Final-Beginning Collection 2025 Q2 – Part 1 [Member Spotlight]

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

This is Cosita Latina, making it my own. I cut it down to fit the time limit. The opening/intro was developed using the chords suggested to Sally when she developed her version. I decided to leave out the bridge and the looper section, but to keep in a blowing section.  I also added a Latin drum rhythm from my looper for one part.

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 found the Cosita Latina Resource Page in the Academy very helpful. There are examples of different skill levels, interpretations, and coaching videos.

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

To be able to play this, I first needed to outline what sections I wanted to develop. The melody had been written out, so that was a given and served to ground me. It gave me the feel of the tune so I could come up with something for the other sections.

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

This process tested me, as I was used to either simplifying a difficult written tune or adding something to a simple tune. I was confused as to what to do since there wasn’t specific sheet music for the whole tune, but I didn’t give up. I wasn’t afraid to ask questions or to find answers on pages of the academy website.

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

Improvisation is still a challenge for me. I seem to be able to develop something that I can use, but not spontaneously.

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

Life is not always straightforward. Some problems need abstract thinking to come up with solutions.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

Challenges can be rewarding.

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

My “Half-Bake” (First-Draft Video) was recorded on a 26 string harp because that was the harp I was going to have with me with my grandchildren. Once that event was over, I revamped the song somewhat to be played on my 5-octave harp. So this is the same song (but on a bigger harp)

Attach your homework in PDF or JPEG format here:

Sloan, Teddy & Hank’s Song Lead Sheet.pdf

Describe your written materials – if there’s anything in particular you want to say about it to help people know what they’re looking at, add that here.

This song I wrote based on the snippet from Nightingale while I was planning a way to introduce my granddaughters to harp, patterns and composition. They are 5 and 7 and take piano lessons. This lead sheet is in the key in which I sing it. I also provided one in the key of C for them, as well as a 2-handed 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?

I grounded in the descending baseline of the snippet, then expanded the melodic figures. Then I “shuffled” the new figures into the sequence here. Then I added words. Lots of expanding here!

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

I was hyper-focused on reuniting with my grandchildren and sharing something memorable with them. I spent months thinking about this and planning it. I hadn’t expected to write a song, but now they have their own song!

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

The freedom was musical and easy. The block was the fear of social deterioration during the visit. The anxiety hit me about a month ahead of time, so I was fairly “even” by the time of the visit.

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

I think I had to expect that I was going to get to share my harp with them. I had my son’s buy-in, so I was fairly certain it would happen.

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

I should listen to my own lyrics…

What were your personal “Ahas”?

Sometimes expectations disappoint, and sometimes they are exceeded – especially when you try NOT to have expectations

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

The “Half-Bake” (First-Draft) version I did mid-quarter took TWENTY takes. The “Final-Beginning-Project” at the end of the quarter took just one. I think that says I was demanding perfection of myself for the children – but when I was free from that, I went back to the ease of my own life.

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Whistle and harp duet of traditional Irish tune The Coolin.

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?

What was most valuable for this particular project was receiving feedback in the chat about the challenge I was facing with playing this duet.  The suggestions I received enabled me to suggest options to my duet partner for making it more doable.

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

Logistically, working on this project involved two rehearsals with the whistle player and, emotionally, tons of patience and the courage to suggest options.

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

I struggled with unreasonable expectations from myself and from the other musician. And I felt blocked from pulling the plug on my involvement when it became overly time-consuming.

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

The unwillingness of the other musician to consider any options to make it easier for this free-flowing, arrhythmic “sean nos” style tune to be a duet. I told her that this should probably be a solo, but she persisted so I kept trying to do something she found “acceptable.”

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

I have more confidence in general, and learned a lesson in setting boundaries.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

In the future, I can be more selective in the projects I accept and not be afraid to decline.

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

This traditional Irish tune is An Chuilfhionn or The Coolin (the fair-haired one). It is being rehearsed as a duet for whistle and harp to be performed in a concert on June 21st at a public venue along with several other duets as one set in a larger Celtic program.

I am playing “chopsticks meets Flamenco”.  I am using the structure of Baroque Flamenco, with snippets, warm ups, and a cadenza.  I have used chopsticks as the melody, which we did as a snippet back in September last year.

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 used the structure that was taught in class of Baroque Flamenco and chopsticks snippet, for the melody.  I used the warm ups in Baroque Flamenco, and another snippet for the cadenza.

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

I found I needed to slow down as it’s a tune that was easy to speed up and then I’d make mistakes. Slowing down for the transitions was also helpful.

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

The idea of doing chopsticks with Flamenco only came to me a couple a weeks ago while I was doing some “T” shirt dyeing using leaves and plants.  Somehow, while doing this the  idea just popped into my head.  I fondly remember  playing games as a child with this music.

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

This is an easy piece of music but I found it a challenge with repeating  the same notes and not going too fast.  It was quite hard to get the piece to sound fluent, but it was so much fun to play, and will have more fun practicing.

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

It seems that ideas come to me when I’m doing something completely different.  I never realised that before, just letting go and being relaxed, creativity happens.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

Slowing down with the transitions and allowing space sounds OK.  I don’t need to rush through the changes in a piece.

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

Just enjoy the fun in this piece, it takes me back to my childhood and fun times I had playing with my cousins on holiday.

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I have lost my Wi-Fi, and my phone is so badly broken. My son took this and we got it uploaded. Of course I decided to play it slowly yet I think it sounds better aar quicker pace. I’ve never been on a subway. See you in July. When I can get zoom to work it’s only a while and cuts out, just keeps spinning. That’s why I have been absent.  I can’t sing with it yet.  I am enjoying practicing and learning new patterns. Miss everyone

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?

Everything, how to video upload play things the way I hear them!

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

Borrow my son’s hotspot never satisfied with the outcome. This too is just a phase…

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

Not memorizing, writing in all the notes, choppy chords.

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

Self judgement is a big thing to let go of, but I like the song and it’s coming along.

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

I realize I can’t afford the things I need to participate in class rn. This too shall pass.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

I can change anything everytime I play it keeps it interesting and fuels the judgements. But I do like to play, just not observe the videos.

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

Dream of times gone by, so innocent.

VERY early attempt to codify/chunk 3 sequences that I’m developing – same harp music but 3 dance moods

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?

Realize that each step is enough for itself. Each point on this road likely leads my practice forward, and no point will be wasted. I learn so  much from each tiny step, even if it’s not obvious at the time.

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 realize that – for me – I had to bring forth some of the ideas I’m developing. It’s only through others’ eyes that I can see more clearly. I’m used to being much further along before “putting myself” and skills that I’m learning, out into the world. Even if this current exposure is small, the concept is out – for others to evaluate and critique.

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

The inner voice – “I don’t want to do this yet!”
I’m not ready.

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

I have so much fun accompanying my own movement with improv. I love it.
But trying to guess what others might like, or choose to do, is not realistic.

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

Not really any.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

I am so comfortable wearing and dancing with a harp – this has managed to replace skating for me. A much safer kind of rhythmic movement, with beauty and feeling. I need this for myself.

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

I hope each person is inspired to bring joy to themselves and to an actively participating audience – perhaps incorporating some of the techniques in the video. (The previous video I made, outside, shows some of the possibilities.)