I had a chance to hear
two of MSU's freshman harp students perform. It was like my character came to
life and played for me. I chatted with a high school student from Grand Rapids
who hopes to attend MSU as a harp major. "You're writing a book about
me?" (direct quote) I asked several young players why they chose harp as
an instrument, and their answers were close to what I’d written for my main
character.
The Master Class
provided ample material for the harp lesson in my novel. The revised version
will likely come to next month's critique group. I enjoyed the variety of music
students brought to the master class. I was impressed by the students’ talent
and skill.
I also got to hear the
fabulous Modern Harp Quartet. If you click through the website, you can hear
excerpts from several of their pieces.
I came home inspired,
perhaps more as a writer than a harpist. But that’s what I am, a writer.
6 comments:
I love that affirmation in the last line of this post. I should copy and print it in 42 pt. and post it above my desk.
Buffy: I aspire to being a great writer. I only have to become a better harpist.
Which came first - you learning to play the harp or your character?
Kristin: The character came first. I contacted a local harpist to ask if I could hire her as a consultant. She said, "I really think you need to take lessons."
A great consultant! I know this is a useless question: Did any student mention Harpo Marx as one inspiration for taking up the Harp?
Seeing Harpo Marx play the Harp in movies turned me into a life-long fan of the instrument. It's wonderful to hear a good Harpist play. Wish I could have joined you. Also, I'm glad to "hear" the Harp remains a popular instrument.
Beep! Beep! :-) (Or Honk! Honk!...as in Harpo-ing)
Off to that Harping link now! Thank you!!!
Wyman: While we're digressing into puns, one of the high school students played "Boogie Man Blues" by Carrie Lane Gruselle. The left hand played a walking bass line, like a double bass would play in a traditional jazz band. The right hand had a simple melody that included a glissando scream. The composer's notes mentioned that boogie men spend so much time hiding under beds that they get lonely. Thus, the boogie man blues.
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