One of the problems I have, as a harpist, is getting over myself.
I feel a bit estranged when watching all the videos of pretty young harpists in floaty dresses playing in the woods or fields of flowers. Do you understand? Of course I am very happy for harpists who are doing well in this medium. And honestly, as a young woman, that was exactly what I tried to do — to be photographed as gloriously beautiful, my long shining hair caught by the breeze..
Reality check, I practice in sweatpants and there are dust bunnies under my stocking feet. Have I even brushed my hair today? I blame Covid.
Of course, it is the music, not the imagery, that drew me to the harp and keeps me coming back. And it is the music I want to share with others. I’m just intimidated by social media, which is so dominated by imagery that doesn’t look like me.
So I’m collecting new images, new storylines, for being a harpist past the age of fairy princess and more like the age of … what? Fairy Godmother? Mystic crone? Aging-hippie harpist?
How about “just me in my bathrobe”? Hmmm… maybe I could make more of an effort.
