Practicing Harp Happiness
#027: Cure the Carol Blahs: Strategies for Practicing Music You Know Too Well
If you find it difficult to practice Christmas Carols, you are not alone.
Reviewing holiday music is an unusual kind of challenge. Everyone knows the songs so well we dread making even a single mistake. But we know them so well we practice on autopilot. On today’s show I share how to do the practice you need and still keep the holiday spirit with three simple strategies that make even the most tired carol (or any music) fun to practice and play.
Links to things I think you might be interested in that were mentioned in the podcast episode:Â
- Cracking the Nutcracker Code webinar
- Cadenza Play In LIVE Friday, November 26 at Noon Eastern time
- My Harp Mastery
- How to Play Music You Hate Blog post
- Harpmastery.com
Get involved in the show! Send your questions for future podcast episodes to me at [email protected]
#026: Memorization: The Three Methods (and the Only One That Works)
Memorizing your music isn’t essential, but developing your memorization skills IS.
Memorization isn’t just for people who want to play without music. It’s also a proven practice technique that creates critical connections between what you play and what you hear which translate into faster learning and longer retention. Even if you can’t remember what you had for breakfast you can learn to memorize - if you use the only method which really works!Â
Links to things I think you might be interested in that were mentioned in the podcast episode:Â
- Cracking the Nutcracker Code webinar
- My Harp Mastery
- No More Memorization Mistakes Blog post
- Harpmastery.com
Get involved in the show! Send your questions for future podcast episodes to me at [email protected]
#025: Schubert, Bach or Gounod? Who Wrote Your Ave Maria?
“Which Ave Maria?” I asked the bride. I could see the panic in her eyes. “You mean there’s more than one?”
Whether it’s for a wedding, a funeral or Christmas Eve, all of the Ave Maria settings are beloved favorites. On today’s show we’ll discuss the two most requested ones: their histories, similarities, differences, plus practice ideas and performance tips including my secrets for making those awkward rhythms smooth.
Links to things I think you might be interested in that were mentioned in the podcast episode:Â
Get involved in the show! Send your questions for future podcast episodes to me at [email protected]
#024: Glorious Glissandi: Your Essential Practice Guide
Without question, the glissando is the signature harp sound. It’s likely the very first thing you ever tried when you first touched a harp.Â
It’s equally likely that at this point in your harp journey you have questions about how to make them sound glorious. On today’s show I will share the expressive secrets to a sweeping glissando plus the technical specifics. Whether your favorite term is glissando, sdrucciolando or flux, you can make it magical.
Links to things I think you might be interested in that were mentioned in the podcast episode:Â
- Waltz of the Flowers Cadenza Challenge
- Develop Your Glissando Color Palette blog post
- Harpmastery.com
Get involved in the show! Send your questions for future podcast episodes to me at [email protected]
#023: Practice It or Personalize It: How To Know If A Piece Really Too Hard For You
Maybe the piece is too hard for you. You could soldier on or you could put it away for later. Which choice do you make?
Neither choice is satisfying. Instead of battling on or conceding defeat, you could choose to fix the problem. Asking the right questions will show you what you need to do to eliminate the obstacles so you can play the piece confidently and with pride. In this episode I will share six key questions and the all-important answers.
Links to things I think you might be interested in that were mentioned in the podcast episode:
- Waltz of the Flowers Cadenza Challenge
- Are Your Fingers Failing You? 10 Quick Fixes blog post
- Harpmastery.com
Get involved in the show! Send your questions for future podcast episodes to me at [email protected]
#022: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: How To Review Your Pieces For This Holiday Season
Too much music and not enough time? Here’s the solution you’ve been waiting for.
While this holiday season may not have as many performances as other years, preparing all your music is still a mammoth task. You know the secret is in organizing it properly, but somehow every year you’ve indeed up scrambling to get it all done.
On this podcast episodeI reveal my method for reviewing old pieces and learning new ones in a simple, stress-free way.
Links to things I think you might be interested in that were mentioned in the podcast episode:
- Waltz of the Flowers Cadenza Challenge
- Five Steps to Build Your Repertoire blog post
- 30 Days to Done course
- Harpmastery.com
Get involved in the show! Send your questions for future podcast episodes to me at [email protected]
#021: Music For The Ears: Are We Too Visual?
I used to listen. For instance, when I first started playing the harp there were no electronic tuners; I had to learn to tune by ear.
I am convinced we harpists have lost some essential listening skills. What role does listening play in your daily practice? I believe listening is too often the last resort. On today’s show I suggest some practical strategies for making focused listening and informed musicianship part of your harp playing every day.
Links to things I think you might be interested in that were mentioned in the podcast episode:Â
Get involved in the show! Send your questions for future podcast episodes to me at [email protected]
#020: Finger Agility For The Accident Prone: Your Guide To More Facile Fingers
Do you think you’re too old or too uncoordinated to have agile fingers? Think again.
Agile fingers aren’t just for the young or the gifted and they don’t happen by magic. Developing finger facility is key to faster learning and more stumble-free playing. Listen and discover the three things you need to stop doing and the three you need to start doing now to teach your fingers to play with more speed and security at any age.
Links to things I think you might be interested in that were mentioned in the podcast episode:Â
- Two Step Chord Theory for Harpists webinar
- The Failsafe Fix For Fast Flexible Fingers blog post
- Harpmastery.com
Get involved in the show! Send your questions for future podcast episodes to me at [email protected]
#019: Plan Your Practice Like a Pro [Goal Setting for Harpists 4]
If you ask a professional harpist how she plans her practice, she probably won’t be able to tell you.Â
But ask her what she does every day and she’ll tell you her favorite routine, what she does first and what is the most important part of her practice. Pros learn how to practice efficiently and how to get consistent results from their practice. If you’ve ever wondered if you’re missing something in your practice, this episode is for you.
Links to things I think you might be interested in that were mentioned in the podcast episode:Â
#018: Knowing When You Get There [Goal Setting For Harpists 3]
Case Study: A 90 Day Goal In Action
On this show, I present a case study of a student whose 90 Day Goal was to improve her skill in playing hands together. You’ll see the plan come together as I walk you through each step of the goal setting process from idea to action. You’ll also learn how to adapt this plan for a different skill or change it for your personal learning style, along with critical safeguards to put in place to ensure your success.
Links to things I think you might be interested in that were mentioned in the podcast episode:
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