Blithe Bigelow’s journey to the harp
Some talented musicians can provide their own melodies, accompaniment and vocals, all by playing one single instrument. It’s not an abomination mash-up instrument from a Dr. Seuss story — it’s the harp.
Blithe Bigelow, a first-year student at Utah State University majoring in international studies and economics, plays the strings known for whimsical tunes and an elegant appearance.
“When I was five years old, we were at this adorable little farmers market in Vermont, and there was a lady there playing a harp, and it was the coolest thing I’d ever seen,” Bigelow said in an interview with The Utah Statesman. “She ended up being my first harp teacher.”
When she started college, Bigelow jumped on the opportunity to do just what her first harp teacher did and play at a market. Bigelow played during multiple days of the USU Farmers Market, which ran on Wednesdays from September to October.
Celtic tunes mixed with Bigelow’s vocals resounded through stalls of vendors selling jewelry and boba tea. She diversified her sound with a mix of traditional harp melodies and modern renditions of Ed Sheeran songs.
With a new university environment came a new instructor for Bigelow — USU professor and harpist Chilali Hugo.
“I love it because every time I meet somebody, it’s a new challenge to get to know them, get to know how their brain works, get to know what their interests are and then see how I can help,” Hugo said in an interview with the Statesman.
Hugo, who has been playing the harp for over 35 years, said many people start young. However, some of her students are brand new to the harp.
“I could have complete beginners — somebody who’s never even read music,” Hugo said. “We’re working on different challenges and really digging deep into music to see what are their individual ideas about the music they’re encountering.”
Hugo said Bigelow is interested in composing her own music to play on her harp.
“It’s good timing with Blithe coming and being interested in that sort of thing because while I don’t write my own music, I do have to think about a lot of the things we’re talking about in lessons,” Hugo said. “What we’ve talked about so far with her pieces is coming up with different patterns.”
Bigelow said her inspirations include her mentors, connecting with others and making people’s day a little better.
“I do a little bit of composing,” Bigelow said. “I’ve played around with advocacy a little bit. Not much but writing songs about the environment, or I did one about the Vietnam War. Different kinds of issues — to explore those through music is also something that I think is super cool.”
Growing up in a household of songs and melodies, Bigelow said she always loved music. Her mother, a fellow musician who supported her young daughter’s interest in the harp, plays guitar and piano.
“Music is such an emotional experience,” Bigelow said. “If you’re feeling really happy one day, or a lot of times when you’re feeling really sad or really angry, I think music is a good way to explore those feelings and really delve deep into them.”
Hugo said when playing music, the brain needs to equally balance what it’s thinking and feeling.
“I think that fits with the university setting,” Hugo said. “The importance of critical thinking and being able to ask the tough questions and hopefully come to some kind of answer.”
Hugo said she hopes her students will be able to trust the answers that feel right to them in showing their individual music expression.
“Music overlaps heavily with poetry and literature and other art forms,” said Dan Bigelow, Blithe’s father. “I just hope that Blithe is able to pay it forward to all the people who have given to her and also do that in a way that keeps her fed musically and enriches her life.”
Dan said the harp is an amazing and pleasant instrument to have in the home, even for those who are beginners.
“I just can’t think of a downside to making music,” Dan said. “It just feels like it’s good for everybody it touches, and so I hope that just continues in whatever way that fits in Blithe’s life.”
Blithe said her advice to new harp players is to avoid overthinking.
“If you want to try something, try it. There’s definitely going to be a time — no matter what instrument it is — where you’re starting to play it, and you’re like, ‘I think I’m going to quit,’” Blithe said. “Push through that to the point where you can make it fun and you can play the things you want to play and bring the emotion into the music and bring the creativity. I think it really makes it all worth it.”