I. Let The Night Begin

Cameron

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Description

A wonderful aspect of improvisation is that the spontaneous musical expression is a moment frozen in time.

This particular moment happened on the last evening of June, 2007. It turned out to be one of my last visits to Bisbee, Arizona.

A few days later, I submitted one of four improvised pieces from that night -- "Leaving Bisbee Blues", which was the final one of the evening.

Since then, I've been busy moving from Bisbee to "out in the woods" in Northern California.

At last I have had time to finish sound-editing the three earlier improvised harp pieces in this series, and here is the first, entitled "I. Let the Evening Begin".

Please keep your ears tuned for the next two pieces which I will submit over the next few weeks: II. Cadenza and III. Episodes. (I don't want to clutter up the site with multiple submissions). Thanks so much for listening!

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Song Stats

Hits: 2771
Comments: 35
Fans: 18
Plays: 142
Downloads: 120
Votes: 10
Uploaded: Sep 11, 2007 - 09:00:10 PM
Last Updated: Sep 11, 2007 - 09:00:10 PM Last Played: Sep 24, 2012 - 12:46:14 PM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Hardware:

MacBook
MOTU Traveler
MXL condensor mics

Software:

GarageBand 3

Comments

composerclark	composerclark said 2076 days ago (September 11th, 2007)
	Excited Woo hoo! Check out my latest song called Momma's Song

Cameron	Cameron said 2076 days ago (September 11th, 2007)
	clark... Thanks for dropping by! Yes, life is definitely exciting and full of big changes lately. Check out my latest song called Trio for Horn, Violin & Piano

Mystified	Mystified said 2076 days ago (September 11th, 2007)
	Awww... ....you're gonna make us wait??? ;) so lovely to hear this composition, Cameron. Gorgeous improvisation. Thanks for sharing your music here at MJs. I look forward to the upcoming new pieces :) Check out my latest song called the snowflake dances

Cameron	Cameron said 2076 days ago (September 12th, 2007)
	Mysti! Thank you for your kind words, as always. It is so rare that I have pieces "lined up and ready to go" that I am savoring the moment! My musical sharing at MacJams has not been as prolific as I would have liked, ever since I joined in June 2004. I am happy about remedying that situation now. Check out my latest song called Trio for Horn, Violin & Piano

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 2076 days ago (September 11th, 2007)
	Simple yet sophisticated It's the sign of a master if you can make something that sounds simple, but underneath there are still a bunch of tricky chords. I'm referring to that intro, which is really nifty. The whole thing has a very sweet melancholy mood to it. A pleasure to listen to! Victor. Check out my latest song called Fourth Candle

Cameron	Cameron said 2076 days ago (September 12th, 2007)
	Victor... Wow, high praise indeed. Somehow I don't think of myself as a "master", but hopefully a musical "channel". I'm glad you liked the intro. It's amazing the stuff that can come out of each of us, actually, as we play our instruments. We simply need to allow it to happen. Check out my latest song called Trio for Horn, Violin & Piano

Morning Light	Morning Light said 2076 days ago (September 11th, 2007)
	BEAUTIFUL!!!! I LOVE IT!!!! Check out my latest song called Who Dreams Above the Waves?

Cameron	Cameron said 2076 days ago (September 12th, 2007)
	Morning Light... (lovely name, by the way...) Thank you for visiting and listening here! Check out my latest song called Trio for Horn, Violin & Piano

caroline	caroline said 2076 days ago (September 12th, 2007)
	i'm listening to this and longing to be back with you watching you play - its a long way away cam but your music crosses time and space - thank you for this beautiful piece of peace (*wipes tear from eye) xoxoxox Check out my latest song called i'm a reunion maid MJRF 2010

Cameron	Cameron said 2076 days ago (September 12th, 2007)
	caroline! Yes, it IS a teddibly lawngg way to meddy olde England! (Even FARTHER now here, out in the Woods) It goes without saying that you are greatly missed in this household and we anticipate a longer visit from you in the future! ;-) Check out my latest song called Trio for Horn, Violin & Piano

composerclark

composerclark said 2076 days ago (September 12th, 2007)

Reflective
First, let me apologize for leaving such a brief and boisterous comment for such a beautiful and transcendent musical composition. I was in the midst of putting one of my little guys to bed (attempt #3 for the evening) when I heard the 'ding' on my computer signifying an incoming mail message, and when I saw that there was I new submission of yours, I felt compelled to communicate my enthusiasm right away.

But now it is the next day and I have more time. I am so impressed that you can improvise something like this; it is deeply moving; it is beautiful, but I also feel a sense of sadness or loss there as well. It could just be me -- I have been feeling this way a lot recently -- or it could be that I was thinking about how hard it must be for you to undergo such huge changes at this stage in your life, but either way, that is how I felt while listening.

I look forward to more of your music, and I hope all is well with you.

Check out my latest song called Momma's Song

Cameron

Cameron said 2076 days ago (September 12th, 2007)

Clark again! ;-)
Thanks much for your good wishes. Yes, I am very well!

You definitely picked up on my mood at the time I played this. It was the end of an era, but with glimmers of hope for the future.

I think that you will find all four pieces (including my previously released "Leaving Bisbee Blues") to be in this same reflective vein.

Check out my latest song called Trio for Horn, Violin & Piano

Mcboy	Mcboy said 2076 days ago (September 12th, 2007)
	u wield that axe most delicately and graciously...and beautifully i might add...... Check out my latest song called Bluesphemy (MJRF 2010)

Cameron	Cameron said 2076 days ago (September 12th, 2007)
	McBoy! I appreciate you dropping by for a listen and a great comment! Check out my latest song called Trio for Horn, Violin & Piano

Reinholt56

Reinholt56 said 2076 days ago (September 12th, 2007)

A very gentle piece of music...
I heard Bach in there,a Mexican atmosphere at one stage, coupled with longing.

I'm already looking forward to your next piece.

I would vote for you 'cluttering up MJ's with your pieces', but that could be classed as selfishness on my part.

I hope that you settled in OK at your new home.

Take care.

Paul.

Check out my latest song called When The Time Comes (An Ambiental Mix)

Cameron

Cameron said 2076 days ago (September 12th, 2007)

Paul...
Your comments are very much appreciated.

Yes, I think I know the part you refer to, sounding Mexican. Bisbee is only six miles from the Mexican border, so some of that must have come through the music!

Moving is always traumatic -- probably one of humankind's least favorite activities -- but when the destination is a little slice of heaven as these Woods are, it is well worth the trouble!

I am settling in nicely, thanks.

Check out my latest song called Trio for Horn, Violin & Piano

	said 2076 days ago (September 12th, 2007)
	Wonderful ! Just beautiful piece, the harps (if i'm right that it's harp) sound really great to my ears, the playing and composition are really wonderful, one of the nice musics i've ever heard it at MJ ! Much enjoyed Take Care ============== Yeman Auf Al-Rawi

	said 2076 days ago (September 12th, 2007)
	Beautiful ! Just beautiful piece, the harps (if i'm right that it's harp) sound really great to my ears, the playing and composition are really wonderful, one of the nice musics i've ever heard it at MJ ! Much enjoyed Take Care ============== Yeman Auf Al-Rawi

Cameron	Cameron said 2076 days ago (September 12th, 2007)
	Yeman Auf Al-Rawi... Thank you for listening and leaving such a nice comment! Yes, it is a harp, with pedals. It is 3/4-size, not as big as a regular orchestra concert harp. But it puts out a lot of sound even though it's small. Check out my latest song called Trio for Horn, Violin & Piano

Parichayaka

Parichayaka said 2076 days ago (September 12th, 2007)

Charming, inspiring...
...and so much more. Listening to your harp music is like drinking the purest, pristine spring water straight from the source. Refreshing and full of crystal clear, uplifting energy. I love the simplicity in your playing - not a single note is superfluous. The recording sounds natural and very alive - the vibrato of the harp is mesmerizing. Simply gorgeous music!

Check out my latest song called Tosh Frenzy

Cameron	Cameron said 2075 days ago (September 12th, 2007)
	Parichayaka... Your eloquent comments are like "music" to my ears! ;-) Thank you, I appreciate it, and I'm glad you enjoyed this. Check out my latest song called Trio for Horn, Violin & Piano

Feter	Feter said 2076 days ago (September 12th, 2007)
	Let The Night Begin Charming ... sound of the night ! Check out my latest song called Roll with it

Cameron	Cameron said 2075 days ago (September 12th, 2007)
	Feter... I'm grateful you stopped by. As this piece was the first of the evening, I thought the title was appropriate. The following tunes (coming up in the next couple of weeks) are quite different in mood than this one, but they all share the common characteristic of being "night music". Check out my latest song called Trio for Horn, Violin & Piano

guitapick	guitapick said 2075 days ago (September 12th, 2007)
	How wonderful... ...to find a harp player in our midst. One of my favorite instruments... ...beautiful piece. Much spirit...You play very well... Check out my latest song called 'Cuz I Can

Cameron	Cameron said 2075 days ago (September 12th, 2007)
	guitapick... The harp came into my life quite unexpectedly, I really hadn't thought about it one way or another until a clarinetist friend bought a used Troubadour (lever) harp in 1985. I sat down and started playing it and immediately fell in love! It's been an affair of the heart ever since. Thanks for your comments. Check out my latest song called Trio for Horn, Violin & Piano

J.A.Stewart

J.A.Stewart said 2074 days ago (September 13th, 2007)

As much as I loved the sense of this...
I found myself *hearing* the entire orchestra suddenly flowing in around the harp... not something that normally happens for me.

But the framework is so lush and beautiful in and of itself, I couldn't help myself. lol

Amazing good luck that someone was looking to let some beautiful music out of the cosmic vault... and you just happened to be available. ;)

--- Joe

Check out my latest song called A Chance To Dream

Cameron	Cameron said 2074 days ago (September 14th, 2007)
	Joe... Thanks for your interesting comments! I appreciate them. I'm glad that you asked and received the musical "food" you requested! Funny how the Universe so often works that way if we let it. Check out my latest song called Trio for Horn, Violin & Piano

cchaplin

cchaplin said 2071 days ago (September 17th, 2007)

Nocturnal charm
An inspired improvisation which is beautifully played .

Is that a Troubadour harp you are playing on ? Harps are so wonderfully complicated to the uninitiated like me (especially when it comes to notation).

I gather a Troubadour harp has no pedals, but you mention levers which I guess act like the pedals in this instance ?

What I always wanted to ask about harps (with pedals or levers) is whether the possibility exists of retuning mid-piece ? I'm sure I've seen it done with fancy foot work on the pedal harp.

Anyway, looking forward to the last two imporvisations

Check out my latest song called IV

Cameron

Cameron said 2070 days ago (September 17th, 2007)

cchaplin...
I played this set of four improvisations on the pedal harp.

By contrast, the Troubadour harp has "sharping" levers, in other words, each note can be raised a half-step by raising the lever.

I've currently got the Troubadour harp tuned to the key of E-flat, which gives me the options of playing pieces with as many as three flats and four sharps (when I have every lever raised).

As far as the PEDAL harp is concerned: each note has a pedal. There are three settings (notches) for each. The top notch is the "natural" position. In other words, when all the pedals are in this position, the key is C-flat.

When I push all the pedals down into the middle notch, the key is C.

When the pedals are all in the bottom notch, the key is C#.

So effectively, the pedals sharp or flat each note. The difference between that and the lever harp is, for example, when I push down on the C pedal, ALL the C's are sharped, rather than moving individual levers on the lever harp.

Are you now thoroughly confused? Anyway, that's the best I can explain the difference between pedal and lever harps.

I also own a smaller lever "folk" harp with 26 strings. I will release recordings using the two lever harps in the future.

Thanks for your interest! If you have further questions, please feel free to email me.

Check out my latest song called Trio for Horn, Violin & Piano

francescasongspirit	francescasongspirit said 2068 days ago (September 19th, 2007)
	bittersweet Cam, Maybe it's because I'm in my office, but the beautiful bittersweet emotion of this peace touched my heart immediately. It is lovely to capture moments so vividly in music. There is longing but there is a moving forward. Being awake and alive is all part of that, so thanks for the reminder! peace, Francesca

Doug Somers	Doug Somers said 2031 days ago (October 26th, 2007)
	Beautifully played It's so inspiring to hear this piece - delicate and light but full of feeling. Wonderful improvising - a real joy to hear. Thanks and keep well, Doug Check out my latest song called The Asteroid [Doom2012]

thetiler

thetiler said 1936 days ago (January 30th, 2008)

Great pic
Like the recording on this, has a bit of ballad feel and ya, the way it slightly dances has that pic feel. The recording of this seems better than the 3 i've heard. Not sure, but you seem to really get the bass depth on this one. The lower tones bellow more it seems. I think that is half the battle in doing a recording, playing, composing. It seems the mic placement is so important, so much so. And you really seem to do a fine, fine job in the recording of this one! Nice tune as well!

Thanks for sharing

Check out my latest song called When Your Strange

Cameron

Cameron said 1933 days ago (February 2nd, 2008)

Bill...
It's been fun to read over your many comments on my pieces today! A unique experience for me.

It's interesting how these different improvised harp pieces were all done in the same session, but each one sounds different.

Yes, recording is definitely THE aspect of music creation/production which I need to learn more about, which is one of the main reasons I joined MacJams in the first place. I've received some very helpful comments over the years!

Check out my latest song called Trio for Horn, Violin & Piano

leemiguel2004	leemiguel2004 said 1800 days ago (June 13th, 2008)
	What can I say? What can I say Cameron? Just exquisite playing! I adore that harp but it always sounds even better when it's someone you know who is playing it! Lovely. Check out my latest song called Andalusian Vision - Orchestral version

UnderThePianoMan	UnderThePianoMan said 923 days ago (November 8th, 2010)
	Beautiful Well, I heard you talking about the French Horn the other night and when you said you loved improvising somehow I did not imagine a harp. This is gorgeous. most enjoyable. Check out my latest song called Memory Drops

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Artist Info

Name: Cameron Kopf
Location: In the Woods Northern CA USA

I've been meaning to update my bio for a few years now -- much has changed! At the beginning of 2013, I decided to start drawing my Musicians Union pension. I no longer play union professional orchestra/show gigs (French horn). It is a great relie... [see more]

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