Final-Beginning Collection 2024 Q4 – Part 2 [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.

This is a rendition of “The First Noel” with an underlying bossa nova rhythm.  There is an introduction of one time through the chord progression, then once through the tune, followed by a brief ending.

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?

Probably the most important principle was to allow imperfection  and try not to let that get in the way of connecting with the music and the audience.  I also found that I needed to search for greater simplicity to make the song playable with limited practice time.

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 some ideas I had for how to play the song and re-emphasize what I felt was most important to get across.  It’s a bit humbling to realize my skills aren’t up to the level of my imagination, but I am glad that my imagination is not the main limiting factor.

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

It is very freeing to realize that I can alter a traditional melody so much and not destroy it.  The overall melodic contour, pacing, and most of the notes I kept, but I made distinct alterations that I hope come across as ornamental.

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

There are always times in a project when I wonder if I’ve attempted something too ambitious, but so far, I’ve always found a way to make it work.  I might have to simplify, but that can be done.

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

I’ve tried to cultivate the mindset of finding something to love and learn from in whatever people offer to me.  Analytical thought doesn’t go away, but it comes with greater acceptance and joy in the world.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

I don’t have to use every tool in my kit to create something satisfying.

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

Final beginning project. I’d like feedback from the HHA group as to how helpful – or not – this type of movement is for them. The lyrics are specifically for Structure is Freedom. A more fleshed-out version will be made, without the lyrics but with more playing, for the Creative Resonance quarter in 2025.

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 course title, “Structure Is Freedom”, clarified for me what I’m doing to optimize motion with a harp.

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

Technical aspects, especially the finger-freezing temperatures, markedly impacted my plans. With the cold as the limit, I was unable to do my planned (short-time-outside “one-take”), choreographed, and simply played song, with lyrics to be overdubbed. I “let it go” and just hummed and sang, with a sore throat, as time ran out.

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

Frustration as I realized my vision couldn’t be realized.
Finally determining that something was better than nothing.
Deciding that better is truly the enemy of “okay” – this version didn’t quite reach “good”.
And realizing that I (and maybe others) could use or be inspired by parts of what we do see or hear.

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

Technical, temperature, and time.

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

Harp playing and development has become a critical part of my life.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

Even despite the challenges, some movements were much easier than the last homework, inspiring me to do much more, and giving me more direction.

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

Moving with a harp is so much fun!! I can’t wait to try some group activities with children also – with some joyous outfit for me!

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

My video is a harp song named Seaglass which I have been working on for flow. The music was 4 minutes cut down to 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?

Patterns. I was looking for patterns so that I could practice cutting it down from 4 minutes to 2 minutes.

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

I started working on this piece in the spring of 2024 and it is almost winter now. I love the idea behind it: hunting for Seaglass and its carefree and flowing character. It was too long, so I began looking for patterns and places where I could cut it to fit the 3 minute requirement.

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

I struggled with my health and that delayed the submission for both spring and summer. The block is that my confidence wavers and I criticize myself, imagining that others think I’m not that good and it’s hard not to give up.

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

Several challenges, from choosing to continue with half-baked or go in another direction. I chose to submit this instead. I wanted to add more images that I had taken of the Chihuly Sea Glass Museum but couldn’t do all I wanted but settled. I made a big mistake and cut it.

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

I loved collecting images of Seaglass from the Chihuly Glass Museum.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

That I can hear the patterns in the music. Just because I think “I can’t” doesn’t let me off the hook for not doing it. So what if I am not that good, better to try and fail than not risk failing and learning.

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

Thank you for your kind attention. I love this song and wanted to share it.

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

I am giving you totally raw, sit down at my harp and speak and play a little (very little.) Kind of a talk describing my feelings for this past year and how it’s affected me. Both harp and personally.

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 snippet from last week and the idea that I don’t need to be perfect.  It’s enough to connect with my harp

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 really convince myself to do this – it’s not even trying to be perfect. Emotionally it was very hard to be where I am right now compared to one year ago.

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

The idea that I didn’t want to show myself like this. No background video, no preparation before I decided to sit down and play. It was difficult physically and emotionally for me to do – I had to really convince myself to make this. Still not sure that is worth.turning in.

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

I’ve been literally unable to sit and play for months now. I even had to watch classroom replays because I couldn’t sit up long enough for a whole class. When I first started to try to play again I found that my hands were out of sync with my brain. It was actually freeing to do this – I used to hide from the camera and practice and play for hours before I would tape myself.  The realization that we all had are own pace, this isn’t a competition. Watching others put themselves out there and learning something from everyone.

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

I  realized that struggling to do what I couldn’t do wasn’t accomplishing anything. To be kinder to myself – to take time to get to where I want to be.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

Getting over not being able to participate as I wanted and that it was and is going to be okay. I can actually face challenges. That I miss doing a lot of things and realize that I don’t need to be 100% back to my ‘ normal’ and that’s okay..

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

It’s not the best video that I have turned in.
It’s simple, plain and from my heart.

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

Cuillin of Rhum, a traditional Scottish Tune

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?

For the Half-Bake DHC suggested incorporating the simple notes and rhythm from my brief interlude in the next iteration of working on this piece.  I was able to incorporate the alternating notes (arpeggio) of the open 5th, and alternate that with using simultaneous notes of the open 5th for the accompaniment.

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

The syncopation of the tune made it too busy always to use the arpeggiated 5th throughout, so did them in alternation with the simultaneoslyy sounding open 5th, which also gave some variety within the accompaniment.  Emotonally, I liked how this developed through experimentation, and how it worked out.

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

I stumbled over a Big Block when I realized that this is a listening tune that doesn’t have to be played in strict rhythm, and that is how I learned it originally.  Trying to bring in a rhythmic accompaniment meant I had to regularize the tune, while keeping its syncopations and sense of freedom.  This meant I really had to sit with a metronome and pay attention to what I was and wasn’t doing rhythmically.  Then I had to take a deep breath and re-connect with the freedom of the listening tune and find a way to keep that alive while still tracking where I was with the rhythm.

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

It’s hard to be fully present for expression when I’m still busy counting!  With these listening tunes, it’s ok to have rubato, and even add some extra beats or measures, but my challenge with adding a rhythmic accompaniment was to know where I was in the river of time and not slip off the rhythmic rocks (beats) I needed to stand on for this to work.

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

I spent a LOT of time with my metronome, even though there is nothing inherently difficult about this tune.  This also followed me to another piece that I know well and can mostly play except for 3 transitions I was fooling myself into thinking I had learned well enough.  These are improving dramatically and quickly. That feels really, really good, since it has taken a long time to learn this piece.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

I am finally starting to look forward to working with a metronome rather than thinking of it as something to “get past” so I can get on with the music.  I’ve got to look deeper into what I think I have unconsciously thought of as a dichotomy between rhythm and musical emotional expression.  I met with a friend this week who is about to turn 80, and for the first time in the 30+ years we have been friends, this friend appeared frail.  I realized anew that we only have this time, now, to do what matters.  Keeping time musically and emotionally, is all we can do, if we’re going to be present.

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

This is a small part of an improvisation session, with tuned bells and harp.
Intro: tuned bells – Improv: bells and harp – Ending: harp.
D dorian.

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 repetition of simple patterns that are transformed.

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

I’ve been playing with this guy in his nursing home once a week since mid-September. Now that he’s figured out how to ring the bells, he can play for an hour continuously, without a break, without losing concentration. He gives his all with his one good hand and his motor difficulties, and he’s always in a good mood. It’s very impressive. He moves me deeply.

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

When I improvise alone, I tend to connect with darkness, but during these sessions I connect with wordless friendship.

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

I placed the bells in two rows, staggered, A – D – F – A – D and C – E – G – C – E, thinking this would help me see what to play, but I gave up pretty quickly and play the notes as they come.

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

I don’t know.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

The freedom in improvising with someone else.

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

I used QuickTime Player and a Shure USB microphone to record, iMovie to edit, and Flixier to pixelate the face.

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

It’s a song that I started this summer and finished just now. It tells about my palm tree not belonging in our climate, but also about my fears and hopes for my grandson growing up in the world of today.

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?

Using the Rondo-form for the song with an improvised intermezzo using idea’s out the song part. 

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

The words were leading for the music, the melody came last and then in the process changes happened to make things fit better together. 

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

It started out being a story about my palm tree, but more and more I realised that this was also valid for my grandson and all other African-looking children growing up here.  

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

I had to find the wording so, that it was understandable, but no-one would feel bad, when I would sing it in public.

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

Don’t strive/let it go, things will come when the time is right.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

This is a song that will never be finished, but at anytime good as it is.

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

If you think I’m somewhat of, please listen trough it. Having pneumonia with a nice lack of breath support doesn’t work well for singing.

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

an imperfect video greeting card 

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 simplest structure to create this video. 
I work from where I’m at, and it’s okay to be perfectly imperfect. 

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

I wanted to submit something 

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

Take what I can do and keep coming back to it.

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

I had to keep dropping my idea of perfection. It’s about the joy in playing, not getting it note perfect. 

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

I found the course freeing. It gave me something to work toward instead of worrying about what was happening around me, and it was also fun.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

Keep it simple. Don’t worry about making it good just go through the process. Using song structure and patterns 

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

This course was freeing and nonjudgemental. I am more adventurous in my playing and try to keep in mind to work from where I’m at and not try to be perfect, enjoy the process

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

This is a revisiting of past Christmas music I played on the harp in my gigging days and of what I’m currently playing this 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?

The main principle I used was a modulation from D major to G minor. I tried the ii V of the new key to get me from the first tune to the second.

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

I felt out of shape since I hadn’t played much in the past few weeks. Plus, it had been years since I had played the first piece. I only gave myself a day to put this together, which meant slowing everything down to get my brain and muscles to play through all of it.

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

I’m uncomfortable presenting standard harp repertoire and found myself in a bit of compare & despair mode. Interestingly, even though I had not played this piece for a long time, it came back more quickly than I had anticipated.

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

Some of the challenges were logistical. I don’t know how to light videos, nor do I know how to record them to make a good sound. I wanted to get a long shot but was far from the microphone and wondered if my voice could be heard.

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

I’m more able to let go of things that might bother me. I didn’t do endless takes on this video to try to make it perfect. I’m okay with imperfect completion.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

Don’t be afraid to be who I am.