How To Harp Podcast

An inspiring look into the world of jazz harp with professional harpist Amanda Whiting. Amanda shares her journey from growing up in Wales, discovering the harp at the age of five, and blending her classical roots with her lifelong love of pop and jazz. Her reflections on practice, creativity, and balance offer both encouragement and insight for harpists at every stage of their musical path.

In this episode:

• Discover how Amanda first fell in love with the harp

• The challenge of bridging classical training with jazz freedom

• Lessons from studying and performing at Ronnie Scott’s

• Finding time for creativity while balancing life and family

• What Amanda learned about rhythm, confidence, and self-expression

• Advice for harpists on staying consistent and practicing with intention

Host: Heather Downie — Harpist, Principal Scottish Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and founder of How To Harp

Guest: Amanda Whiting — Jazz Harpist, Composer & Recording Artist

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 #HarpTips #HeatherDownieHarpist #JazzHarp #PracticeWithIntention

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

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 #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.

Follow/subscribe and share with a harp friend.

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.

Follow/subscribe and share with a harp friend.

Learn with us: https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats)

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.

Follow/subscribe and share with a harp friend.

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 last week (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.

Follow/subscribe and share with a harp friend.

Learn with us: https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats)

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.

Follow/subscribe and share with a harp friend.

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.

Follow/subscribe and share with a harp friend.

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.

Follow/subscribe and share with a harp friend.

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.

Follow/subscribe and share with a harp friend.

Learn with us: https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats)