How To Harp Podcast

Ep 42: 5 Tips to Stop Perfectionism Holding Back Your Harping

Heather explores how perfectionism can show up for adult harp learners, and why trying to get everything “right” can sometimes hold back your progress, confidence and enjoyment. She shares five helpful ways to think about perfectionism, from allowing yourself to be a beginner to seeing mistakes as useful information, aiming for progress instead of perfection, and learning to speak to yourself with more kindness. In this episode: • Why adult learners often expect themselves to be good quickly • How perfectionism can lead to avoidance • Why mistakes are an important part of learning • How to aim for better instead of perfect • Why music is about communication, expression and feeling • The importance of changing the voice in your head • How to approach your harp practice with more curiosity and kindness This is a practical and encouraging solo episode about letting go of impossible standards and finding more joy, freedom and progress in your harping. 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 and helps us connect with more harpists around the world! #HowToHarpPodcast #HowToHarp #HeatherDownieHarpist #HarpPractice #Perfectionism

Ep 41: Kimberly Woods

Heather chats with learner harpist Kim about how discovering the harp later in life completely transformed her life, leading to new friendships, creative confidence, unforgettable musical experiences, and a deep sense of connection and community through music. They also discuss learning the harp as an adult, overcoming performance anxiety, attending retreats and workshops, experimenting with electric harp and loop pedals, and learning to stop comparing yourself to other musicians in order to find your own musical voice. In this episode: • Discovering the harp later in life after retirement • Learning the harp as an adult beginner • Building confidence through online learning and live events • The importance of harp friendships and community • Overcoming anxiety and learning to stop walking away from opportunities • Experimenting with electric harp, loop pedals, and effects pedals • Finding your own musical identity instead of comparing yourself to others • Why retreats, workshops, and ensemble playing can be so transformative • Heather and Kim’s friendship through the harp world, from Scotland to Vermont This is a warm, honest, and uplifting conversation about creativity, courage, connection, and fully embracing the things that bring joy and meaning into your life. Host: Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Lever Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Founder of How To Harp Guest: Kimberly Woods - 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 and helps us connect with more harpists around the world! #HowToHarpPodcast #HowToHarp #HeatherDownieHarpist #AdultHarpLearner #LeverHarp

Ep 40: The Magic of Harp Retreats, Festivals and Live Music

Heather and Angela chat about the huge impact that in-person musical experiences can have on our harp journeys, from first discovering the instrument, to finding inspiration, creativity, confidence and community through shared musical experiences. They reflect on festivals, retreats, workshops and live concerts, and explore why spending time making music together in person can completely refill your creative cup and reconnect you with why you started playing in the first place. In this episode: • How in-person events helped Heather first discover and learn the harp • Why hearing live music in person can feel so emotional and inspiring • The unique experience of playing music together in ensembles and group settings • How retreats and festivals can refill your creative cup and reignite motivation • The friendships and connections that grow through shared musical experiences • Why immersive harp events can massively boost confidence and enthusiasm for learning • The importance of finding “your people” as a harp learner • Why even a short retreat, workshop or concert can leave you feeling creatively refreshed • The difference between learning music online and experiencing it together in person • Why stepping away from everyday life and fully immersing yourself in music can be so powerful This is a warm and uplifting conversation about community, creativity, connection, and the magic that can happen when musicians come together in person. 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 and helps us connect with more harpists around the world! #HowToHarpPodcast #HowToHarp #HeatherDownieHarpist #HarpRetreat #LiveMusic

Ep 39: Eleanor Dunsdon

Heather chats with Eleanor about finding her way back to the lever harp and building a creative career rooted in collaboration, groove, and traditional music. They explore her early start through Irish music, the pressures of formal study, her time at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and how working with other musicians helped shape her voice as a harpist. In this episode: • How Eleanor first discovered the harp through a school music programme • Moving from traditional music into more formal classical training • Studying pedal harp at university and the pressure that came with it • Reconnecting with the lever harp during Covid • Heather’s memories of teaching Eleanor during her Masters at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland • Playing with Ranagri and developing the harp’s role in a band setting • Collaborating with Gregor Black and exploring groove, rhythm, and harp with percussion This is an honest and inspiring conversation about creative identity, collaboration, and finding the musical path that feels most authentic. Host: Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Lever Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Founder of How To Harp Guest: Eleanor Dunsdon - Professional Harpist, Composer, and How To Harp Guest Tutor 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 #LeverHarp

Ep 38: The Perfect 15-Minute Harp Practice Routine

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