Are you intimidated by music theory?

Do you focus on learning tunes rather than understanding the music you play?

Do you struggle to find and understand chords?

Do you want to find more individuality, confidence and freedom in your harping but not sure where to start with it all?

  • “Thanks for all your hard work making the course so interesting and inspiring”
    Tasha Burns

  • “I really like that there is some social "interaction", and that you were so responsive to questions and comments on the platform”
    Phyllis Duxbery

  • “It felt like I had a real teacher at home! Because you can really see your progress over the weeks.”
    Clémentine Rousselot

This course will help YOU...

  • Understand the music you are learning and playing more easily and on a deeper level

  • Feel happy and confident as you’ll be able to easily come up with your own chords and arrangements

  • Realise this part of music isn’t anywhere near as hard as you thought

  • I know I can change your harping. I've taken hundreds of private and conservatoire students on this journey. The methods and materials are tried and tested. They work! And now it is your turn!!
    Let's do this together!

Instructor

Heather Downie

Hi! I’m Heather and I play the harp!!

I’m an Online Teaching Specialist and the Principal Scottish Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. I was a BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year Finalist, I’ve recorded albums and performed all over the world…..but I discovered early in my career that teaching is my passion. It brings me so much joy and fulfilment, and it is at the centre of my career as a musician. I love it so much!!

I want to help you become a better harpist, not simply teach you tunes. I want you to learn in new, exciting and successful ways. I want you to develop better technique and sound production so everything you play sounds fantastic. I want you to understand harmony so you feel confident about coming up with chords and arrangements. I want you to understand the context and history of the music you play so you can enjoy it on a deeper emotional level.

But most of all I want you to feel confident and happy in yourself and your harping. This is the the key. If you feel happy and positive about your harp journey you will play more and more…..and if you play more and more you will become the best harpist you can be!!

Does this sound like something you want too?? Well then, let me help you do it!!

Heather x

Qualifications -
First Class (Hons) BA in Scottish Music from Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Postgraduate Diploma (with distinction) in Scottish Music Performance from Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
MEd Learning and Teaching in the Arts

  • “I’ve had my harp for about a year and only managed a couple of lessons before lockdown. I feel as though I’ve made more progress this week than in the whole of the last year."
    Morag Warr

  • “The pace and clarity and content of the lessons have been totally engaging and interesting. The general chitchat makes it feel like coffee with a friend so relaxing. This is by far the best learning platform I have used.”
    Wendy Ware

  • “I enjoy all of Heather’s programs. She is an excellent teacher, a clear communicator and she’s fun to work with.”
    Rebecca Harrison

Course Outline

This is a 12-week course, delivered in weekly live ZOOM sessions
Sessions on Wednesdays @ 7:30PM (UK time)
All sessions available for reply, along with worksheets and resources

  1. 1

    • Welcome To The Course!

    • Online Calendar
  2. 2

    • Pitch, Scales as a Sequence and Intervals

    • Live Session Replay

    • PDF Resources

    • Scale Degrees

    • Intervals

    • Session 1 Quiz - Pitch, Scale Degrees and Intervals
  3. 3

    • Warm Up Session 1

    • Live Session Replay

    • Exercise PDFs
  4. 4

    • Keys

    • Live Session Replay

    • PDF Resources

    • Tones, Semitones and Enharmonics

    • What Is A Major Scale?

    • Constructing Key Signatures Using Mnemonics

    • Constructing Key Signatures Using The Cycle of Keys

    • Session 2 Quiz - Keys
  5. 5

    • Constructing Chords

    • Live Session Replay

    • PDF Resources

    • Session 3 Quiz - Constructing Chords
  6. 6

    • Warm Up Session 2

    • Live Session Replay

    • Exercise PDFs
  7. 7

    • Chord Families and Functions

    • Live Session Replay

    • PDF Resources

    • Session 4 Quiz - Chord Families and Functions
  8. 8

    • Left-hand Patterns

    • Live Session Replay

    • PDF Resources
  9. 9

    • Warm Up Session 3

    • Live Session Replay

    • Exercise PDFs
  10. 10

    • Case Study

    • Case Study - The Beginner Approach

    • Live Session Replay

    • PDF Resources
  11. 11

    • Personal Project

    • Personal Project Submission

    • Personal Project Tune Choice 1: Twinkle Twinkle

    • Personal Project Tune Choice 2: The Skye Boat Song

    • Personal Project Tune Choice 3: Oidhche Bha Nan Gabhair Againn

    • Personal Project Tune Choice 4: Auld Lang Syne

    • Personal Project Tune Choice 5: Silent Night

    • Personal Project Tune Choice 6: Miss Sally Hunter of Thurston's Jig
  12. 12

    • Warm Up Session 4

    • Live Session Replay

    • Exercise PDFs
  13. 13

    • Extended Left-hand Patterns

    • Live Session Replay

    • PDF Resources
  14. 14

    • Extended harmony

    • Live Session Replay

    • PDF Resources

    • Session 9 Quiz - Extended Harmony
  15. 15

    • Warm Up Session 5

    • Live Session Replay

    • Exercise PDFs
  16. 16

    • How To Harp Harmony Module 10: Who Am I Harmonically?

    • PDF Resources

    • Live Session Replay
  17. 17

    • Personal Project

    • Personal Project Submission

    • Auld Lang Syne - Beginner / Intermediate version

    • Auld Lang Syne - Intermediate / Advanced version

    • EXTRA - Working Live Session - Working Through the Personal Project

    • Live Session Replay
  18. 18

    • Warm Up Session 6

    • Live Session Replay

    • Exercise PDFs
  19. 19

    • How To Harp Harmony Module 12: Final Round Up and Big Q&A

    • PDF Resources

    • Live Session Replay
  20. 20

    • Beauty and the Beast Version 1

    • Beauty and the Beast Version 2

    • Beauty and the Beast Melody Recording

    • Live Session Replay
  21. 21

    • How To Harp Harmony Lead sheet Bootcamp Day 2

    • Fly Me To The Moon

    • Fly Me To The Moon Melody Recording

    • Live Session Replay

Bonuses

  • Two Personal Feedback Opportunites (worth £120)

    Written and video feedback available for everyone

  • Two-day Lead Sheet Bootcamp (worth £175)

    Apply your new knowledge in this fun practical weekend

  • Access to Private Members-Only Community Space

    Ask questions, share ideas and support each other

Countdown!!!

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED - JOIN THE WAIT LIST FOR NEXT TIME

  • 00 Days
  • 00 Hours
  • 00 Minutes
  • 00 Seconds

FAQ

  • When is the course happening and how is it delivered?

    Weekly live ZOOM sessions every Wednesday @ 7:30PM (UK time) from 7TH SEP - 23RD NOV.

  • What else do I get if I sign up?

    Worksheets and resources. Bonus content including personal feedback, access to private members-only community space, and a two-day lead sheet bootcamp.

  • What and when is the Lead Sheet Bootcamp?

    Live ZOOM event on 3RD & 4TH of DEC where you will further develop the skills you have learned in the course in a practical session. You'll learn what lead sheets are, how to use them, and how to adapt them for harp.

  • What do I do if I can’t make a session?

    Don’t worry! This is normal and lots of students can’t make the live sessions. ALL SESSIONS are recorded and are available for reply.

  • What level of music theory knowledge do I need?

    This course is ideal for those with minimal to intermediate music theory knowledge. However, even those with more advanced theory knowledge will benefit from the innovative and original approaches to learning in the course.

  • Does my harp playing need to be at certain standard?

    No. This is suitable for any level of player as the content is focused on your own learning journey.

  • What type of harp do I need?

    The course materials are suitable for any lever or pedal harp.

  • How long do I have access to the material?

    Lifetime access for all content including the live replays.

  • How do I pay and when is my payment taken?

    You can pay in full or in 4 installments. A small fee is added to the payment schedule by the processing company. If paying in full, the total amount will be taken at the point of sign up. If paying in installements your first payment will be taken at the point of sign up and then each further payment will be taken on the same date the following months.

  • “I really appreciate the thoughtful details that go into Heather’s instruction. She offers more than one way to approach music and provides ways to grow. You've given us so much value for what we are paying for that I feel like I can't thank you enough.”
    Mary Frank

  • “The depth of work Heather has put into this really shows. Her passion, her knowledge and her ease of teaching, makes you feel welcome, able and supported throughout. I love the friendly, informative, well explained, carefully planned lessons which Heather excels at.”
    Corrina Hewat

  • “Heather is excellent at breaking things down into manageable chucks and making learning less daunting. She has a very personal approach, her dogs also occasionally join in the fun, and you feel you have a friend to support you through your harp learning”
    Anne Philbrow