Pages

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Music, rhythm and brain health

 When my mom was in early dementia, my friend Conrad, who taught yoga, suggested breathing practices - but I didn't live near enough to help her implement something new ... 

Sound healer Jonathan Goldman suggests humming for ~ 5 minutes each day, while Jim Donovan bespeaks studies showing meditation or chanting a mantra (Sa Ta Na Ma) with accompanying mudra (hand positions) benefits the brain and slows the onsert of degeneration.  I now do Wim Hof's breathing exercises several times a week, and have several singing practices.

Mama Lois at 38

In the 90s, I took 'How Music Heals' as part of Laurie Riley's Music for Healing and Transition certification program. We learned how music can reduce pain, lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, stabilize the heart rate, promote well being and enhance the memory.  Music benefits both the performers and listeners!

Wedding harper

Mental Health

 I was intrigued by studies showing familiar music, esp. That from our younger years, helps place folks in time and aids memory. In contrast, less familiar and arrhythmic music is best when playing for someone in their last days (Thanatology), and that with a steady rhythm can stabilize the heart. 

My dad played piano and sang old favorites most evenings, and we often played and sang together throughout my youth and childhood.  We noticed a decline in my mom's memory after his passing, and more clarity after music events at her Spayed Living! She enjoyed music, but didn't sing or play herself, so lost the benefit of those daily tunes. I love being invited to play harp at care facilities and events!

Physical Benefits 

 At a folk harp retreat in the mid 90s, harper Ron Price, who had a debilitating neurological disorder, told us that his symptoms abated when he played an hour each day, but began to return when he skipped several days - the harp sits against the chest and stimulates the thymus gland. Ron had begin taking small therapy harps into care facilities, so patients could play themselves, and receive more benefits.

If you sing, play an instrument, or have a mindfulness practice, you're already ahead of the game! If your practice is more sporadic, consider adding 15-30 minutes a day for a week, and see how you feel!

Do you incorporate music and or breathwork in your weekly activities?

Saturday, October 14, 2023

Autumn events

 This fall, Rowan and I have been invited to provide music for several Events, starting with my son's wedding at a county park near the Columbia river!! 

Dalena and Josh
Family arrived the day before to help set up, and though it sprinkled in early afternoon, it cleared for the ceremony, and friends carried Rowan and the music down the hill! Josh made the arch (they'll set it up at home - and I want one for my entrance!) Dalena entered to 'You Say it Best,' and I played 'the Confluence' as they and their 4 young adult kids poured sand into a holder, signifying the joining of two families. 
It was lovely to see all the friends and family who gathered to celebrate the special day! 

In early October, I was asked to play for the Illuminating Hope event by a friend who was going to share her story. Henderson House provides support for victims of domestic abuse and violence. As it was market day, they hoped music would draw more to visit the plaza nearby.
Rowan in the Civic plaza

We played first, setting a nurturing tone for the event. There were purple ribbons honoring the 1000 women HH served each year, and local businesses donated addiction items for fundraising. 

The following day,  we were invited to play for Tea hosted by the Friends of the Senior Center. Over 40 women (and one man) attended, many in delightful hats! 

Tea Time 🎶 
It was a beautiful fall day and fun event.  Youth from the catering pathway class groom the high school served the attendees, and there were lots of smiles. 

A friend recently inquired about harp lessons, and I brought Tullie home from storage so we can begin. Percy was intrigued
...
Percy and Tuilleadh
This afternoon we're harping for a wedding at the local catholic church - I'm playing 7 of the 10 pieces! 

Do you love harp music? 
(Or always wanted to play?)

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Humidity

 Check out this snazzy harpy humidifier!

This fall Rowan and I moved from a 'well ventilated' 100 year old farm style house to my daughter's, which is warmer and has newer windows and a heat pump. 

i.e: indoor air that's too dry!

Rowan Luchair

I noticed my Kemper 34 String Luchair harp Rowan wasn't holding its pitch as it has, and several of its upper register strings broke spontaneously ...   so I ordered new strings (and 'Valley of the Dragon' by Sharon Thormahlen and Rosiee Thor), then looked up articles on harp care and humidity! Purchasing one ready made would have been 10-20$ for just one instrument,  so...

Check out this DIY instrument humidifier that I crafted - I got water beads from our local Joanne's (about $4 with a coupon) and used some small containers from the recycling bin, a skewer  to poke holes, and a hot glue gun to craft one. Viola!! 

The strings held their pitch overnight and I think it sounds brighter already! We're so happy! 

I plan to get tubes to make more, both for my other 2 harps and for a couple of friends (one with a Ukulele!) It seems like a great and inexpensive solution for crafting humidifiers for multiple instruments! 

Here's the tutorial on this simple DIY project

Harp humidifier

I added the backpack tag on plastic line (like the button in Paul's 2nd video - link to that one is in the video's comment thread) for ease of removal. It fits through the lowest soundhole, and sits on the harp base.

We'll be playing for the church Christmas concert this weekend, and have done a couples of gigs for the Soroptomists Women Who Wine events, which replace the holiday tour of homes they hosted for many years. 

Hope you're well this season!

🎶 Nadya and Rowan Luchair 

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Grand Opening

Our local aviation and space museum complex has been purchased by the Falls Event Centers, and I will be playing a selection of harp music for the Grand Opening of this new business Wed. March 29.

Rowan Luchair
My offering will be a blend of traditional Celtic and original music, both my own and from favorite NW Harpers including Sharon Thormahlen, Harper Tasche, and Beth Kolle.

On Spring Equinox I was invited into the gradeschool my
With Tuille at my IC art class
grandkids attended to play harp as a background for their painting project! I love seeing the kids' response to live music, and finding out how many of them play an instrument. Art and music are a natural combo! 

And if you'd like to hear me play, but aren't local, you might enjoy this interview with Howie Harkema for our local cable channel 

Happy Harping!

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

T'is the Season

I love playing for the holidays! The music is fun (I enjoy finding unusual arrangements & less familiar pieces) & folks are so appreciative. I will be playing both Saturday Dec 7 for the Carlton City Christmas Party, and Sunday the 8th at the Bayou Mansion, for the Soroptimist's 25th annual 'Holiday Home Tour.' The tour begins at noon, I'll play from 2-3:30. The silent auction items are at the Mansion, with bidding ending at 5, the Mansion open till 6. 

Ladyharp with Santa at Hillside (2007)

Later in the month, I'll go into my granddaughter's Third Grade classroom to play holiday music while the kids work on a craft project. I've been playing at the school for seven or eight years now - & am always pleased to see how many hands are raised when I ask 'who plays an instrument?'   

Holiday time is also good for 'wallpaper' gigs, background music while folks go about their business - shopping, going between their office & another, or passing through the lobby on their way to lunch.  

I enjoy being 'background' music, in a store, in the classroom, at a dinner or party. Folks can continue talking & going about their business, but when I stop playing, they miss that sweet accompaniment.

Happy Holidays, where ever you are!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

St Patrick's Day at Bistro Maison

Are you craving a bit of the Irish this weekend? I'll be playing harp at Bistro Maison, a lovely French restaurant on 3rd Street in McMinnville "St Patrick's day is this Saturday. Come visit our many shades of Green & experience a new understanding of what proper corned beef is about. Thick slabs of Carlton Farm's Finest - 503-474-1888 for reservations"



I'll offer tunes from and about Ireland for both Lunch & Dinner this Saturday, March 17th.
It's
a popular event, so make your reservations! This is a lovely setting with great food, & harp - what's not to like?
And for my Gluten Free Friends, this French Bistro prepares much of it's food 'naturally gluten free' by simmering the sauce down rather than adding flour to thicken - just let your server know your special dietary needs!

My harp, Rowan Luchair, is modeled on a lowhead Irish harp , in her luthier Rick Kemper's words: "Top players from Ireland & Scotland seem to prefer small harps with lighter tension that can respond to the blazing ornamentation they put into their music. Luchair (Gaelic for 'joy' or 'delight') incorporates the best features of these harps."

Do make a reservation, if you wish to come down & enjoy a fabulous meal & a bit of Celtic harp music!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

March & St Pat's At Bistro Maison

March has come, & again I'll be playing harp at Bistro Maison, a lovely French restaurant on 3rd Street in McMinnville - or, as the Wiki entry states: The precise Gaelic term for the' harp of the Gael' is clàrsach Ghàidhealach (Sc.)/cláirseach Ghaelach (Ir.), meaning Gaelic harp)

I'll be there for both Lunch & Dinner on Saint Patrick's Day lunch, Thursday March 17th. I've done this several years running, it's
a popular event, so make your reservations! This is a lovely setting with great food, & harp - what's not to like?

Most of the tunes will be Irish, with a smattering of other Celtic pieces. & my harp, Rowan Luchair, is modeled on a lowhead Irish harp , in her luthier Rick Kemper's words: "Top players from Ireland & Scotland seem to prefer small harps with lighter tension that can respond to the blazing ornamentation they put into their music. Luchair (Gaelic for 'joy' or 'delight') incorporates the best features of these harps."

A young dancing friend is working on learing the Gaelic, & asks me 'how are you' -
Conas tá; tú? (co-nas tah tu) . . . . to which I can reply 'Tá mé go hiontach" (tah-may go hee-un-tachk) - I'm wonderful! or "Tá mé go maith" (tah may go mah) - I'm well!

So -
Ar mhaith leat lĂłn? (air why lyat lahn) - 'would you like lunch?' Come to Bistro Maison!