Puzzling...?

Recently at a workshop taught by a compassion facilitator for our local harp organization, the question was asked, “What brings you joy, other than playing harp?” The question reminded me of a time when my husband suggested that I needed to find a hobby. My reply to him then was “I have a hobby: learning another instrument!”

But, as I dug deeper, I realized that one of my “zen” go-to’s is working puzzles – jigsaw, word games, sudoku, solitaire, and a few others, all on my iPad. So this week I’ve been very aware of how much time I’m spending, and what value it has and have come up with this neat little list:

1. The Zen factor: I find I am settled into a place of peace, but am still aware and alert to what is happening around me.
2. Listening to the mental soundtrack: I find I’m rehearsing using the “think method” the most recent tune I’ve been practicing, or the recent arrangement I’ve been doing for harp or guitar.
3. Physical rest: My heart rate drops to resting or below, even to the point that sometimes my fitbit thinks I’m asleep.

So this “waste of time” that I’ve sometimes felt a bit of guilt over is really benefiting me in a number of ways. It’s not productive on the surface, but I’m also seeing how it is in a way, a different side of the same elephant.

That elephant is my drive to solve things, whether it be a tricky bowing technique on the violin, or a challenging piece on the harp, or planning and preparing a workshop. These are all aspects of my vocation, but are also my avocation… Why do I make harp and guitar arrangements? Because it’s fun and challenging, and engaging!

So, yes, I can proudly, without shame, admit that my hobby is playing games on the iPad!

But back to my vocational games: Arranging tunes for both lever harp and guitar (and in singable keys) for my workshops has been a great puzzle to work out. One key works well on lever harps tuned in Eb, but not on lever harps tuned in F or C. And then it may work in a different key on guitar, but we can put on a capo so everyone can play along. And then is it singable?

I’ll be teaching a fun Waltz class with tunes from several countries, as well as a few from pop/country, and jazz and it’s open to harp, piano, guitar, and even singers (only two of the ten tunes have not lyrics). I spend a lot of time working these arrangements up, and some might think I’m not compensated for the time I invest. But I am enjoying it – or I wouldn’t be doing it!

In addition to creating the arrangements, I do a bit more research for each tune, so I can add some background during class. The Waltz Around the World class is going to be a lot of fun to teach! If you are interested in the class, you can read more about it and register with this link: https://tinyurl.com/waltzaroundworld

It’s already starting to fill up, but I also record every workshop, and some opt to take the class via video replay.

Okay, a few more tunes to complete, and puzzles to work out, and next week’s workshop is ready to go!