At the risk of invoking the spirit of Jerry Maguire, I feel a declaration coming on. I recently had yet another conversation about harp technique that was annoyingly familiar. It went something like this: “Salzedo players are all about technique and French players are sloppy, so I have my own technique. I guess I’m a little bit of everything. What method do you teach?” My reply: Deep sigh. In addition to revealing a shocking lack of research on the part of this unnamed prospective student, the conversation also reflected the fact that there still seems to be enough oxygen out there to perpetuate such crazy generalizations. Every field has its debate when it comes to methodology, which can certainly be a good thing when it leads to progress. As most harpists will tell you, debate over harp technique has raged for over a century now and we have come to accept it as par for the course. But when the conversation is actually conflict that feeds off a need to judge and commiserate, it’s not really a debate; it’s more of a feud. And surely, history has taught us a little something about the high cost of feuds. Let me say this before I say anything else: technique of any kind will never be a substitute for artistry, originality, musicianship, intelligence, curiosity or passion. It cannot be a shelter or a mask, a political party, a religion or a club. Technique is scaffolding that holds up the art. As I tell my own students, one’s technique is the bag of paint, tools and brushes. The better the bag, the easier things will be. But one rarely sees bags of paint, tools and brushes hanging on the wall in a museum. It is quite true that the best professionals represent many influences and sources of inspiration, but a young harpist with three years of training can’t very successfully be “a little bit of everything,” which has curiously become the safe answer in mixed company. Technique is not a dirty word and the mere presence of a defined methodology should not become politically incorrect, giving rise to a label that sucks all the air out of the room. I am truly weary of conversations about harp technique that seek to brand, deride, misinform, and generalize. And, I might add, this goes for all sides of the table. So here’s my declaration: I will happily engage in an informed, productive discussion about harp pedagogy and technique, but I’m setting new rules for any conversation in which I’ll participate. Without sincere and intelligent discourse, constructive passion and a tone that indicates a respect for the fact that we pursue the same ultimate goals, the whole mess will fall on deaf ears. With so much heartbreakingly unresolvable conflict in the world, shouldn’t art be the one area where heart and intellect prevail? -YK
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 20:11:57 +0000
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