A thoughtful and inspiring episode for harp learners at every stage. Discover practical advice on how to make progress, structure your practice, and find motivation when things feel slow. Heather also answers listener questions on technique, sound, and keeping your playing creative and enjoyable.
In this episode:
• The three questions harp learners ask most
• How to know what to work on to improve
• Building a balanced and enjoyable practice routine
• Fixing buzzes, tension, and technical issues
• Breaking through learning plateaus
• Adding emotion and polish to your pieces
• Easy ways to make your tunes sound spooky for Halloween
• Motivation and perspective for adult harp learners
Host: Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Scottish Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and founder of How To Harp
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https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats)
#HowToHarp #HarpTips #HeatherDownieHarpist #HarpQandA #AdultLearners
***RE-UPLOAD - this is a re-upload of the original episode from 24th Oct 2025 as it was removed by Spotify (in error!! 🤦)
Heather offers a short, honest reflection on the mindset that can make harp progress feel simpler and more satisfying: there isn’t only one “right” way. She shares how listening to your body, staying true to yourself, and letting go of perfection can unlock confidence at any age.
In this episode:
• The single mindset shift Heather wishes she’d had on day one
• Why there’s more than one right way to play
• How to listen to your body and adapt your setup
• Finding teachers who help you think from different angles
• Encouragement for adult beginners and returners
Host: Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Scottish Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and founder of How To Harp
Enjoying the show? New episodes weekly.
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Learn with us: https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats)
#HowToHarp #HarpTips #HeatherDownieHarpist #BeginnerHarp #AdultLearners
***RE-UPLOAD - this is a re-upload of the original episode from 17th Oct 2025 as it was removed by Spotify (in error!! 🤦)
An inspiring chat about learning the harp later in life and finding joy in progress rather than perfection. A long-time member of the How To Harp community, Kathy shares her journey from receiving her very first harp as a surprise gift to building her YouTube channel Prime Time Harpist and connecting with harp learners all over the world.
In this episode:
• Kathy’s story of how a birthday surprise started her harp journey
• Building community and confidence through sharing music online
• Finding calm and focus when performing
• Learning to let go of perfectionism and enjoy the process
• Encouragement and advice for harpists at every stage
Host: Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Scottish Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and founder of How To Harp
Guest: Kathy Lowe - learner harpist and creator of the Prime Time Harpist YouTube channel
Enjoying the show? New episodes weekly.
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Learn with us: https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats)
Buying a harp is a big decision, and in this episode Heather and Angela share honest, practical advice to help you find the instrument that truly fits you. From ergonomics to sound, strings to soul, this in-person chat is full of guidance, laughter, and real-life harp wisdom from two experienced tutors.
In this episode:
- Angela introduces her brand-new Dusty Strings harp (and what makes it special)
- How to decide when it’s time to upgrade
- The five key things to consider when choosing your next harp
- Tips for finding a harp that suits your body, sound, and lifestyle
- Why falling in love with your harp really does matter
Host: Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Scottish Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and founder of How To Harp
Guest: Angela Boraston - Harp Tutor at How To Harp
Enjoying the show? New episodes weekly.
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Learn with us: https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats)
The How To Harp Christmas Collaboration is now open!! You can join in the fun here: https://www.howtoharp.com/courses/christmas-harp-collaboration-2025
This week Heather chats with professional harpist Dara Dubh about her journey from a small town in Northern Ireland to becoming one of Edinburgh’s most exciting contemporary harp voices. Dara shares how she blends her traditional roots with modern influences, collaborates with other artists, and pushes the harp into unexpected spaces. You’ll hear about her creative path, the challenges along the way, and her advice for harpists finding their own sound.
In this episode:
- Dara’s early start in music and discovering the harp at 11
- Moving to Edinburgh and finding her creative community
- Blending traditional Irish roots with contemporary sounds
- The joys and challenges of collaboration
- Advice for harpists on staying inspired and making music your own
Host: Heather Downie – Harpist, Principal Scottish Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and founder of How To Harp
Guest: Dara Dubh – harpist, songwriter, and performer based in Edinburgh
Enjoying the show? New episodes weekly.
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Learn with us: https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats)
Heather offers a friendly nudge for adult harpists who love the holidays: it’s not “too early” to prepare festive music. Drawing on her own experience (and her love of Christmas tunes), she explains how to plan ahead so you feel confident, comfortable, and ready to share seasonal pieces when the time comes.
In this episode:
- When to start preparing Christmas/holiday repertoire (hint: earlier than you think)
- How to plan a realistic timeline if you want more than one piece ready
- Why familiar tunes deserve extra polish so they sound their best
- A simple year-round approach: begin with less seasonal pieces, add the classics later
- An invite to our annual Christmas Collaboration and what to expect
PLUS A selection of advanced harp arrangements from the How To Harp membership (remember these are beginner & intermediate arrangements of every tune too!!):
- Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
- In the Bleak Midwinter
- Winter Wonderland
Host: Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Scottish Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and founder of How To Harp
Enjoying the show? New episodes weekly.
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Learn with us: https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats)
This episode is all about encouragement for harp learners. Vy, a learner harpist and the person who sparked our monthly series of member stories, joins Heather to share the ups and downs of her harp journey and remind us that progress doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. Expect honest reflections, relatable stories, and words of motivation that will keep you inspired on your harp journey.
In this episode:
- Vy’s first steps on her harp journey
- Balancing practice with work & family
- Facing frustration and finding ways to keep going
- Why community matters and how to find it- Encouragement and practical tips for adult learners
Host: Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Scottish Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and founder of How To Harp
Guest: Vy Tran - learner harpist and member of the How To Harp membership
Enjoying the show? New episodes weekly.
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Learn with us:
https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats)
Heather and Angela are back for their second Harpy Tutor Chat - a monthly feature where the two How To Harp tutors catch up, share stories from behind the scenes, and chat about the joys and challenges of teaching and playing the harp.
They reflect on how collaboration works when you live hundreds of miles apart, the importance of embracing your own learning pace, and how honest conversations with fellow harpists can boost your confidence. Expect thoughtful insights, practical encouragement, and a few laughs along the way (including a cameo from an ice cream truck!).
In this episode:
- Working together from a distance as harp tutors
- Why it’s powerful to know what you don’t know
- Encouragement for learners who feel like they’re behind
- Tips for going at your own pace without losing momentum
- Behind the scenes of this year’s Christmas collaboration
Host: Heather Downie – Harpist, Principal Scottish Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and founder of How To Harp
Guest: Angela Boraston – Harpist, Harp Tutor at How To Harp
Enjoying the show? New episodes weekly.
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Learn with us:
https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats)
Heather sits down with Anna Dunwoodie in New Zealand for an inspiring conversation about her harp journey, from falling in love with the instrument as a child to building a vibrant harp community today. Anna shares stories of resilience, friendship, and the power of music to connect people, as well as practical encouragement for learners at every stage.
In this episode:
- Anna’s early beginnings with the harp in New Zealand
- The challenges of learning when teachers and resources were scarce
- Building community through harp festivals and events- Insights from performing and teaching across different settings
- Anna’s advice to harp learners everywhere: why practice is always worth it
Guest: Anna Dunwoody – harpist, teacher, and organiser at the heart of New Zealand’s harp community
Host: Heather Downie – Harpist, Principal Scottish Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and founder of How To Harp
Enjoying the show? New episodes weekly.
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Learn with us:
https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats)
Heather shares this month’s harp tip with a reassuring reminder that you’re never too old to begin your harp journey. Drawing on her own experience of starting ‘late’ as a teenager, she reflects on the challenges, the self-doubt, and the turning points that helped her grow into a professional harpist.
This episode is all about encouragement for adult learners, and a reminder that determination and being true to yourself can take you further than you think. To finish, Heather shares three beginner-friendly harp classics to inspire you with what’s possible when you’re just starting out.
In this episode:
- Am I too old to start learning the harp?- Heather’s personal story of starting the harp at 14- How determination and staying true to yourself can change your learning- Encouragement for adult learners facing self-doubt- Beginner arrangements of Baloo Baleerie, The Skye Boat Song, and Auld Lang Syne
Host: Heather Downie – Harpist, Principal Scottish Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and founder of How To Harp
Enjoying the show? New episodes weekly.
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Learn with us:
https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats)
Heather chats with learner harpist Victoria Johnson in a new monthly feature spotlighting harpists on their learning journey. These episodes are all about sharing real stories from fellow learners - inspiring you, motivating you, and reminding you that progress on the harp is possible at every stage.
In this episode:
- Victoria’s harp journey - how she discovered the instrument and committed to learning
- The role of community and connection in staying inspired- Stories from competitions and learning milestones
- Heather’s “Frankenstein arrangement” tip for flexible learning
- Encouragement for every stage of the harp journey
Guest: Victoria Johnson - learner harpist and host of the Talking Harps YouTube channel
Host: Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Scottish Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and founder of How To Harp
Enjoying the show? New episodes weekly. Follow/subscribe and share with a harp friend.
Learn with us: https://www.HowToHarp.com (online membership, courses, retreats)
Heather sits down with fellow harp tutor Angela for a fun, relaxed chat celebrating her first year teaching with How to Harp. They share teaching highs, lessons learned, and why a little bit of nerves can be a good thing. Along the way, you’ll hear relatable tips for harp learners and a surprisingly on-topic story about poached eggs.
In this episode:
Angela’s journey to becoming a harp tutor at How to Harp
What a year of teaching harp has taught her
Why every learner’s path is different (and why that matters)
How a little bit of nerves can actually make you a better teacher
Practical takeaways for harp learners and aspiring teachers
The poached egg metaphor you didn’t know you needed!
Guest: Angela Boraston – Harpist, Harp Tutor at How to Harp
Host: Heather Downie – Harpist, Principal Scottish Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and founder of How to Harp
Enjoying the show? New episodes weekly.
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Learn with us:
https://www.HowToHarp.com (online membership, courses, retreats)
Heather sits down with Sharlene Wallace for a warm, engaging conversation about her journey from dance to harp, letting go of perfectionism, and playing from the heart. You’ll hear Sharlene’s unique creative approach, her thoughts on sound and expression, and stories that will inspire you to enjoy the music you make at every stage.
In this episode:
- How Sharlene moved from dance to harp
- Playing from the heart and embracing imperfection
- Insights on listening deeply and shaping your sound
- The joys, challenges, and surprises of a lifelong creative journey
- Highlights from Sharlene’s diverse performing and teaching career
Guest: Sharlene Wallace - versatile harpist, composer, and educator known for Celtic roots, classical colours, and adventurous collaborations.
Host: Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Scottish Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and founder of How To Harp.
Enjoying the show? New episodes weekly.
Follow/subscribe and share with a harp friend.
Learn with us:
https://www.HowToHarp.com (online membership, courses, retreats)
