Practice Room - #Harpril - Day 6This is a before-it-became-my-studio shot. My practice room is where I play and teach both harp and piano.
This room works great for the set-up I need. I'm able to work at the table in front of the window (hello, neighbors!), watch people stop and write down my number (I have a music lessons sign out front) and see when my students pull up. This room also has a large closet where I'm able to keep things like my three-piece harp case and wireless printer.
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Harp Rebel - #Harpril - Day 5I can't think of any "rebel" moments with the harp, so I'm going with a poetic license twist and using the word "REBEL" as an acrostic. "Relaxing" - This is one of the most common comments I hear when people listen to me playing, whether it's in person or on video. (Videos on Facebook and Youtube.) After a Christmas performance someone came up to me and said "I wish you could have seen the audience. Almost everyone had their eyes closed as they listened to the music. It was moving!" "Events" - The harp is indeed a very elegant instrument and adds such a special touch to events. I have played for weddings and cocktail hours, church services, Valentine's Day dinners, Mother's Day tea, Christmas parties, funerals and other events. "Beautiful" - Not only is harp music beautiful, but harps are, as well. There are many sizes, styles and colors. Look them up here! "Effortless" - "Did you see her? She just played, turned the page and kept playing without missing a beat, like it was no big deal!" Many people have asked if it was easy to learn how to play the harp. As with any skill, there's a lot of effort that goes into learning and perfecting it! "Lessons" - Yes, I teach both piano and harp. In my business I have typically had more piano students than harp, but I have also played more harp gigs than piano. (On a side note, I have also taught music theory, song leading, English, Portuguese, and American Sign Language!) Harp Cliche - #harpril - Day 4My harp is a little different than the one King David played. I've requested to sit next to him in the harp section in Heaven, because, you know, I'm a step ahead for playing harp here on earth, though only time will tell if I'll get that spot. Oh, and I'll get to the Heavenly orchestra in a jiffy due to my angel wings. Some people make lemonade out of lemons. Others are like me - always harping on something. I really don't wish I played the flute or the violin (with *only* four strings!) If I did, I'd switch. I may not be fit as a fiddle but I do carry the harp, I pick it up, I transport it... all while looking pretty in a black dress...and sometimes heels! :gasp: *** How many cliches did you spot?! The harp cliches really don't bother me, which is why this is hopefully a more funny post than my norm. The one harp cliche that has always boggled my mind was when someone told me, "I should have known you are a harpist! You have long hair!" For other harp cliches check out #harpril on Instagram and Facebook! Concert Day Ritual - #harpril - Day 3Check music book and make sure everything is in order, tune the harp, warm up with more familiar songs, practice newer pieces or more difficult parts, and pack up my suitcase (more on Day 18). Then I get ready for the gig - black outfit, hair up, pearls and makeup. I grab water and snacks to take with me and get everything in the van. The harp and my purse are always last! When I sit in the van I go over my list: Harp, book, stand, stool, tuner, business cards. ✅ I always arrive 30-45 minutes early to get set up. Once everything is set up I allow my harp to adjust to the settings before tuning. I’ll quickly go over a song or two making sure everything is in order, I can see the wedding coordinator from where I’m sitting, and then I take a walk before I come back to begin playing. I typically don’t do much after a gig because I’m tired! But it’s a good tired. I love my job! ❤️ Meet my Harp - #harpril - Day2My harp is a Lyon and Healy Prelude and has 38 strings. Each string has a lever allowing me to take a note up or down a half step. Introductions - #harpril - Day1My name is Bethany Murphy. I’m both a pianist and harpist, performer and teacher. I’m originally from Brazil, have done most of my harping 😉 in Chattanooga, Tennessee and currently live in Prattville, Alabama. Stay tuned for most posts! |
Bethany MurphyWife, mother, small business owner, music teacher and performer. Archives
May 2023
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