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 global harp community to explore these healing sounds.

🎥 WORKSHOP REPLAY: Here's the full recording from Sunday

​

📄 WORKSHOP PDF HANDOUT: If you didn't receive it or can't find it, here's the "Finding Light In The Tension" PDF: Download PDF Here​
(Some people asked about a getting a PDF of the slideshow. The full slideshow PDF will be available on the upcoming membership, but I'll be happy to send out a compact version with the most important slides to whoever would like, just lemme know by email if you would like it (and any specific slides that you found helpful and I'll send them your way).

❓ QUESTIONS I DIDN'T GET TO: With over 40 beautiful souls joining us, some wonderful questions in the chat slipped by me. Let me address a few of the most common ones here (If I missed youre question, please dont hesitate to write to me, I'm happy to help you understand modes more if I can :) :

"How do you determine the character note in any mode?" Great question! The character note is the note that makes that mode different from the regular major or minor scale. It's the note that got "changed" - sharpened or flatted - when you moved from the familiar scale into the mode.

For example: F Major has a Bb, but F Lydian has a B natural. That B natural is what makes it Lydian - so that's your character note.

As Nan beautifully observed in the chat: when you're in the key of C, the character notes tend to be either B or F. So if you're lost, emphasizing those notes will help bring out the modal flavor!

"When setting a drone, which note should I use? The root? The 3rd?" Almost always the root note of the mode you're exploring. So for F Lydian, use F as your drone. For C Major 7th, use C. The drone grounds you in your new "home base" while your melody explores. It allows you to focus on the melody and let the drone hold you and the space as you explore.

"How do I end an improvisation? Do I always resolve to the tonic?" You can! Ending on the root (tonic) gives closure and feels like "home." But you can also end on the character note for a more open, questioning ending. Or even end on a Major 7th chord to hold that tender complexity. Let your intuition and the moment guide you.

"Do you have videos explaining major and minor and different keys?" Not yet but that's a great idea and will definitely be a topic covered in the upcoming Strings of Hope membership.

For any other questions I missed, please just reply to this email - I genuinely love answering what I can and helping clarify these beautiful concepts.

🎶 WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING: "Best mode class I've ever had!" - Nell

"You're my favorite teacher!" - Carolyn

"Poetry… music theory… and spiritual awareness connected in a unified symphony flow" - Joao

"Wonderful for palliative care"

These words warm my heart so much. 💙

💬 TESTIMONIALS - A BIG HELP: If you enjoyed the workshop and would like to send a testimonial, it would be a huge help for me as I'm launching Strings of Hope. You can simply reply to this email with what you enjoyed or got out of the workshop (and extra credit for including a picture of yourself with your harp, but definitely not necessary!).

Your words really do make a difference in helping others discover these workshops.

🎭 WHAT'S NEXT? "I can't wait for Part III!" I heard that from a few people, and me too! 🎶 Maybe we'll venture beyond the 7 popular modes next time... perhaps exploring modes in the harmonic minor scale? Or the pentatonic scale? There's so much beautiful territory ahead.

☕ IF YOU'D LIKE TO SUPPORT THIS WORK: A big heartfelt thank you to those who sent tips during and after the workshop - it means the world to me. And absolutely no pressure if you can't - these workshops are a gift I love sharing regardless.

If you'd like to send a tip: https://buymeacoffee.com/stringsofhope (Still opting for herbal tea over coffee 😊)

🎭 UPCOMING STRINGS OF HOPE MEMBERSHIP: I'm getting closer to launching the full membership - a space for ongoing learning in improvisation, therapeutic modes, Jewish and Middle Eastern music, and intuitive harp playing. If you'd like to be among the first to join: Sign up for membership waitlist here​

P.S. I apologize for the technical hiccups - the muting issues, camera angles, and audio balance. I'm still learning how to navigate teaching with this many wonderful participants! Your patience and grace mean everything.

Thank you again for being part of this journey. Your presence, your curiosity, your willingness to explore these modes together - it all matters so much to me.

Till next time, stay tuned 🎶

Simcha
​