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.
Ep 63: Show Up Even If You Don't Feel Ready with Vikky Dauciunas
Vikky had never played an instrument and had been told not to sing, so when someone suggested she try one, her answer was no way. Heather asks how that turned into a growing family of harps and a place among other harpists.
In this episode:
• How a friend's lap harp, some DVDs and the advice to just pluck got Vikky started
• Finding fellow harpists online and at retreats while living on a small island in the Pacific Northwest
• Her first harp circle as a beginner and the connection of joining in with others
• Vikky sharing a recording of Skye Boat Song, and why that piece means so much to her
• How she ended up with three harps, and why she believes the harp selects you
• Why music theory suits her technology background, and how technique that sounds like a tune keeps her going
• Giving back by hosting a practice session, and why Heather says nobody in the community is just a number on a spreadsheet
Host:
Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Lever Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Founder of How To Harp
Guest:
Vikky Dauciunas - 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 #BeginnerHarp #HarpCommunity
13 Oct 2026
Ep 62: You Don't Need New Seasonal Music Every Year
Christmas Collab 2026 Info HERE - https://www.howtoharp.com/courses/christmas-harp-collaboration-2026
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Special occasions have fixed dates, so a piece that isn't ready in time has to wait for them to come round again. Heather sits down with How To Harp tutor Angela to look at how to be prepared without starting from scratch.
Heather talks about arranging Carol of the Bells after always avoiding it, and Angela explains why Silent Night is the first thing she plays on every new harp.
In this episode:
- Building a bank of seasonal tunes gradually, even if you only start in January
- Writing a list in the back of your journal, and refreshing old favourites with a different arranger's version
- Choosing music that does double duty, like Greensleeves and What Child Is This
- Balancing difficulty, with one stretch, two at your level and one easier
- Teaming up with a harp buddy for friendly accountability
- Keeping up technique and the rest of your practice, so you don't hit a slump when the festivities end
- The free How To Harp Christmas Collab, with parts from complete beginner to advanced
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 #SeasonalMusic #ChristmasMusic
6 Oct 2026
Ep 61: Lost Your Harp Mojo? It's Normal & Here's What to Try
A long break, a frustrating run of practice or a difficult stretch of life can leave a harp sitting untouched and the way back unclear. Heather gives this one listener question her full attention, because it keeps coming up in different forms. Thank you to everyone who writes in!
In this episode:
- Why every harpist's path, even a professional's, has ups and downs
- A creative approach, old pieces with fresh musicality or a technique focus as ways to start again
- Why exercises can help when the block is emotional, especially if you feel you should be further along by now
- Heather's own first step towards her harps, which was simply taking the covers off
- Familiar advice that still helps, from accountability buddies to harp events and live concerts
- The bigger idea underneath it all, that we're all really learning how to learn, and three things to ask yourself
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 #HarpMotivation #HarpPractice
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Spotify
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3 ratings
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