My new goal for 2020, is to post more often, and with more focus. That said, life is what music is, so life will definitely impact my postings.

I am concentrating on simplicity...in my relationships, in my interactions and also, in my creation and playing  of music. When playing in a therapeutic manner, the self is sublimated..not the major focus. Certainly, I need to be prepared, aware, knowledgeable and compassionate...but my ego needs to be checked at the door. The ownership of any positive outcomes for a patient and their family is not because of me...the "performer", (healing music is never a performance)..but instead requires me to be a compassionate giver of a musical gift. The music is given, and I step away. Certainly, I admit that it deeply matters to me that I do my best...but not for me...but instead, for the patient and their family.

Musically, my offerings need to become simple and beautiful...playing more simply requires a much different set of skills in order to be filled with beauty and healing. The shape of my hands, the openness of my arms and body, the proper contact of my fingers with the strings. These things bring beauty to the harp. Fundamentals are key. As a flute player, I've had more than my fair share of difficult musical scores. 16th and 32nd notes ascending into the 3rd and 4th octave at the speed of light...this type of playing involves a very specific skill set...and the beauty of these passages is often tied to speed, agility,  breath support, phrasing and accuracy. Now, playing for others, as a tool for lessening pain, regulating pulse and respiration, supporting alertness, enjoining memories, or helping in transitions is totally different. Especially on a harp.

As part of my training, I work with a mentor. As such, I submit regular mp3 files of my playing...each sample geared toward the age and medical needs of the patient. There have been several huge adjustments that I have been asked to make...rhythm, tempo, phrasing, multi-focal playing, increase in repertoire...all have kicked my tush to the curb...but I have made progress. The hardest thing I've needed to do....the thing that continues to hang on in my playing...is my ability (or lack there of), to play simplistically but beautifully.

The harp is known for its employment of arpeggiated chords, glissandos and flourishes...these techniques are "signature moves" in the harp world. These devices can add beauty to the most simplistic of melodies...and often, these skills are often relegated in some form, to the left hand of the harpist....except...when playing at bedside. Healing music is pure, unadulterated, minimally embellished and made beautiful not by the number of notes played...or the speed...but by thoughtful technique...pure, beautifully and thoughtfully phrased...uncomplicated. As a musician, simple technique and musical phrasing can be VERY deceiving. It is a true skill to develop beautiful, full, rich tones...defined by hand position, finger placement, sustain, well-aligned pitch, and well placed pauses. The location of the hands on the strings, the pulling of the string into the palm...the relaxation of the shoulders...the fluidity of the arms and proper bend of the wrist all make each note sing. I am even learning that correct posture with a full and open thoracic cavity colors the voice of each note...and the overall sound of my harp.

My mentor, Pat, is a very knowledgeable and patient person. Time and time again, when hearing my Mp3 samples, she responds: "Stop using your left hand so much!" and "Declutter your playing!" and who can forget  the ultimate admonishment: "Just put your left hand in your lap!" And so, I am forced to really listen to the way that I play...not the what...the way. Talk about humbling...and exciting.

How do I get these very important basics to become second nature? By having a deeply respected teacher with the patience of Job. I want to give great credit and thanks to my amazing harp teacher Christa Grix. She is stunning in her ability to get me to the basics, and she is helping me turn my playing into something beautiful, something healing and something magical.
Thanks and love Christa.

Thanks for Reading...

Welcome to 2020! I am back in the saddle and rested up, completely ready to continue my studies for my CCM! I am trying to improve in all areas of my musicianship, especially as it pertains to mastering the harp. I am sure that mastering such an instrument is a life long pursuit, and I have no illusions about this process....but I feel that any growth and improvement makes me more capable of ministering to others with harp and song.

I have been busy working on skills that are important to establishing good "Harp Habits".  I have begun serious study twice monthly with a most excellent and accomplished teacher of the harp. Christa Grix is an astounding musician...creative, technically and musically accomplished, steeped in technique and dedicated to the harp as an extension of herself. What an amazing role model and mentor! She has been helping me to address many bad habits I have acquired as a self-taught harper....chief among these issues has been posture, arm position, hand position and correct contact with the strings to produce the most beautiful sound from my harp. Thumbs up! She is strict, but encouraging. She is exactly what I need...a teacher to hold me accountable and to continually challenge me.

Additionally I have begun to use Musescore, a music publishing program, to begin committing my many compositions to paper. This is a very good skill to have, as many of my songs are languishing on scraps of paper and old notebook pages. I was encouraged to begin this process by yet another important mentor: Carolyn Deal. She is the Queen of the Double-Strung Harp (My title for her!)
Her creative approach to the double-strung harp has literally blown open my skillset for this amazing instrument. I play both single-strung and double-strung harps...but...there are just literally hundreds of things that can been accomplished on a double-strung harp, that are not possible with one set of strings!

In November, Carolyn assembled a group of 6 double-strung  harpers and asked us to contribute to a project she was envisioning....a booklet/folio of music containing 6 unique arrangements of a well-known Christmas Carol...our assignment: write and arrange this tune for the double-strung harp. The tune: Deck the Halls. What an honor and a challenge to be included in this group of excellent musicians!
The good news...I'm included...the challenge...learning to use a new music publishing app, while creating my unique arrangement...whew! Did I mention there was a time crunch? After all...what good is a rendition of a Christmas Carol after Christmas?? The victory: I met my deadline and was satisfied with my contribution. This folio of music has been available to hundreds of double-strung players via Carolyn's website, Patreon Page and on the Double-Strung Harp FaceBook Page. WOW!

My new and exciting news is that I have been asked by Eve Stone (the builder of all my double-strung harps: Stoney End Harps), and Denise Grupp-Verbon (the director and creator of my FAVORITE Harp Festival the "Harp Gathering"), to facilitate/present a workshop about the double-strung harp at the next Harp Gathering in May 2020. This is a huge, HUGE honor for me! It will be a "meet and greet" for anyone who is curious about the double-strung harp and its unique offerings to harp players. Eve is even providing several double-strung harps for the workshop, so participants can get their hands on one of these amazing harps. Even better, is that my amazing double-strung mentor Carolyn Deal has supported this undertaking and is going to help me with content, pacing and other suggestions! Gosh...this girl sure feels blessed beyond measure!

Well...back to music editing and writing for now...my current composition is entitled "Gravity" and was performed publicly last Sunday. It seemed to be well-received by my harp cohorts who also have the blessing of studying with Christa Grix. God is Good!