Music Was My Refuge [Intermediate Harp - Zen please]

[Sevette]

12th of Melora, Era XV, PF


After paying and registering from the classes at the Academy, the receptionist had directed Sevette Galai to another building.

This was where she was no, she entered the building, and made her way to the room she had been told. "Serale?"

[Zen]

Training: Journeyman Harp

~ * ~

As she entered the building, the first thing she noticed was a clear, crystalline music, played with artful mastery filling the hallway. It was soothing yet jubilant, welcoming the newest enrolled student as she approached the door to the designated room. Peering inside, she would see the composed figure of her new Master, seated before a giant harp and energetically plucking the strings with great gusto.

The Harpist looked young, and elven. But it was always hard for humans to discern the real age of elves, ageless as they seemed. His flowing blond locks jazzed wildly about, yet in rhythm to the maestro's beat. His slender fingers seemed to lock in on target without need for visual confirmation, plucking select strings with ease borne of countless ordinances of practice. The flowing robes of woven silk so common among the nobles and rich in Zinn'Sunn graced his figure, with a sinuous pattern of a garishly-coloured spider embracing the entire span his torso.

Littered about the place were various string instruments, including varying sizes of harps. Evidently the elf was master not only in Harp, but in string instrument in general. For comfort, there were several wooden chairs and associated mini-desks situated about the room, seemingly worn through heavy use, yet still able to support the weight of any single female in Zinn'Sunn.

Enraptured with his music, the elf didn't spare the newcomer a glance, but continued to play with gay abandon.

[Sevette]

Sevette stopped in the doorway, intent on watching the elven man as he plucked the strings with emotion. This was what she was here for. To become like that, at least part of it. She was hear to learn, and reach her dreams.

She was unaware of how long she stood in the doorway, but she eventually realized she had been there long enough. Sevette moved further into the room, and without much of another word, took a seat. She continued to watch him, to wanting to disturb.

[Zen]

The whirlwind tempo of the maestro Elf eventually subsided to a mellow beat, then ceased. The elf's hands fell away, coming to rest their weary digits on his lap. Raising his head, he noted the presence of his student.

"You... a new student, I presume. Sorry I must have kept you waiting, I tend to become engrossed in my music when I start. So, what are you here for? Harps? Guitar? Sitar?"

He leaned forwards, awaiting attentively for her response. His hands rubbed against each other, massaging away the weary ache that had built up.

[Sevette]

She jumped a little as he spoke to her, the music had drawn her in as well, it seemed. "Harp," She said after a moment of silence that consisted of staring at him and around the room.

"I'm here to learn Harp."

[Zen]

The elf smiled sweetly, revealing a set of perfect teeth - well except for one missing on the top row.

"The harp, a marvelous instrument indeed. One of my specialties. I'm Erh'Fil Hei, resident Harpist for 14 ordinances and counting. What might your name be, young one? Have you had previous training in Harp?"

[Sevette]

"Sevette," She said after the Maestro introduced himself "Sevette Galai. I've learned a little from a Bard in Paxia, other than that though, not much."

[Zen]

How interesting. The skills of Bards across the Empire was varied and unique to each region. As such, Erh'Fil Hei wondered what particular special talents this travelling bard would exhibit.

"Why don't you go ahead and play me a few songs, Sevette. I haven't heard a song from Paxia in a while. I hope you brought your harp with you, otherwise feel free to use any of mine."

He gestured to the many harps of various styles and sizes lying around, waiting to be used. It was a testament to how diverse Harpistry was in Aelyria.

[Sevette]

Sevette nodded and raised herself to her feet, heading towards one of the smaller Harps in the room. She had once owned a harp, one that would have fetched a good amount of Crowns had she decided to sell it rather than keep it and learn. It, like many of her other belongings, had been l lost when the Orcs attacked Paxia.

Sitting at the harp, the young bard took a moment to choose a song, one she was comfortable in playing.

Closing her eyes, she positioned her hands and began to play. The music filled the room, and it was more than clear that she was comfortable with the song. While she didn't have much formal training, Sevette always played whenever she had the chance.

As soon as The Bards Lament ended she played one more piece.

OOC: The songs are A Bards Lament and Paxian Law found here

[Zen]

The elf maestro listened silently, his eyes intent on the young woman's serene face even as she played her piece. To his trained ears, the two songs were in obvious need of further refinement - through constant practice and with time. As the music died down, he clapped, a few light taps.

"Not bad, not bad for an Apprentice Harpist. Maybe still a bit jerky, you still need to work on that rhythm. But I think you've a future in music ahead of you. Well, apart from playing those two pieces, can you read sheet scores yet?"

It was a basic skill required of musicians interested in advancing their skills; but sadly, it was so often omitted in the education of itinerant bards. An affront to the institution, if Master Erh'Fil He had anything to say about it.

[Sevette]

Sevette lifted her head and looked at the Maestro. "No, I... I've learned by ear thus far." She dropped her hands away from the Harp almost automatically, and left them in her lap. "Is that bad?"

[Zen]

The Elf just grinned. It was nothing to be worried about that his new pupil didn't know how to read music sheets, yet. That's what he was here for after all.

"No, not at all. It's not to learn to read music scores. If you can read sheet scores, why you can learn how to play musical pieces from sheet scores. Imagine how many more songs will be open to you!

Well, why don't we start with that first? Here, take this music sheet. We'll start from the top."

He went over to a shelf, overflowing with sheets stuffed tightly together and bounded by ropes of blue silk. Rifling through the mess, he selected a single sheet, and brought it over to Sevette. The title read: A Bards Lament.

"Ah, this should be a familiar song for you. Since you already know the song, it should be easier to teach you with this sheet. Does any of these look familiar to you?"

[Sevette]

The elven man handed her the sheet, and Sevette took it from him, she stared at it for a long moment before answering. " A few do," She finally told the harpist, looking back up at him briefly, she pointed to a couple notes on the page. "This one, and that one. But not much else."

[Zen]

OOCSorry I have no idea how to read Musical scores, much less teach it :p Do you?

The Elf Maestro peeked over Sevette's shoulders, as she struggled to identify the different notes on the sheet. Well, she was correct half the time.

"Right, let's start from the top." Then he would go through the entire sheet, painstakingly teach her the different notes and how to differentiate them. From time to time, he would pause, and quiz Sevette on her knowledge, making sure she was concentrating. This was hard work after all, taxing the mind's resources.

[Sevette]

OOC: I have a little experience with that, used to play the Flute in high school, I'm just waaay out of practice and sorry this post isn't much. Don't have a lot of time right now.

Sevette remained silent for the most part, until he quizzed her and intervals and she answered his questions in a slow fashion to be certain she had them right. Other than that though, she just watched and listened.