I am back

my last post was in 2009. It was has been a long time and it is good to be back. a lot has happened in this time and I will write about it soon. but right now I just want to say I am no longer in Jerusalem for I have moved to tiberias. And it was just for financial reasons. It just got too expensive to live in Jerusalem and I couldn't find any place there to live. so I found something good and tiberias. And it's nice here I like it and I love the Heat. but I did not leave Jerusalem harpless. there is a young lady playing harp in Jaffa gate I am told every day she is there. And she started playing the heart because of me and I will tell the story. but right now I only have Internet on my phone and it's just very difficult writing this message. but just to let you know I am back. I was locked out of the blog and couldn't get in but I just got back i. there are some mistakes here that I will correct when I get access to a computer. This phone is driving me crazy you would not believe but what it is doing

Among the holiday crowd tonight were an Irish foursome from Cork. I always try to guess where people are from by their accents, and it is a game with me to see how quickly I can get it. After a few words, I started playing Fields of Athenry, an old Irish favorite, and they were delighted and began singing along. It was so beautiful. Then they requested Danny Boy. and we had another sing along. A tragedy it wasn't recorded for uploading here. That's what I want to happen when these special times occur.

I played mostly recorder tonight with the exception of some glissandos for demonstration purposes.I have an appointment on Sunday for physiotherapy on my hand and hopefully it won't be too much longer before I am back to playing harp

Harplady is taken

It is a good thing I didn't use Jut Harplady for the Facebook page. I have discovered that the term Harplady has been copyrighted this year.

Harplady MurielEileen

At a friend's suggestion, I have created a fan page on Facebook. It is called Harplady MurielEileen and I invite everyone who reads this to become a fan.

Good ending to a difficult week

Yesterday afternoon, Friday, I went shopping at the shuk as usual, with the exception that I took my recorder with me. I did my shopping and also played a few hours and made some much needed money. people are not very generous on the street when I don't play, even though I have that big, beautiful harp. So now I will make it a weekly thing and go a few times during the week as well. I will take my small harp when my left hand is a bit better.

The other good thing that happened is on the way down Agrippas, a young man selling the 4 species for Succot gave me an etrog and two of the other ones. I have never bought an etrog because of the cost and I am just loving the aroma of it. It made me feel real good at the end of a week that was a financial disaster. I REALLY FEEL THINGS WILL CHANGE SOON.

The next thing that is good, I have been working on learning to play the ukulele I bought a few years ago. I am using some videos on u tube and I finally am making some headway. I think soon I will be able to take it out and play for some money. It really doesn't seem to bother the bad finger. I will work on some songs I can sing with it.

Good things that come out of bad

I took my violin out last night to Ben Yehuda. The movement required to play violin is much different than for harp and the finger that is giving me the most trouble on the harp does not bother me on the violin. But still I must be careful not to overdo.


The past few weeks have been very difficult on the street (over a month now), but there have been many good things because of it. First, I finally managed to hook my disc up so it plays through my amp. I have been wanting to do that for ages. Now, because the disc is playing, I have been selling more of them.I also am playing my right hand on the harp along with the disc. A few of the tracks are especially good for this. I am not playing what I play on the disc, but doing some harmonies and counter melodies. When I am back to normal, I will continue to do that some. It gives a fuller sound on the street and hopefully that will mean more contributions. I also have begun playing my other instruments with the disc. When my hands are fully recovered, that will enable me to change off more and keep my hands and other muscles in good shape. The reason for the problem in the first place is that I play too much and don't rest enough. Many times I play for an hour or even two with hardly stopping, and as soon as I stop, someone comes along and asks me why I am not playing. So with the disc playing, it will be easier for me to get the rest I need.
I never thought of making a disc that I could play along with on the harp. I though the harp alone was enough. But after the last few nights, I see it is not only possible, but would be very good. I have some good ideas on what I will do. But first, I must get these hands working.

So all of these new things are as a result of the pain in my hands. I am sure there are a few I have forgotten, and maybe there will be a few more, and I will add them as they come.

Why I Play my Harp on the street

Here is the comment Uri wrote on my post Changes.

I hope the pain in yours hands washes away in the same manner that your music washes away a bit of pain from the lives of the people who pass you by on the streets.

Thank you Uri so much. Your comment helps me to explain to people why it is important for the harp to be played on the streets. The harp is a healing instrument and is beginning to be played in hospitals all over the world. Check out the link on this site to Nevel,the Jerusalem Harp Circle, The group I am a part of. We have had a harp donated to Sha’are Tzedek Hospital where two members, Jill Rogoff and Shoshana Levi play every week. I have played there once, but Ben Yehuda is where I feel my harp therapy belongs. So thank you again Uri for confirming why I play the harp on Ben Yehuda Street.

Up date on my hands

I am still not playing much. One finger in particular is bad, but the hands are a little better. I have had one treatment with Abraham, who is a natureopath and is very good. I have made an appointment with kupat holim but because of the holidays it is 2 1/2 weeks from now. I will try to have another treatment with Abraham. As my hands start to get better, I will start playing on my small harp some, It will be much easier on my hands.

Changes

This has been a difficult week on the street. I always expect the first week of September to be slow both in terms of people and money, because of the kids going back to school. There is a change, but there are still people out. Also tourist groups. As for me, I have been dealing withe pain in my hands from playing too much for the past two weeks. I always have some, but it has gotten worse. So bad that I must stop playing completely for a little while. I will take the harp down as usual but will not play. Hopefully there will be some of the people out that I have begun to let play. There were a few new ones this week, one of them was VERY good. A pianist and guitarist. Just sat down and started making music. A soldier. When there is no one else to play, I will tempt to find new people, and I will teach people. When there is no one to play on the harp, I may sing. Hopefully after a week I will feel I can safely play the recorder (halilit), but I believe it will be much longer before I can safely play on the harp again. I really do have some serious pain in my hands. So if you happen to see me not playing, you will know why.

Harp Concert

הזמנה לקונצרט

קסם הנבל

מנגנת סוניטה סטניסלו

יום שישי 11.9.09 בשעה 10:30

בבית התרבות ע"ש רייזל, רח' גאולה 12 כפר סבא





הנבל הינו מהעתיקים שבכלי המוסיקה, ובין הנגנים הראשונים הידועים ניתן לציין את דוד המלך.



סוניטה תנגן על כלים שונים: החל בנבל קלטי בו מנגנים בעיקר מוסיקה אירית ומוסיקה עממית וכלה בנבל קונצרטים שיש לו 47 מיתרים

בו מנגנים בעיקר מוסיקה קלאסית (Grand concert pedal harp).



סוניטה היא נבלנית ותיקה בעלת קרירה עשירה של מופעים והקליטה חמישה עשר תקליטורים בהרכבים שונים.

סוניטה הינה נגנית וירטואוזית והרפרטואר שלה מגוון ומרתק.



בקונצרט ישולבו מגוון רחב שלח סגנונות מוסיקליים, מהפולקלור האירי דרך מוסיקה קלאסית ועד מוסיקה יהודית ממקורות שונים.







לפרטים והזמנת כרטיסים: 054-2125159

ניתן לרכוש כרטיסים גם לפני המופע

Sunita and Simcha

Last Tuesday night was real special. Sunita had a concert near hear with 3 pedal harps. Wish I could have gone. Afterward she stopped by.

I met Simcha the Thursday before, although I knew of him. He has been studying with Sunita and he has the same harp as me. He was walking on Ben Yehuda when he heard a harp and he said he had to check it out.

Israel was also there.We ate falafel, Simcha, Israel, and Sunita played. I videoed Sunita. Now she has joined the club of harpists who have played my harp on Ben Yehuda. It was just a great evening. I had told Sunita about Israel and I was glad that Sunita got a chance to hear him.

Harp Concert

Subject: harp concert!

Chers amis,



J’ai le plaisir de vous annoncer que je me produirai à la harpe également cette année à Ir David durant tout le mois d’août du dimanche au mercredi (2 août jusqu’au 31 août) entre 19:30 et 22 :30 (excepté le 9 août).

Au programme : Concert de harpe solo : musique classique, israélienne, juive, musiques de films etc…

L’entrée est libre

Le concert est donné au « Gan Ameleh » qui se trouve à l’entrée d’Ir David à gauche.

Vous pouvez également combiner une journée excursion dans les magnifiques grottes d’Ir David (appelez au 026262341)

Venez nombreux écouter les sons magiques de la harpe et amenez vos amis

Merci de transmettre ce message



Rébecca et sa harpe magique

p.s : pour plus de renseignements appelez moi au 0545339280





חברים יקרים



אני שמחה להודיע לכם כי גם השנה אני אופיע בנבל בעיר דוד במשך כל חודש אוגוסט בימי ראשון עד רביעי (2 לאוגוסט עד 31 לאוגוסט) בין השעות 19:30 ל 22:30 (למעט 26 אוגוסט)

בתוכנית: קונצרט לנבל סולו: מוסיקה קלאסית, ישראלית, יהודית, מוסיקה של סרטים...

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