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Harping on the subject...
Feb. 3rd, 2006 05:46 pmSome of you may remember my posting last summer where I describe my new musical toy (a 29-string folk harp). Over the ensuing months I plinked on it off and on, teaching myself from an instruction book and a book of exercises. After a while, I realized that getting some actual lessons would do me some good. The last thing I need is to practice mistakes and have bad technique become second nature... especially because I think I'd like to try learning concert harp one of these years as well.
So I googled around and eventually found a lead to a teacher in Framingham, not far from the house we're in the process of buying. I had my initial consultation with her a couple of days ago, and I think we'll get along just fine. She's nice, has a sense of humor, and is willing to work towards the student's own goals (whether it's playing for fun or serious professional playing). It didn't take long for us to size each other up; I figured out I liked where she was coming from, and she got an idea of my musical experience and expertise pretty quickly.
I was also relieved to learn that the technique I'd taught myself was not very far off. She asked if I'd watched the video that was available with my instruction book. I didn't even know the video existed; I told her I watched the harpists who perform at our concerts.
She's also a cat person, and has this beautiful big grey tomcat who was most curious about the new visitor. The kitty twirled around at our feet, accepted skritches from me, and sniffed my harp very carefully. My guess is that he caught the scent of my pet rabbit. At one point I look up and see a tail disappearing into my harp bag! I told the teacher that was okay with me, as long as he was out by the time I packed up my harp to go home...
This last incident got me thinking about people's attitudes towards the little creatures in our lives. For some reason, I could be infinitely patient and indulgent of a cat, and I found such antics nothing but cute. If it were a small *child* doing the same sorts of things (wandering around the lesson room, poking at my instrument and bag), I'd be furious and probably wouldn't come back unless the situation were dealt with immediately. It always irritated me that some folks could find such childish antics "cute" when I could only see them as irritating and disruptive.
So I guess I have a tiny bit of insight into those folks who find intrusive children "cute". I'm just wondering about the difference in response... is it that there's a difference in the way kids and cats go about their business, or a difference in my response to them, or both? It seems to me that a kitty poking around is largely minding his own business, whereas a kid is demanding attention and inclusion in the goings-on. I'm not sure, but it's something to think about...
So I googled around and eventually found a lead to a teacher in Framingham, not far from the house we're in the process of buying. I had my initial consultation with her a couple of days ago, and I think we'll get along just fine. She's nice, has a sense of humor, and is willing to work towards the student's own goals (whether it's playing for fun or serious professional playing). It didn't take long for us to size each other up; I figured out I liked where she was coming from, and she got an idea of my musical experience and expertise pretty quickly.
I was also relieved to learn that the technique I'd taught myself was not very far off. She asked if I'd watched the video that was available with my instruction book. I didn't even know the video existed; I told her I watched the harpists who perform at our concerts.
She's also a cat person, and has this beautiful big grey tomcat who was most curious about the new visitor. The kitty twirled around at our feet, accepted skritches from me, and sniffed my harp very carefully. My guess is that he caught the scent of my pet rabbit. At one point I look up and see a tail disappearing into my harp bag! I told the teacher that was okay with me, as long as he was out by the time I packed up my harp to go home...
This last incident got me thinking about people's attitudes towards the little creatures in our lives. For some reason, I could be infinitely patient and indulgent of a cat, and I found such antics nothing but cute. If it were a small *child* doing the same sorts of things (wandering around the lesson room, poking at my instrument and bag), I'd be furious and probably wouldn't come back unless the situation were dealt with immediately. It always irritated me that some folks could find such childish antics "cute" when I could only see them as irritating and disruptive.
So I guess I have a tiny bit of insight into those folks who find intrusive children "cute". I'm just wondering about the difference in response... is it that there's a difference in the way kids and cats go about their business, or a difference in my response to them, or both? It seems to me that a kitty poking around is largely minding his own business, whereas a kid is demanding attention and inclusion in the goings-on. I'm not sure, but it's something to think about...
