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With a question like this, there are oh so many factors to consider
I didn’t take my degrees in music, nor make a professional career of it.
Well, after I saw how long my post was I thought it rude to blather on so..
Leo Kottke said, perhaps half-jokingly, that he plays the guitar because it gives him something to do with his hands. I’ve always felt there was probably more truth in that–and every day I think this is really one big reason I spend so much time playing musical instruments: it feels good and I can’t help but do it. I love the feel of instruments and the sounds they make…I love the music that each instrument is associated with too (for decades, especially flamenco), but I think there’s something in me that just can’t resist…grabbing something and making a pleasing sound with it…no matter what it is–a synthesizer, a hurdy gurdy or a drum or a flute…
Well I envy those who’ve the dedication and discipline to devote to one or two instruments. I’ve always been so distracted by so much variety: I hear something and I immediately want to play it…this is not helped by having a voracious appetite for new music snd sounds and web access to any kind of music!…the world is so full of music. When I quit formal studies on guitar about 10 years ago, I applied the energies that I formerly invested in continuous pursuit of solo guitar repertoire toward folk music–a very liberating transition: it allowed me to start “playing” music rather than work so hard at it–for which I wasn’t finding satisfaction in this more “myopic” approach. I still work very hard at what I’m doing, but the variety of repertoire and instruments makes it much more enjoyable. Without expectations of artistic accomplishment–I relax much more with music now, and subsequently play publicly much more often and with much less fear of making “mistakes.” I consider my role as a “community” musician and play for virtually anyone who calls–with little or no regard for compensation–whether it be for parties, nursing homes, lessons, and various bands which call. One day I answered an ad for a fiddler to play a little contradance for a surprise birthday gift the next night–so I played for a slice of cake. These past several years that I’ve been doing this have been very gratifying. Fortunately I’ve found this type of outlet for my playing, as I was always very conflicted over lacking the discipline to devote to just one or two instruments, and artistic pursuit–without appropriate performing opportunities, this type of involvement with music can lack gratification. You folks with this ambition and dedication to artistic aspiration are an inspiration to me. Rather than what I’ve always desired, my playing is more akin with craft.
Kreig, I presume you have a practical application for that contrabass clarinet–such as an orchestra.. I have an Eb bass in addition to my sopranos. Bass cl is wonderfully expressive instrument–i play clarinets etter than i do saxes–even though i have more rxperience on sax. Seems that there are quite a few woodwind players here–perhaps as harp is associated with orchestra? I’m strictly an ear player–jazz standards and that.
But wait, actually, it’s probably “Carolan’s Favorite Jig”… since it’s been my favorite tune to play for many years…and also one more slip jig I think it is, though I can’t recall the name..
Congratulations! Louise on acquiring your harp. No doubt it will at least serve to learn on–no reason to not have great affection for your instrument. And now while acquiring skills you can patiently keep an eye out next year for a used sharpscicle or equivalent…they do come up occasionally ; )
I would have loved a nice 26 string that was for sale a couple of months ago, but the timing was such that I only had the funds available a week after it sold. C’est la vie. Meanwhile, I’m finding immense satisfaction with a little 22 string I paid very little for–of course it has the requisite D/G levers, and while I thought maybe it wouldn’t inspire me like the larger harp, I’m completely wrong in that I’m loving it more each day…not least of which is due to the fact that I can play my entire repertoire of O’carolan tunes on it. I have meager, yet satisfying harp ambitions.
I’m no stranger to tone–having spent my life in music and owning some fine instruments–my little sound box on my folkcraft renders not a lot of volume nor projection. Yet, harps are what they are–and this little one has a pleasing tone (not to mention solid woods, which are rich and luxurious–satisfying yet another aesthetic aspect of the beautiful harp).
Enjoy!
Yes, I’m one who was never future-oriented…although I did spend too much time and money acquiring college degrees.
Well I just added hurdy gurdy last week–on which I started playing my repertoire of Irish tunes that I also play on:
harp, hammered dulcimer, fiddle, mandolins (& mandola, cittern, bouzouki), tenor banjo, concertina, melodeon, Boehm flute
Also studied classical and flamenco guitar for 35+ years–fnally gave it up and now apply these energies to harp–also play 5-string banjo, doublebass, saxophone and clarinets, pedal steel,
