Tag Archives: Free Printable

Keeping Track

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I know you’ve all had “that week”. The one where a  seemingly small thing throws a gorilla wrench into the works.  I’d say monkey wrench,  but the outcome is outsized and puts a crimp in your plans.

So this week, although I had planned a lovely and informative discussion about thinking, my laptop died on me. And frankly, while I’m grateful you’re reading, I’m not inclined to write that many words from my phone. So, we’ll table that discussion for now and instead, I’ll pass along something I can easily do with my (opposable) thumbs!🫱🫲

It is now summer, officially.  We’ve passed meteorological summer, Memorial Day and here’s the Solstice.

I know summer is busy and fun and it’s easy to forget, “Did I practice today?” And in fact sometimes it becomes, “Did I touch my harp this week?”

So, my thumbs and I are pleased to present you with a fun Practice Tracker for the summer.  Just click on the picture below and print it. 

Each day you play or practice,  color in a leaf.  It’s that easy!

I hope this makes you smile, and leads you to intend to practice.  At the end of the summer, I hope you’ll have leafed through it and found success (get it?).

I’m planning to start at the bottom and as I get closer to autumn, I’ll let the leaves start to turn color.  Hope you’ll join me! Let me know in the comments.

Doubt

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This week I was feeling the need for a little inspiration – probably because it’s August and summer and sunny and delightful, so of course I want to be outside enjoying the niceness.  But I’ve got other things to do…like practice.  Do you ever notice how when you most need to practice you also most feel like you need to be more than that?  Or maybe that’s just me.  Either way, this week, just a little share.  If you feel that way sometimes too, this can serve as a reminder that when you’re standing on the horizon, nothing looks close (or do-able) but just like the dawn, just give it a sec and you’ll get there — don’t doubt!

Subscribers received this as a letter sized print.  Not subscribed?  We can fix that – just go here.  Did you like this (or something like it)? Let me know in the comments!

From me to you

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The tyranny of the invisible thingies continues.  And this makes many remain feeling a little unsettled.  We pretend that words like AloneTogether make us feel better – but really, they don’t.  The upside is that we have the technology to keep reaching out to one another – to maintain contact and be together even though we’re at least six feet apart.

Since we have this connection, I wanted to reach out to you my subscribers – with a little poster you might want to print out.  I made it to help cheer you when you’re not feeling so much like playing…even while you know playing will probably help you feel a little bit better and help you to count your joys.

This whole thing won’t last long (in the grand scheme), so stay safe, stay the course, stay home.  And keep practicing.  Maybe take your harp out to the sunshine and play for your neighbors to help cheer them as well and share a joy for them to count as well.

Not a subscriber yet?  You can sign up here.

Harp Room Bling

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Sometimes you just need a little, visible nudge to remind you of what is important to you.  So this week – a downloadable poster.  Print it out (up to 18 in x 24 in) and hang it up near your harp so you remember each time you sit.  Yes it’s goofy – but if it makes you focus or makes you laugh, at least you’ll already be at your harp – so you might as well play a little.To get your copy – just let me know you would like to have it – leave me a comment and I’ll get it to you!

What to play?

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How about a free arrangement of a classic?

We are always casting about for new things to play.  I am forever looking for tunes to add to my repertoire that meet my criteria:

  • I like the tune (after all, I have to learn it and then will hopefully play it forever, over and over again – liking it is very helpful)
  • It fits on the harp (because if I’m going to keep it, I have to be able to play it!)
  • It’s “catchy” (the tune structure lends itself to being easily parsed and remembered – because I need to learn it – typically quickly!)

Catchy is also helpful when people are listening – catchy means that they will recognize the tune more easily (and probably like it too).  And playing what people want to hear is one key to success. 

Classics are, by definition, well known and typically well liked.  And you’re probably going to be asked to play them.  So, having some under your belt will help you shine when you’re playing for anyone (want to bet your cat probably knows all the standards already too?).

So this week, the tune I’ll share with you is a classic traditional tune – well-known, well loved, and currently well used.  Everyone should have this one in their toolbox.  This arrangement is designed to be playable by advanced beginners.  The tune itself is short and so you’ll need to develop some of your own ideas too to make it last longer than a musical amuse bouche.  Use this arrangement as a launching board. 

The tune is hot right now since it is being used as the theme for the Outlander television series – the Skye Boat Song.  It is a song, so feel free to inflect it with all the emotion the lyrics suggest to you.  There is no joy to expansive, no pathos too pathetic – really work your musicality muscles.  And enjoy playing it!

This arrangement is free to subscribers.  Not a subscriber?  It’s easy, just sign up here and each week you’ll get a direct link to the blog, the occasional freebee and more. 

Let me know how you like the tune in the comments.  And if you’re really excited about it, send me a recording of what you’ve done – I’d love to hear from you!