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
Thursday, October 8, 2009
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.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
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.
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.
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