Responding to Rude Comments and Talking Harp Technique 

Don’t you dare comment anything rude to Emily or she’ll make a whole video about it

I love that you left the green screen suit on for the entire rest of the video lmao

"I'm a professional." ❤🤪😂

I was a guitarist for 21 years. Now I'm old and my fingers don't want anymore (sigh). Anyway, I know how it's like to be in the flow and people who make fun about our weird body movements and facial expressions while we play, just don't have a clue. Your hair? I couldn't care less. I'm here for your music and pedal demos. 🙂💚

I'm new to your channel, I subscribed so I could leave positive comments and support an artist whose work I enjoy. So cut your hair, wave your hands, wear anything you damn well please, do gear demos, do anything! This is YOUR channel. We support it all because we support YOU! 😊

I don't understand why a woman's appearance matters so much to some people. As an adult male human, I have literally gotten lost in the moment while playing guitar live on camera to the point of drooling on myself and no comments were made.

Hey i love that geisha outfit! You're doing good Emily. Don't listen to them

Not just a professional, you have The Right Attitude.

I never knew there was such a thing as an electric harp. The effects you experiment with is fascinating. I also find your humble personality refreshing. Don't worry about the trolls. Haters gonna hate. Rise above them and you just be you. Don't feel you need to respond to them. After all, 174K subscribers can't be wrong!

That closing statement caught me: “I’m a professional.” 😂 You’re doing great. Love the videos.

The perfect response to people who don't deserve one. I

Some people are rude. Just a fact of Life. Ignore them. I'm new to your videos and I absolutely LOVE every one I have watched, probably a dozen so far. Focus on the positive, ignore the ones who try to snag you and suck you down to their level of self hatred. I have a homemade harp that my wife's grandfather made. It's really quite beautiful. It looks about half the size of the ones that you usually play. It's really old, like 40 or more years. Thank you for your totally awesome videos ! 🙏🙏

I am so glad I found your channel. You have such a calming presence

You have been killing it with your videos! I am always pleasantly surprised to see how many similarities our harp lives have. Both of us hitting our 20 year harperversaries around the same time, and now finding out that we both learned Salzedo first and then French technique later on! Glad you're finding humor in the haters' comments. Your short hair is beautiful and so is your playing!

You’re the best harpist on the internet, hands down. Or elbows up or any hand gestures you need to keep making that beautiful music! Tune out the haters and let’s hear music! pump up the volume.

Lol queen I guess I’m technically like, 4th generation Salzedo?! But even Judy Loman doesn’t do his technique strictly, and since her influence is so widespread in Canada I feel like a lot of harpists up here have a sort of pseudo-salzedo technique. These days I mostly use my ears and listen to my body to hear and feel what is good, lol! But I don’t think I’ve ever seen a professional that had no hand gesture. It’s part of playing the harp, some people will jus do more or less than others.

I love what you do. I never played an instrument, I don't know anything about it, but I do love making playlists and end up digging deep into "similar artists/songs" rabbit hole while making my playlists. It's interesting what all the plugins you use on your harps to make different sounds and it blows my mind how much more we're missing different sounds on music. Also, I love the way you dress, the way you do your hair, your glasses and the way you smile. I'm glad I found this channel weeks ago.

The ending! hahah! You are a professional at making the lives of your subscribers better and more wholesome

I, too was taught the Salzedo method but after nearly 40 years of playing for 4 hours gigs in hotels, restaurants or golf clubs, I HAD to relax my style. In my opinion, Salzedo method could even cause Carpel Tunnel Syndrome? Not based on any scientific evidence, just my own perception. I adore you, no matter how you wear your hair!

You made a grumpy old man smile and have a chuckle or two. Thanks Doll!

The hand raising thing is a cool technique to bring to the picking hand on guitar to let notes or phrases breathe but until now I've never really thought about doing it that way or had a name for it. Some of us have been told to focus on our breathing and pretend to be singing to get a more vocal-like phrasing but that never worked for me. Raising your arms on a harp like Emily or raising your picking hand over your head like Jimmy Page or Pete Townsend seems like a way better technique and also looks way cooler.

Thanks for explaining both playing styles. And my goal with harp is to do some type of experimental jazz type hybrid . Like your background music...something just angelically out there 🙏🏿🌞

More power to you Emily. The harp is very uplifting and strikes my spiritual strings as it were. The instrument was made very popular in the 80s by Tadao Hayashi who did covers of popular songs on it. His uptempo Finger Trip is a classic. Then came Andreas Vollenweider, Deborah Henson Conant, now you. Cheers and God bless!

This is everything! Plus, I love when you talk harp technique!

It sucks that people have nothing better to do than pick on you Emily :( I love your playing and reviews ❤

Emily, don’t pay attention to negative comments. If you were no good like the creatures sending ugly comments THEY WOULDN’T BE COMMENTING AT ALL. Envy & resentment always generates negativity. You have put a lot of time & energy developing a wonderful skill & talent. They are also envious of the cutest harpist I’ve ever seen!

You have such a radiant smile and positive attitude. Keep rocking Emily, you’re super fun to watch!

This was the classiest and most elegant “um actually” ever.

I love the fact you clearly love what you do and you are being exactly who you are. You don't need to respond to negative comments, but in this case, I am glad you did. I learned something today. And that is what makes life beautiful.

I was hoping there were more rude comments because YOU ARE A PROFESSIONAL and I could not imagine sending a rude comment to a great harpist. Handled like a pro.

I was trained in the Salzado method but I would love to learn more about the more relaxed french method. I just love you! Keep up the awesomeness. Oh and my daughter says to tell you that she she loves your video too.

It's really discouraging how many horrible people feel the need to dump on others for just enjoying themselves. It's awesome that you had such a great response to the jerks leaving lame comments.

So glad Emily’s deeply playful, exploratory, and shining spirit is undampened by such ignorant comments. To think of all the goodies we’d all be missing if that had happened.

Re: hand / gestures gestures that reduce tension: this is an amazing nugget of wisdom for me. I’m a mostly self-taught guitarist whose struggled with neck, back, forearm, wrist, and hand pain for the last 10. I’m not a showy performer, but discovered different hand and arm movements that really help with tone (which some folks may think are more for show) and some really help me get into the music and play better, but it NEVER occurred to me that some can also help reduce the muscle tension. But can easily see how it can be the case. A new path to try!

I have slowly and steadily fallen madly in love with your clips. You appear to be a smart, kind and funny human. And a wonderful, authentic artist.

Girl, screw them trolls. You do you and live your best life. They are just envious.

I love the "Put whatever TF hair on me you want" attitude, and schooling people on your technique.

Ive only just found this channel and i really appreciate your playfulness with sound and your beautiful technique!! Thank you for making this!!

It makes me really happy to hear you play, I really hope the positivity outweighs the negative stuff. ❤️

It’s rare to see such humility in this world full of narcissism. Thank you from a guitarist. I can’t think of a better test to see if a pedal is any good, than your harp playing. Many thanks.

Just found this channel recently. Never fails to make me feel happy. Thank You!

Ppl on youtube always seem to think they know more than the content creators smh, if they knew anything close to making music they'd make content for themselves. Keep going and pls don't ever listen to 'em :)) I rly like ur vids

I’m a drummer who really enjoys your videos especially the one featuring the distortion pedal where it sounded like your were playing “ Live From The Stage “ by Team Sleep. The fart pedal video was hysterical. I also like how you demonstrate different pedals as well. I also live in NJ & work at a Cafe named, Missy’s Main Street Cafe, where we are unconventional, have awesome food, either play an instrument and / or love music, and also love & welcome people like you with open arms. The owner’s wife is a drummer as well as our one cook, prep guy, & me of course. That all being said, you will never get rude or mean comments from me.

I discovered your channel like a couple of days ago and I immediatly loved it ! And I believe that in the end is like the saying says, haters gonna hate, and I guess that if you start to get a few of those comments it's because you're doing it right!

I just found your channel last week and I'm really happy that I did. I think your music is wonderful and the sound experimentation and equipment demos are fascinating.

You're the best. The world needs more people like you : )

Came for the Kermit getup, stayed for the Thermae magic. You rock and screw the haters.

So, I was taught primarily Salzedo technique. My teacher didn’t think highly of the French technique, so I t’s nice to hear from someone who’s done both and recognizes the good points of both.

Thanks for explaining those harp techniques, I'm not at all familiar with the harpist ways so it was really interesting to learn 😁 also love to see your eyes sparkle when you smile!!

This channel NEVER fails to make me laugh out loud. Thank you

You know you made it when people start hating for odd nonsensical things as they know they can’t talk about the beautiful music you play!

As a guitarist there are a few similar (but perhaps not as precise as harp) techniques for playing, like left thumb placement on the neck and picking hand shape. The reality is none of that really matters. Some of the best guitarists I know have an unconventional style. All that matters is the noise coming from your instrument and how express yourself through it. Keep doing what your're doing. This channel is awesome.

Thank you for explaining these techniques, for a harpist its important, for anyone else to comment on expression of playing, in a negative tone, that is a reflection on the person sharing negativity, mastering the harp is a difficult business , succeeding is a huge accomplishment, that should be the focus of anyone's comment.

I just stumbled across your channel, this is such a treat! Like thinking you ate all the cookies then you go to wash the jar and there's like 3 left!!!!

This is the first video I have seen of yours and after the green suit I can tell you are awesome! Also, I grew up learning things by Salzado and Grandjany and never learned about the differences in technique! Thank you for that information!

Keep doing what you do. As a guitar player I started watching for the pedal demos, now its your playing and your personality that comes through your interactions as well as your expressive harp.

My favorite outfit is your neon green teletubbie ensemble. Glorious!

Emily, please don't change a thing!! Unless ya want to. You're fabulous! I love guitars and learn so much from you even tho you're playing a harp instead. I've learned being silly is really important. You bring me laughter. Thank you. 💚

Love your videos, Emily! Haters are just mad they aren't insanely talented + great content creators like you.

You are so pretty, and extremely skilled! I absolutely love your videos ❤

just keep rocking. You're a great presence and I learn a lot from you.

You’re hilarious Emily! So grateful for this video - thanks for addressing this with grace and humor! I also started with Salzedo technique as my grandmother, my first teacher, was a student of his. My teachers in college were mainly Grandjany technique players and I eventually found that it suited me better.. just my two cents!

Just now seeing this video. You should bring the greenscreen suit back...or go up a level with a mocap suit! At least for special occasions, like one of your special gizmo roll-outs!😄

Your vids are awesome! And an actual harp with effects! Badass!

Taking the trash comments and recycling them into the awesome talented harpist’s creativity matrix via the community guidewires. I like it.

I stop 33 seconds in. I don't care about the hater and MCP. You, Emily Hopkins, are WONDERFUL. Please spend no more time there negative people. The Fart Pedal makes better comment than them!

You inspire me to be a better musician. Thank you Emily!!

Not only is your content top notch, but you're such a beautiful wholesome person. I honestly can't imagine why someone would leave nasty comments on your videos

Thanks for the lesson in harp hand technique, and sorry you have to suffer fools. Your channel and your playing, with or without pedals, are fascinating.

I love your hair, I love your play style and I think you’re incredibly talented. Thank you for rising above the trolls in the most low key savage way possible. Keep up the great work. 🖤

Love you and hello from Canada! Been a lurker but finally commenting :) I studied primarily Grandjany (my teacher actually learned from him!) but learned a bit of Salzedo later on from a different teacher!

It is so sad that you have to explain yourself. You do an awesome job.

😂😂 You've got such a great sense of humor, I love it! And I love the green screen outfit! Also love watching you play, either technique! ❤️❤️🌹🌹🐧🐧

thanks for the green screen suit. I put a dominatrix costume on you. Harp playing has never been so bad ass!

None of those seem terribly rude. I would have expected much worse, given what people are like. I hope you keep making videos your way looking however you want to look. Hearing about the techniques and not just your sound experiments was interesting since I know practically nothing about harps. Your videos are really beautifully shot and funny, too. I'll definitely stay subscribed :)

idk why but there is something so fascinating about you and I think its your charming personality makes me want to hug you forever!!!!!!!!!!!!

Taking someone's pointlessly rude comment and turning it into an opportunity to educate: legendary.

I just discovered you ! I learned the Salzedo technique from my teacher, who studied with her teacher who was a student of Salzedo. In the last many years she has started using somewhat of a blended technique too. I like the blended technique myself. I think your playing is wonderful, great tone and I also love that you use electronic devices for distortion. I’ve totally enjoyed watching. You have a new fan. Love the costumes, the hair , the harps. and the enthusiasm.

Emily, I think you are AWESOME! I studied the French technique however lots of my friends studied Salzedo technique I picked up a few of their gestures and learned a lot of the extended techniques for creating various sound effects on the harp. THEN I took up the chromatic cross strung harp and it was a little bit different but kind of the same.

What a brilliant and professional way to respond! Kudos! 👍🏾

oww i love this video and the green suit! the haircut is very nice short. Also, i started to study classic guitar and i'm learning hand gestures that makes me play better

No clue why RU-vid recommended this channel but here I am. (I am guessing her guitar pedal reviews) I always assumed harpists did the hand thing as a way to keep time/keep the tension out of your arms and I am thrilled to learn I was correct. Guitarists, and other string instrument players do similar gestures that I suppose aren't so obvious to most people. Harp is a very beautiful instrument. Thank you.

Just love how you're dealing with it ❤I love you❤ you're a strong woman

Don’t sweat it Emily, you are as beautiful as you are musical. Criticism is easy / ART is difficult. From a fan !

You never have to explain why you do what you do to morons. Unfortunately we all get these comments but they mean nothing. You are a talented musician who decides to share it with us so thank you.

I found your channel due to Rob Scalion and his videos. I have never watched a harpist play to any length until seeing you play with Rob. If I knew nothing else about you but your personality you would still be an amazing individual. But your playing is on a whole new level. It is both fascinating and ingenious. If you ever play a wedding and they want you to use the fart box, please let me know so I can crash that wedding, cause that is going to be epic!

You are wonderful like all the music you play. Thanx for sharing your passion ❤

OMG I love your hair to start this video! 0:14 I never saw you with the long blonde hair before. I'm here for the pedals and the skillz. You're a beautiful artist and presenter inside and out. Don't change from changing every day!

You're uniqueness and smile are all that matter. Don't ever defend yourself. I think you're great.

I recently found your channel through JHS pedals. Your videos are truly fun and inspiring! ❤

Good on you for addressing the haters and I'm glad you recognise them for being just that. Your videos show a different side to what effects units can do (which is invaluable when you're about to drop a week's pay on a pedal you've only heard an electric guitar through) and your playing/performance/style are great. Keep doing what you're doing.

I love your channel... and still 8 Tentacle Pedals in an Octopus Costume one of my favorite thing .. I saw it after abruptly wakeing up @4am.... and it really set the mood for a good morning thank you

I found your channel after a friend, who plays the harp, linked it on FB. Your content is great, playing is superb & I'm not really sure what's motivating the complainers. It does seem a bit odd when some commenters feel they can tell you what to wear & whether to cut your hair. 🤷‍♂️ Having said that the green suit in this video was adorable & I'm still processing that 😂 Also love the gear demos. I'm a guitarist and used to do some sound engineering work and I hadn't thought of someone using effects pedals with a harp. Even though this is the kind to thing done with virtual VST harps quite a bit. I guess I had preconceptions about harpists eschewing technology. Thanks for making such fascinating videos.

You do you. We love that person! I know nothing of music, harp or otherwise, but I love what I hear! Rock on Emily Hopkins rock on!! O, btw, as a retired hairdresser, I love your short hair cuts!! Even the real short one!

You kindly smashed these fools with knowledge and grace!

Never take criticism from someone you wouldn't take advice from. Do your thing Em. Thats what most of us are here for.

If you can say "I'm a professional" while laughing at your own silly outfit? You're a true professional. 👌👏

You responded to ignorance with intelligence and a broader understanding. The way you play is awesome and I'm glad you don't let them get to you. Keep being the awesome person you always have been and I'm sure I'm not the only one who looks forward to the next musical experience you share with us🙂

You have a great sense of humour and I freaking love it! Oh, and you also make great, out of this world music so I love you even more :D