Hip, Hip Hurrah! I have finally got my home recording software working and am posting some songs on my youtube channel! Right now, I’m working on Carol of the Bells.
My own arrangement of this favorite features harmonics, a harp technique where I muffle the string at its half way point and pluck as I pull away. Ringing an octave higher, the note sounds a curious bell-like clarity–perfect for Carol of the Bells.
Of course, if I don’t hit the halfway point, pluck with the right tension or pull off the muffle in time, the note drops like a piece of lead. But I’ve had some practice.
I play a lot over Thanksgiving and Christmas–42 times scheduled this December. Heaving the harp in and out of the cold, I often wonder why, oh why, do we have two holidays so close together?
But arranging Carol of the Bells I realized, these holidays are like a harmonic. They divide the end of the year so that it rings with a certain clarity. The question of Thanksgiving–what are you thankful for–is answered by Christmas–the gift of Christ. It’s stressful, it’s hard on the string, on the hand and you have to strike the balance. But when you do, there is a “joyful ring” like no other.
So this is my prayer for you: as the holidays “pluck at” you, may God give you a new clarity on your gifts and on his character. Those will truly be “Words of good cheer.”
You can also see me live at the Bluegate Theater events Dec 6th-7th opening for the Collingsworth Family and Ricky Skaggs.