Thanksgiving

I am so thankful that I took the plunge and bought a harp.  I wish I had done it much sooner, but maybe it was for a reason and a season! 

1.    The sound.  Even in a lower priced harp, the sound is gorgeous.  Now, it’s not gorgeous every time I pluck a string.  Sometimes I’m a little off and so is the sound, but when I hit it just right, there’s nothing like it.  It’s a different feeling than piano was for me.

2.    The vibration.  (See number 1 above!)  Perhaps what separates the piano from the harp, besides the fact that the strings are hammered instead of plucked, is that you are in direct contact with the vibration. Nothing separates you from the vibration.

3.    The appearance.  Again, my harp was not costly, but it still is a very pretty little thing.  Thank goodness for pretty little things!

4.    The culture.  I mean this in several ways.  First, this instrument has a very long history – perhaps 5,000 years.  Second, there are many types of harps found in many lands – all of which are interesting in their own way.  Third, the harpists on line seem like great people to get to know – very helpful in educating new comers.

5.    The challenge.  I can almost feel the connections my brain is being encouraged (forced) to make.  Here’s an example:  I’m thinking, “Fingers in right hand, pluck C, D, and E, while fingers in left hand, you pluck G, F, and E.”  Fingers are not doing as instructed.  I try it several more times, and they actually do what they’re told!  At my age (and after the loss of my mother who suffered from dementia), I am very thankful that my brain is handling the increased load!  Beyond the simple coordination example, there are many other challenges:  finding time to practice when things get busy, being able to stick with my plan over the several years that it will take to complete my training, and not losing the spark of interest that I have with things that are exciting and new.