Reinventing Freedom with Electric Harp | Deborah Henson-Conant | TEDxNatick

[@StacySalles55]

I’ve taken online classes from Deb (hipharp academy). She is so awesome. She’s funny, gracious, and is able to eek creativity out of all her students.

[@TonyM9]

I was one of those kids. OK, maybe not a kid. But I was probably around 20 or 21 the first time I heard you and listening to you break the stereotypes of harpists helped me figure out what I wanted to do with the harp. With that and the help of a wonderfully unconventional teacher I figured out my own path. You are and always have been an inspiration.

[@hipharpist]

Thank you, TonyM9 -- and thank you to Tony's wonderfully unconventional teacher! Do tell who it is!!

[@TonyM9]

@@hipharpist hi Deborah! I just saw your reply a year later. My teacher was Ruth Berman-Harris. She was a relatively early pioneer of jazz harp, leading a big band ensemble with harp back in the 40s. She passed away some years ago at the age of 96. She was an amazing musician.

[@anavaleriaschneider6819]

This woman's story would make a musical play.

[@hipharpist]

I love that!!

[@GreenRose242]

It would make a good movie

[@TannerCh]

This is probably one of the best I've ever seen!

[@deborahpothiers1057]

Just starting my journey in learning harp! And this amazing woman has even more inspired me her story is amazing, as I'm in my 60's something, and this is going to be my journey however long it takes to learn! I feel such a pull to it and perhaps bring joy to others as much as the joy of learning this beautiful instrument!!! ❤️😊

[@johnmichaelrichards]

Finest TED Talk ever.

[@puppetsinrecoverypaulashut7509]

Brought tears to my eyes. Inspirational, beautiful, thank you

[@passiton3801]

Never seen anyone with a portable harp. She's just brought it out into 20th century.

[@Sursie_Metzger]

Ooooh yea they’ve been around for a few decades now! They come in electroacoustic, traditional acoustic and all electric like the DHC model she created with Camac. Harpsicle Harps are some of the most portable on the market and can fit into the overhead bin of most airlines! ✨

[@MegaJohn144]

This is amazing on so many levels.

[@nai.naisha]

levers*

[@nai.naisha]

xD

[@janake7]

I love it. DHC, you have put the harps in the light. I enjoyed your journey and loved your harp. Wow!!!! 🙂

[@melcerio]

Deborah, This was fantastic! Thank you for being you and sharing your gifts with the world. I look forward to seeing you perform live again in the near future.

[@hipharpist]

Melcerio - I look forward to that, too!

[@virruffolo6647]

Love you so muchhhhh!!! Thank you 🌸🌸🌸

[@willmcmillan1430]

Great story! Great talk! Thank you for sharing, Deborah!

[@chenwenhua2269]

OMG what an inspiration!!! you made me cry girl! I also play harp, guzheng and koto. you are AMAZING!

[@CoachKarenJones]

DHC, you are freaking fabulous, and I LOVED this!

[@RobertClolery]

Please take this band on the road!

[@davidalanjonesridge9874]

You all failed to note her duet with Mason Williams performing "Classical Gas". It is here on KZbin.

[@nancytucker5813]

Yay Deborah!! So glad I discovered your amazing music so many years ago. You inspire my guitar playing!

[@hipharpist]

How did I miss this for a whole year?? Loved taking classes with you! I will NEVER forget your story of cats and mice on the guitar (wait ... was that you???) or the irrational fear we performers have of boring an audience into a Rip Van Winkle sleep. Pleeeez tell me that was you.

[@veenavaaniom9373]

Ooh Wonderful, Fantastic, Brilliant. Huge congratulations!! DHC you're such an inspiration! Love your passion, creative genius, tenacity humour and sheer joy! You've certainly expanded my harp journey, thank you thank you.

[@hipharpist]

Thank you so much, Veena -- ha! Tenacity! Yes! I love that word and everything it gives us!!

[@equitecengineeringtechnolo7762]

Wow, Deborah, You are among the persons who are the gift of God to humankind.... Love you for your work. I would like to add that the instrument is the creation of music and mechanical engineering.

[@hipharpist]

Indeed! Created of music and mechanical engineering - a true collaboration!

[@roberttemple2521]

Funny and very talented. So glad to have discovered her today. 😊

[@ladybaseharp]

Love you! I can't wait to electrify my harp and post on my channel 😍

[@jamesparlane9289]

That was fantastic. A wonderful story of hope and perhaps a part cure for depression.

[@hipharpist]

Oh James - tell me more about what you mean as a part cure for depression? I'd love to think this talk might do that.

[@KickButtsTakeNames]

I just L O V E this! Thank you.

[@Joseph_harpist]

Just saw this today and Deborah I’m you and you are me I’m just learning The harp because I heard in the news that harp music can influence the sick to get up and dance and my father has been paralyzed and I thought I could use my knowledge of music to heal him make him feel better make him forget the pain he is having and just play the harp. I was so lucky to have found a Chinese made 19 string harp with full levers. And this is what I used to play for him every night. I always dream of playing a concert harp just like you have mention on a stage but can’t afford to buy concert harp yet. Now I know they are options for the electric and my current harp only weighed less than 3 kg I can just slap on electric Piazzo and voilà it became electric harp. Although 19 string is quite limited for music to be played but since I have knowledge of music I can rearrange many many tunes to fit into 19 strings harp. And till this day my little harp have never stop to amaze me of how many song I can play on just 19 strings.

[@choosepodcasts8752]

I have seen this so many times and I laugh every time!! So wonderful, Deborah,

[@hipharpist]

You just made my day!!

[@ronaldthomas74]

Met her , in Orlando back in 2003 .. very nice woman !!! ❤

[@hipharpist]

I remember that! I LOVE the Orlando Philharmonic - look forward to playing with them again. Great spirit, great players!

[@fitzmagic]

That was great! You are AMAZING!! 💥BOOM!!!💥™

[@GreenRose242]

Deborah is such an amazing woman! ❤

[@bobroberts7433]

Thank you so much... at the tender age of 76.. I have discovered the harp... your harp..and a woman who was .. at the time going through a middle age .. crisis...who had purchased a small harp Like yours.. But... Never had the courage to take it out of the box... So she did open the box to photograph it to put it on craigslist and I bought it...rather cheaply.. I think... So it's never been turned and I'm ready to get on my little.... Bicycle...harp.. And.... Musically.... Fly........... PS Google.... Old guy playing Vermont singing drum..... Me...... Isalormada... Mid Florida Keys Sunset... One beach.... Bob 76 years young

[@RadenWA]

And now they have harps made out of *cardboard* ! Really light and cheap option if anyone wants to try it out.

[@hipharpist]

Let's hear it for harps made of everything!

[@timtambornino5297]

wow , just an other day dreamer forging a new way of hearing the future

[@garyacahn]

Wow, Wow, WOW!!!! What a fantastic talk. I loved it.

[@hipharpist]

Thank you Gary!!! I love that you loved it!

[@mikeporro3311]

Saw her with Special EFX at the Plaza at the WTC many years ago. Awesome.

[@hipharpist]

I remember that show, Mike! Special EFX - Chieli and George - were so powerful to work with. What amazing musicians!

[@jmjpowerjoule]

She invented the electric harp!

[@teresairiartebalsategui9676]

Thank you so much 🙏✨💞

[@rosenfieldclare]

That was fabulous! How can I share this video with my grand=daughter who is 11 and plays the ukelele, the guitar, and the piano, and with her sister who is 16 who plays these as well. I'll check out KZbin separately and see if it can be shared. Wow, Deborah, you are the BEST!!!

[@ladybaseharp]

That's incredible! If they are interested in Harp lessons, I can help ☺️

[@davem3929]

Wow.....thank you DHC!

[@pinkywinkyponybony632]

yea

[@MadEnergy-j7m]

I love this.

[@bigbob1699]

Thank you.

[@mirinwamoods]

Sooo is Deborah the reason I'm now considering buying a sharpsicle? Thank you!!

[@serenabeeks1536]

Love it, Deb!

[@arstar3]

Deb, you are a master entertainer and musician. This Ted X talk was just wonderful. Thank you for sharing this with us. Wishing you all the best...ALWAYS! :)

[@hipharpist]

Thanks Serena! Great to 'see' you here!

[@juliekozzy9132]

Where can I buy DHC electric harp?

[@TonyM9]

Julie Kozzy it’s made by Camac harps in France. Check them out on the web. They are one of the big three harp makers in the world (along side Lyon & Healy and Salvi). Harp retailers around the world sell their harps. Their web site should be able to help you find the nearest distributor to you.

[@mtglen]

wonderful!!!! I am honored to consider D H C as a friend! :-)

[@carmenfreeman693]

Beautiful!!

[@FabioRizza25]

SUPER AWESOME DEBORAH

[@christopherstube9473]

DHC is definitely a dangerous woman, but a harper never the less. O'Carolan would have loved her

[@hipharpist]

Haha! I LOVE THAT -- a dangerous woman! I'll write that out on my bathroom mirror!

[@christopherstube9473]

@@hipharpist Creative people are always dangerous because they step out of the ruts of everyday life and disrupt them and explore parts of the landscape of modern life that no one thought possible. Your skill as a musician and vision has allowed you to put together a presentation that stops people in their tracks and causes them to be teachable. Maybe i should have said magnificent, but you probably get that from everyone.

[@alfredcalleja450]

Amazing.

[@VeronicaWhite27]

You are Amazing!

[@harmoniabalanza]

this is very interesting, but I wish TED talks would have some variety in the affect of their speakers. EVERYONE is like a gladiator, they all seem very aggressive and kind of like pit bulls. They stand at attention, as if they are in ballet class or on military parade and they speak like drill sergeants. They seem to be making themselves very BIG, and even the women are very yang. It's as if they have all been coached to present in exactly the same way--even when they're not yelling they seem to be yelling. It's so American.

[@velvetpaws999]

I totally and respectfully disagree. How could anybody ever come to such a conclusion? I have watched countless TED talks, and while I had many thoughts, that one would have never, ever crossed my mind... and a fine mind it is!

[@bjornskristensen]

Great story! I want a vibraphone as light as a bicycle!

[@nimrodfernando4729]

I want one of those

[@maryhopkins923]

Thank you. :)

[@zaneedwards7011]

what key is she playing in?

[@jmaz1100]

What about Alice Coltrane?

[@hipharpist]

Alice Coltrane rocked! She saw the harp in a new way that really opened up the sonics of the instrument. Dorothy Ashby was amazing, too. And Corky Hale, and Rüdiger Opperman and -- there are soooo many amazing harp players in the world. That's one of the things I love about playing this instrument: discovering those people - those who came before, those all over the world and those to come! What do you love about Alice Coltrane, jmaz1100?

[@danielcoleman8290]

Can anyone pls, for The Love of God, direct me toward a person or place where I can purchase such an excellent instrument!? Peace and Blessings to you!

[@swiftverdict]

Camac Harps makes the DHC. Salvi also makes a good version called the Delta Harp.

[@RadenWA]

Harpsicles are also a more affordable option if you can't spend 4000$++

[@andreasolinasharp7168]

Awesome!

[@hunterthesicilianratpack8716]

Going to get me one of those look out King David

[@ChristianTreber]

Awesome

[@TheRingDragon52]

I love this beautiful woman.

[@sanab1850]

oKAY but its over 8 grand how am I suppose to get it in my broke teen hands :'(

[@hipharpist]

Hey Susana - remember - I started on a UKULELE -- it doesn't matter where you start. You can buy a harp for much less money and work up to a DHC.There are SO many amazing harp builders now - including a guy who creates cardboard harps you can construct yourself - and they sound great.

[@velvetpaws999]

6,200 US$ .... that is very reasonable! Go check out other pro level instruments: flutes, saxophones, e-guitars.... anything. They cost that much, or more. But frankly, once you get past the beginner level and if you are serious (or your kids, that is), a pro level instrument is essential for good studying and ear and hand skill development. If you just want a toy, win the lottery first and buy it then. Just kidding, of course!

[@RadenWA]

Now they have smaller, lighter stuff called Harpsicles that goes under $1000, you can also find DIY cardboard harp for _literally 200$_ that are actually decent!

[@hipharpist]

Susana - you got some great suggestions here of ways to start. The first harp I bought was made of plywood - and it worked - now they have great, playable harps made of cardboard and if you busk long enough with that, you'll have the chops and the money for the pro-quality instrument.

[@velvetpaws999]

Oh Deborah, a woman after my heart! Do you want to marry me?

[@bobsaturday4273]

funny and talented too ! kinda woman you'd liketo marry !

[@simonbelmont1986]

Uhh, she's making the harp look bad. David's harp could cast out demons, that's enough for me to love the harp.

[@tsundor1]

man, some of the people in the audience look so dead

[@leonarddeberry7104]

My friend builds guitars and he's never seen a harp like this.

[@hipharpist]

That will surely change, Leonard - more and more people play these harps today and it's a little bizarre for me since at first it existed in my imagination and then for years I was the only one out there thinking "Hey, where's everyone else?? This is the greatest instrument to play!"

[@DAVIDALANJONESRIDGE]

I hope that she patented the device.