How To Harp Podcast

Heather chats with Gwyneth about EFT, tapping and how emotional blocks from the past can affect the way we feel, behave and make music. They explore how tapping works, why performance anxiety can feel so powerful, and how simple emotional freedom techniques may help musicians feel calmer, freer and more confident. In this episode: • What EFT and tapping are • How Gwyneth helps people get free from...

Heather answers another batch of listener questions in this special Q&A episode. Thank you to everyone who sent questions in - you all made this episode possible! She also shares thoughts on professional harp pathways in Scotland, conservatoire study, harp qualifications, regulation, practice methods, hand shapes, humidity, sun cream, and when to ask your harp maker for advice. In this episode...

Heather explores why technique is about far more than scales and exercises, and how strong technical foundations can give you greater freedom, confidence and expression at the harp. She shares four reasons technique gives you freedom in your playing, from removing panic and building confidence to expanding your musical choices and helping you focus on expression rather than mechanics. In this epis...

Heather chats with learner harpist Karin, who shares her remarkable harp journey, from discovering the harp during the pandemic to rebuilding her playing after suffering a life-changing stroke just 18 months into learning. They discuss recovery, neuroplasticity, the power of tiny daily steps, learning online, and how music, community and determination helped Karin reclaim an important part of her...

Heather & Angela chat about why nerves, vulnerability & learning never fully disappear, even when you become a teacher or have years of experience behind you. They also discuss why students can feel nervous playing in lessons, how teachers can support learners through that, and how reflecting clearly on progress can help adult learners build confidence and trust the learning process. In th...

Heather chats with Nicole about moving beyond external expectations and finding a musical path that feels honest, creative and true to who you are. They also discuss classical training, orchestral pressure, burnout, songwriting, improvisation, teaching, performing with others, and the courage it takes to follow musical dreams that might feel out of reach. In this episode: • How Nicole first starte...

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...

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 elect...

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 yo...

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...

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 an...

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...

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...

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...

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 sect...

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 h...

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...

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 ped...

A well-rounded warm-up helps you play with better sound, more ease, and clearer focus, even when your practice time is limited. Heather shares the simple structure she uses to prepare both body and mind before moving into repertoire and explains how to choose exercises that directly support the skills you need in your pieces. In this episode: • Why skipping warm-ups can actually make your practice...

Heather sits down with Melanie, a German harp learner and active member of How To Harp, to talk about building confidence, creativity, and consistency as an adult harpist. They explore how the harp “chose” her, how harmony study unlocked improvisation and composition, and how goals and community helped her move from simply playing notes to truly making music. In this episode: • Melanie’s journey f...

Heather and Angela share honest health updates and talk about how to keep learning harp when your body and energy levels are unpredictable. Together they explore practical, compassionate strategies for adapting your practice, staying motivated, and finding support when chronic illness or long term health challenges affect your harping. In this episode: • Heather shares an update on recovering from...

The conversation explores an unconventional route into the harp, beginning during postgraduate study and growing into a life immersed in traditional music, teaching, and performance. Heather and Karen reflect on what gives Scottish harp playing its distinctive voice, from ornamentation and clean sound to phrasing, history, and musical identity. In this episode: • An unexpected journey into the har...

Heather gives a quick update on her health and answers a wide range of listener questions about upcoming events, learning opportunities, and what is next inside How To Harp. Alongside the update, this episode offers clarity on retreats, festivals, and new ways harp learners can set goals and measure progress. In this episode: • A short health update and how things are progressing • Details about t...

Heather shares a personal health update after a serious medical event that forced her to hit pause, and reflects on the emotional impact of suddenly not being able to harp. She also shares one simple mindset shift to help you keep moving forward when your plans get interrupted, by focusing on the smallest next step you can take today. In this episode: • A personal update on what has been happening...

Heather chats with June about her harp learning journey, from picking up music again after retiring to falling in love with the harp and diving in wholeheartedly as a learner. June shares what helped her most in the early stages, including moving to a full size floor harp, finding teachers and online resources, and building confidence through community and performance. In this episode: • How June...