{"id":105,"date":"2016-06-19T01:23:52","date_gmt":"2016-06-19T01:23:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/harpistanneroos.com\/blog\/?p=105"},"modified":"2026-01-04T02:35:28","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T10:35:28","slug":"daydream-believer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harpistanneroos.com\/blog\/daydream-believer\/","title":{"rendered":"Daydream Believer"},"content":{"rendered":"

I wish I had a dollar for every time someone said to me, “I’ve always wanted to learn to play the harp<\/a><\/span>!” I get asked this all the time when I’m performing. My response is, “You can! You can take up the harp<\/a><\/span> right now.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

The typical\u00a0reaction is a shake of the head and a shy, “I’m too old for that,” or “It looks way too hard to play,” or “I’m tone deaf.”\u00a0But a rare person will say, “Great! Do you teach lessons? How can I get in touch with you<\/a><\/span>?” It’s these rare people who are daydream believers.<\/p>\n

\"Album<\/a>
Love the Monkees hit, “Daydream Believer”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When I first relocated to Northern California, I thought it would be a good idea to join the local Chamber of Commerce. They held a women’s networking luncheon, and I relished the opportunity to get the word out about my availability to perform for special events<\/a><\/span> and weddings<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

I expected to be welcomed into the arms of my new community, but one woman tried to rain on my parade. She contorted her face and said, “Well, you’ll never make any money doing that.” I vowed I would prove her wrong. You see, I’m a daydream believer, too.<\/strong><\/p>\n

While rehearsing in preparation for a recording session, one of my ensemble musicians stated flatly, “You don’t have any chance of a Grammy\u00ae nod.” I viewed his statement\u00a0as a challenge. I promised myself I’d get there someday, somehow. I later\u00a0played on a track for\u00a0an album that won a Grammy\u00ae Award for Best New Age Album, “Winds of Samsara”. I didn’t give up my dream.<\/p>\n

\"Harpist
Me at the Grammys\u00ae<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Transforming dreams into reality–I think that’s what life’s all about, because we only go around once. Seeing that vision regularly, and not letting anyone poo-poo it, makes the dream happen.\u00a0To make room for the dream to happen, I consciously decide to believe in it, I envision it regularly, and I don’t allow anyone to talk me out of it.<\/p>\n

The last part of the equation is the part that most people foul up. They are too quick to give up when naysayers scoff at their dreams. So they bottle them up and don’t share them for fear of embarrassment.<\/p>\n

But the key ingredient is to share dreams, because my true friends will encourage me and help me see them through. They’ll come to my aid. They also believe that anything is possible. They are daydream believers, as well.<\/p>\n

I always have a dream in my pocket, ready to share. Would you like to read about one of my current dreams?\u00a0<\/strong>Okay, here goes, but the deal is that you must also share your dreams below in the comment section. Maybe the little growing community that is reading this blog can even help you to make your dreams come true!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here it is:\u00a0<\/strong>I want to play in a TV talk show band. Are you laughing? Then you aren’t a believer.<\/p>\n

This\u00a0has actually been done before, in the short-lived talk show comedy farce,\u00a0Primetime Glick<\/em>, which ran from 2001 to 2003. Martin Short played the buffoon host, Jiminy Glick. Michael McKean, who in real life is an accomplished guitarist, played Adrien Van Voorhees, Jiminy’s sidekick, a harpist and bandleader sporting a fake orange tan.<\/p>\n

Did Michael McKean actually play the harp? No, but he sure made it look like he did. In an interview<\/a><\/span> he said, “The harp is insanely hard.” (I disagree, but he is entitled to his opinion.)<\/p>\n

Check out that harpist bandleader in this opening monologue from a vintage episode of\u00a0Primetime Glick<\/em>!<\/strong><\/p>\n