Sooo today's the day :P

Idk how long I'll be on...
At least I get some time with my dad beforehand.

I don't get to see him often...

But anyways.

I kinda wanna share a few stories with you...
From playing the harp.

I know it doesn't sound that interesting, so you can skip this chapter if you want...

Or you can stick around, I guess.

But before you leave, here's a picture of both my harps:

The top one is my pedal harp, the third (well, fourth if you count the one I rented) one I ever had.
The bottom is my lever harp, the first one I ever had.

Pedal harps (commonly called "big harps") are much, much bigger and have pedals on the bottom to change the pitch of the strings. There are seven pedals, one for each octave of notes. For example, the first pedal changes all the D strings, the second one changed all the C strings, etc. These harps are mostly for more advanced players.

Lever harps (commonly called "little harps") are smaller and have levers on each string. If the lever is up, the note is natural (E, A, B) or flat (C, D, F, G); if it's down, it's sharp (E, A, B) or natural (C, D, F, G). There are a limited number of songs you can play on this harp, so it's mostly used for beginner harpists, especially young beginners. However, there are some more advanced and/or adult harpists that still use lever harps for events if they can't bring or don't have a big harp.

There are different models and sizes of both harps, however. I have the biggest pedal harp you're able to get: a concert grand. I'm not sure what model little harp I have.

I used to have a different, slightly smaller pedal harp. It was the second harp I've ever had, but my first pedal harp.

I got it from my secondary teacher for only $4,000 dollars because it was used...and trust me...THAT IS CHEAP COMPARED TO BUYING A NEW ONE FOR, I DON'T KNOW, $20,000-40,000?????? SOMETIMES MORE

Anyways...

It had a crack in the neck, so we knew it wouldn't last too long. It lasted for a year or two until it finally snapped.

And trust me...
A neck snap is much louder than a string break.

And that's saying something, because a string break is as loud as, if not louder than, a gunshot.

Anyways...

We eventually got rid of the harp and was able to rent one from someone else for a short time. We were going to buy it, but ended up not buying it.

And you know why?

It was a couple Christmas-es ago.
I was outside playing my brand new bow and arrow dad got me.

He eventually came out and told me I had one unopened present left.

This confused me, because I didn't see any unopened presents, AND I NEVER leave any presents unopened.

So I was like "well...okay?" because I had assumed I might have overlooked one or something.

Dad and I walked into the living room together.
I couldn't believe what I saw.

There was my brand new pedal harp, customly made JUST for me, standing in the middle of the room with a big, red bow on it.

I couldn't help but cry. I was so excited!

Seriously, my harps are like my children to me.
All of my instruments are, actually.

Of course it was out of tune at first since it was a new harp, and the strings broke easily because it was a new harp, but it was MY new harp and I loved — and still love — it like my child.

Anyways, enough about that...
Here are the stories I really wanna tell.

So I used to have a piano teacher named Mrs. Lisa.

She also taught music class at a school and requested that I brought in my harp to play for the little kids there.

Of course, I did eventually come in to play.
And I'm so glad I did!

All the little children seemed so fascinated by this strange figure in front of them.

They'd always ask questions and I'd answer their questions.
And there's this one thing I always do to anyone I play for:

I ask them to pay special attention to my hands as I play.
Why?

There's one finger a harpist NEVER uses.

So, I'd play another song, and they'd pay attention.
I'd ask which finger I never use.

And the answer is:

THE PINKY FINGER!

I don't know why it's never used, but...it isn't.
I think there is a sound effect where you use it though...

I'll have to double-check.

But I remember there was one class that came in (I think it was a kindergarten class) for me to play for them.

After I played a song (I think it was Fur Elise) Mrs. Lisa pointed out a little boy that she was keeping an eye on and mentioned how he was usually really hyperactive and couldn't sit still.

Everyone looked over...

The little boy was half asleep!

It was so cute XD
Then all the children made playful fake snores when I played the next song XD

Kids are sooo cute!!!

I've played for other classes too, but I don't remember too much about those performances.

I'll never forget that first one, though.
I think that's the first time I've ever played for a group of kids.

I don't just play for kids, though.

I've also played at nursing homes, weddings, and other events.

Sometimes I play at school events; other times I'm playing at events for a place called Hannah House.

Hannah House is basically a place that houses young, sometimes abused, women and single mothers that have no other place to go.

The leader of the Bible study I go to owns it, so I often play at their events.

But yeah...
That's all I've got.

Sorry for boring you with my rambling...

If you made it this far...