Meet Louise – and her jazz love-child of Satie & Pachelbel

As a member of Hip Harp Academy, Louise is constantly surprising us with projects that combine whimsy, beauty and creativity.  Louise created this impromptu hybrid of Satie and Pachelbel, with a little mix of Jazz from her “Summer of Improv” at Hip Harp Academy.

Just yesterday, Louise released her new ebook music collection “Modal Magic,” original music for solo harp or piano in 10 different modes. Check Louise’s website to learn more.

One of Louise’s takeaways from her summer project:

“I squeezed in making this vid among other pressing tasks and it felt goooood!”

Enjoy Louise’s “Satie & Pachelbel’s Jazzy Love Child”

Louise realized the first melody of Satie’s “Gymnopedie No 1” could be played over the Pachelbel’s Canon chord sequence. She connected with her joy of creating 7th chords on the lever harp and how free it feels.

Would you like a FREE PDF transcription of this piece from Louise?  Contact her thru her website, tell her what you loved about it and why you’d like to play it and she’ll send you the PDF for free!   

Here’s a short Interview with Louise about creating this project:

Describe the project – what do you call it?

Satie & Pachelbel’s Jazzy Love Child

What principles from “Blues: Harp-Style” or from chats did you use to develop, perform, and record this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

I haven’t made it to many chats lately, but when I have I’ve been so inspired by the variety and originality in the videos shared. 

What did it take for you to be able to play what you did – both logistically and emotionally.

Logistically I suddenly realised the first melody of Satie’s Gym 1 could be played over the Pachelbel’s Canon chord sequence. I’ve been improvising on that for some time with all the chords extended to 7ths, but in 4/4 not 3/4 as I’ve done here. Emotionally: the spontaneous decision to submit a project at the last minute felt cheeky!

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

I connected with my joy of creating 7th chords on lever harp and how free that feels. Block: I was planning on doing my arrangement of Over the Rainbow, brewing since mid-2020 and still not ready to unleash! 

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

Mainly getting it done in time, but this is a great process in not being too precious about doing lots of takes etc.

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

I squeezed in making this vid among other pressing tasks, including the deadline for migrating my website as Adobe closes their hosting, and it felt goooood!

What were your personal “Ahas”

It’s safe to experiment in HHA!  🙂

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

That I’m very open to other ideas for whimsical musical hybrids.

Do YOU play the harp?

How would you use the skills of improv and performance to achieve your own creative dreams?

Learn more about Hip Harp Academy and how it can give you the classes, coaching and community to support you in transforming your playing and sharing your gifts with the world.