What is a common mistake people make as far as musicality?
I think every step towards musicality is a good one, there can be no mistakes. The only mistake you can make is trying to rush things. Often people learn a piece, and as soon as they master it somewhat technically, they move on to the next one, instead of letting it evolve in terms of musicality over a longer period of time.
It's actually amazing how a piece you have had in your repertoire for some time can suddenly surprise you with a new musical twist and new depth of expression.
When you learn a new piece, what is one of your secrets to making it a "friend" in your hands and heart?
An attitude of "Oh, I can't WAIT to have this in my repertoire" helps me to speed up the process of learning, as opposed to saying to myself "Huh, this looks like a lot of work." For me focusing on the result and looking forward to it works very well.
How do you approach arrangement of song and harp together?
My first glance is always at the lyrics. What is this song about? What story does it tell? How do I want to sing it? What do I want to express while singing it?
My harp arrangements for songs are always about emphasizing what is going on in the lyrics, so that everything (the melody, the story, the images evoked, the accompaniment, the style of singing, me) can become a unity.
I love to experiment with new patterns to get exactly the right feel for a song. It's a very playful, creative process. We are going to do this in my song workshop and also in my all day class on Tuesday.
What advice would you share for intermediate harpers?
Build a good repertoire and maintain it. And even if you already have a good foundation in technique, always keep an open mind about new technique ideas and approaches.
And for advanced?
Take your harp out there as much as you can. Play in lots of different surroundings, different acoustics. Experiment with amplifying your harp. Play with other musicians and share your music and musical ideas with other people.
What about for performing harpers?
Never quit getting inspired by other performers (and not just harp players, and not just the style you normally play). Go to concerts, watch DVDs, web videos...there are so many possibilities.
It's all about input, and it will motivate you over and over again to create those "magical moments" yourself, with your own instrument, your own style and your own personality.
What is one of the best things you have ever done for yourself in regards to developing as a performer?
Checking my agenda and making sure there are never more than two weeks between performances (ok, maybe except summer.) There is nothing like a good routine, and the more experiences, the better.
What do you feel each of us has to offer the harp world today?
It sounds like such a cliché, but I think everybody playing the harp is offering the world beauty. The other thing I find very exciting is that everybody who picks up the harp is looking beyond the mainstream-culture. I like that!
website of southeastern harp weekend: southeasternharps.com
