Rhian Evans Harpist

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Sound and Noise

My post on Wednesday started with an evocative sound clip and lately I've been very aware of how intensely attuned I am to the sounds and noises around me.  I love this time of year and it's great to spend more time outdoors in my garden and having a quick cup of tea in the sun during breaks is a virtuous vice.  (ASIDE - as I tweak my erudite scrawlings ((tears of laughter faces)) my train of thought was just rudely interrupted by a car alarm going off every 20 seconds outside, not mine I hope!  I went into a trance-like state and just could not focus - does anyone else get this?!!  I'm off to live in a Finca in Spain - anyone coming?  Quiet persons only need apply!!)  The vitamin D is working its magic and I'm off to live in Spain as soon as I can - anyone coming?!!  As I was drinking my morning coffee on my back step Monday morning before my rehearsal I sensed my growing agitation.  My neighbours were in their garden with their choice of radio station blasting, or so it seemed to me.  We clearly don't share the same taste in music - you call that music?!!  I'm aware I need a lot of silence, otherwise my thoughts become overwhelmingly noisy or, the other extreme, worryingly quiet.

This week I have started thinking a lot more about listening to music after the positive effect tuning in again while driving had on me last week.  I listened to that broadcast about syncopation yesterday morning as I did my dishes and the pile of ironing that had stacked up and it was brilliant!  Syncopation was explained so clearly with brilliant musical illustrations anyone can relate to from Mozart to Luther Vandross!  Some of the musical examples were stimulating whilst others jarred.  It made me realise I often take music for granted and when I think about the intricate complexity of creating something that sounds so simple, it blows my mind a bit.  I got a real buzz listening to it.  Hearing is such a powerful sense.  Listen to one of your favourite songs and you can be taken back in time in an instant.

I have been unfortunate in that on one side I have, well, awful neighbours!  I know the bible says to Love Thy Neighbour, but you haven't met mine!  They're so noisy with regular arguing and shouting, they have two of the barkiest dogs ever and the loudest one barks at me incessantly as I get home.  It stresses me out and I hate feeling like I'm being aggressed on my own territory.  As you may know by now, my pet of choice is a cat - there's nowt quieter than a cat.  Or less demanding. independent and low maintenance.

I had a quick chat with my nice neighbours (it's all about balance!) and she said my music sounded great.  That was a really nice thing to say after our trio rehearsal - it's going to be good!  It's great to have feedback like that - I'm always aware of noise pollution and keep my doors and windows closed when I practice so I keep annoyance of others to a minimum.  Do unto others and all that.  I am also my own worst enemy (aren't we all?) - something that would sound good to others is hideously imperfect to my ears!

As we sat in front of the timpani and percussion last Saturday, painful experience meant I had earplugs with me, I don't think my colleague did.  In the concert with the presence of an audience I felt like shouting at her to put her fingers in her ears - our hearing is so precious and it wouldn't matter what the audience thought.  In our position they would have done the same!

As I was getting my music fix doing the dishes this morning I got that tingle when a piece for flute and harp came on.  The more I listened, the more the critical analytical side of my brain kicked in - I like that, don't like the sound there, what was THAT?! - and I knew it was a popular brand of American harp.  At the risk of being controversial, I don't like these harps generally speaking.  I find the sound cold and wooden and a bit brash.  I'm entitled to my opinion, this is my blog!  It got me thinking about the importance of my choice of instrument as an extension of my expressive voice and why I play the harp I play.  I love the warmth of the sound and that he (!) has a wild side.  He has personality, oodles of it!  As I'm quite small I like the physical lightness of it.  It has enough power for orchestral playing and it can be intimate within a chamber music setting.  Being the first thing we perceive, I acknowledged how important sound is to my identity as a harpist and musician.

After this beautiful French work I wrinkled my nose and pulled a face as a composer's name whose work I've played too many times was mentioned...  That's the power of music!

When you do music as a day to day job it can often be difficult to keep inspired.  I remember a time when I had 10 days work in a row and loved every minute of it, another time working 6 days in a week including 2 days with matinees.  That I found hard.  It was the same music and a long show and although the music was great, it was a long sit on an uncomfortable music bench.

My career in music has taken a very different trajectory over the past 12 months.  I have been thinking a lot about how I could help others with my playing, and I would like to explore the therapeutic side of music.  I have recently seen videos posted on social media about dementia and Alzheimer's and how music can be a powerful tool in alleviating the distress these illnesses cause.  Some of my students have problems with their hands and joints and I'm convinced playing an instrument can help maintain both physical and mental flexibility.  I have often thought about the healing aspect of my work and now I feel ready to help others.  Who knows where this new phase will lead?  I certainly don't and I quite like that!