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I use the same shoes that I wear to play the organ made by a company called Organ Master. They have thin soles but the heels are built up a little. They work extremely well for both instruments.
Thank you for your beautiful playing. Your performance of the Goldberg Variations is a real favorite of mine. I can’t wait to hear you in person in Vancouver!
I have learned so much from reading the posts on this site. It was a strong motivator when I was just thinking about buying a harp and starting lessons. So many people have written gracious, helpful responses to questions I’ve had.
Jerusha – It’s certainly easier to “dig in” and practice a piece that I already love, but I’m not sure it helps me learn it faster in any way except that I rarely miss my practice time. When I started working on it, it seemed nearly impossible. Now, it’s really coming along.
It’s a real pleasure to read about what all you others are learning and aspire to learn.
The Minstrel’s Adieu to His Native Land – one of my all time favorite pieces! I can’t believe I’m getting to learn it.
Steve –
Thanks so much for your hard work on this excellent project. I got several phone calls and e-mails from people who don’t even play the harp who were fascinated by the program. It has been a topic of much discussion in my world.
I can’t wait to order the DVD.I once read that practicing the piano for an hour burns about 150 calories. Seems like practicing the harp would burn at least as much as playing the piano.
Thanks to each of you for your input. I am working with a teacher and we began discussing this issue at my last lesson but never got to finish the discussion. It seemed to be headed exactly as you all described.
Again, many thanks to each of you who responded. I learn so much from reading your posts, day after day..
It first caught my attention when I conducted a choral group in the Rutter Dancing Day Cycle for a church where I was organist-choirmaster. After that, I asked the harpist of our area symphony to play a solo concert as part of a concert series at the church. She opened with John Thomas’ “The Minstrel’s Adieu to His Native Land.” I was absolutely transported by the instrument (a gold 23), the piece and the entire concert. Then I was truly hooked and looked into starting lessons in mid-life and getting an instrument (ouch!). It took about 3 years during which time this forum was enormously helpful. I’m now studying with the harpist who played that concert. I recently started working on “The Minstrel’s Adieu.” My lesson is my favorite hour of each week. My practice time is the best part of each day – if I had 4-5 hours a day, I would do it.
I’m having the greatest time.
I a related note – if you haven’t seen the Werner Icking website, there is a ton of public domain keyboard music on it, some of which adapt well to harp as well as pieces transcribed for harp and some pieces for harp per se. A Google search should take you there. It’s a great resource.
