It was supposed to be a community carol sing with the town’s Concert Band – the first since the Pandemic. But when rain damped those plans,  HARPIST Carol Booth,  jumped in with her IMPROV SKILLS, reindeer hat and harp to save the spirit of the season in the little village of Lorne, New South Wales

It was our community Carol singing this evening. The town concert band was booked to play and lead the singing…. But it rained…. And occupational health and safety… (not to mention they didn’t want damp instruments). The band couldn’t play in the rain.

This was the first Carol Singing since Covid and it had been widely advertised. It was either do something or do nothing… so I rounded up a guitarist and a singer.

DHC, the only music we had was your Holiday Lead Sheets on my iPad.

We were nowhere near musically accurate but we were enthusiastic. Heaps of feedback that the crowd really enjoyed it.

Thank you DHC! I could never have imagined doing this before joining the Hip Harp Academy.

It simply wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t learned from you:

• connection … not perfection
• leave out what you can’t play
• keep it simple
• have fun.

P.S. (writes Carol) The other really important thing that I learned from you operating here is ‘gestures!’ Make it look and feel like it’s music even if you’re just playing air-harp or plucking a single note because it’s all you can see on the lead sheet. Be PRESENT.  (And don’t be afraid to play glissandos.)

“I have been performing this tune in a 12-bar format with my pianist. I prefer DHC’s version because it gives me more freedom on the harp.” ~ Debra Sawyer

Debra Sawer performs DHC’s Sous Chef for her Blues Final Beginning Project. Debra has been performing the tune with her pianist, but is enjoying the freedom she gets when she plays it with her harp.

Debra is one of the daring harpists who are challenging themselves to develop new ways of self-expression in Hip Harp Academy by combining the skills and tools of improv with each person’s natural abilities and passions – creating new hybrids of expression that expand what it means to be a harp player.

DEBRA SAYS …

“I find the Blues is a genre I really feel comfortable with. It means to me I can get up and sing the Blues.”

I find the Blues is a genre 
I really feel comfortable with. It means 
to me I can get up and sing the Blues. Click To Tweet

1. Describe your final project.

Singing and Playing DHC’s Sous Chef as my blues project.

2. What principles from this course or from chats did you use to develop, perform, and record this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

Learning and doing the Blues form over and over in different keys; Feeling out the pentatonic scale in this particular key and 14-bar format. Feeling the freedom to play around and experiment with this tune.

I was challenged by trying to stay fluid and emotive in the song while being able to perform the lever flips and movements on the harp. I kept finding ways around it the more I played the song. Click To Tweet

3. Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – both logistically and emotionally.

I have been performing this tune in a 12-bar format with my pianist. I prefer DHC’s version because it gives me more freedom on the harp. I still don’t have the lyrics all memorized – but I’m working on it so I can play it the way I feel it. it requires emotive expression! 😉

4. What freedoms and blocks within yourself did you connect with (or struggle with) in the process?

First block of the night- learning to use the Scarlet. Tonight, I broke a wire string-last block of the night! HOWEVER,  I found the freedom in playing with the form, As I continue to streamline it, clean it up, and hopefully play it with others, I hope to find myself in its groove and then ask DHC’s permission to use it publically. The blocks in process were putting the voice and harp together fluidly.

As I continue to streamline it, clean it up, and hopefully play it with others, I hope to find myself in its groove... Click To Tweet

5. What challenges did you meet while connecting with your own freedom of expression in this project?

I was challenged by trying to stay fluid and emotive in the song while being able to perform the lever flips and movements on the harp. I kept finding ways around it the more I played the song.

6. What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned in this class, and how?

I find the blues is a genre I really feel comfortable with. It means to me I can get up and sing the blues. Playing and singing together is even mo better. And most better playing with others!

7. What were your personal “Ahas”?

Ah Ha! Not to be afraid of the free form, to continue to explore, and to experiment with the scale and harmonies of the scale as it appears in different keys.

8. Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

I broke a wire after the first take. Boo Hoo!!. Didn’t have a backup wire. Boo Hoo!! Ordered some from Virginia Harp Center pronto! Yahoo!

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Hey, thanks for reading this example of what it’s like to go thru a course with me! Did you have Aha’s or revelations watching the video & reading the answers she wrote? Add your comments below. Please – no critiques – just share what you learned from someone courageously sharing a project that’s the BEGINNING of a lifelong learning journey.

Check out the beginning of a lifelong #harp learning journey Click To Tweet

Want to do some courageous learning yourself? Click here to check out Hip Harp Academy where daring harpists get their creative wings.

“Doing the early jazz-stride piece Ain’t Misbehavin’ with my brother Bill ~ Betty Herloski

Betty Herloski is joined by her brother for their rendition of Fats Waller’s Ain’t Misbehavin’. Betty adds video effects, such as giving the suggestion of old-time movies.

Betty is one of the daring harpists who are challenging themselves to develop new ways of self-expression in Hip Harp Academy by combining the skills and tools of improv with each person’s natural abilities and passions – creating new hybrids of expression that expand what it means to be a harp player.

BETTY SAYS …

“You don’t always have to go it alone. In fact sometimes you need to give up a little freedom to gain it.”

You don’t always have to go it alone. In fact sometimes you need to give up a little freedom to gain it. Click To Tweet

1. Describe your final project.

Doing the early jazz-stride piece “Ain’t Misbehavin” with my brother Bill. Practicing playing along with others and also playing around with a few video effects.

2. What principles from this course or from chats did you use to develop, perform, and record this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

Slap base and stride – watching other people playing play in groups. The idea of connection not perfection. Looking for the patterns in the music. Getting courage to post my own videos from others posting their videos. 

I had to talk myself into taping and not being too critical of myself. Click To Tweet

3. Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – both logistically and emotionally.

Emotionally I had to talk myself into taping and not being too critical of myself. Logistically, I needed to get together in the same place as my brother and try to tape with a lot of commotion going on outside the room we were taping in. 

4. What freedoms and blocks within yourself did you connect with (or struggle with) in the process?

I had the freedom just to play along and have fun rather than being the focused on playing the whole piece perfectly by myself.  My blocks – just getting myself to do it. I have severe performance anxiety.

Being perfectly imperfect is okay. Life is more than perfection, it’s the connection we have with others that are important. Click To Tweet

5. What challenges did you meet while connecting with your own freedom of expression in this project?

Sharing the spotlight with someone else – working together off the page and just listening and looking for cues. Just being in front of a camera and videotaping has always been hard. Overcoming extreme feelings of nervousness. 

6. What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned in this class, and how?

You don’t always have to go it alone. In fact, sometimes you need to give up a little freedom to gain it. I learned from the chats and office hours that every situation has the opportunity to learn something, and it’s not always what you expect. 

7. What were your personal “Ahas”?

Personal ahas – looking at music and discovering the chord progressions and realizing that it was easier than I thought. When I’m playing along with someone else my mind wasn’t on the taping or performing – it was just fun. Also I learned even very technically advanced players got nervous too! Being perfectly imperfect is okay. Life is more than perfection, it’s the connection we have with others that are important. 

8. Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

My family has always played music together for fun and usually the really old songs. It’s something I haven’t done in a long time.  I also had fun trying out video effects.

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Hey, thanks for reading this example of what it’s like to go thru a course with me! Did you have Aha’s or revelations watching the video & reading the answers she wrote? Add your comments below. Please – no critiques – just share what you learned from someone courageously sharing a project that’s the BEGINNING of a lifelong learning journey.

Check out the beginning of a lifelong #harp learning journey Click To Tweet

Want to do some courageous learning yourself? Click here to check out Hip Harp Academy where daring harpists get their creative wings.

“Making this video actually allowed me to come back to myself, my inner peace and so regain new, positive energy.” ~ Heleen Vandeputte

Heleen Vandeputte shares photos of her trip to Brazil accompanied by meditative harp music. The music is based on chords from a Brazilian children’s song and uses inspiration sayings from Yoga.

Heleen is one of the daring harpists who are challenging themselves to develop new ways of self-expression in Hip Harp Academy by combining the skills and tools of improv with each person’s natural abilities and passions – creating new hybrids of expression that expand what it means to be a harp player.

HELEEN SAYS …

“From the chats I used: “keep it simple”, “go back to the essence”, use images on music, try out new things…..”

From the chats I used: keep it simple, go back to the essence, use images on music, try out new things Click To Tweet

1. Describe your final project.

This is a meditative video, with harp music based on slow chords from a Brazilian children song, pictures from our trip to Brazil and some sentences that were inspired by a Yoga class I took long time ago……

2. What principles from this course or from chats did you use to develop, perform, and record this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

From the chats I used: “keep it simple”, “go back to the essence”, use images on music, try out new things…..

Making this video actually allowed me to come back to myself, my inner peace and so regain new, positive energy. Click To Tweet

3. Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – both logistically and emotionally.

For the moment, I play more often for meditation sessions, yoga sessions, ….. September is a month of new beginnings, beginning of a new school year, new projects, new colleagues, new energy…. It is a month where I often feel overwhelmed. Making this video actually allowed me to come back to myself, my inner peace and so regain new, positive energy. It was a moment to allow myself, just to be with my harp, the way I like, leave all the other things and thoughts on the side…… and it wasn’t easy…….

4. What freedoms and blocks within yourself did you connect with (or struggle with) in the process?

Feeling that what I play, even if it is not that difficult, is good enough. The beauty of the music, the intention or message I want to pass with it is more important than the technical difficulty.

The beauty of the music, the intention or message I want to pass with it is more important than the technical difficulty. Click To Tweet

5. What challenges did you meet while connecting with your own freedom of expression in this project?

Allow myself to choose to make this video and make it a priority…… and not let all the other obligations get in the way…….. sit down, take that time just for myself……

6. What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned in this class, and how?

Taking time for myself allows me to be more at peace and focused in general……..

7. What were your personal “Ahas”?

I actually can make a video based on images!

8. Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

Yes, when people watch this, I want them to know that they all are amazing persons. Being part of the academy, all the chats, is an inspiration, and allowed me to come back to my essence on the harp……. And I am not sure of my English in the sentences I’ve put… 

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Hey, thanks for reading this example of what it’s like to go thru a course with me! Did you have Aha’s or revelations watching the video & reading the answers she wrote? Add your comments below. Please – no critiques – just share what you learned from someone courageously sharing a project that’s the BEGINNING of a lifelong learning journey.

Check out the beginning of a lifelong #harp learning journey Click To Tweet

Want to do some courageous learning yourself? Click here to check out Hip Harp Academy where daring harpists get their creative wings.

“I had never played Blues or sung with the harp before, and this tune of DHC’s really resonated with me.” ~ Cherie

Cherie has always wanted to sing and play the harp, but felt she was unable to do it..until now. Then she found DHC’s “I Wanna Play the Blues,” which resonated with her and resulted in her achieving her goal of singing and playing the Blues with her harp.

Cherie is one of the daring harpists who are challenging themselves to develop new ways of self-expression in Hip Harp Academy by combining the skills and tools of improv with each person’s natural abilities and passions – creating new hybrids of expression that expand what it means to be a harp player.

CHERIE SAYS …

“I had never played Blues or sung with the harp before, and this tune really resonated with me.”

I had never played Blues or sung with the harp before, and this tune really resonated with me. Click To Tweet

1. Describe your final project.

“I Wanna Play the Blues”.  From Blues by the Dozen.  This version is in Dorian blues as I found it easier for singing, and it’s simplified.

2. What principles from this course or from chats did you use to develop, perform, and record this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

When I joined the academy a couple of years ago, I started with the Blues course.   Everything in this video is from this course that I’ve learnt.  I had never played Blues or sung with the harp before, and this tune really resonated with me.

I wanted to play the blues and I finally got the swing rhythm. Click To Tweet

3. Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – both logistically and emotionally.

Well, I wanted to play the blues and I finally got the swing rhythm.  The “riffs bootcamp” was when I ” got it.”   In this tune I could sing and not play at the same time, so that was helpful.

4. What freedoms and blocks within yourself did you connect with (or struggle with) in the process?

I’ve always wanted to sing and play with the harp but just couldn’t do it.   This was an experiment using a mic which also helped me with singing as I’ve felt the harp was louder than my voice and it was a struggle, the mic makes it easier.

I'm gaining more confidence with my playing and achieving my goal of being able to sing & play. Click To Tweet

5. What challenges did you meet while connecting with your own freedom of expression in this project?

I had the challenge of changing the key of the tune so I could sing.  The “cubes” we used in the jazz course have been great in helping me do this.  I also put in other variations in this tune using the pentatonic scale and walking bass.

6. What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned in this class, and how?

I’m gaining more confidence with my playing and achieving my goal of being able to sing & play.

7. What were your personal “Ahas”?

I can do this!!  I love the blues and I never dreamed that I actually would be able to play it.
I was blown away when I first saw Deborah playing the blues and thought I’d love to be able to do that.

8. Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

I recorded this in the evening after only obtaining the gear to do the electrics for the harp, and mic, so this is an experimental video.

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Hey, thanks for reading this example of what it’s like to go thru a course with me! Did you have Aha’s or revelations watching the video & reading the answers she wrote? Add your comments below. Please – no critiques – just share what you learned from someone courageously sharing a project that’s the BEGINNING of a lifelong learning journey.

Check out the beginning of a lifelong #harp learning journey Click To Tweet

Want to do some courageous learning yourself? Click here to check out Hip Harp Academy where daring harpists get their creative wings.

Step into a tiny new creative world and let it open your mind.

What would it be like to share your own creativity without worrying about if what you shared was ‘good enough’?  Without wondering if you got as many ‘likes’ as someone else – but with the full confidence that the people who most needed what you’re sharing would see it? With the confidence that they would see the possibilities it opens for them, and that what YOU shared would open up those new possibilities for someone who is desperate for the inspiration to get unstuck, themselves.

At the end of each Quarter in Hip Harp Academy members can apply what they learned to a creative project as a way to get coaching, build their repertoire and take a really active part in their own learning.

We call them “Final-Beginning” projects because each one encapsulates a few months of learning and exploration – and opens the door to the next adventure.

We’re always sharing the process of creative development inside the virtual Academy walls, and we’re sharing and getting feedback on work nearly every week — but Academy Members also know that sharing our vision and our process can help others who are searching for a way to be more creative and expressive in their lives.  So at the end of each quarter I ask members to share their projects, and to let us into what it took to create those projects.

Below is a list of projects from the quarter that just ended, and I invite you into the creative process of watching them.  Here’s how:

Ask yourself “What possibilities does this open in my own creative journey?”

When you step into each of these tiny 3-minute worlds, I invite you to open your own creative mind the way we do in the Academy. Step away from the world of social media, competition and comparison where ‘sharing’ is about getting ‘likes’ and considering “how does this rate” and instead, start asking “what possibilities does this open in my own creative journey”? 

The creative process starts with how we VIEW the world, with how we EXPERIENCE it … and we can choose to experience its creative possibilities or simply compare.

In the Academy, that’s how we learn to view any project, vision or question the others share – not by thinking ‘do I agree or disagree’, not ‘do I like or not like,’ not ‘is this good or bad’ … but what possibilities does this open …?

I invite you into a little slice of the Academy by opening this question over and over as you watch these videos and read the small interviews that follow about the process of creating them. And then join us – if you play the harp – to open ALL the possibilities in your own creative journey in Hip Harp Academy.

• Anthropomorphic Blues ~ Diane Giorgi finds her Character(s) in the 12-Bar Blues
• Bluesy Meditation ~ Cherrie Mooney’s Calming Blues
• Carol Henley’s Sleep Guide (for “mature” audiences)
• Jolijne Viergever “Wretched Blues”
• Winter Blues ~ Louise Bell
• Lovin’ Feline Blues ~ Tara
• Joke Verdoold’s Twist on “New Blues”
• Rainbow Harp Faery ~ Eily Aurora

These are just a few of projects from the previous quarter. To find more “Final-Beginning” projects in my blog, search for the “Final-Beginning” category

“This is a video from an artistic photo/video shoot on Vancouver Island as my Rainbow Harp Faery character.” ~ Eily Aurora

Eily Aurora embodies her colorful Rainbow Harp Faery character, complete with costume and wings. The faery emerges from a tree to improvised harp music.

Eily is one of the daring harpists who are challenging themselves to develop new ways of self-expression in Hip Harp Academy by combining the skills and tools of improv with each person’s natural abilities and passions – creating new hybrids of expression that expand what it means to be a harp player.

EILY SAYS …

“There is a story and reason for the harp faery being in the tree. She asked for a harp and the River Elf created it and left it at the Hollow Tree. The queen of the faeries placed a flower crown there for her, too. When the harp faery discovered the harp and crown, this is the first song she plays to celebrate her new harp!  “

The harp playing is totally improvised in the moment of being the faery emerging from a tree! Click To Tweet

1. Describe your final project.

This is a video from an artistic photo/video shoot on Vancouver Island as my Rainbow Harp Faery character. I recently completely reworked my costume, makeup and made my faery wings. The harp playing is totally improvised in the moment of being the faery emerging from a tree! 

2. What principles from this course or from chats did you use to develop, perform, and record this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

Allowing the music to be an expression of my emotional self as I moved from the tree. Smiling, closing my eyes and looking up were new. Learning a lot from how others have been sharing their music.

The harp is my creative prosthetic!  

Using an introduction, melody, exploration and conclusion. 

Base, accompaniment, melody

The harp is my creative prosthetic! Click To Tweet

3. Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – both logistically and emotionally.

Emotionally it took big courage, coaching sessions to motivate me, and strength to walk into a very popular spot (cathedral grove on Van Island) to take my own photos and video of myself dressed like a faery. 

Logistically it took traveling to the location, two days of preparation with the wildflower crown, meeting a magical photographer in the forest to film me (not wide shot unfortunately), and buying a new remote clicker to start/stop video and to take photos at a distance. 

4. What freedoms and blocks within yourself did you connect with (or struggle with) in the process?

Why am I trying to be a faery? And since I am, it needs to look good. Looking the part is as important as playing the part in character. 

The money needed to build the right look. 

The block of practicing/writing and singing together while moving and dancing as the faery. A lot to juggle but so worth it

I didn't think my Harp Faery project was a valid submission until now. It is really a special joy to share this adventure knowing it is welcome here. Thank you DHC! Click To Tweet

5. What challenges did you meet while connecting with your own freedom of expression in this project?

Spending so much time on character/costume prep that I didn’t practice my harp much to build a structure of melody, or, more importantly practice singing with my harp and costume. Its a lot at once! 

This project taught me that I can be the faery anytime I put my small harp on. I don’t need to wait for an art shoot. And how helpful it would be to have a coach help bring the faery and her music more to life. 

6. What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned in this class, and how?

What I learned in this class is creative freedom. And the community support for our unique creative expressions. I didn’t think my Harp Faery project was a valid submission until now. It is really a special joy to share this adventure knowing it is welcome here. Thank you DHC!

7. What were your personal “Ahas”?

I love, really love being a faery. 

The importance of a support person to feel safe in character 

This video showed me that the 5 part arrangement structure is in my body memory now! YAHOO! 

8. Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

There is a story and reason for the harp faery being in the tree. She asked for a harp and the River Elf created it and left it at the Hollow Tree. The queen of the faeries placed a flower crown there for her, too. When the harp faery discovered the harp and crown, this is the first song she plays to celebrate her new harp! 

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Hey, thanks for reading this example of what it’s like to go thru a course with me! Did you have Aha’s or revelations watching the video & reading the answers she wrote? Add your comments below. Please – no critiques – just share what you learned from someone courageously sharing a project that’s the BEGINNING of a lifelong learning journey.

Check out the beginning of a lifelong #harp learning journey Click To Tweet

Want to do some courageous learning yourself? Click here to check out Hip Harp Academy where daring harpists get their creative wings.

“This is my version of “new Blues…I made it as complete as possible and hope it is catchy.” ~ Joke Verdoold

Joke Verdoold plays her version of DHC’s “New Blues” and takes it beyond the page. Joke took snippets given in the Hip Harp Academy chats and “glued” them together to put her unique twist on this fun piece of music.

Joke is one of the daring harpists who are challenging themselves to develop new ways of self-expression in Hip Harp Academy by combining the skills and tools of improv with each person’s natural abilities and passions – creating new hybrids of expression that expand what it means to be a harp player.

JOKE SAYS …

“This is my version of the New Blues, with some (not all) of the variations. I made it as complete as possible and hope it is catchy. “

This is my version of the New Blues, 
with some of the variations. I made it as 
complete aspossible and hope it is catchy. Click To Tweet

1. Describe your final project.

This is my version of the New Blues, with some (not all) of the variations. I made it as complete as possible and hope it is catchy enough to play it on our Annual Music Festival, October 1.

2. What principles from this course or from chats did you use to develop, perform, and record this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

I worked snippet style, making snippets out of various aspects, practise them separately and then gluing them together. I had to accept that it was different every time and sometimes had to cope with mixing things up completely.

I worked snippet style, making snippets out of various aspects, practise them separately and then gluing them together. Click To Tweet

3. Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – both logistically and emotionally.

I had to turn my emotional button down in order to just logistically put all the parts inside the piece in the correct order, give it an ongoing feel and finish it without gaps.

4. What freedoms and blocks within yourself did you connect with (or struggle with) in the process?

Since the only way to arrive at some place is to go on, I decided to block my own criticism. But the consequence was I lost my feeling in the process.

I had to stop my own feeling, in order just to go on and at the same try to get a blues feel. Click To Tweet

5. What challenges did you meet while connecting with your own freedom of expression in this project?

I had to stop my own feeling, in order just to go on and at the same try to get a blues feel. That was a difficult contradiction. At a certain point I couldn’t distinguish it anymore.

6. What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned in this class, and how?

The more I practise/work on things/know about things, the less confident I become and the more I realise how little I know.

7. What were your personal “Ahas”?

Not sure; repeated technical practising I still experience as utterly demotivating

8. Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

I just hope they experience a blues-feel.

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Hey, thanks for reading this example of what it’s like to go thru a course with me! Did you have Aha’s or revelations watching the video & reading the answers she wrote? Add your comments below. Please – no critiques – just share what you learned from someone courageously sharing a project that’s the BEGINNING of a lifelong learning journey.

Check out the beginning of a lifelong #harp learning journey Click To Tweet

Want to do some courageous learning yourself? Click here to check out Hip Harp Academy where daring harpists get their creative wings.

“What started as a vague quest to create something based on a Blues form turned into a depiction of cat psychology” ~ Tara

Ever wonder wonder what a pet cat is thinking? Tara plays her double-strung harp and sings her original song, “Lovin’ Feline Blues,” which tells of a cat’s view of life. 

Tara is one of the daring harpists who are challenging themselves to develop new ways of self-expression in Hip Harp Academy by combining the skills and tools of improv with each person’s natural abilities and passions – creating new hybrids of expression that expand what it means to be a harp player.

TARA SAYS …

“What started as a vague quest to create something based on a blues form turned into a depiction of cat psychology. “

What started as a vague 
quest to create something based 
on a blues form turned into a 
depiction of cat psychology.   Click To Tweet

1. Describe your final project.

This is my original song, “Lovin’ Feline Blues,” which I sing and play here on my double-strung harp.  It’s a 12-bar blues with 4 verses, told from the point of view of a pet cat.

2. What principles from this course or from chats did you use to develop, perform, and record this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

I wrote this piece in the form of a 12-bar blues, where the voice gets the melody and the harp accompanies.  Musically, I applied the principle of keeping the arrangement simple enough to play that it serves the music and personal expression.  Visually, I tried to compose the picture without too many distractions; I also made a point of communicating with gaze and body language as well as through words and music.

I made a point of communicating with gaze and body language as well as through words and music. Click To Tweet

3. Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – both logistically and emotionally.

Inspiration hit while I was doing a repetitive task in the kitchen.  What started as a vague quest to create something based on a blues form turned into a depiction of cat psychology.  The text and a basic melody came first; then I had to figure out what I could play on the harp to help give it the flavor I wanted.  The “first draft” was done within a day, so it was pretty quick.  It took me a couple more weeks to begin settling on some revisions and refinements.

4. What freedoms and blocks within yourself did you connect with (or struggle with) in the process?

At first, I struggled a little to come up with text that would fit the song form and tell an understandable story; but I think blues has a laid-back quality that is conducive to the flow of ideas and the identification of patterns that will give cohesion.  Once I had one verse, others came fairly quickly.  The repetitive bits and the rhythmic groove helped me feel free to create.

When I play this piece for people, it seems to encourage big smiles, and that makes me happy. Click To Tweet

5. What challenges did you meet while connecting with your own freedom of expression in this project?

The different verses wound up having slightly different rhythms, so it was a bit of a challenge to figure out how I wanted to fit the words in.  It was also challenging to fit the harp and singing together; the accompaniment has an easily identifiable and inexorable pattern to it, so I needed to keep it steady even when the vocal line was doing its own thing.

6. What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned in this class, and how?

It takes some courage to play and sing in front of people, but the class has helped me accept my own imperfections and share what I’ve got, nevertheless.  When I play this piece for people, it seems to encourage big smiles, and that makes me happy.

7. What were your personal “Ahas”?

I can play blues on a double-strung harp!  Also that a pretty complete accompaniment does not have to include a lot of notes.

8. Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

I call this song, “Lovin’ Feline Blues.”  It’s sung from the point of view of a pet cat (I won’t say which one).

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Hey, thanks for reading this example of what it’s like to go thru a course with me! Did you have Aha’s or revelations watching the video & reading the answers she wrote? Add your comments below. Please – no critiques – just share what you learned from someone courageously sharing a project that’s the BEGINNING of a lifelong learning journey.

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Want to do some courageous learning yourself? Click here to check out Hip Harp Academy where daring harpists get their creative wings.

“I often smile and look at the camera, but for this video I wanted to express the wintry mood by not engaging in this way.” ~ Louise Bell

Louise Bell presents her “Winter Blues,” expressing the melancholic feeling of Winter. Louise uses the resonance of her harp, along with some video effects to savor the crystalline clarity of the cold.

Louise is one of the daring harpists who are challenging themselves to develop new ways of self-expression in Hip Harp Academy by combining the skills and tools of improv with each person’s natural abilities and passions – creating new hybrids of expression that expand what it means to be a harp player.

LOUISE SAYS …

“This is aiming to express a melancholic Winter feeling as well as the crystalline clarity of cold, by savouring the ringing strings and the spaces between..”

This is aiming to express a melancholic Winter feeling. Click To Tweet

1. Describe your final project.

“Winter Blues”. Blues in style, mood and colours.

2. What principles from this course or from chats did you use to develop, perform, and record this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

I’ve loved all the ideas from the Blues Chats. D minor having such a low bass note really draws me. Creating two contrasting videos, the exuberant Birdsong Blues and now Winter Blues, has been an evocative process. This one is aiming to express a melancholic winter feeling [hence the B flats] as well as the crystalline clarity of cold, by savouring the ringing strings and the spaces between.

Musical and visual imaginations suddenly manifested! Click To Tweet

3. Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – both logistically and emotionally.

I wasn’t really intending to do a Final Beginning this time, but musical and visual imaginations suddenly manifested! Logistically: I carved out the time to practise and record. Emotionally: my creativity found both nourishment and expression.

4. What freedoms and blocks within yourself did you connect with (or struggle with) in the process?

I felt free in the laid-back tempo, which also brought a sense of exposure. Surrendering to the resonance in the spaces was liberating.

I so appreciate HHA as a wondrous global community. Click To Tweet

5. What challenges did you meet while connecting with your own freedom of expression in this project?

Maintaining the feel in a slow tempo felt challenging. I gently tapped my foot to stay grounded, and savoured the beauty of the resonating strings. I often smile and look at the camera, but for this video I wanted to express the wintry mood by not engaging in this way, so I had to contain my Gemini communicator!

6. What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned in this class, and how?

Although I don’t always make it to the Chats, I so appreciate HHA as a wondrous global community. The option to create projects within due dates and time limits is in fact exhilarating!

7. What were your personal “Ahas”?

Concepts can and do spring forth unexpectedly!

8. Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

If you hear a click near the end, that was my shoulder joint rather than electronic! 🤣

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Hey, thanks for reading this example of what it’s like to go thru a course with me! Did you have Aha’s or revelations watching the video & reading the answers she wrote? Add your comments below. Please – no critiques – just share what you learned from someone courageously sharing a project that’s the BEGINNING of a lifelong learning journey.

Check out the beginning of a lifelong #harp learning journey Click To Tweet

Want to do some courageous learning yourself? Click here to check out Hip Harp Academy where daring harpists get their creative wings.