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!