Due to the recent virus, many of my students bailed on their lessons yesterday (even the ones who Skype- really??). I found I had been suddenly blessed with even more time on my hands than usual. I know- one would think practicing would be the first thing a musician with extra time would think of (especially during a quarantine)- but I’m willing to bet there are a few of you out there that can move mountains with an extra hour of not practicing. So- in an effort to stay remotely productive, I decided to learn an 18th Century piece- Loeillet’s Allemande (or as I like to call it- Alzheimer’s Prevention for harpists). Lilly and Bedford decided they would hang for a bit, but I’m guessing they got tired of hearing the same measure played over and over and over again- each time with a few additional explicatives. Besides- they preferred Chopin. They are dogs of discerning taste. What can I say?
It is normal for me to have a glass of wine while I practice. It’s just my way of relaxing. A former student of mine (and now a very dear friend) once told me I get mean when I teach while drinking. That’s because normally I’m a pushover. I just want people to love music, but I apparently get militant over technique after a glass or two. “Get those thumbs up!” “Pull your fingers into your palm.” “What’s up with that middle finger?” But yesterday- no alcohol during practice. I wanted to focus and really get my fingers where they needed to go. Besides- I had a Social Distancing Cocktail Club online meet-up at 7- and Old Fashioned’s were on my menu!
I played and played and played. It felt wonderful. Then I finally hit my wall and realized I wasn’t getting anywhere. Come ooooon 7pm! Dogs were fed, food was shoveled, ingredients were assembled. I was ready. People were already posting amazing pictures of their ingenious concoctions. I’d worked hard to imbibe in some cocktails today. I’ll admit- I was a tad jealous over the fruity martini glasses in the pictures, but my humble Old Fashioned was going to be just the ticket. I turned on The Angel Has Fallen (love Gerard Butler), checked into my online meet-up, uploaded a picture of my drink, aaaaaand sipped. Ok, I may have gulped. Heaven. I was, of course, fast asleep in no time.
Turns out- the movie (what I saw of it) was far more interesting than the Social Cocktail Club. If anything, I learned I need to up my game if I’m going to compete with some of the member’s cocktail bars. Those were some swanky drinks. However, if I’m ever going to learn that tune, I should probably stick with wine and beer. I’m more disciplined and less inclined to swerve off topic with my stand by’s. But of course, the occasional Old Fashioned never hurt anything. š
Harp, Wine, and K9's 