Wednesday is Hospital Day and the Art of Playing for an Empty Room.

We love playing in the hospital. It's become a set part of our week. I love the going there, the walk and then the time we have. For many in the small audience we draw this is the last music they will be listening to. And it has taught us the Art of Playing for an Empty Room



Often we sit alone and play to the hallway bells, alarms and rushing footfall. They're too tired but they still hear, still experience the vibration of Sean the Harp and my hands' intention. It's important to never forget that this is about what needs to be done but it's challenging having no one to 'directly' play to.



Today is such a day.



And on days like this I remind myself: 'Always play the best you can,You never know who's listening.'

Cause the world is like a big ear, everything is heard and how do you want your contribution to this to be like? Do you want it to sound like it had your full attention or are you okay with a half attempt?



It means: Doing the best I can always under any circumstances. It means playing stuff we love with the stuff that needs my full attention. It means making sure there's no jarring in the flow; we don't jump from F to D in one felt swoop but travel neatly over C and G before arriving, or use the relative minor so: C major A minor end in A major and then go to D. But I'm aware that too much harmonic movement at once in an empty hallway can be too much. Above all it means: to be present and attentive so that whoever is listening/hearing me will know I'm playing my truth.



Playing in the hospital has made me a more caring and humane musician. It has helped me let go of ego and preconceptions about audiences. It has made me hone my craft and develop my voice. It has taught me about the power of sound and magic we weave with it, the support relief and respite it can give,



An empty room never is just that. I listen to the French Horn player practising as I walk back up the hill. He's pretty good and getting better I know cause he practises with open windows every day. It's familiar and good. He touches me like we get touch others. It's a miracle!



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In the evening when I look back over the footage of the day I'm struck by the beauty of 'Carolan's Farewell to Music'...I sit and listen and drift and hear and feel and...when it's over it's like a spell has been broken.



'That's pretty stunning,' the Gardener says after a while.



'I agree,' I say.



We love playing in the hospital