Harp Eyelet

Kate . 28 . Observations of a burgeoning harp player

[harp-eyelet]

New chapter

Things have been pretty crazy the last couple of months so let me get you up to speed!

My partner got a job out in California, and now I’m heading out of the “harp capital of the world” and into the Sunshine State. These are some great changes, but they are part of a huge life transition that is going to take a little while for me to get used to, but I’m up for it. In any case, I’ll be working in California and taking harp lessons from a new teacher (I’m so sad I’m leaving my last teacher but what will be will be), so these are all exciting, new things that are spicing up life a little bit. And we all need that, right?

So please excuse my absence -- I’m now looking to buy a new pedal harp and trying to scope out a new teacher, so I’ll post my progress as it comes. 

[harp-eyelet]

Here's another very artsy photo of me warming up behind the scenes (or projection screens in this case), taken by the artist herself, Cassandra Davis.

[harp-eyelet]

Performing at the I AM Logan Square gallery in Chicago, IL for Cassandra Davis' solo show No Body Now On Earth But Yours. I'm next to her video installation, "Baptism" and played a very small set of pieces I'm confident in, including Suzuki Book 1 songs! It was terrifying and really fun at the same time. I learned that it's so difficult to play when strangers are taking photographs and videos with their phones. Harps are so cool though, so I don't blame them.

[harp-eyelet]

From last weekend at the iHSC in Champaign-Urbana! We performed Julia Kay Jamieson’s ensemble piece for multiple harps, Kitties! as well as individual solo performances. Each day had at least 2 Master Classes directed by Professor Ann Yeung, where we could hear performance ready works done by each student, and then give them a lesson on how to improve the finished piece (by bringing out dynamic, using all parts of the hands and fingers to get the best sound, tips to improve tone, tips to improve ergonomics of fingerplacing and body position, etc). It was a great time and especially encouraging as there were students of all ages and levels. We also got to see and hear wonderful harp performances by graduate students Noel Wan, Chen-Yu Huang, and Natalie Teodori.

During my individual lesson, we reviewed one of my favorite pieces, Les Petit Pas #1 by Bernard Andres. She gave me tips on how to get a more legato sound by using directional placing, as well as some new fingerings to improve tone and musicality. I was really nervous to learn the fingering for my performance 2 days later, but it really worked out in the end, and I think my sound was much better after time spent with Dr. Yeung! 

I learned so much and was blessed to have been part of such a fun, welcoming group of harpists even though I’m such a newbie. It was also really inspiring to be around all of those stately pedal harps, and after having a try I really want to get one as soon as possible! I’ll keep you updated ;)

[bijoux-et-mineraux]

Copper - Bou Nahas, Oumjrane, Er Rachidia Province, Morocco

[nemfrog]

Cats rampant. The brave firemen and the firehouse cat. 1951. Endpaper.

[nemfrog]

Night-blooming cactus flower. Marvels of the universe. Part IX. January 23, 1912.

[gypsyastronaut]

[onlynewsom]

Joanna performing Baby Birch (x). I feel as if this song is very difficult emotionally for her to play, so many feelings show in her eyes as she sings, it’s heartbreaking to watch.

[joannanewsomfashion]

One of my favorite performances ever.

[onlynewsom]

Visit Original Link

Joanna Newsom doing a prepared harp piece for WFMU Radio.

[books0977]

Interior with Harp. Henri Lebasque (French, 1865-1937). Oil on canvas.

The harp sits ready to play but the girls are more interested in their reading. The multi-coloured pillows of various sizes on the pink divan and the group of small paintings lining the wall give the scene intimacy and comfort. The girls read in peace, not constrained in any way.

[crazyharpist]

Maybe because the harp is just decoration, these harps (single action mechanism) were made from ~1750 to cca the first quarter of 19th century, being completely replaced with Érards (double action mechanism) after their invention in 1810. #themoreyouknow #aharpistjustbrokeintoyourpost

[aka-outwork]

Drawing

2016.04.06

[harp-eyelet]

Some minor news -- I’ve been invited to play for an art exhibition opening night THIS FRIDAY! It’s very short notice, as I was asked a couple of days ago, but I’ll just be playing music I’m familiar with (and repeating it a few times over). I’m very nervous but also really excited, and I’m happy to have been asked to be part of an event like this. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve attended an art opening, so I’m really looking forward to it. Her work centers around spirituality and ecstasy -- two things that match up with the western cultural identity of the harp. It will be interesting to see how it all comes together! Wish me luck!

[harp-eyelet]

Comptine d'un autre été by Yann Tiersen from the film Amelie 😊

[antiajobertini]

[sensorys]

[hennkim]

| Drenched through my mind | by Henn Kim

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