[phill-w]

Hi both – I’m so sorry, been away for a few weeks. I’m messaging you right now Sylvia! Thanks for your replies!

[phill-w]

For stairs, yes I need someone – I am female despite the name. If it’s just like up a doorstep, I really just need them in case anything happens. For going up multiple stairs, I need them to roll their sleeves up and help. For cars, yes I can load/unload myself but I still like someone around just in case

[phill-w]

There is some good advice here. I particularly agree with people saying that studies can only take you so far.

In terms of improving stamina, at risk of sounding obvious, building up playing time helps, but it can enforce bad habits unless your technical basis is sound. I particularly like what Seika said about thinking the right sound when playing, even before playing really, and playing slow is essential!!! For building up stamina and even-ness, I also found that playing passages (especially repetitive runs) in dotted rhythms very helpful.

Good luck!!

[phill-w]

The Saint-Saens Morceau de Concert is gorgeous!

[phill-w]

@Lyn – apologies for being so slow in responding!!! Thanks for agreing to be my friend!

[phill-w]

Going busking is ace!! I did it and loved it, and as I made quite a bit of money, people seemed to love it too!!

I think people pressure themselves far too much, especially when you start playing as an adult. Speaking as someone who was on a fast tracked musical career as a teen…. “you will become a star and be amazing” and then I realised just how unhappy this was making me, it’s absolutely fine to go as fast or as slow as you want. After all, beginner/intermediate/expert etc… they’re all just labels. One thing I have learned is that it’s okay to do music on any level, as long as it makes YOU happy.

[phill-w]

I’ve been working on something up and down the last decade!! That is however partly due to a massive gap in playing the harp, living abroad etc. But even now I find that I go back to pieces I’ve been playing a while and see new things in them. Life is one long learning experience!

[phill-w]

Hi Seika – I am messaging you now!

[phill-w]

Dear Patricia

Thank you very much for your response. I agree entirely that it is not a piece for intermediate players, which is why I have not played it until quite late on in my life.

I will look for the edition you recommend. The edition I have I got free online through IMSLP and actually has some markings but rather helpfully it is incomplete, hence my request.

Thanks for your time and have a great day

Phill

[phill-w]

Lyn – what you said about your MP made me smile – mine is the fool who came out with the idea that disabled people are worth less than non disabled so I’m not keen on having him anywhere near me! But, I do think the idea is a good one. Sure we can’t tempt you to Yorkshire to join us?

[phill-w]

Hi Lyn! Strange coincidence – I was in Castleford earlier today!!

Harpists for Peace – Sun 21st April 2013. The idea is to play for an hour. Because the harp’s relaxing, it’s supposed to encourage people to think about peace: http://www.harpistsforpeace.com/

Last year we were away so I just took one of my lever harps and played where we were with a notice next to me saying it was for the peace event. Fortunately I didn’t get moved on!

I know there’s an idea of inviting local MPs but I very much doubt mine would be receptive to this idea AT ALL so I’m not too concerned about that. I think it would be great fun to play with someone else and we could both do a few bits and then a few bits together.

[phill-w]

Hi Andee – that is a great picture of you playing the clarsach you’ve just posted on Facebook and secondly, are you doing anything for Harpists for Peace this year? I am hoping to!

Sorry for derailing the thread everyone!

[phill-w]

Speaking as someone who is procrastinating over a postgrad dissertation right now, can I have your project?!

In no particular order. if it was me I’d be tempted to write about the image of the harp in contemporary culture – ie as a symbol of tradition in Ireland, a symbol of innoncene/angelic expression in the church and contrast these with images of how the harp is used in popular culture (I went to a Heavy Metal gig a few weeks ago and there was one used by the band)/it’s growth in popular music

OR a slightly less off the wall idea, I’d write about its increasing use throughout the 19th/20th century

Does that help at all?

[phill-w]

Hello! I’m a UK harper as well. I live in West Yorkshire ( Bingley – not that you’ve likely heard of it) and work in Leeds. My mum lives in Exeter so I go down to Devon a lot, sometimes with harp!

[Author]

Posts