Hip Harp Academy Member Spotlight: Creative Resonance 2024 (Part 1)

Describe your “Final-Beginning” project.

This is a 2-part suite, the first in C min – Eb maj – C min (end G7), the second in C maj – A min (end E7).

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 let a snippet emerge, play with it, then develop it into phrases until they sound unified.

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

The starting point for each snippet was an unpleasant sensation, and when I began to improvise while remaining connected to it, feeling it, listening to it, I had the impression that this allowed it to evolve and transform.

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

Freedoms: When I have a strong feeling, lately I’ve found it easy to translate it into music.
Blocks: I’m not able to develop snippets much.

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

I don’t know.

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

Improvising on a sensation helps me not to try to get rid of what I’m feeling.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

I’ve found a way of improvising that suits me, whatever the result.

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

Video credits:

cottonbro studio – https://www.pexels.com/fr-fr/video/mode-mains-femme-espace-7170786/

jol acen – https://www.pexels.com/fr-fr/video/terre-espace-soleil-galaxy-7094565/

Nino Souza – https://www.pexels.com/fr-fr/video/terre-espace-monde-tourner-10755267/

ZCH – https://www.pexels.com/fr-fr/video/espace-soleil-galaxy-etoiles-12722063/

Colin Jones – https://www.pexels.com/fr-fr/video/lumineux-ciel-nuit-terre-10415311/

Describe your “Final-Beginning” project.

I took the 5 motifs from the Vision to Action challenge, expanded them, and made a 5 movement meditation suite.

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 used all of the Stings of Passion to develop a “Game Plan” to clarify what was needed to complete this project. I also gained a better understanding of the different options for transitions.

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

I needed to concentrate on being ‘present’ as I played and not to get distracted.

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

I’m slowly learning to loosen up, relax, and connect emotionally with what I’m playing.

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

I needed to stop caring about playing it “right” and just play what I felt.

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

Trust your instincts and enjoy the process. These are true for both your musical and life journeys.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

It’s not about the notes or counting the beats that matters, it’s about feeling the music as you play.

Describe your “Final-Beginning” project.

So this is another version that has more of my creative “harpy” character bits in it…but the performance is less polished.

It’s a poem I wrote back in 2002 and a melody a created in 2005. I decided to set it for harp and voice for my project.

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?

The impulse string I discovered because I was playing some Ladino folk songs and the scale reminded me of the melody to the poem I wrote. The structure is the harmony, and the character (which I think is the biggest thing i used) was the different ways I painted the text musically and harpistically. I deconstructed what I wanted to do on the harp by figuring out the technical challenges that I had to master to be able to put them into a performance.

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

Emotionally, I am at a good place with this song. You know how emotion is a good thing when you are playing a piece, but too much emotion hinders the expression? Well, my mom passed long enough ago that I can remember her fondly without the lump in my throat most days, so my performance is not hindered by too much emotion. I do think I have enough to do the song justice though.

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

The blocks for me mostly this time were the overwhelming feeling that I was behind (from being sick and then being busy catching up) and so it was a very demotivating force to my practice and work up to this point.

I truly had NO idea what I was gonna do for my project–even up to the half bake deadline–and was feeling very dejected. Then suddenly (as happens often with my creativity) that song popped into my head and I knew it was the thing I could do!

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

Technically, I had to transpose everything down from D minor to A minor because my voice has lowered so much in the time since I wrote it! (That’s what happens when you talk over band instruments and children for a living!)

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

I also submitted this to a song challenge in my medieval group, and it made me very happy to be able to contribute there.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

I need to practice creativity more! (Like the creativity gym) because I really far too much on eureka inspiration moments and they are far to infrequent for my taste!

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

The other video I submitted is a much more polished performance, but this one shows the creativity I found in the harpistic illustration of the words of the text, so  I thought it was a better submission for the class.

Describe your “Final-Beginning” project.

This is my IDEA of a project — “Theme and Variations on a C Scale”.  I say, IDEA because it is not a polished version.  

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?

Guiding principle — keep it simple!  Having a patterned bass line.  The joy of improv!

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

The predictable bass line gave me all sorts of freedom to play my own thing on top of it.   Also, I just plain had fun doing something imperfect.

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

see answer above

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

Actually, this was more of a let loose and enjoy experience.

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

This class constantly reminds me of the gift of creativity and the importance of using and sharing that gift — even in it’s imperfect expression.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

Aha!  The joy of being creative!

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

Yes, for some reason, I could not get rid of the second time the title page played!  Stubborn computer!

Describe your “Final-Beginning” project.

Improvising and modulating from Mixolydian mode to G major.  Suggestions for left hand accompaniment is appreciated.  

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?

Connection v.s. perfection freed me up to improvise.  I “hear” and “feel” my music more. 

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

Knowledge of music theory.  
Emotionally playing from relaxing to positive major music.

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

Permission to make music, make accidents to music and appreciate it.

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

Uneasy.  Lack of confident and comfort to my own musical language expression.  More improvisation practice needed. 

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

Listen to my own inner voice, attend to my feelings.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

Accidents can be beautiful!!  It’s part of improvisation.

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

Can you send the mood change?

Describe your “Final-Beginning” project.

Snare drum background with me doing blues accompaniment, then me adding blues melody over that.

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?

Impulse: Acknowledge what I really want to do and go for it.  Structure, keep doing stuff over and over even if it is boring if I need to get it “into my system.” Character:  move my body and allow the groove to come forth.  Roles:  inhabit whichever role you are playing,  Practice:  don’t feel bad when you don’t feel like practicing.  You are not going to play Carnegie Hall!!! Deconstruct:  play parts of a piece, or just a couple of measures until you feel it, or get it.  Lift off:  all parts come together, or they don’t.  Either is ok

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

Logistically it was a nightmare, because I wanted to do 3 layers and I’ve only done one layer before.  I tried iMovie and Garage band, but neither seemed right.  I finally just used voice record on my iPhone to record two layers and then played that and video recored with the iPhone recording in the background.

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

Having the Blues snare drum backing track was cool, 72 bbm, but it was & one & two..Starting with the and.  I think when I played the melody over it I sometimes started with the and and sometimes started with the one,

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

DHC ask that I consider just using a background drum beat and my accompaniment until I’m comfortable with that.  I am sort of comfortable, but decided to add melody so that it sounds bluesy and nice.  I am more interested in playing by myself for friends than I am in accompanying my boyfriend, which is what I think the emphasis on drum and accompaniment is all about.  Perhaps not,

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

I did open up some other areas; I started journaling and not being quite so hard on my self when mishaps occur, like loosing an earring.  I also realize that I need to get back to sewing or quilting, I’m spending all of my creative energy at home on the harp.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

Aha;  did some non profit work and met with a wonderful group of teachers, two of whom I’m sure to stay connected with.  I believe that my continued opening of myself through harp has facilitated me becoming more engaging with strangers.

Describe your final project so I know exactly what you’re sending me.

The Freestylers in Amersfoort

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?

It’s ok to play the gesture of a song. It doesn’t have to be a perfect replica. We started with a dream and turned it into reality

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

We had to take plains, trains and automobiles to get to where we were…

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

As our name suggests, there was only freedom, no blocks, just pure joy, excitement and friendship, although we did need food at some point.

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

There was room for everyone to express their own freedom, no competition, just harmony

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

Signing up for the Academy, playing our harps formed the initial connection between the freestylers but our connection has grown far beyond this and has lead to forever friendships

What were your personal “Ahas”?

Friendship and connection comes in so many ways!

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

This video is a testimony of friendship that travels across screens and borders through music and passion for the harp and is there for eternity!