Final-Beginning Collection 2024 Q4 – Part 1 [Member Spotlight]

How to enjoy these wonderful video shares:

Enjoy the creativity and the willingness to share. Think about the fact that each of these videos is a unique creation – none of these musicians are playing written sheet music – they’ve created these arrangements by learning the fundamentals of arrangement and improvisation and putting them into play – literally – in their own creations. And notice how different each video and each project is from the others … and yet they were all taking the exact same class.

This is the power of learning the tools of self-expression and creativity. 

“Final-Beginning” is a term we use remind ourselves that these are not meant to be “Final” projects. If we worry about making them ‘FINAL’, we’d never share!  Instead, we learn to embody a moment of completion as a new beginning: to acknowledge an accomplishment as something that opens up a new door, a new place to stand in, a new level of confidence – not the FINAL – it’s not the END … but the new BEGINNING.

So think about that as you watch them and read their own account of their personal creative journey in creating each video by clicking the toggle beneath each video – and I encourage you to do that if you really want to be inspired.

Some of the players have played for years, and even decades – some have come to the harp as adults – some even as a retirement gift for themselves.   We’re a community connected by a commitment to creative expression. Every week we meet for masterclasses and training, and during the week we practice the new ideas and the willingness to be vulnerable, authentic and self-expressed with our instruments, our voices and ourSELVES.

So be inspired by that commitment, let it infuse your own life – and if you play the harp, come join us at Hip Harp Academy.

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

I am sending my holiday video for A Charlie Brown Christmas

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 took a little more time thinking out how I wanted my recording to look and sound. 

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

I thought about how the viewer would be receiving this video – connection – and to that end thought more about making a connection with the music and sharing the joy as opposed to strictly getting it “right”. I did a lot of preparation however with the metronome and lots of repeated practice to get certain things smoother.

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

I made a lot of notes on the Linus and Lucy page to help me count the beats, and after that it helped me memorize the whole thing.
I also memorized the first half of Christmas time is here (which is the only part I am playing this season).

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

I admit it’s easier when I don’t need the page to know what is happening next!

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

I played some nursing homes this Thanksgiving season and it made me think a lot more about connecting with the audience or others and how that is an area I have been afraid to go to.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

Connection not perfection
Lots of rhythm and metronome practice to build muscle memory to then have the freedom to play.

Are you OK with me sharing your final project & answers to the 6 questions on my blog (or just sharing your answers to the 6 questions if you didn’t submit a final-beginning project)?

Yes – and you’re welcome to use my full name

Are you OK with me sharing your final project in the Monday CHATS and if so which Chat will you be attending?

Yes – and I’ll be attending the Monday AFTERNOON Chat

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

THIS (i hope) shows up as a video clip from a spot performance I had on the Wild Rose Radio Hour.

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 thought a lot about whether I wanted to share this in that in this live audience performance where I was very nervous and I felt I fumbled horribly through the piece I presented.

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

I was new to the format of WIld Rose Moon Radio Hour, and didnt know what to expect. I played way too fast, and I had to improvise through the parts I knew to get through it and create an ending. My idea of fluency and what I felt was my structure blew out the window.

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

AFter the total show was over ( live broadcast and videoed for radio and TV) I felt very vulnerable about my performance. George, host of the program, was I thought very kind telling me he thought it was a spiritual performance, and invited me back – first to the open stage, then to play for the Holiday party coming up. I just see the mistakes and that’s my struggle.

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

My challenge was once I started this tempo, I tried to  find some space to slow it down and change the perspective.

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

I felt I could share this ( my vulnerable performance) to demonstrate to myself and others what can happen when you feel are out of control.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

My AHA and reason for sharing is that watching this tells me I could have taken control at any moment and shaped the piece. When I have performed it elsewhere, I always improvise on it and create emphasis where I felt it. It was always different. So in no way was it ever written in stone.

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

Whew! I’m doing this sharing and somehow it makes me feel better. The academy is my sanctuary for confessing my foibles as well as my personal accomplishments.

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

this is my final beginning 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?

I used the 5 part arrangement structure, a vamp, arpeggios and melody chords (thirds and sixths)

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

even though it was not a perfect performance, I was happy that I remembered to use arpeggios for my improv portion because I am very comfortable with those, and I remembered to use a vamp which I often forget to do

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

I kept re-filming it and trying to not make mistakes but that just made it worse every time. So I just focused on using the principles and not playing perfectly

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

when I play wrong notes it can be distracting and break my focus so I just have to accept them when doing this kind of project

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

I took my harp to play music for my horse herd today and they loved it!

What were your personal “Ahas”?

That music can be beautiful even if it isnt perfect

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

Holiday greeting.  I’m playing Over the Rainbow with a water background. As it is summer in New Zealand, holidays are at the beach, and I didn’t have a  Rainbow video.

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 the 5 part arrangement.   The chord progression from the challenge for my improv, and I used the dominant G arpeggios for my introduction.  I  also used 6ths in the melody.

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

I decided to concentrate on one tune that everyone knows and used many of the ideas from this class to make it enjoyable for me to play and hopefully nice for my friends.

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

I didn’t actually like this tune but by using the skills from this class I now really like it.   I especially like the 6ths used in the melody and the improv section, and getting fluency with my arpeggios.

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

I’ve been working on performance practice and being nervous when playing.  I managed to feel relaxed while playing and without my hands shaking and even without mistakes.

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

I can take other tunes and use this same formula to create my own style of music.
I also tried out a “green wall” for the video for the first time so I could get the effect of me at the sea without actually being there. I want to explore more ideas with videos.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

There’s so much you can do with the 5 part arrangement, and even a tune I didn’t like can sound really lovely.

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

I’m sending this out to my friends as a Happy Holiday greeting and so I just want people to enjoy listening and seeing the video.

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

I had the first 2 verses of Silent Night with the Bells. I  cut out the 3rd time through with the and went to where I am playing with people singing. This is from a Saturday practice as the first live time playing will be 12/8, and then again on 12/22 which is after this assignment is due.

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?

1. From the Hip Harp toolkit, I looked at the score for the bells to determine the key and the main chord of each measure. Then looked at whether to use just the root note, 1-5, or 1-5-1 or arpeggio. I also needed to figure out when not to play and what could add something to what the other instrument was playing and when not to play. The director was also helpful.
2. I used the Sing and Play harp for the 3 chord arpeggios.

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

1. I needed to make the metronome my friend for practicing when I was not with the bells. I also played somewhat the part of the bells on the organ to create a video to get used to playing with another instrument.
2. I learned to keep going. I learned to mark up my music. (Big thing was to mark which levers needed to be up before I played and to check them.

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

I needed to get used to playing at the level I am at and what I can do to add to other instruments that are playing.

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

That I can add to what others are playing at my level.

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

To share what I can do, not what I have in my mind what I should sound like.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

I gain more confidence by practicing with a metronome, with others, and applying what I have learned so far this year.

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

This is only one piece of the 7 pieces that I was/am working on with the bells. I also did/am doing the 3rd verse solo for the singing of Away in a Manger. So this quarter has been busy. Sometimes having something pushing you forward with deadlines makes you learn what is needed at a faster pace.

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

I tried some movement with my little harp strapped to me just to see how I looked. 

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 was inspired by see the grace in movement others have shown during their sharings and wanted to see if I could develop some facility with it.

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 let go of rhythm. When I’d find my arm was way up in the air and there wasn’t time to make it to a down beat, it had to be ok

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

It is “like” dance, but I never thought I could dance – I never made it past the dance tryouts for the spring musical in high school, so I had to reframe that.

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

Feeling like I was doing many things at once – and maybe none of them well.

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

I should just dance around the house more

What were your personal “Ahas”?

I should just dance around the house more

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

nope

Are you OK with me sharing your final project & answers to the 6 questions on my blog (or just sharing your answers to the 6 questions if you didn’t submit a final-beginning project)?

Yes – but please just use my first name

Are you OK with me sharing your final project in the Monday CHATS and if so which Chat will you be attending?

Yes – and I’ll be attending the Monday MORNING Chat

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

My final project is my arrangement of Carol of the Bells.

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?

In this quarter I reviewed the Hip Harp Toolkit using the 5 part arrangement form. I played the Speed dating game, sampling the Christmas lead sheet tunes for about 5 minutes each, making an intro, left hand pattern, improv and ending to go with each melody. My additions were very similar for each song, but it showed me that once I had a method, I could quickly learn a new song. I chose Carol of the Bells to expand for my project.

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

I first decided what to work on in the song. I needed to explore improv ideas, leave out the quick sharp changes, work on making my repeated 6ths smoother, and adding musicality and harmonics.

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

Something that blocked me was looking for the “right” way to play the different parts of the song.

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

I needed to push myself to play this the way I wanted, instead of worrying about how it would come across.

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

Since we focused on structure this quarter, I thought about the structure in my own life. While I was raising my kids and working full time, my life was very structured out of necessity, and I was very productive. Currently, I’m retired with more free time, but getting less done. I see the benefits of how adding structure to my personal life would help me be more focused and organized.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

When I let go of expectations, I was freer to make the song mine.

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

Variations on Silent Night

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 the principles of creating a structure—in this case a 7-part structure—and creating a chord progression upon which to play.  Also gained confidence in the Academy for improvising which helped with developing this project. The Academy also helped me understand better the impact of background visuals in a musical project. Structure: intro-melody-bridge-alternate melody-bridge-alternate melody-outro.

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 improvise until I was satisfied with the alternative melodies, then practice dozens of times, being patient with myself.  Got so frustrated trying to memorize my favorite bits that I wrote them out.

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

Connected with freedom to improvise as well as frustrating blocks trying to memorize.

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

Difficulty memorizing the countermelodies I liked best. If I practiced this many dozens more times, it would get smoother with fewer mistakes, but I didn’t have time.

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

I feel more confident in general and braver in trying new things knowing that even if I don’t do something “perfectly” it will be fine and worth doing.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

At Deborah’s suggestion, I delved deeper into why I liked this chord progression (see #7), thereby gained greater self-awareness of my process. Decided it’s okay to use the tool of writing out my creative inspirations when I have trouble memorizing them.

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

This arrangement evolved from trying an alternate chord progression to this popular piece and improvising upon that progression.  I liked this progression because it evoked more deep feeling, both more sweetness and more poignancy.  There’s a bittersweet story of the Christmas Truce of 1914 during WWI in which both sides sang Silent Night from the snow-covered trenches on Christmas Eve.  This song feels like the desire for peace within amidst chaos outside.  It ends with trills of snow falling into silence.

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

This is a five part arrangement of the Christmas Carol Infant Holy

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 how to expand a song into a five part arrangement has been such a gift.  Learning to improvise has opened up so many possibilities.  I love the freedom to be creative.

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

Because I was having a bad hair day, I had to find a picture to hide me in the video.  Normally, I am fine with being seen.  But not this time.  Hiding behind the picture, I didn’t have to worry about how I looked, and that gave me freedom.  

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

See answer above.  I am also noticing that my hand
positions leave much to be desired.   I am staring to be more deliberate on thumbs up, fingers down.  So, my hands were not seen in this video.  Phew!

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

The challenge was in integrating the five parts of the five part arrangement into an integrated whole.  I’m working on it.

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

I’ll have to think about that.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

My ongoing “Aha” is that there is always so much more to learn and explore in playing music.

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 followed the  HHT lessons exactly, but allowed myself to take extra time. Daily practice and following the advice in the lessons yielded results. I slowed things WAY down, simplified to the most basic melody/bass and was able to achieve fluency and 5 part form. I am now able to build upon that simplified version with the harmonic variations presented. I used modules 1-3.

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

I really had to allow myself to play like a beginner. I’m not gonna lie, there were tears in the process. But, accepting I had to allow myself “mistakes”, and I had to give myself permission to strip the song down to its simplest form in order to practice fluency and the structure of the 5 part form was key.

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

I really thought I was going to complete the whole course, (I actually thought I would get through 2). I was goal oriented. Then right off the bat, bam, I was a week behind because i had to miss the first week. I struggled to “catch up”. I was ashamed to be “behind” and frustrated at my abilities (or lack there of). I had to let go of all that! I had to allow myself to believe what I was reading and hearing; I was working on the goal of fluency,  don’t worry about wrong notes when you are learning fluency and form, homework can be messy and have mistakes. It can be imperfect. I had to let go in order to experience the freedom of growth. 

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

Technology was a big challenge for me. I had to learn to navigate a new device and submitting a recording of myself was both new and terrifying for me. 

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

A comment made in the chat resonated with me about making a mistake or playing a wrong note being like making a wrong turn when you are driving… you don’t just stop right there in the middle of the road in a panic,  you keep moving… you can circle back, go investigate, or take a detour until you get back on the right path. Just gotta roll with it. I feel like my week has been like that.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

1). I did it!     2). People genuinely don’t notice my mistakes as much as I do, especially if I can just keep going. 

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

I am still progressing