Why should you attend other harp concerts?

Music concerts aren't always the most interesting. You have to sit so stiffly and be absolutely silent, sometimes the pieces are ridiculously long, and sometimes you don't really understand why anyone would decide we needed a 3 movement concerto for some obscure instrument. But harp concerts are important for reasons other than just listening to the music. This is where you can learn about the kind of harpist you want to be.

It took me a long time to realize that I shouldn't be listening to harp CDs or recitals so that I could imitate them. I finally realized, that I could pick and choose, like photoshopping my own musical style together from 6 different musicians. I don't like how some harpists play their dynamics, and I do like how other harpists stretch and push their music. One of the best lessons I ever learned was that it's OK to dislike how another harpist plays. Especially when you're either young or new to harp, it's hard to cut off the part of your mind that assumes that all adults always know what they're doing and are always right. And disliking a musician's playing style doesn't mean what they're doing is wrong. It's like if you dislike the color purple, and it's my favorite color.

Try going to harp concerts and listening to CDs. See how it shapes how you would like to sound. And of course, don't limit yourself to only harpists. I think I learned the most about putting emotion in my music from Itzhak Perlman's recording of the famous Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto. See what's out there, and you'll be surprised by how much you learn about yourself. Happy listening!

Cut your nails for next lesson. Cut your nails for next lesson. Cut your nails for next lesson.

You've all heard me say it in lesson, and most of you have seen me write it down for you to accomplish at home. Why do we need to cut our nails to play the harp?

First of all, it makes your sound so much cleaner. You aren't constantly hitting other strings accidentally, or buzzing because your fingers are longer than they should be.

Secondly, it helps your speed. We play on our fingertips right? Well if you always have to readjust your hand to reach your fingertips on the strings, you're going to lose the rhythm and tempo you should be maintaining.

Thirdly, glissandos. A good glissando has movement, momentum, and a strong tone. Whispy glissandos sound nice in the studio by yourself, but with an orchestra, on a stage, or in a piece that is triple forte, you need strong glissandos (glissandi?) to make it work, as Tim Gunn would say. To make a strong gliss, you have to hook your finger, right? How can you hook and drag your fingertip without breaking your nails?

Some harpists leave their pinky nails long, and only cut the nails on the fingers they use. I don't do this, because it inevitably drives me crazy to only have one nail. So keep those nails short, and your harping will sound much better. And on the plus side, if someone wants you to open their pop or untie a knot, you can always say, "can't! I have no nails!"

Twitter article: a harpist who plays in grocery stores

I found an article a while back about a harpist who plays in grocery stores! I think it's interesting that the stores were so open to the idea, it seems like a lot of negotiations would be involved. What if someone hits your harp with a cart? Who's responsible, the harpist, the cart pusher, or the store? Does the harpist get paid by the store, or rely on tips? Where do you think the harp loads in, through the automatic doors or the back? What about the temperature, grocery stores are not always room temperature. Are you considered an employee of the store? So many different angles to think about, I wish the article had addressed the uniqueness of this situation a little more, rather than stating facts about the harp that are easy to find elsewhere. Still, when you start out a career in harp, people suggest you play in schools, libraries, conventions, restaurants, but I've never heard grocery store! What would you think if you were looking for carrots and saw a harp instead?