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Keep the comments coming! My teacher has been threatening to start me on The Little Fountain soon, and I think my lesson tomorrow may be the day.
Lisa
Heide–I’m horribly afraid of page turns. I can’t even watch people turn pages for pianists. I always close my eyes when the page turner stands up to turn the page, and I’ve always refused to turn pages for anyone. And now I have to learn to do it myself. These tips will be very helpful.
Lisa
Janet and Kirsten–
Hey, fellow Matrix owners! I’d be interested in knowing what your actual mpg # is. When I took my 4WD in to my mechanic to be blessed before I bought it, the mechanic warned me that the gas mileage wouldn’t be as good on an AWD, but by that time I was deeply into the sales process and really liking the car. I am sort of disappointed by the mileage (24-26 mpg)…but I do love the car. It has great cargo space, holds a ton of stuff, and it’s fun to drive. (Has electric side mirror controls, too!)Lisa
My teacher gave me a crystal figurine of an angel playing a harp. She’s helping me add to my angel/harp collection!
Lisa
Hey Curls–I can actually suggest something. There is a wonderful American composer, Libby Larsen, who has written a piece called “The Ballerina and the Clown” for chorus and harp. She also has a few other pieces in her choral works that call for harp and one or two other instruments.
She was just in town for a residency at the university where my husband teaches. He played a few of her pieces (both excellent) and I got to speak with her. She was delightful.
Her Web site is LibbyLarsen.com.
Lisa
Hi Curls. Actually, the bling is needed (even tho’ it appears to be a modest crown in brushed silver, or something like that); the Mademoiselle is tall and lean but has not one iota of frill.
I purchased it in St. Petersburg (FL, not Russia!), which is 3-1/2 hours away from where I live. I’d played it once before but took my husband along for his ears this time. One arpeggio and he said yup, this is the one. It really has a big, resonant sound. I called my teacher long distance and she talked me through my hyperventilating. I can’t wait for her to come over and give me her opinion. She has been just incredibly supportive.
Of course I took a picture of it and showed my buddies at work. They oohed and aahed and congratulated me, but I don’t think they really understand what it means to me. I’m the old fart here who is clueless about whatever it is they listen to–although I did manage to get a group to a happy hour where a guy was playing electric (and way too amplified) Paraguayan harp. They were skeptical about it at first, but ended up really liking it.
Lisa
Well, I’ve been calling her Mademoiselle ever since I first met her. I guess I might need to give her something to go after that. Not sure yet.
Great suggestions, Curls and Briggsie. Thanks! (Right now I am singing one of my pieces in my head. La la la….)
Lisa
Wow, this is the first time I’ve had so many people respond to one of my posts! I’ve hit a nerve, I guess. (Or lots of nerves!)
I’m happy to report I did okay today at the senior community where I played, swirly/floral/red/green/yellow/blue carpeting and all. Certainly not perfect, especially the second of the two pieces. The funny thing is, I don’t seem to have much anxiety until I am well into my piece. THEN, the nervousness sets in. Another hard thing for me is to stop correcting my mistakes (in performance) and just go on. But I feel pretty good about it all. I do what both my husband and Lisa (above) advise: give yourself permission to make a mistake. I did–and people still applauded!
The article on preparing for the big day was really helpful–thank you. I think the idea of moving the harp around when practicing will be really helpful in getting used to playing
Glad I’m not alone in this!
I tell you, each of the few times I’ve played for people, my appreciation for the professionals skyrockets. (And it was already exceptionally high to begin with.)
That disappearing strings phenomenon is really a bear. Probably no other instrumentalist has to contend with an instrument that looks different depending on where you play it!
Lisa
When I lived in NY, I would occasionally see famous people, and even had a date with a well-known pianist who will remain nameless. I interviewed YoYo Ma for a freelance project once (what a nice guy) and was introduced to Itzhak Perlman at a master class when a friend was playing in it.
But the funniest experience was about 20 years ago, when I was visiting my sister at her summer house in the Hamptons. I was sitting poolside, and my sister–who talkes to everyone–got into a conversation with the next-door neighbor, a rather chubby lady swathed in a big bath towel. She told my sister that she sang, and my sister said, “Oh, my sister used to take voice lessons!”
Hi Barbara. No, haven’t gotten My own harp yet. Hopefully, this summer…
Yesterday was the harp society recital. My present to myself was to stay home from work today. Practicing in the daytime is wonderful!
Nice to hear from you!
LiSA
My husband, who is a clarinetist, has long despaired that our dog
doesn’t like his playing. “I can’t believe I have a little girl who
couldn’t care less about music,” he always says. Actually, the sound is
probably too loud or piercing for her–she usually goes to the farthest
part of the house from where he’s practicing.On the other hand, she’s very relaxed near me when I’m practicing. Good
dog–she appreciates the harp. It’s become a joke between my husband
and me now.Lisa
