Winter is coming…..

It’s solidly December – and nearly winter.  And with that we’ll have the continuing cold that feels as though it will never end.  Ever.  Never. (If you’re near me on the US Eastern Seaboard, you know that hard to believe, since it’s been so cold already!)

We seek warmth – Cups of tea.  Mugs of coffee.  Fireplaces.  Sweaters, coats, scarves, socks.  We do so many things to fend off the cold.

And for us as musicians and harp players, keeping warm – especially our fingers – is so important.

You are designed to keep yourself warm and one way to do that is to close down circulation to your appendages – your hands and feet and specifically your fingers and toes.  Of course, you also may get cold hands and feet when you’re practicing because you are focused and sitting still which does not encourage circulation to your extremities.

Being able to feel your fingers is so very helpful when playing! With impeded (or vacated) tactile sensation, you must look at the strings to continue playing.  You also lose cues as to what you’ve played, where you are, where you are going.  You may find that you can’t manage the harp very well – you may not know until after the string has sounded if you played fortissimo or piano, legato or staccato – or if you even played the string at all!  Being cold will require you to use all your senses, even to get through tunes you know cold (pun intended).

So, how can you keep warm, since Winter is Coming…

1. Do not book outdoor gigs.  Even Florida has winter!  When the temperature dips below 55^o you will be clumsy and less able to feel your fingers.  Personally, I set the threshold at 65^o so that I am warmer and there is no worry about being too cold once I start playing.  Spring and summer and even early autumn may be fine, but winter is right out.  Make it part of your contract so that there are no questions.  Just don't.
2. Dress warmly.  If your core and head are warm, your body will have less need to divert blood to your core, which will keep the capillaries in your fingers (and toes) open – and warmer.  As you may have heard as a youngster, “Put on a sweater, I’m cold” – if you need to, designate a “practice sweater”.  And have a scarf ready in case you need it to ward off chill.
3. Plan breaks in your practice time.  I’m sure you already do this, but in colder weather, take more frequent breaks.  Be sure to move and stretch.  Wiggle your fingers.  Get up from the bench and walk around a little.  If you are thinking, “just a little longer, I’ll practice just a little longer” stop and take a break.
4. Wear fingerless gloves or wrist warmers.  Ok, this is standard advice, but I don’t use these, because, usually my wrists are inside my shirt and sweater sleeves and they are already warm.  It’s my fingers – the parts not covered in fingerless gloves – that are cold!  So, I don't find these helpful.  However, I know loads of people who love them, swear by them, and wear them.  They’re definitely worth a try. 
5. Turn up the heat.  I’m a cheapskate but even I turn up the heat when it’s practice time.  Because otherwise I just waste my time (being cold).  Even more thrifty and parsimonious than I am?  Sit in a window and let the sun do its thing (but be sure to move your harp out of the sunlight when you’re through).
6. Invite friction.  If you start to lose feeling in your fingers, rub your hands together for a little friction warmth.  This will give you a little more feeling of warmth.  And if you’re smart about it – it will double as a light hand massage!

These things will allow help you keep warm when playing throughout the winter.  How do you keep your fingers warmer?  Let me know in the comments.