Hey Reader👋 I just posted a new play-along harp video—a short Middle Eastern style lesson with a tanpura drone to help you find that meditative rhythmic flow. We're tuned to A Harmonic Minor scale. The video guides you through building a simple left-hand rhythm over an Indian Tanpura drone, then slowly layering in the right hand, using the G# from the harmonic minor scale to bring out the ancient middle eastern vibe. The Play Along lesson combines Middle Eastern, with Modes, Right and Left...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hey there Reader👋,Simcha here with a belated New Years email. A bit late, I know! though really, it's never too late to fulfill our dreams, so here goes. What's inside: 🎵 A Somerset story about believing in your inner song, 🎵 A new Strings of Hope podcast with my first harp teacher Adina Haroz, and 🎵 An Israel harp retreat on the horizon... Lets start with perhaps with one of the biggest highlights and lessons for me in this past year. I want to share something that happened to me while...
3 months ago • 3 min read
Hey there Reader 👋 I just wanted to reach out and say a huge thank you from the heart for joining me on Sunday's workshop, Finding Light In The Tension, Journey Through The Modes PTII. Getting to greet each of you before we dove in, hearing where everyone was joining from around the world - Australia, Europe, across the US, Israel, Canada, Georgia - that's honestly one of my favorite parts of these gatherings. It really made my week! There's something so special about coming together as a...
4 months ago • 3 min read
Hey 👋,Simcha here, and boy am i excited for sundays (Oct 23rd) upcoming workshop 'Finding Light In The Tension' Here's a short video sharing one of the ideas we will work with in the workshop, using a drone to help create a meditative atmosphere, encouraging improvisation and exploration.I find that using a drone can be so helpful in entering the magical space of a mode. (A drone is a steady note playing in the background, not those flying helicopter things...)In general I break down the keys...
5 months ago • 1 min read
Hey There 👋 🎶 Avinu Malkeinu – “Our Father, Our King” – is a soulful Jewish prayer sung for generations during the High Holidays.Its in the soul touching Harmonic Minor scale, which is so moving and uplifting to the heart and soul. According to the Talmud, during a drought, Rabbi Akiva prayed with pure generosity and kindness, asking God for mercy — and rain came. This heartfelt story inspired the melody we sing today. I was really hoping to make a workshop this year for you all but couldn't...
6 months ago • 1 min read
Hi there.Im so excited to share with you the first episode of the Strings of Hope podcast:'From Notes to Nuance', Sunita Staneslows journey through Music, Heart, Improvisation, and the beauty of Simplicity.In each episode of the Strings of Hope podcast, I'll be sharing conversations with my favorite inspiring harpists, harp builders, and music artists from around the world. With a focus on their life stories about working through the challenges and difficulties that come up when trying to...
10 months ago • 1 min read
Hi 👋,Simcha here. It's been quite a while since our last email. Things have been quite hectic here, what with bombs falling from the sky and all. The cutest thing happened on the spot at a recent house concert of ours, and I really wanted to share it with you in this little video, and connect it with ideas about improvisation.'Improvising' is a word that has so much meaning (and attached anxiety and pressure), and yet is in itself an act of simply being, expressing, creating. I believe that...
10 months ago • 2 min read
Hey there harpists 👋,Simcha here.I just saw this inspiring post about Harpo Max and wanted to share with you all.Often times we see others as appearing more gifted than us, thinking that they were born with a gift we could never have.Really the story behind their success is hard word and dedication to doing something they loved.I found this story of Harpo (and the following story of my first harp teacher Adina Haroz who actually learned to play the harp on harpos harp) as a great example of...
12 months ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader :)Its about time for another Strings of Hope Harp Workshop.I would love if you would take part in choosing the next workshop.If you didnt respond to the poll yet, heres a second chance for you :)Below is a list with different Workshop topics to choose from that will help give me direction for the upcoming workshop.You can let me know which of them interests you the most by replying to this email and writing which ones.Some of them have little promo videos which can give a taste for...
about 1 year ago • 2 min read