Please Refresh Your Screen Each Time you Come to this Page 

This is a 'dynamic page' - that means the content may be changing. You need to refresh because, when your browser loads pages, it just shows you the last version 'it' saw - so unless you refresh your screen you may not see new content.  

Note: This page lives in Hip Harp Academy. If you’re not a current member, then links in the header may not work for you, but all the links and videos in the training should work. Click Here to learn about Academy Membership.


WELCOME TO THE REPLAY
of the Hip Harp Academy
“We Wish You a Merry Christmas!”
Holiday Action Session

What's a Creative ‘Action Session? (click to open)

A CREATIVE ACTION SESSION is kind of like a play-along webinar. We take a CREATIVE PROCESS and APPLY it step, by step, so you can see how it works and put it into ACTION on your instrument in the moment. 

In this Action Session you learn to take a Lead-Sheet (or chord chart) of the tune “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” – and first ENRICH the melody with harmonies (based on the chord chart) – and then EXPAND the piece into a multi-part arrangement.

I begin each Action Session by describing the process we’ll be using, then I play it out in its simplest form … in a way that would be playable by a fledgling player (i.e. advanced beginner). 

Then I start expanding it, first by adding techniques an intermediate player might use – and finally to techniques that advanced players might use, like extended chords, reharmonization.

The beauty of working this way is that for each person, you only go as far as your brain feels comfortable, knowing you can always go back later on and add more. 

That means that Fledgling Players learn the basic idea, and continue to play the piece simply throughout the session.  Intermediate Players continue to add concepts on the first level of expansion — and Advanced Players can incorporate the most expanded and embellished ideas. 

Everyone plays the whole time – you just stop expanding the ideas at the point when you hit the limit of your brain or you abilities, knowing you can always go back later on and add more, depending on your experience and technique. 

What happens is that everyone – regardless of your level –  develops a solid foundation to SHARE the music, make CONNECTIONS with your audience and get more and more creatively expressive. And everyone learns to have FUN using creative ideas to express yourself simply NOW – and know how to expand that expression later.

You can view the Action Session and download the PDF we used in the session below.  

“We Wish You a Merry Christmas”
Video Replay

(Recorded 12/23/19)

Special Bonus Training: Prepare for New Years!

Auld Lang Syne

(Recorded 12/6/19)

“Play With Freedom” Webinar

Wed. July 10 at 4:30 pm EDT

In this PLAY-ALONG WEBINAR, you will…

1. Learn a powerful musical formula you can memorize in 30 seconds
2. Play Along as I show you how to use short ‘riffs’ to create simple, fun improvisations using your Downloadable PDF Play-sheet
3. Use this same formula to create a contemplative improvisation (for meditative playing situations like hospitals)
4. Best of all, you get to kick back and just have FUN with this music – because we’ll be truly PLAYING

PLUS! SPECIAL BONUS: “The Art of Noodling!”

Click here to Register!