How To Harp Podcast

How To Harp

5.0 (2)
MUSIC INTERVIEWS
UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to the How To Harp podcast, the show that celebrates your harp journey. Join harpist, tutor and founder of How To Harp Heather Downie for weekly episodes full of expert tips, inspiring interviews, real harpist stories, and relaxed chats with How To Harp co-tutor Angela. Whether you’re just starting out or growing your skills, this is your space to learn, laugh, and love your harp even more.

5D AGO

Ep 28: Harping Through Health Challenges with Rest, Kindness & Small Steps

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 a DVT and pulmonary embolisms • Angela shares her diagnosis of a rare chronic blood cancer (MPN) and the fatigue that can come with it • Why listening to your body and following medical advice matters more than pushing through • How to practise self compassion and avoid catastrophizing on harder days • The power of tiny steps (even when you cannot play) and finding positives in the struggle • Why your identity is not defined by your productivity, service, or illness • The importance of community and support when health challenges feel isolating This episode will help you feel less alone, and give you flexible ways to keep moving forward as a harp learner, one small step at a time. 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. See you next week! #HowToHarpPodcast #HarpLearning #HeatherDownieHarpist #ChronicIllness #HarpMotivation

39 min
FEB 6

Ep 27: Karen Marshalsay

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 harp and the mentors who shaped that early path • How Scottish traditional style influences sound, technique, and musical choices • Why ornamentation matters and how it transforms fingering and flow • Behind the scenes of recording an album across multiple harps and collaborations • A powerful reminder for adult learners to enjoy the learning process and stop apologising for mistakes This episode will help you feel more connected to the tradition behind the music you play, and offer inspiration to listen more deeply, play more intentionally, and enjoy learning for what it is. Host: Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Lever Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Founder of How To Harp Guest: Karen Marshalsay - Professional Harpist & 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. See you next week! #HowToHarpPodcast #HarpLearning #HeatherDownieHarpist #ScottishHarp #HarpOrnamentation

59 min
JAN 30

Ep 26: Health Update (Part 2) + Your Harp Questions Answered

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 the upcoming How To Harp retreat and how to take part • What Heather is teaching at the Edinburgh International Harp Festival • An overview of the new How To Harp certification and how it works • How level-based pathways support long-term harp learning This episode is ideal for learners who enjoy behind-the-scenes updates, practical information, and clear guidance on how to stay engaged and motivated in their harp journey. 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. See you next week! #HowToHarpPodcast #HarpLearning #HeatherDownieHarpist #HarpQandA #HarpCommunity

26 min
JAN 23

Ep 25: Health Update & What To Do When Life Derails Your Harping

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 behind the scenes • Why guilt can show up when you cannot practice, and how to handle it with more kindness • A simple way to stay connected to your goals when your energy is low • How to measure progress in tiny, realistic steps • The one small action Heather is using to move closer to harping again This episode will help you stay motivated and compassionate with yourself when life knocks you off track, and remind you that small steps still count as progress. 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. See you next week! #HowToHarpPodcast #HarpLearning #HeatherDownieHarpist #HarpMotivation #HarpPractice

24 min
JAN 16

Ep 24: June Epp

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 found her way to the harp after exploring other instruments • The realities of learning on a very small harp, and why upgrading to a full size harp made a difference • How online learning, retreats, and coaching supported her progress • Joining an in person ensemble and adapting string music for harp • Why memorisation and taking opportunities to play can be so empowering This episode will help you feel encouraged in your own harp journey, and remind you that progress comes from staying curious, getting support, and finding ways to play that keep the joy alive. Host: Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Lever Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Founder of How To Harp Guest: June Epp - Learner Harpist 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. See you next week! #HowToHarpPodcast #HarpLearning #HeatherDownieHarpist #EnsemblePlaying #HarpCommunity

36 min
JAN 9

Ep 23: Why Motivation Matters More Than Willpower in Harp Learning

In this Harpy Tutor Chat, Heather and Angela explore what really helps learners stay engaged with their harp practice over the long term, and how the language we use with ourselves can either support or sabotage progress. Drawing on ideas shared by Dr. Eric Booth, the conversation reflects on the real challenges adult learners face when staying motivated, especially when goals begin to feel like obligations rather than genuine choices. In this episode: • What intrinsic motivation really means for harp learners • Why willpower alone often is not enough to sustain long term progress • How words like “should” and “have to” can quietly drain motivation • The role of curiosity, autonomy, and mindset in staying engaged • Why success can look different for every harpist This episode will help you reflect on what truly motivates you as a learner, and how small shifts in mindset and language can lead to more joy, consistency, and confidence in your harp 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, Creator of Talking Harps 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. See you next week! #HowToHarpPodcast #HarpLearning #HeatherDownieHarpist #IntrinsicMotivation #HarpPractice

31 min
JAN 2

Ep 22: Sunita Staneslow

This week’s episode is all about how a life shaped by travel, curiosity, and community can transform the way you learn, play, and share harp music. Sunita Staneslow joins me to talk about her journey from classical foundations into folk, arranging, therapeutic harp work, and creating music that connects deeply with people and place. In This Episode: • Sunita’s early musical life in Minnesota, and how the harp found its way into her world • Studying music alongside a broader academic path, and how travel shaped her career choices • The shift from classical training into folk music, arranging, and playing more by ear • Moving to Shetland, community music making, and how quiet spaces can fuel creativity • Using the harp in therapeutic settings, and why sharing beauty really matters If you’re an adult learner looking for inspiration to find your own musical voice, this conversation will help you reconnect with what you love, and give you fresh perspective on what progress can look like. Host: Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Lever Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Founder of How To Harp Guest: Sunita Staneslow - Harpist, arranger and therapeutic musician Learn With Us: https://www.howtoharp.com (Courses, Membership and Retreats) If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, subscribe, and share it with a harp friend. It really helps the podcast grow. See you next week! #HowToHarp #HarpPractice #HeatherDownieHarpist #ShetlandHarp #HarpArranging

52 min
12/26/2025

Ep 21: 3 Tips for Setting Harp Goals You’ll Actually Stick To

As the year draws to a close, this solo harp tip episode invites you to pause, reflect, and think more intentionally about how you want to move forward with your harping. Rather than rushing into new resolutions, Heather encourages a calmer, more thoughtful approach to goal setting that supports real progress and enjoyment. In this episode: • Tip 1: Look back before you look forward, and reflect honestly on what worked and what didn’t • Tip 2: Set intentions alongside goals to shape how you play, not just what you play • Tip 3: Create a realistic, sustainable plan that fits your life and energy This episode is perfect for anyone who wants to feel more motivated, less guilty, and more confident about their harp practice in the year ahead. Enjoying the show? New episodes weekly. Follow/subscribe and share with a harp friend. Learn with us: https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats) #HowToHarp #HowToHarpPodcast #HeatherDownieHarpist #HarpGoals #HarpPractice

13 min

5

out of 5

2 Ratings

Welcome to the How To Harp podcast, the show that celebrates your harp journey. Join harpist, tutor and founder of How To Harp Heather Downie for weekly episodes full of expert tips, inspiring interviews, real harpist stories, and relaxed chats with How To Harp co-tutor Angela. Whether you’re just starting out or growing your skills, this is your space to learn, laugh, and love your harp even more.

Creator

How To Harp
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

31
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© How To Harp
Show Website

How To Harp Podcast