Harp Column Blogs: Brandee YoungerArchive

Has anyone ever received a call requesting "just a harpist"? As long as it's a harpist, it's great! Whether for a wedding ceremony, background music, solo performance, jazz or an orchestra concert, they just want a harp! Have any of you received a call requesting YOU? Regardless of the reason: They've heard you before, you came highly recommended, the style you play is exactly what they want. Whatever the reason may be, they want YOU.

So, when is a harpist not just a harpist, and how can each one of us magnify our individuality in order to avoid those calls requesting 'just a harpist"?

We all have different personalities. We come from different cultural backgrounds and places. We all have different looks, and musical tastes. It's everything that makes us who we are. Our playing can also reflect all of those characteristics that make us unique. Listen to six different recordings of the same piece and hear how different each one is. Although it is the same piece, each recording is interpreted very differently. I don't mean that some chords are rolled, others flat, muffled, or left to vibrate. Rather, it is the feeling behind what is being played. When we speak to each other, there is expression in our voice, and most people are able to say the same sentence a number of different ways. When I speak to you, you will know very easily if I am angry, agitated, excited, happy, content, sad or just being sarcastic! It all comes out in my voice. Why can't that be applied to the harp, for all of us?

Our playing shouldn't be generic and our music shouldn't be like cans of coke, sprite, pepsi and rootbeer. However, it should reflect who we are. We each have our own unique voice that wants and deserves to be heard, so I say, Let's Speak! Speak so much and so loudly, that every call received is for YOU!

I just want to make it clear that if I am playing, and am not able to carry a full conversation with you, I'm not being rude.  Sometimes I have to really pay attention to what I'm playing.  Some music is more difficult than others,  or I am less familiar with some, so the multi-tasking does not always work.  If I nod my head, or give you one word answers, please don't be offended.  I'm trying to save your ears from hearing notes that may make you cry, in a bad way.

Further,  please don't ask me for my number while I am working.  A business card, because you seem interested in future shows--yes.  But men, trying to pick me up on a gig, especially while I'm playing, does not look good. Not professional.  

Generally speaking, please be considerate of my work.  
No song I play is that long, so please just wait two or three minutes to start asking questions that require thought.  I'm very social & love meeting people, so I'll probably be eager to speak with you :)