I just finished my review of one of the required readings, "The Healing Power of Sound" by Mitchell L. Gaynor M.D. and wanted to share some of what I learned. I think mostly, I learned to listen to my mind and spirit, my body and my instincts. This book is written by an Oncologist that was introduced to the study of Sound Therapy by one of his Patients, a Tibetan Man, who he was treating for Cancer. Fascinating stuff, Eastern Medicine.
Western Medicine eliminated the "spiritual" healing of the Body-Mind by allowing the "body" to be studied but the "spirit" was to remain property of the Catholic Church. This was determined back in the Renaissance Period. So as Eastern Medicine has been practicing Sound Healing with Voice, Instruments and Meditation, Western Medicine has been treating only Half a Patient....
The good news...finally Western Medicine has the ability and the technologies to "prove" that Music has a measurable physiologic effect....chemically creating endogenous opiates, that are internal painkillers as well as healing agents in the body...Dopamine. Which we can get hooked on, by the way! But that's just the tip of the iceberg and I don't want to give too much away.
Most importantly, it gives great weight to how Music makes me feel...not just as a listener but probably as important, as the player. The harp has a very special relationship with Music and Healing. Our bodies are made up of lots of Water...which allows sounds to resonate through us quickly....and the Harp has such resonance that it touches our very core. Did you know that if you unroll the human Cochlea, which is a cone shape and collects the sounds you hear, it is in the shape of a Harp????? How darn cool is that???
My hope is that in the near future we have, what is called, "Era III Medicine" where ever Doctor, Nurse and caregiver is taught the values and practices of Sound Healing and Relaxing. There should be a Department in every Hospital, Nursing Home and Mental Hospital, that treats the entire package....Body-Mind (which is one) and Spirit. Do some exploring yourself. First read the book...then see what you think, it's had a major effect on How I will live my life, How I will see the lives of others and How I will leave this Life.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Thursday, June 20, 2013
A new Tattoo!
June 19, 2013.....4pm I just turned the Air Conditioning back on, Summer is upon us
I thought I should write a little about my Tattoo.....2 weeks ago this Friday, I got my first INK...as they call it. I've been thinking of getting a Tattoo for a few years now, but couldn't really decide what I wanted permanently on the inside of my right forearm, just above the wrist.
June 20, 2013...6:30 am...continuing on yesterdays post.....
So at first it was going to be some kind of music note/notes....perhaps a Treble or Bass Clef. There are so many cool designs to choose from and I liked plenty of them, but nothing really resonated with me, it will be there for life. Which, to be honest isn't THAT big of a deal. At 61, I don't have decades left to worry about it or regret it, but my advice to young people....pick a Tattoo that has real meaning, don't just fill the space!
I do remember when my Girls got there first HIDDEN Tattoos....how I accidentally saw them. I can't say I liked them at the time or even appreciated them as Art, wow have things changed. It's true when they say, you've got a lot of living to do. As you live, you grow and as you grow you start to realize you are just a tiny part of the Universe. Dang, Tattoos can be beautiful!
So back to my decision making....When I started my Harping a couple years ago, I knew I wanted my Ink to be of a Harp...just a little Harp....little tiny Harp. There are so many pics of Harps it was tough to decide, but I did find a pic of an old Irish Harp, with the Notch cut out of the Pillar. I think that might have been how they carried the Harp, one hand on the notch and one on the back. Of course they were small Lap Harps back in those days and traveled with the Harper everywhere they went.
It is said, that when you touch a Harp String, you are than a Harper. I love that. (makes it sound like you don't even have to practice...NOT) When I first started playing the Harp, I used to wonder why sometimes you were referred to as a Harpist or a Harper. I thought maybe the Harpist was a Woman and a Harper was a Man. Not so. I think back in the day, a Harpist played the large, Pedal harp. The kind you think of when someone says HARP. The Pedal Harp is found in Orchestras or in a Church setting. Also, you think of a Pedal Harp playing Classical or Church Music. The Harper plays a Folk or Celtic Harp. It can be a Lap Harp or a floor standing Harp, but it has less strings and is portable in size.
So now that I had this cute little Harp picked out....I had to work on my nerves. I can't say I was looking forward to little needles stabbing me over and over to create this piece of Art....but I also knew I would live through it and it would be so worth it. To have this tiny, little Harp on my wrist for the rest of my life would be so wonderful. My girls assured me it would be about 15 minutes of pain. I picked that spot on my arm because it's a little hidden from public view and yet I could easily look at it whenever I wanted to! The other thing I thought about was a little morbid.....are you ready.....you could identify my body with it!!!! hahahahaha.......just saying.
I did get my Tattoo...a different Tattoo. I was sitting outside drinking a Guinness Beer and looked down at the Guinness Beer Harp on the bottle...it was a sudden connection with the Image. My decision could have been influenced by the Alcohol Content of the Beer, but I don't think so. It was just the perfect Harp. Clean, straight lines and very simple. That is my Tattoo....the Guinness Beer Harp...in color! There is an Italian word, "dolce" , it means Sweet or Sweetly. It's used often in Music to help the Musician interpret a passage of music with softness and expression. I have always loved this word, so I had this written on the Neck of my Harp Tattoo.
My Tattoo is NOT small...it went from tiny to 3", which took 1 hour, NOT 15 minutes. I almost caved on the color, but was encouraged by my Daughter and the surrounding Artists to suck it up and get it colored in (more pain). I love my Ink! I am off balance now and currently looking for something meaningful for my left forearm. Any thoughts?
I thought I should write a little about my Tattoo.....2 weeks ago this Friday, I got my first INK...as they call it. I've been thinking of getting a Tattoo for a few years now, but couldn't really decide what I wanted permanently on the inside of my right forearm, just above the wrist.
June 20, 2013...6:30 am...continuing on yesterdays post.....
So at first it was going to be some kind of music note/notes....perhaps a Treble or Bass Clef. There are so many cool designs to choose from and I liked plenty of them, but nothing really resonated with me, it will be there for life. Which, to be honest isn't THAT big of a deal. At 61, I don't have decades left to worry about it or regret it, but my advice to young people....pick a Tattoo that has real meaning, don't just fill the space!
I do remember when my Girls got there first HIDDEN Tattoos....how I accidentally saw them. I can't say I liked them at the time or even appreciated them as Art, wow have things changed. It's true when they say, you've got a lot of living to do. As you live, you grow and as you grow you start to realize you are just a tiny part of the Universe. Dang, Tattoos can be beautiful!
So back to my decision making....When I started my Harping a couple years ago, I knew I wanted my Ink to be of a Harp...just a little Harp....little tiny Harp. There are so many pics of Harps it was tough to decide, but I did find a pic of an old Irish Harp, with the Notch cut out of the Pillar. I think that might have been how they carried the Harp, one hand on the notch and one on the back. Of course they were small Lap Harps back in those days and traveled with the Harper everywhere they went.
It is said, that when you touch a Harp String, you are than a Harper. I love that. (makes it sound like you don't even have to practice...NOT) When I first started playing the Harp, I used to wonder why sometimes you were referred to as a Harpist or a Harper. I thought maybe the Harpist was a Woman and a Harper was a Man. Not so. I think back in the day, a Harpist played the large, Pedal harp. The kind you think of when someone says HARP. The Pedal Harp is found in Orchestras or in a Church setting. Also, you think of a Pedal Harp playing Classical or Church Music. The Harper plays a Folk or Celtic Harp. It can be a Lap Harp or a floor standing Harp, but it has less strings and is portable in size.
So now that I had this cute little Harp picked out....I had to work on my nerves. I can't say I was looking forward to little needles stabbing me over and over to create this piece of Art....but I also knew I would live through it and it would be so worth it. To have this tiny, little Harp on my wrist for the rest of my life would be so wonderful. My girls assured me it would be about 15 minutes of pain. I picked that spot on my arm because it's a little hidden from public view and yet I could easily look at it whenever I wanted to! The other thing I thought about was a little morbid.....are you ready.....you could identify my body with it!!!! hahahahaha.......just saying.
I did get my Tattoo...a different Tattoo. I was sitting outside drinking a Guinness Beer and looked down at the Guinness Beer Harp on the bottle...it was a sudden connection with the Image. My decision could have been influenced by the Alcohol Content of the Beer, but I don't think so. It was just the perfect Harp. Clean, straight lines and very simple. That is my Tattoo....the Guinness Beer Harp...in color! There is an Italian word, "dolce" , it means Sweet or Sweetly. It's used often in Music to help the Musician interpret a passage of music with softness and expression. I have always loved this word, so I had this written on the Neck of my Harp Tattoo.
My Tattoo is NOT small...it went from tiny to 3", which took 1 hour, NOT 15 minutes. I almost caved on the color, but was encouraged by my Daughter and the surrounding Artists to suck it up and get it colored in (more pain). I love my Ink! I am off balance now and currently looking for something meaningful for my left forearm. Any thoughts?
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Meaningful Harp Music
June 19, 2013 7:05am....Sunny and a cool breeze this morning
So I was thinking about how some Music is more meaningful on the Harp. It all sounds beautiful, but sometimes I will play something and it will just touch me to my Soul. When I was in the Lobby of the Hospital playing one morning, a lady sat next to me for 1 1/2 hrs waiting for her husband to come out of surgery. She just relaxed and enjoyed the peaceful aura around us. A family was walking through the Lobby and stopped to let their kids look at the Harp. (I realize more and more, lots of people have never seen a Harp up close and personal). So this Lady says to the kids, ask her to play something for you, she can even make Twinkle Twinkle Little Star sound heavenly! I find that interesting, because Mozart wrote the Twinkle Twinkle Variations!
Last night I downloaded Lead Sheets for "Sound of Silence", "Bridge over Troubled Water" and John Lennon's "Imagine". As I played through these (should read, stumbled through these) they all touched me deeply. I don't know if it's my 70's Rock thing going on or just that the Lyrics are so fitting for what I do with my Harp.
They say when you have your Health, you have everything. How hard it is sometimes to remember and appreciate fully, how true that is. Especially in this age of technology and adventures, I myself get caught up in the Merry-go-round World...but it's my Music on the Harp that grounds me back to what's important in my World. When I was playing "Sound of Silence" I was feeling the saddness of someone going through Chemo and awakening in the middle of the night to the absolute silence around them. How beautiful the Melody is and how peaceful to be carried away with the notes.
While I was playing at Infusion on Friday, I thought of "Bridge over Troubled Water" and how appropriate those lyrics would be, which was the inspiration for the download, lol....."When your weary, feeling small. When tears are in your eyes, I'll dry them all." How many times in your life have you felt that way and needed that Bridge. Some of us find that Bridge in different ways....Religion, Nature, Music and the list goes on and on.
But my favorite from yesterday is "Imagine". I am a lover of Peace and Justice for All. I am a true American. I tear up at the National Anthem. I want Peace around the World. I hung out my Buddhist Prayer Flags. For those of you that don't know the meaning...the colored flags represent the Elements of Enlightenment. Blue for Space, White for Air, Red for Fire, Green for Water and Yellow for Earth. I embrace many different aspects of Beliefs, the power of God, the peaceful and loving Karma of Buddha but most of all I embrace mankind and the difference we can make to one another. "Imagine there's no Countries...nothing to live or die for" "living life in Peace"......gotta get ready for work!
So I was thinking about how some Music is more meaningful on the Harp. It all sounds beautiful, but sometimes I will play something and it will just touch me to my Soul. When I was in the Lobby of the Hospital playing one morning, a lady sat next to me for 1 1/2 hrs waiting for her husband to come out of surgery. She just relaxed and enjoyed the peaceful aura around us. A family was walking through the Lobby and stopped to let their kids look at the Harp. (I realize more and more, lots of people have never seen a Harp up close and personal). So this Lady says to the kids, ask her to play something for you, she can even make Twinkle Twinkle Little Star sound heavenly! I find that interesting, because Mozart wrote the Twinkle Twinkle Variations!
Last night I downloaded Lead Sheets for "Sound of Silence", "Bridge over Troubled Water" and John Lennon's "Imagine". As I played through these (should read, stumbled through these) they all touched me deeply. I don't know if it's my 70's Rock thing going on or just that the Lyrics are so fitting for what I do with my Harp.
They say when you have your Health, you have everything. How hard it is sometimes to remember and appreciate fully, how true that is. Especially in this age of technology and adventures, I myself get caught up in the Merry-go-round World...but it's my Music on the Harp that grounds me back to what's important in my World. When I was playing "Sound of Silence" I was feeling the saddness of someone going through Chemo and awakening in the middle of the night to the absolute silence around them. How beautiful the Melody is and how peaceful to be carried away with the notes.
While I was playing at Infusion on Friday, I thought of "Bridge over Troubled Water" and how appropriate those lyrics would be, which was the inspiration for the download, lol....."When your weary, feeling small. When tears are in your eyes, I'll dry them all." How many times in your life have you felt that way and needed that Bridge. Some of us find that Bridge in different ways....Religion, Nature, Music and the list goes on and on.
But my favorite from yesterday is "Imagine". I am a lover of Peace and Justice for All. I am a true American. I tear up at the National Anthem. I want Peace around the World. I hung out my Buddhist Prayer Flags. For those of you that don't know the meaning...the colored flags represent the Elements of Enlightenment. Blue for Space, White for Air, Red for Fire, Green for Water and Yellow for Earth. I embrace many different aspects of Beliefs, the power of God, the peaceful and loving Karma of Buddha but most of all I embrace mankind and the difference we can make to one another. "Imagine there's no Countries...nothing to live or die for" "living life in Peace"......gotta get ready for work!
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
My First Posting
Tuesday, June 18th....2013 it's a rainy afternoon, my door is open so I can hear the rain and wind.....
I thought I would start writing down all the wonderful and fascinating experiences I have with my little Dusty 34 Ravenna Harp. I am completely blown away over my feelings for making music on my harp. All these years making music on my Piano, Hammered Dulcimer, Mountain Dulcimer...I have never been emotionally and spiritually moved like I am when I am playing the Harp.
Funny thing, I didn't feel this way about the Harp in the beginning. I bought my first Mid-Eastern Harp in 2001, after my Mom and best friend passed away. I did try to play it, as I had wanted one for many years. Every time I tried to play, (which included lessons with Mary Kay of Bowie MD) I would just get too sad. I think my Body-Mind wasn't ready yet to accept the awesome responsibility of the Harp...which I will get into later.
So, after my Dad passed in 2009, I tried again. This time it felt right. This time is was soothing and comforting. This time it was exciting!! So I took a few lessons with a different teacher and decided I loved it so much I needed a larger Harp with more strings...so Tad got me a Dusty 26 Ravenna Harp for our Anniversary.
I have had a few lessons with different Teachers over the past year, some of them on Skype. I decided I wasn't really interested (at least not now) in playing Classical Music or Performing on my Harp. I would consider Teaching the Harp down the road, just because I think it would be an awesome Instrument to share with someone else. But I loved taking my Harp to the Household of Angels Assisted Living to practice. They were a pretty forgiving audience, but not totally!!!! If I made too many obvious mistakes, one lady would yell out "well, that was terrible, just terrible". hahahahaha and it was terrible, but it was a great way to get in some serious playing and overcome my anxiety playing in front of people. I have struggled with Performance Anxiety all the years I taught Piano.
Somehow, the Harp is different and I don't feel like I am "performing" when I play for Assisted Living or in a Hospital setting. I feel I am giving a Service. I feel as though I am supposed to be there, playing for those that need to be comforted, relaxed, and even inspired. I see this as a very important responsibility...one that gives me as much or more inner peace than I could possibly give to the listener.
I thought I would start writing down all the wonderful and fascinating experiences I have with my little Dusty 34 Ravenna Harp. I am completely blown away over my feelings for making music on my harp. All these years making music on my Piano, Hammered Dulcimer, Mountain Dulcimer...I have never been emotionally and spiritually moved like I am when I am playing the Harp.
Funny thing, I didn't feel this way about the Harp in the beginning. I bought my first Mid-Eastern Harp in 2001, after my Mom and best friend passed away. I did try to play it, as I had wanted one for many years. Every time I tried to play, (which included lessons with Mary Kay of Bowie MD) I would just get too sad. I think my Body-Mind wasn't ready yet to accept the awesome responsibility of the Harp...which I will get into later.
So, after my Dad passed in 2009, I tried again. This time it felt right. This time is was soothing and comforting. This time it was exciting!! So I took a few lessons with a different teacher and decided I loved it so much I needed a larger Harp with more strings...so Tad got me a Dusty 26 Ravenna Harp for our Anniversary.
I have had a few lessons with different Teachers over the past year, some of them on Skype. I decided I wasn't really interested (at least not now) in playing Classical Music or Performing on my Harp. I would consider Teaching the Harp down the road, just because I think it would be an awesome Instrument to share with someone else. But I loved taking my Harp to the Household of Angels Assisted Living to practice. They were a pretty forgiving audience, but not totally!!!! If I made too many obvious mistakes, one lady would yell out "well, that was terrible, just terrible". hahahahaha and it was terrible, but it was a great way to get in some serious playing and overcome my anxiety playing in front of people. I have struggled with Performance Anxiety all the years I taught Piano.
Somehow, the Harp is different and I don't feel like I am "performing" when I play for Assisted Living or in a Hospital setting. I feel I am giving a Service. I feel as though I am supposed to be there, playing for those that need to be comforted, relaxed, and even inspired. I see this as a very important responsibility...one that gives me as much or more inner peace than I could possibly give to the listener.
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