“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.” ~ Debra Sawyer

Debra Sawer performs DHC’s Sous Chef for her Blues Final Beginning Project. Debra has been performing the tune with her pianist, but is enjoying the freedom she gets when she plays it with her harp.

Debra 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.

DEBRA SAYS …

“I find the Blues is a genre I really feel comfortable with. It means to me I can get up and sing the Blues.”

I find the Blues is a genre 
I really feel comfortable with. It means 
to me I can get up and sing the Blues. Share on X

1. Describe your final project.

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

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?

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.

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. 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.

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! 😉

4. 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.

As I continue to streamline it, clean it up, and hopefully play it with others, I hope to find myself in its groove... Share on X

5. 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.

6. 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!

7. 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.

8. 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!

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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.