Describe your final project so I know exactly what you’re sending me.

This is my version of the New Blues, with some (not all) of the variations. I made it as complete as possible and hope it is catchy enough to play it on our Annual Music Festival, Octobre 1th.

What principles from this course or from chats did you use to develop, perform, and record this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

I worked snippet style, making snippets out of various aspects, practise them separately and then gluing them together. I had to accept that it was different every time and sometimes had to cope with mixing things up completely. 

Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – both logistically and emotionally.

I had to turn my emotional-button down in order to just logistically put all the parts inside the piece in the correct order, give it an ongoing feel and finish it without gaps. 

What freedoms and blocks within yourself did you connect with (or struggle with) in the process?

Since the only way to arrive at some place is to go on, I decided to block my own criticism. But the consequence was I lost my feeling in the process.

What challenges did you meet while connecting with your own freedom of expression in this project?

I had to stop my own feeling, in order just to go on and at the same try to get a blues feel. That was a difficult contradiction. At a certain point I couldn’t distinguish it anymore.

What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned in this class, and how?

The more I practise/work on things/know about things, the less confident I become and the more I realise how little I know.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

Not sure; repeated technical practising I still experience as utterly demotivating.  

Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

I just hope they experience a blues-feel.

Describe your final project so I know exactly what you’re sending me.

“Winter Blues”. Blue in style, mood and colours.

What principles from this course or from chats did you use to develop, perform, and record this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

I’ve loved all the ideas from the Blues Chats. D minor having such a low bass note really draws me. Creating two contrasting videos, the exuberant Birdsong Blues and now Winter Blues, has been an evocative process. This one is aiming to express a melancholic winter feeling [hence the B flats] as well as the crystalline clarity of cold, by savouring the ringing strings and the spaces between.

Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – both logistically and emotionally.

I wasn’t really intending to do a Final Beginning this time, but musical and visual imaginations suddenly manifested! Logistically: I carved out the time to practise and record. Emotionally: my creativity found both nourishment and expression.

What freedoms and blocks within yourself did you connect with (or struggle with) in the process?

I felt free in the laid back tempo, which also brought a sense of exposure. Surrendering to the resonance in the spaces was liberating.

What challenges did you meet while connecting with your own freedom of expression in this project?

Maintaining the feel in a slow tempo felt challenging. I gently tapped my foot to stay grounded, and savoured the beauty of the resonating strings. I often smile and look at the camera, but for this video I wanted to express the wintry mood by not engaging in this way, so I had to contain my Gemini communicator!

What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned in this class, and how?

Although I don’t always make it to the Chats, I so appreciate HHA as a wondrous global community. The option to create projects within due dates and time limits is in fact exhilarating!

What were your personal “Ahas”?

Concepts can and do spring forth unexpectedly!

Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

If you hear a click near the end, that was my shoulder joint rather than electronic! 🤣

Describe your final project so I know exactly what you’re sending me.

My final project is a “how to get to sleep” video, with harp, sheep pictures, and my narrative.

What principles from this course or from chats did you use to develop, perform, and record this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

The guiding principle for me is “be yourself”.  Before being in the Academy, my harp and i were at odds.  I was trying to master it, conquer it.  Now, I see the harp as an extension of myself.

Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – both logistically and emotionally.

Emotionally, this video was a challenge, as I couldn’t hide behind harp playing.  There is so much more than harp playing in this video.  Logistically, the mechanics of putting all the elements together was a challenge.

What freedoms and blocks within yourself did you connect with (or struggle with) in the process?

Freedoms:  as far as the harp playing goes, I stuck with simple chords to accompany the melodies, so I was not glued to any particular written arrangements.  I love that freedom!  What I struggled with was wanting to make this a perfect video, where all the pieces fit together seamlessly.  That was hard to deal with.

What challenges did you meet while connecting with your own freedom of expression in this project?

Challenge was to just go for it!

What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned in this class, and how?

The sharing and acceptance in the HHA community constantly impacts my life.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

My “aha” was realizing how much I love doing videos with a theme and finding tunes to fit.  Next goal:  to create my own tunes.

Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

I don’t think this video will help you get to sleep.  False advertising on my part?  Oh, my!

Describe your written materials – if there’s anything in particular you want to say about it to help people know what they’re looking at, add that here.

This is my final beginning project.  As usual, this is an original piece that came from improv.

What principles from this course or from chats did you use to develop, perform, and record this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

This came out of a snippet from a class or office hour.  I worked with several chords and played around with them until I was able to incorporate them and develop them into a piece.

Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – both logistically and emotionally.

This was kind of a stretch beyond my usual because I used some jazzy techniques such as bending the notes on the string or with the lever.  They may not all come across in the sound, but you can see me attempting to bend them.

What freedoms and blocks within yourself did you connect with (or struggle with) in the process?

This piece can be played with or without the note bending.  So it can be jazzy, or not.

What challenges did you meet while connecting with your own freedom of expression in this project?

I wanted to incorporate some jazz like elements, but I also wanted to develop this into a whole piece.  It is short, but I feel like I accomplished my goal.  Some of the chords/patterns sound a bit like Debussy, I think.

What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned in this class, and how?

I did a bunch of takes to get this done…and actually fell off my chair!  Fortunately, no harps were hurt in the filming of this video.  I managed to catch my harp, but still landed on my *ss.  Not fun!

What were your personal “Ahas”?

Again, don’t wait until the last minute to film the projects.

I spent a good deal of time tonight learning how to use more features in the video editing software.

Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

I took all of the photos in Utah and New Mexico.

Describe your final project so I know exactly what you’re sending me.

This is the final beginning of my ‘Wretched Blues, live recorded in Jojo’s Lounge…

What principles from this course or from chats did you use to develop, perform, and record this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

I used several vamps and some blues principles like bending notes and embellishments. Also the key in which to play: setting the harp in C, play in D. Some things we talked about in the chat, attitude, presence, I happened to be working on and I used it in the song.

Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – both logistically and emotionally.

Emotionally I had to overcome my reservations to play my DHC and use a looper. Logistically it took quite some time and help from my son to stage ‘Jojo’s Lounge’, which has lead to some plans to change my musicroom to accommodate things in future.

What freedoms and blocks within yourself did you connect with (or struggle with) in the process?

As always I’m very aware of myself on video, but decided to embrace it this time and show all of myself, which I used in the song.

What challenges did you meet while connecting with your own freedom of expression in this project?

Playing and singing at the same time while connecting with ‘an audience’ is definitely something I want to work on and develop. Also I videoed this in the evening because I wanted to set the sphere, but I realized that I’m not at my best playing at evenings.

What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned in this class, and how?

It has given me more tools in my toolbox, which builds to the performer I want to be.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

I’m going to make some logistic changes to make the creating process easiest for myself and therefor more fun. I really liked creating the story, setting the stage behind the song.

Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

I’m wearing my mum’s dress… when I was little I thought she looked like a princess in it 💕

Describe your final project so I know exactly what you’re sending me.

This is my original song, “Lovin’ Feline Blues,” which I sing and play here on my double-strung harp.  It’s a 12-bar blues with 4 verses, told from the point of view of a pet cat.

What principles from this course or from chats did you use to develop, perform, and record this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

I wrote this piece in the form of a 12-bar blues, where the voice gets the melody and the harp accompanies.  Musically, I applied the principle of keeping the arrangement simple enough to play that it serves the music and personal expression.  Visually, I tried to compose the picture without too many distractions; I also made a point of communicating with gaze and body language as well as through words and music.

Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – both logistically and emotionally.

Inspiration hit while I was doing a repetitive task in the kitchen.  What started as a vague quest to create something based on a blues form turned into a depiction of cat psychology.  The text and a basic melody came first; then I had to figure out what I could play on the harp to help give it the flavor I wanted.  The “first draft” was done within a day, so it was pretty quick.  It took me a couple more weeks to begin settling on some revisions and refinements.

What freedoms and blocks within yourself did you connect with (or struggle with) in the process?

At first I struggled a little to come up with text that would fit the song form and tell an understandable story; but I think blues has a laid-back quality that is conducive to the flow of ideas and the identification of patterns that will give cohesion.  Once I had one verse, others came fairly quickly.  The repetitive bits and the rhythmic groove helped me feel free to create.

What challenges did you meet while connecting with your own freedom of expression in this project?

The different verses wound up having slightly different rhythms, so it was a bit of a challenge to figure out how I wanted to fit the words in.  It was also challenging to fit the harp and singing together; the accompaniment has an easily identifiable and inexorable pattern to it, so I needed to keep it steady even when the vocal line was doing its own thing.

What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned in this class, and how?

It takes some courage to play and sing in front of people, but the class has helped me accept my own imperfections and share what I’ve got, nevertheless.  When I play this piece for people, it seems to encourage big smiles, and that makes me happy.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

I can play blues on a double-strung harp!  Also that a pretty complete accompaniment does not have to include a lot of notes.

Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

I call this song, “Lovin’ Feline Blues.”  It’s sung from the point of view of a pet cat (I won’t say which one).

Describe your final project so I know exactly what you’re sending me.

“Wanna play the blues”.  From blues by the dozen.  This version is in Dorian blues as I found it easier for singing, and it’s simplified.

What principles from this course or from chats did you use to develop, perform, and record this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

When I joined the academy a couple of years ago I started with the  Blues course.   Everything in this video is from this course that I’ve learnt.  I had never played blues or sung with the harp before,  and this tune really resonated with me. 

Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – both logistically and emotionally.

Well, I wanted to play the blues and I finally got the swing rhythm.  The “riffs bootcamp” was when I ” got it.”   In this tune I could sing and not play at the same time, so that was helpful.  

What freedoms and blocks within yourself did you connect with (or struggle with) in the process?

I’ve always wanted to sing and play with the harp but just couldn’t do it.   This was an experiment using a mic which also helped me with singing as I’ve felt the harp was louder than my voice and it was a struggle, the mic makes it easier.

What challenges did you meet while connecting with your own freedom of expression in this project?

I had the challenge of changing the key of the tune so I could sing.  The “cubes” we used in the jazz course have been great in helping me do this.  I also put in other variations in this tune using the pentatonic scale and walking bass.

What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned in this class, and how?

I’m gaining more confidence with my playing and achieving my goal of being able to sing & play.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

I can do this!!  I love the blues and I never dreamed that I would actually be able to play it.
I was blown away when I first saw Deborah playing the blues and thought I’d love to be able to do that.

Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

I recorded this in the evening after only obtaining the gear to do the electrics for the harp, and mic, so this is an experimental video.

Share the link to your video here:

https://youtu.be/1sBQsMYcPR8

Describe your final project so I know exactly what you’re sending me.

Doing the early jazz-stride piece “Ain’t Misbehavin” with my brother Bill. Practicing playing along with others and also playing around with a few video effects.

What principles from this course or from chats did you use to develop, perform, and record this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

Slap base and stride – watching other people playing play in groups. The idea of connection not perfection. Looking for the patterns in the music. Getting courage to post my own videos from others posting their videos. 

Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – both logistically and emotionally.

Emotionally I had to talk myself into taping and not being too critical of myself. Logistically, I needed to get together in the same place as my brother and try to tape with a lot of commotion going on outside the room we were taping in. 

What freedoms and blocks within yourself did you connect with (or struggle with) in the process?

I had the freedom just to play along and have fun rather than being the focused on playing the whole piece perfectly by myself.  My blocks – just getting myself to do it. I have severe performance anxiety.

What challenges did you meet while connecting with your own freedom of expression in this project?

Sharing the spotlight with someone else – working together off the page and just listening and looking for cues. Just being in front of a camera and video taping has always been hard. Overcoming extreme feelings of nervousness. 

What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned in this class, and how?

You don’t always have to go it alone. In fact sometimes you need to give up a little freedom to gain it. I learned from the chats and office hours that every situation has the opportunity to learn something, and it’s not always what you expect. 

What were your personal “Ahas”?

Personal ahas – looking at music and discovering the chord progressions and realizing that it was easier than I thought. When I’m playing along with someone else my mind wasn’t on the taping or performing – it was just fun. Also I learned even very technically advanced players got nervous too! Being perfectly imperfect is okay. Life is more than perfection, it’s the connection we have with others that are important. 

Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

My family has always played music together for fun and usually the really old songs. It’s something I haven’t done in a long time.  I also had fun trying out video effects. 

Describe your final project so I know exactly what you’re sending me.

My goal was to develop a blues/bluesy meditation. There is an intro, 12-bar blues pattern, intro repeated, and then a 12-bar blues with boogie woogie. 

What principles from this course or from chats did you use to develop, perform, and record this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

I used the 12-bar blues pattern, boogie woogie, and chords from the Blues for Meditation webinar. I learned that there is a difference between playing the blues and playing with a bluesy feel. I tried to incorporate both in this piece. 

Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – both logistically and emotionally.

Playing outdoors was a challenge, due to the loud water and figuring out where and how to set up.

What freedoms and blocks within yourself did you connect with (or struggle with) in the process?

Due to the calming nature of meditations, I was able to relax while I played.

What challenges did you meet while connecting with your own freedom of expression in this project?

Playing slow was harder than anticipated. I needed to get comfortable with open spaces. 

What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned in this class, and how?

Don’t be afraid to try new things. It expands your horizons.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

I learned that by playing slowly, with open spaces, I was able to play more musically. 

Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

This video was recorded by Lake Huron in Michigan on a windy day. 

Describe your final project so I know exactly what you’re sending me.

Anthropomorphizing the components of the Blues

What principles from this course or from chats did you use to develop, perform, and record this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

I used DHC’s suggestion to “get into bodily” the components of the blues and combined that with the parodying of 50’s coffee house music that I would do in my youth to amuse my younger brother, who will be the first recipient of the video.

Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – both logistically and emotionally.

Without realizing it I absorbed so much from the chats, that I was able to use things that helped vary the written music.

What freedoms and blocks within yourself did you connect with (or struggle with) in the process?

Being in character helped diffuse some of the self-consciousness and angst of playing before a camera.
I wish that I could have technically played better, but on the whole consider it a personal milestone on many levels

What challenges did you meet while connecting with your own freedom of expression in this project?

The challenge to overcome my self-consciousness to bring a vision to reality. The freedom to play the notes that pleased me however dissonant.
The challenge of using iMovie, which I’ve never done before and while the video results didn’t totally match my vision, I have the basis to improve on future videos

What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned in this class, and how?

It definitely boosted my self-confidence and has stimulated so many creative ideas for the future.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

I can embrace imperfection without making it the main focus and appreciate the accomplishment.

Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

This video is for my brother, who appreciated and encouraged the wackiness!

Describe your final project so I know exactly what you’re sending me.

This is a video from an artistic photo/video shoot on Vancouver Island as my Rainbow Harp Faery Character. I recently completely reworked my costume, makeup and made my faery wings. The harp playing is totally improvised in the moment of being the faery emerging from a tree! 

What principles from this course or from chats did you use to develop, perform, and record this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

Allowing the music to be an expression of my emotional self as I moved from the tree. Smiling, closing my eyes and looking up were new. Learning a lot from how others have been sharing their music.

The harp is my creative prosthetic!  

Using an introduction, melody, exploration and conclusion. 

Base, accompaniment, melody

Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – both logistically and emotionally.

Emotionally it took big courage, coaching sessions to motivate me, and strength to walk into a very popular spot (cathedral grove on Van Island) to take my own photos and video of myself dressed like a faery. 

Logistically it took travelling to the location, two days of preparation with the wildflower crown, meeting a magical photographer in the forest to film me (not wide shot unfortunately), and buying a new remote clicker to start/stop video and to take photos at a distance. 

What freedoms and blocks within yourself did you connect with (or struggle with) in the process?

Why am I trying to be a faery? And since I am, it needs to look good. Looking the part is as important as playing the part in character. 

The money needed to build the right look. 

The block of practicing/writing and singing together while moving and dancing as the faery. A lot to juggle but so worth it

What challenges did you meet while connecting with your own freedom of expression in this project?

Spending so much time on character/costume prep that I didn’t practice my harp much to build a structure of melody, or, more importantly practice singing with my harp and costume. Its a lot at once! 

This project taught me that I can be the faery anytime I put my small harp on. I don’t need to wait for an art shoot. And how helpful it would be to have a coach help bring the faery and her music more to life. 

What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned in this class, and how?

What I learned in this class is creative freedom. And the community support for our unique creative expressions. I didn’t think my Harp Faery project was a valid submission until now. It is really a special joy to share this adventure knowing it is welcome here. Thank you DHC!

What were your personal “Ahas”?

I love, really love being a faery. 

The importance of a support person to feel safe in character 

This video showed me that the 5 part arrangement structure is in my body memory now! YAhoo! 

Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

There is a story and reason for the harp faery being in the tree. She asked for a harp and the River Elf created it and left it at the Hollow Tree. The queen of the faeries placed a flower crown there for her, too. When the harp faery discovered the harp and crown, this is the first song she plays to celebrate her new harp! 

Describe your final project so I know exactly what you’re sending me.

This is my Final-Beginning Project of Pachelbel Canon in D. It’s Beyond the Page in the academy, but is not a part of Baroque Flamenco. It is just my closest class description options.

What principles from this course or from chats did you use to develop, perform, and record this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

I started off improvising on a different chord progression for the introduction as per the chat feedback tips, then went into improvising different ideas from the chat using Pachelbel Canons chord progression before I started playing some of the written version of it. The Catch Up Coaching was helpful on how to video. I hardly ever use the landscape and so this time I videoed in the landscape position.

Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – both logistically and emotionally.

I re-listened to the chat session of the half-baked feedback several times and practiced a lot to get grounded in it as much as I can for the wedding I’m playing at next Saturday September 17th.

What freedoms and blocks within yourself did you connect with (or struggle with) in the process?

I was given wonderful tips at the half-baked chat that gives me freedom to improvise on this piece. The hardest part is flowing from the ending of one progression round to the next one (where I’m going next). I had been videoing myself this last week at every practice and then deleting it afterwards. The day before of the video that I’m submitting I had recorded myself only to realize that my phone had stopped recording right when I started to play and it was telling me that I had no more memory left in my phone. I didn’t think that I was going to be able to submit a video because of this issue. I was so thankful to find out last night that you have to go into your photo app and delete the videos from the deleted file that saves them for 30 days. I’m so happy to have a lot more memory space back and was able to submit this.

What challenges did you meet while connecting with your own freedom of expression in this project?

I don’t care for my facial expressions. I’m still working on relaxing and breathing.

What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned in this class, and how?

It is so fulfilling emotionally, mentally and physically to be a part of this academy. This community is so beautiful and a safe place to grow.

What were your personal “Ahas”?

My aha was when I had my practice play for the wedding last night (Saturday evening) at the location of the wedding. Which is about 3 miles from my house out in the woods amongst the trees. My nerves calmed down while I was setting up, so I could go into playing being centered and feeling like I can do this. I played better than what I have been during my practice times at home. The bride-to-be was very grateful and happy with how the harp looks and sounds and she loves that I’m playing Pachelbel Canon. She said that I’m what is making her wedding magical.

Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

I’m outside by my house while playing. It was a little too windy though.

Describe your final project so I know exactly what you’re sending me.

Claire de lune_ Vamp (jazzy)
I got from you in the half bake session hints for the vamp.

What principles from this course or from chats did you use to develop, perform, and record this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

For the vamp, I took the progression 1-6-2-5 (with 7) and focused me to the timing.

Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – both logistically and emotionally.

I was able to get the timing by the handmovement (for the 2) instead of counting, and swinging 1-2, 1-2,…Sometimes I lost the right chord, but tried to play  1-2.

What freedoms and blocks within yourself did you connect with (or struggle with) in the process?

Freedom: Focus to 1-2 and ignore the right chords
Blocks/struggle: to focus also on the melody (right hand), to be jazzy.

What challenges did you meet while connecting with your own freedom of expression in this project?

To have fun and ignore the “not correct” notes.

What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned in this class, and how?

It’s okay to make mistakes.

Describe your final project so I know exactly what you’re sending me.

This is a meditative video, with harp music based on slow chords from a Brazilian children song, pictures from our trip to Brazil and some sentences that where inspired by a Yoga class I took long time ago……

What principles from this course or from chats did you use to develop, perform, and record this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

From the chats I used: “keep it simple”, “go back to the essence”, use images on music, try out new things…..

Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – both logistically and emotionally.

For the moment, I play more often for meditation sessions, yoga sessions, ….. Septembre is a month of new beginnings, beginning of a new school year, new projects, new colleagues, new energy…. It is a month where I often feel overwhelmed. Making this video actually allowed me to come back to myself, my inner peace and so regain new, positive energy. It was a moment to allow myself, just to be with my harp, the way I like, leave all the other things and thoughts on the side…… and it wasn’t easy…….

What freedoms and blocks within yourself did you connect with (or struggle with) in the process?

Feeling that what I play, even if it is not that difficult, is good enough. The beauty of the music, the intention or message I want to pass with it is more important than the technical difficulty.

What challenges did you meet while connecting with your own freedom of expression in this project?

Allow myself to chose to make this video and make it a priority…… and not let all the other obligations get in the way…….. sit down, take that time just for myself……

What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned in this class, and how?

Taking time for myself allows me to be more at peace and focused in general……..

What were your personal “Ahas”?

I actually can make a video based on images!

Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

Yes, when people watch this, I want them to know that they all are amazing persons. Being part of the academy, all the chats, is an inspiration, and allowed me to come back to my essence on the harp……. And I am not sure of my English in the sentences I’ve put… 

Describe your final project so I know exactly what you’re sending me.

This tune titled “Starburst” is my final beginning project for the Blues Harp-Style class.

What principles from this course or from chats did you use to develop, perform, and record this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

In this chapter “Grounded Expansion”, we learned so many cool things including: 
The blues structure, camping, riffs, chorus, swing rhythms,  modes, intros and endings, slap bass, stride bass, boogie woogie, scales, various tunings and how to create space. These elements were all so great to learn as they inspired new skills and ideas. 

Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – both logistically and emotionally.

Logistically, the blues form came quite easily to me as I used to play harp in a blues band back in the early 2000’s.  I was thrilled to learn so much more thanks to DHC and I still feel like I only scratched the surface of what DHC has so graciously put together for us in the Hip Harp Academy.  Emotionally, I just focused on having fun playing the blues.  This chapter was a blast!  I wish I’d have taken DHC’s blues class in the early 2000’s as I’d have had so many more cool harp tricks up my sleeve to play around with.  

What freedoms and blocks within yourself did you connect with (or struggle with) in the process?

The new bluesy techniques and ornaments were so much fun to learn and play. I also really enjoyed the play-along tracks.  The block I continue to struggle with is sharing my work.

What challenges did you meet while connecting with your own freedom of expression in this project?

As always, it’s a constant struggle to share.  I still haven’t mustered up the courage to sing on any of my videos yet but hope I’ll get the courage to do so one of these days.

What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned in this class, and how?

I felt so happy to be spending the summer playing and learning more about the blues. It really inspired me to write and create more music.  My loved ones could sense my joy and excitement as well. 

What were your personal “Ahas”?

Exploring the modes gave me some personal “a-ha” moments. I’m definitely going to explore them more in depth.  There were also some wonderful snippets this summer that also
gave me some “ah-ha” and “ooh La La” moments as the bluesy/jazzy chords were so lush and beautiful.

Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

The tune I’m playing here isn’t really in the traditional blues style but I kept hearing and feeling the melodies in my head so I just went with it. I did use some of the bluesy riffs we learned in class and the basic 12-bar blues structure, but I believe my piece is too fast and upbeat to be considered a blues tune.  
I find that often the music we play reflects how we’re feeling at that given moment in time.  I’ve been feeling happy and optimistic as the beautiful summer winds down on this side of the world hence the upbeat vibe of the tune.

Describe your final project so I know exactly what you’re sending me.

Singing and Playing DHC’s Sous Chef as my blues project

What principles from this course or from chats did you use to develop, perform, and record this project – and how did they play a part in your process?

Learning and doing the Blues form over and over in different keys; Feeling out the pentatonic scale in this particular key and 14-bar format. Feeling the freedom to play around and experiment with this tune.

Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – both logistically and emotionally.

I have been performing this tune in a 12-bar format with my pianist. I prefer DHC’s version because it gives me more freedom on the harp. I still don’t have the lyrics all memorized – but I’m working on it so I can play it the way I feel it. it requires emotive expression! 😉

What freedoms and blocks within yourself did you connect with (or struggle with) in the process?

First block of the night- learning to use the Scarlet. Tonight I broke a wire string-last block of the night! HOWEVER,  I found the freedom in playing with the form, As I continue to streamline it, clean it up, and hopefully play it with others, I hope to find myself in its groove and then ask DHC’s permission to use it publically. The blocks in process were putting the voice and harp together fluidly.

What challenges did you meet while connecting with your own freedom of expression in this project?

I was challenged by trying to stay fluid and emotive in the song while being able to perform the lever flips and movements on the harp. I kept finding ways around it the more I played the song. 

What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned in this class, and how?

I find the blues is a genre I really feel comfortable with. It means to me I can get up and sing the blues. Playing and singing together is even mo better. And most better playing with others!

What were your personal “Ahas”?

Ah Ha! Not to be afraid of the free form, to continue to explore, and to experiment with the scale and harmonies of the scale as it appears in different keys.

Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

I broke a wire after the first take. Boo Hoo!!. Didn’t have a backup wire. Boo Hoo!! Ordered some from Virginia Harp Center pronto! Yahoo!

What principles from this course or from chats did you use to develop, perform, and record this project – and how did they play a part in your process?
I was working on slap bass and the simple melody in RH trying to improve the counting. Will continue to work on it. 

Give a short description of what it took for you to be able to play what you did – both logistically and emotionally.

In sharing my half baked I had to overcome the fear that I was not as good as the other submissions I had previously seen by others.  I found the process and the comments given by DHC very helpful and know that this really is a safe place to share in.  I had to figure out how to upload a video to YouTube which was not as hard as I thought it would be. 

What freedoms and blocks within yourself did you connect with (or struggle with) in the process?

I learned that I can do it. 

What challenges did you meet while connecting with your own freedom of expression in this project?

Since I am trying to learn the structure and technique, rhythm of the blues, I did not really have any of my own expression. I think that will come when I don’t have to think so much about what I am trying to do. 

What other parts of your life were impacted by what you learned in this class, and how?

To look for the gift in everything. 

What were your personal “Ahas”?

I knew how to do stride from playing the piano, just never heard it called stride.  

Is there anything else you want people to know when they watch your video?

No Video. If I can get my rhythm correct this week I will post a late final project.