, take a moment of gratitude.

Gift Guide – Part B

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Gift Guide – Part B

Last week we listed some gift ideas you could share with the people in your life who might ask what you would like to receive this holiday season. Now let’s flip the script. What gifts could you give from there on your bench?

Like any gift guide, this means matching the giving intention to the recipient and there are so many possibilities!

  • You can play for your family. You might think that your family listens to you play every day so this wouldn’t be a good gift. But the reality is that they probably don’t listen to you practice. They might hear you, but they’re probably not listening. They will enjoy having a specific time to sit and actually listen to the fruits of your labors. They are, after all, your biggest supporters.
  • Jane Austen is calling! There was a time when it was expected that each person would take their turn being entertaining for guests. Invite your supportive friends over and, as part of the time together, play for them. You’d be amazed how many of your friends don’t even know you play the harp, and how many of those who do know have never heard you play.
  • Play for someone special. This can be as complicated or as simple as you want to make it. You have all the tools – just get out of your own way. Play the music you hear in your head.  Don’t have a lot of noise going on up there? Stumped on where to start? Set your harp to C major and play only the white strings (thank you Marianna!) and diddle around. Run your recorder. Go back and listen, find what you like and put that stuff together. Practice that, toss in a left hand (hint – start with G) and boom! a handmade present!
  • Give a concert. Why not! You need a venue (your living room?), an audience (friends, family, neighbors), and you need 3 to 20 tunes (depending on how long you want to perform). Add some “patter” (it is a show, you are the MC) and wine or tea and cookies and you’re in business. It doesn’t have to be Carnegie Hall, just play.
  • Volunteer. Go to a nursing home or a rehab facility and play for them (or for the staff). You can do this anytime of year but the holidays seem like a good time to start (this does require a bit coordination, but so worth it).

It’s also amazing how good you’ll feel after sharing your gift of music.  What else could you do with your harp to give someone a lovely gift? I’ve given you several ideas here, but I bet you have better ones – let me know in the comments.

Updated Gift Guide

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Updated Gift Guide

It is holiday time and someone might ask you what you’d like to receive.  A couple of years ago, I posted a Gift Guide and it’s that time again, so I thought I’d add to the list. 

Don’t just go out and buy these things for yourself – leave them as gift opportunities!  You can be very specific so you do receive what you want.  It’s easy when you send a link and include the size, color, number with it!  And your givers will be delighted to have gotten you something you are sure to enjoy.

Some things (including your suggestions):

  • A nice, comfortable, packable performance dress. Preferably washable and flattering.  And pockets! (gotta put your key somewhere while on stage!).
  • A nice, comfortable pair of performance shoes to go with that dress.
  • Memberships/Subscriptions to your favorite Harp Journals – Folk Harp Journal, American Harp Society, Harp Column, Scottish Harp Society of America
  • Accessories bags. Corral your stuff in your harp case pocket or gig bag!  A bag for your spare strings or your electronic tuner or your key.  You need a place for your stand lamp, your cough drops, Kleenex, etc.  Believe me, it’s easier to find stuff when you need it if it’s organized!
  • Music sounds – cds, downloads, membership to some horrible-rip-off-streaming-service – we all learn better by listening.  It’s also good to hear new-to-you music.
  • Music paper – sheet music you’ve been drooling over but haven’t been able to justify buying? Here are some excellent choices!*
  • Workshop or lessons – there are loads of workshops, summer schools, and getaways offered all over the country (actually the world). And lessons or coaching are always a good idea!
  • Travel – What could be more fun than going on a cool trip – with me to a places known for harp?!  Check out the 2024 itinerary here.*
  • Tickets – few things are as exhilarating – or motivating – as attending a live performance!
  • Cleaning supplies – whether you prefer a Swiffer or a soft bristle brush, put it on your list. You could get two, one for home and one to keep in your case.
  • Harp jewelry – can you ever have too many harp necklaces or earrings?  And you can support a small business while you’re at it.  I’ve really enjoyed the things I’ve gotten from harpjewelry**

So, while you’re making your list and checking it twice, what else would make wonderful holiday gifts that you’d love to get?  Let me know in the comments!

* Shameless plug!  ** Unaffiliated, but if you’ve ever met me in person, you know I love my harp necklace!

Favorites

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It’s not too late

One of my favorite Christmas carols is one that I don’t think I ever sang.  I still don’t sing it.  I don’t know the words.  But it’s still my favorite.

Why?  Don’t know.  It’s just another one of those tunes that wakes me up in the middle of the night, running through my head.

I learned this tune (I know, i just said I never sang it – but I do know the tune!) listening to Christmas records as a kid.  We had an album with it.  It was sung by a Boys’ Choir (could have been Vienna, St. Martin’s, Ersatz, not sure).  I imagine that I remember the cover but I think it have concocted an amalgamation of the covers of the ones I remember best.  I don’t remember ever hearing it on the radio or in the Christmas specials on TV.  But it has not left me.

I also never remembered the name of it. I never got any of the words (no liner notes – the ONLY way I ever get lyrics right!).  And so, into my adulthood, it remained this tune that ran through my head, unaccompanied by a desire to play it, to seek it out (after all, it comes up unbidden!).  Until, one day a dear friend started to tell the story of a defining moment in his life.  I won’t tell his story here (he tells it brilliantly and it is his story) but it centered on the Christmas carol, Once in Royal David’s City.  I hadn’t ever heard that one, so I asked him and he graced me by singing it (in his lovely voice).

And then I knew…it was that tune I love that I didn’t know the name of!

And that sparked a (new) desire to actually play this tune that has been on intermittent repeat (to be fair, it didn’t play in my head for years there in the middle). It is from a hymn tune originally entitled Irby written by the English composer Henry Gauntlett (1805 – 1876).  He was an interesting guy – he was a champion for Beethoven, Bach.  And apparently a brilliant organist – Mendelssohn selected him to play a premiere. Of course, I think he’s fab – he invented a new kind of organ because the ones available weren’t serving the music well enough! (OBTW, if you’re interested, the lyrics were written by Irish poet Cecil Frances Alexander, herself wonderfully accomplished as well.)

So, after all that, I really enjoy playing this carol (still don’t know the words!). But since I enjoy it so much, I wanted to share it with you!  It’s a fairly simple tune so for a little work, you could have it ready for Christmas if you like.  It’s not one everyone plays, so it’ll be a nice addition to your set.  I, of course, have written an arrangement and I’d be delighted if you play it.  But remember two important things.  First, the melody is the thing (so play at your level).  Second, be you!  This is how I might play it but feel free to start here and do you!  You’ll find it here.

I hope you enjoy it – let me know how it goes in the comments!

Happy Thanksgiving!

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It’s that time of the year when we pause to be thankful.  It is always good to give thanks for the bounties in our lives – family, friends, community.  I hope that you know how much I appreciate you being a part of my community, all of you.  Thank you for spending time with me each week and for sharing your thoughts, questions, and insights.  I am grateful for you and your time.  Happy Thanksgiving!