Empathic People and Music

Changing my career from a full time non-profit accountant and software trainer to a therapeutic musician eight years ago has been a huge positive influence on my good health and well-being.  I enjoyed studying to become a Certified Clinical Musician and keep up with the latest research on music not only for patients but also for the therapeutic musician.

A recent collaborative research study on highly empathic people and music found evidence supporting a neural account of the music-empathy connection. Also, it is among the first to use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to explore how empathy affects the way we perceive music.

From Psychology Today: Empathic People Use Social Brain Circuitry to Process Music:

"Those who deeply grasp the pain or joy of other people and display “higher empathic concern” process music differently in their brains, according to a new study by researchers at Southern Methodist University and UCLA. Their paper, “Neurophysiological Effects of Trait Empathy in Music Listening,” was recently published in the journal Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience."

Centenarian

When I provide therapeutic harp music in facilities, it is typical that I do not have information on the patient or resident other than name and age.  Last week I was thrilled to provide the joy of music to a Centeraian, 100.5 years old!  She had two daughters with her, chatting, trying to keep her spirits up.  When I showed up with the small harp and ukulele, I knew right away only the harp would work as she had only one hand she could use.  She sat up a little straighter, raised her hand to meet the strings on the harp that laid on the table before her and stroked it as her eyes started to sparkle and smile.  Her daughters told me that music was very important to her in her life, that she played the piano before and how this little harp seemed to make all the difference to her in that moment.

Accessible Harp Music

In addition to providing therapeutic harp music and instruction to those with challenges, I have been publishing No-C-Notes audio music described score for 30 years now.  Most of the music I have transcribed from print into audio has been per request from a musician, student or teacher which has been copyrighted.  That means I could not resell it to anyone other than the requester.  I have such a large library of transcribed works, but major publishers have yet to give me permission to resell it.  Obtaining permission is my 2018 goal!

I have coached many new harpers with learning how to play a lever harp and they have asked if they could have Teach Yourself to Play the Folk Harp by Sylvia Woods in No-C-Notes audio.  She graciously said Yes! and the project is now complete.  This book and Laurie Riley's Play the Therapy Harp in No-C-Notes have excellent instruction and music exercises and songs for beginners through intermediate players.

Check out both of these books in the No-C-Notes Harp Store along with some single copy harp sheet music audio described at: https://www.xinamusic.com/no-c-notes-store/no-c-notes-harp-music/

Want only melody with chords, then check the Lead Notes for lead sheet music large selection:  https://www.xinamusic.com/no-c-notes-store/lead-notes/

I am excited with Teach Yourself to Play the Folk Harp now available in No-C-Notes version.  I have been slowly finishing up some public domain, mostly Celtic, harp music to offer so keep checking the catalog pages.

My future blog postings will be keeping you up-to-date with new audio score availability, response to questions and requests and interviews with harpers with disabilities and teachers.

Minnesota State School for the Blind

Student and her para adpating the harp position to play.

Composing her Name Song.

Christina with the Harp building class.

   

The week of January 28 I was fortunate to be the teaching artist in residence at the Minnesota State School for the Blind through the generous support of VSA Minnesota and the Minnesota State School for the Blind Foundation.  I provided three classes a day involving group and individual harp instruction and harp building.  The final day held a performance and presentation playing their Name Song on the harp, playing Ode to Joy ensemble and presentation on how they built a harp.  I also provided therapeutic music for students who were not in the study groups.  The school had purchased their own accessible harps and they have been included in their daily music program.

Many of the students had multiple challenges along with their visual impairment or blindness. Students in my groups ranged from Autism, ADHD, ADD, Learning Disabilities, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Ushers Syndrome, CHARGE Syndrome, Emotional/behaviors Disorder, Cognitive and Development disorders and Cerebral Palsy-just to name a few.

I had a wonderful time with the students, teachers and staff at MSAB and appreciate the opportunity to share Harp-Abilities with them.

Performance time!

Singing the Song Without Words

I play my therapy lap harp and double strung harp weekly at a regional rehabilitation center.  I always start with playing for the patients who typically are under the closest supervision and have the lowest mobility.  Then I move on to all the other patients on the floor, offering individually to them bedside harp music for relaxation and distraction.  I finish by playing harp in the common gathering area for those who missed me before, or want music in a setting that is not bedside and typically family will be there also.

There was a patient who was motionless, sitting in the wheelchair that was pulled up to a dining table and his adult son was with him, questioning, comforting, trying to communicate with his uncommunicative and still parent whose head was down and eyes closed.  I started playing just a light feathering of notes on the harp and settling into an improvisation of a not-familiar Celtic tune. Frankly, I don't think anyone knows the words to this tune and most Celtic ones, but the rocking motion of tune and resonance of the harp can soothe.   I hadn't played more than five minutes when the son rushed up to me with tears in his eyes and said "He's singing, Dad is singing!  He's in there somewhere and happy now". And so he was, singing to a song without words, but within him was a song and a story that only music could bring out of his depths.  Not only was the patient advancing in his healing, but so was his loved one.

Welcome back

Harp-Abilities is back from Facebook postings and calendar to Harp-Abilities Blog.  The format and accessibility is much better.  I will transition my Facebook postings to this Blog spot and will include an Event Calendar.  Thanks for following!

Remembering Emily

Emily was one of my students at the 2005 Summer Institute for College Bound Blind Musicians. She loved trying the small harps I brought and learned No-C-Notes audio music description to help her with music reading. She was full of life and her memory will live on.

 http://articles.boston.com/2011-10-20/yourtown/30302757_1_golf-ball-sized-tumor-harvard-student-folk-music

Grandma's Marathon 2011

Out there for for the Grandma's Marathon runners with rain suits and warm gloves - go runners!!

Thriller

St. Luke's Foundation has a Variety Show fund raiser that I have participated in 2009 and 2010.  Oct. 2010 show had me surrounded by the "Thriller Men-At-Work".  Great fun, wonderful cause!

Another visit to Japan

I just returned from a 2 week visit to west/south Japan and was in the country when its disasters occurred.  It brought into perspective that although I enjoyed trying different kotos to play and consider to buy, that I really didn't need anything else to achieve happiness or bring happiness to others.  A visit to Daisen-in Temple in Kyoto had delightful conversations with the monk and poet Soen Ozeki there....he was pure joy.  So instead of sharing anything about harp and challenges, I would like instead to share one of his writings with you.

Each day in life is training
Training for myself
Though failure is possible

Living for each moment
Equal to anything
Ready for anything

I am alive
I am this moment
My future is here and now

For if I cannot endure today
When and where will I?

Self-Help

Nothing to really report the past couple of months because I was staying out of health care facilities and groups when I had the shingles.  I continued to play my harps for myself, and I found the vibrations to eliminate....yes I said eliminate.....my shingle pain in my ear.  I am happy to report my good health is back, shingles are gone and I am enjoying harping at rehab, hospitals and hospice again.  I have several events and happenings scheduled for April so I will share that with you then.   I will also be announcing my Harp-Abilities harp, which is truly accessible, economical and has a lovely tone.  Till then, take care!

Certified Clinical Musician

 I started this journey of certification to network, study, compose and improv into the realm of harp therapy.  My time spent with Hospice patients has taught me lessons of how to live.  I am grateful to those who have shared this journey with me and am delighted to now add the initials CCM to my name.

Grant work completed!!!

I received a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council to study with mentors and produce 10 disability in music harp arrangement with new recording equipment.  I completed this last week and have samples of the arrangements on my website Xina Music - Healing Harp Music under the Disability In Music section.  Much appreciation to ARAC and McKnight Fellowship for the grant!

The Woman Today

It is nice to have my Harp-Abilities program recognized by the local publication, The Woman Today.  Check out the Dec/Jan 2011 issue either by online, which has the cutest kids in the pic, or as dial-up pdf for the article (pgs 16-17).  Thanks to St. Luke's Hospital, where I volunteer, for the photo shoot location!

The Woman Today

Harp-Abilities logo

A new logo for Harp-Abilities designed by the very creative graphic artist, Bridget Riversmith. You can view her work at www.redrabbitriversmith.com Bridget is co-founder and active supporter of the Arrowhead Alliance of Artists with Disabilities AAAWD.

The comfort and joy of the harp rings through its strings!

New Website!

Check it out! XinaMusic.com has information on harp music, disability in music, catalog and No-C-Notes. Postings of harp music to come within the month!

Pink Ribbon support

I participated in and provided harps and music for the St. Luke's Breast Cancer Support Group on Sept. 13. What a wonderful resource and support for breast cancer survivors and those now undergoing treatment! The lap zither and Waring harp were passed around for everyone to try and I talked a bit about healing and relaxing harp music and modes while playing on the Eden harp.

Somerset Harp Fest

The 10th annual Somerset Harp Festival in Parsippany, NJ last week was a wonderful experience for me to give seminars in harpers with disabilities. I brought along a Waring 19 string accessible harp and had opportunities to attend healing harp courses. What a wonderful opportunity!

My travel and recording expenses were provided for by the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council award of the McKnight/ARAC Artist Support grant.

Certified Clinical Musician

A new goal, and much learning, sharing and musical caring along the way. The Harp for Healing Certified Clinical Musician program has given me more depth in my harp music and intention to bring relaxation and reduce anxiety. This course is certified by the National Standards Board for Therapuetic Musicians. I feel it will help further with music for those with challenges and sharing of the harp.

Xmas in July

Much fun happening at Lakeshore in Duluth last night! The sing along with my Christmas Chicks (Julie flute, Kathy keyboards, myself harp) Christmas in July program was clear and full of harmony! So happy to share with all! Sorry, no pics.