I've Got the World on a String

On several strings actually . . .

I am taking harp lessons this semester at school and I love it. Growing up, I always thought of the harp as an unattainable instrument. Mostly because it seemed rather big for so small a person as my 7-year-old self, but also because there was no one I knew who played harp. When I got to college and found out it was possible to rent a harp and take lessons, it immediately went on my list of 'things to do at college'. I mean, I'm tall enough now!

I have compiled a list of what I love about playing harp:

1. It has a gorgeous sound.
  - I defy anyone who dares contradict me. My dad will defy you too, because he was the one who first bought a harp CD for me and also the one who would listen to his Christmas harp CD in August because he loves the sound.

2. It's relaxing.
  - I've found that 20 minutes of harp at the end of a stressful day of classes works wonders on my stress level. Music is so soothing in so many ways. Plus . . .

3. It makes me feel creative.
  - The fact that I had not touched a harp before this September means that it is still essentially a novelty in my life. I feel like I create brand new music and sound every time I play.

4. It's normal to take off your shoes while you play
   - I don't know about you, but I would live barefoot if it wasn't so stinkin' socially unacceptable. You want me to practice the harp? Oh, I should kick off my shoes? YES.

5. It's a great conversation starter.
  - My default nervous-tick has become to practice my hand positions for harp. Which tends to get weird stares and people asking me what-in-the-fat-world am I doing. To which I reply, "I'm practicing my harp positions." And said person will look at me inquisitively and say, "Did I know you played harp?" "I just started this semester!" Then I get to talk about all the things I now know about harp, and clearly I'm an EXPERT because I've been playing for oh, 7 whole weeks now! I love being the expert.

6. It's something new.
 - When else in my life could I take harp? I'm at college, I can rent a harp, and its free to take lessons. I get to embark on a new adventure and also learn a new skill set.

7. It's challenging.
  - It's hard to learn a new instrument! My fingers get all tangled and my back hurts and my eyes start going fuzzy from watching the strings vibrate. But the feeling I get when I finally master a finger position or learn a new line to a song? Priceless.

I think I'm going to get a t-shirt that proudly displays to the world "I Love Harp". And I'll get t-shirts for all my friends that say, "I'm With the Harpist  -->"  We'll be the coolest kids on the block.

So, now that you  know all the great things about harp, I want you to go out and doing something new and adventurous! Lead on to greatness, my friends!

m(r)