“It has given me more tools in my toolbox, which builds to the performer I want to be.” ~ Jolijne Viergever

Travel to “JoJo’s Lounge,” where Jolijne Viergever performs her sultry “Wretched Blues.” Jolijne uses harp, voice, looper, improv and costume to create the atmosphere of an old-time nightclub.

Jolijne is one of the daring harpists who are challenging themselves to develop new ways of self-expression in Hip Harp Academy by combining the skills and tools of improv with each person’s natural abilities and passions – creating new hybrids of expression that expand what it means to be a harp player.

JOLIJNE SAYS …

“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.”

I'm very away of myself on video, but decided to embrace 
it this time and show all of myself. Share on X

1. Describe your final project.

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

2. 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.

Playing and singing at the same time while connecting with ‘an audience’ is definitely something I want to work on and develop. Share on X

3. 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 led to some plans to change my music room to accommodate things in future.

4. 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.

5. 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.

I’m wearing my mum’s dress… when I was little, I thought she looked like a princess in it. Share on X

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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 💕

Hey, thanks for reading this example of what it’s like to go thru a course with me! Did you have Aha’s or revelations watching the video & reading the answers she wrote? Add your comments below. Please – no critiques – just share what you learned from someone courageously sharing a project that’s the BEGINNING of a lifelong learning journey.

Check out the beginning of a lifelong #harp learning journey Share on X

Want to do some courageous learning yourself? Click here to check out Hip Harp Academy where daring harpists get their creative wings.