Heather shares a simple structure for making short harp practice sessions feel calm, focused, and genuinely useful.

She explains how to use 15 minutes well, including warm-up, creative work, focused repertoire practice, and the mindset shift that consistency matters more than duration.

In this episode:

• Why 15 minutes can still be enough time for meaningful practice

• How to use a short settle and centre moment before playing

• Why close work and stretch work still matter in a short practice session

• How to include a small amount of creative work without losing focus

• How to use nine minutes of repertoire practice in a targeted way

• Why practice journaling helps you know exactly what to work on

• Why regular, thoughtful practice matters more than long unfocused sessions

This is a practical episode for harpists who want to make steady progress, even when time is limited.

Host:

Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Lever Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Founder of How To Harp

Learn with us:

https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats)

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, subscribe, and share it with a harp friend. It really helps the podcast grow!

#HowToHarpPodcast #HowToHarp #HeatherDownieHarpist #HarpPractice #HarpRoutine

Heather chats with learner harpist Zee about discovering the harp later in life and how music became part of a deeply personal healing journey.

They explore Zee’s musical background, performance anxiety, the role of music theory in learning, and how the harp has supported growth, creativity, and wellbeing.

In this episode:

• Zee’s first encounter with the harp through medieval reenactment and why the sound stayed with her for years

• How previous experience in singing, guitar, and music theory helped her approach learning the harp

• Reflections on performance anxiety following conservatory training and how this influenced her learning journey

• How the How To Harp mind pathway helped rebuild confidence and support performance in a safe environment

• Writing original music as part of processing grief and emotional experiences

• Research into historical ideas about music and healing, and how music can support wellbeing

• Zee’s hopes to use harp in therapeutic and hospice settings in the future

This is a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about identity, healing, creativity, and becoming a harpist later in life.

Host:

Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Lever Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Founder of How To Harp

Guest:

Zee Bishop - learner harpist and How To Harp member

Learn with us:

https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats)

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, subscribe, and share it with a harp friend. It really helps the podcast grow!

#HowToHarpPodcast #HowToHarp #HeatherDownieHarpist #AdultHarpLearner #MusicAndHealing

Heather and Angela chat about why music theory matters for harpists and how it can support real, practical progress at the instrument.

They discuss how theory helps with communication, sight reading, memorisation, independence, and understanding music more deeply, as well as why learning it at the harp can feel far more engaging than traditional approaches.

In this episode:

• Why every harpist is already learning some theory, whether they realise it or not

• How theory helps you communicate more clearly with teachers and other musicians

• Why theory can make memorising music easier by helping you recognise patterns and meaning

• How theory supports sight reading and helps you understand the root of common reading difficulties

• Why theory can help learners become more independent and self-sufficient

• How learning theory away from the harp can still strengthen your playing

• Why theory can be enjoyable, practical, and directly connected to real music-making

This is a lively and encouraging conversation for harpists who want to feel more confident, capable, and well rounded in their learning.

Host:

Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Lever Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Founder of How To Harp

Guest:

Angela Boraston - Harp Tutor at How To Harp

Learn with us:

https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats)

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, subscribe, and share it with a harp friend. It really helps the podcast grow!

#HowToHarpPodcast #HowToHarp #HeatherDownieHarpist #MusicTheory #SightReading

Heather chats with Gwenllian about building a professional harp career while navigating doubt, burnout, performance anxiety, and the pressure to prove yourself through difficult repertoire.

They explore teaching, composition, chamber music, Welsh musical roots, and the importance of choosing music you genuinely love.

In this episode:

• How Gwenllian came to the harp after starting first on violin and piano

• Learning with her mother, then moving on to other teachers who shaped her path

• Doubts about becoming a professional musician and why languages nearly won out over music

• Burnout after study and competition, and how stepping away helped her reconnect with the harp

• Performance anxiety, mindset shifts, and finding ways to make performing work for her

• Why teaching is such a central and meaningful part of her career

• Writing and publishing music for students, including her upcoming collection The Curved Path

• Chamber music, commissions, and performing with flautist Sirius Chau

• Her advice to learners: play something you love

This is a thoughtful and honest conversation about making a musical life on your own terms and staying connected to the music that matters most to you.

Host:

Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Lever Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Founder of How To Harp

Guest:

Gwenllian Llyr - Harpist, Teacher, Composer, and Guest Tutor in the How To Harp Membership

Learn with us:

https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats)

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, subscribe, and share it with a harp friend. It really helps the podcast grow!

#HowToHarpPodcast #HowToHarp #HeatherDownieHarpist #ProfessionalHarpist #HarpTeaching

Recording can feel surprisingly intense, even when no one else will ever hear the result.

Heather shares five practical ways to make recording part of everyday practice so it feels more useful, less stressful, and more supportive of your progress as a harpist.

In this episode:

• Why recording often feels different from normal practice, even in private

• Why you should start by recording small sections rather than everything at once

• How to use recordings as information rather than judgment

• Why listening back for just one thing at a time can stop the process feeling overwhelming

• How regular recording can help it feel more normal and less intimidating

• Why recordings can become a valuable record of your progress over time

• How speaking to yourself like a friend can make recording a far more helpful practice tool

This is a practical and encouraging episode for harpists who want to use recording more confidently in both practice and performance preparation.

Host:

Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Lever Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Founder of How To Harp

Learn with us:

https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats)

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, subscribe, and share it with a harp friend. It really helps the podcast grow!

#HowToHarpPodcast #HowToHarp #HeatherDownieHarpist #RecordingYourself #HarpPractice

Heather chats with Mary about discovering the harp later in life and how a personal music hobby grew into something much bigger through patience, community, and creative curiosity.

They explore self-teaching, double strung harps, memorising music, online learning, and the joy of helping other learners inside How To Harp.

In this episode:

• How Mary first fell in love with the harp after going to hear a flautist and leaving wanting a harp instead

• Why she taught herself for years before finding the kind of technique-based learning she really needed

• What she has learned about patience, polishing pieces, memorising music, and giving herself time to grow

• Why she loves double strung harps and the musical freedom they give her

• How becoming a Sweet Pea and helping with projects inside the membership has deepened her own learning

• Why community, encouragement, and keeping joy at the centre matter so much in an adult music journey

This is a warm and encouraging conversation about adult learning, musical growth, and finding meaningful ways to share your love of the harp.

Host:

Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Lever Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Founder of How To Harp

Guest:

Mary Misiaszek - Harp Learner, How To Harp Community Leader (Sweet Pea), How To Harp Member

Learn with us:

https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats)

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, subscribe, and share it with a harp friend. It really helps the podcast grow!

#HowToHarpPodcast #HowToHarp #HeatherDownieHarpist #DoubleStrungHarp #AdultHarpLearner

Heather and Angela chat about their experiences using Peterson harp tuners after several months of real practice, teaching, and performing with them.

They explore how harp sweeteners work, how the built-in metronome can support rhythm practice, and what they have learned about choosing reliable tuning tools for different harps.

In this episode:

• Why Angela switched from the smaller clip-on tuner to the larger Peterson model

• How harp sweeteners affect tuning and why they can make the instrument feel more accurately in tune

• The difference between using a phone app and using a dedicated physical tuner

• Why the stand, screen, and microphone make the larger tuner more practical in daily use

• How Angela has been using custom metronome presets, time signatures, accents, and colour coding

• The possibility of plugging the tuner into a computer for more advanced customisation

• Why planning tempo changes, pauses, and rhythmic structure can itself be valuable practice

This episode is a practical follow-up for harpists who want to think more carefully about tuning, metronome use, and how the right tools can support thoughtful practice.

Host:

Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Lever Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Founder of How To Harp

Guest:

Angela Boraston - Harp Tutor at How To Harp

Learn with us:

https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats)

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, subscribe, and share it with a harp friend. It really helps the podcast grow!

#HowToHarpPodcast #HowToHarp #HeatherDownieHarpist #HarpTuning #MetronomePractice

Heather chats with Karen about carving out a meaningful harp life as an adult, from rediscovering the instrument after college to building a career centred on service, teaching, and creativity.

They explore therapeutic music in hospitals, hearing and using modes by colour, and what makes the double strung harp such a freeing instrument to play.

In this episode:

• How Karen went from violin and pedal harp at school to finding lever harp as an affordable way back into playing

• How an in-person harp event became the turning point for choosing an instrument and a direction

• Therapeutic music in hospitals: what the training involves, what the work is like, and how to avoid burnout

• A thoughtful discussion on volunteering vs getting paid, and how to donate your fee without taking paid work away from others

• Modes as colour and mood: comparing modes by keeping the same tonal centre for clearer “light and shadow” hearing

• Karen’s Dorian work and arranging approach, plus where to find her resources

• Why she chose the double strung harp, how she adapted to it, and the musical benefits of having two string courses

• Highs and lows of learning therapeutic music, including the reality of making mistakes with a vulnerable population

• Karen’s advice to adult learners: stop stopping, practise recovering, and build confidence through continuity

This is a warm, practical conversation about making music that serves, learning with curiosity, and giving yourself permission to play with more freedom.

Host:

Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Lever Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Founder of How To Harp

Guest:

Karen Peterson - Harpist, Teacher, Certified Music Practitioner

Learn with us:

https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats)

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, subscribe, and share it with a harp friend. It really helps the podcast grow!

#HowToHarpPodcast #HowToHarp #HeatherDownieHarpist #TherapeuticHarp #DoubleStrungHarp