Practicing Harp Happiness

I’m going to get a little personal about harp happiness and it will probably surprise you.

On this last podcast of 2021 I share my favorite harp moments of the past year and my harp goals for 2022. They aren’t the type of goals you probably imagine. Yes, there are some achievement type goals but there are more esoteric ones too. I hope they may inspire you to decide on some 2022 harp happiness goals for yourself. Here’s to a Happy New Year for all!

Links to things I think you might be interested in that were mentioned in the podcast episode: 

• Join our private Facebook group, Harp Happiness HQ
• Musical Extravagance: The Ultimate Holiday Gift
• Harpmastery.com

Get involved in the show! Send your questions for future podcast episodes to me at [email protected]

Is holiday harping making you stressed? As the angel said, “Fear not!”

We all find it difficult to find practice time during the holidays, even though this is the time we need to keep our fingers ready to play. In this episode of the podcast you will discover a stress-free practice plan that will keep you in shape, no matter how many cookies you still need to bake. All it takes is a few minutes and a little planning.

Links to things I think you might be interested in that were mentioned in the podcast episode: 

• Harp Mastery® Certified Coaching 
• Stay Relaxed to Play Your Best blog post
• Harpmastery.com

Get involved in the show! Send your questions for future podcast episodes to me at [email protected]

If we harpists had to choose one technical skill to have sharp for the holidays, it would have to be smooth, even arpeggios.

Learn four different arpeggio styles and the best practice tips for each, revealed through four different harp arrangements of the beloved Christmas favorite, “O Holy Night.”  Whether the arpeggios go up, down or all around in your own favorite arrangement, you’ll discover the strategies you need to make them sparkle.

Links to things I think you might be interested in that were mentioned in the podcast episode: 

• Harp Mastery® Certified Coaching 
• 7 Surprising Facts about “O Holy Night” blog post
• Harpmastery.com

Get involved in the show! Send your questions for future podcast episodes to me at [email protected]

“If only I’d started years ago,” is a common refrain of many adult harp students. But adult students, even beginners, have significant advantages over younger ones.

Slower fingers and mental processes are part of aging but that doesn't mean that music and harp learning needs to be slower too. On this show, Anne reviews the “just for grown-ups” learning techniques which help her adult students experience faster and more rewarding progress.

Links to things I think you might be interested in that were mentioned in the podcast episode: 

• Harp Mastery® Certified Coaching 
• If I Were Starting Over blog post
• Harpmastery.com

Get involved in the show! Send your questions for future podcast episodes to me at [email protected].

The most powerful musical expression isn’t created by magic. It’s written into each note. It’s up to the performer to discover it and bring it to life.

If you’ve ever questioned your expressive choices or felt uncomfortable making those choices, today’s show reveals how to discover the composer’s intention and interpret it with creativity and confidence. Plus I’ll show you where to look - and listen - for the hidden expressive clues in any piece.

Links to things I think you might be interested in that were mentioned in the podcast episode: 

• Join My Harp Mastery
• Blog post on Your 5 Day Plan to Better Musical Awareness
• Beyond Dynamics: 3 Keys to More Musical Harp Playing podcast
• Harpmastery.com

Get involved in the show! Send your questions for future podcast episodes to me at [email protected]

If you find it difficult to practice Christmas Carols, you are not alone.

Reviewing holiday music is an unusual kind of challenge. Everyone knows the songs so well we dread making even a single mistake. But we know them so well we practice on autopilot. On today’s show I share how to do the practice you need and still keep the holiday spirit with three simple strategies that make even the most tired carol (or any music) fun to practice and play.

Links to things I think you might be interested in that were mentioned in the podcast episode: 

• Cracking the Nutcracker Code webinar
• Cadenza Play In LIVE Friday, November 26 at Noon Eastern time
• My Harp Mastery
• How to Play Music You Hate Blog post
• Harpmastery.com

Get involved in the show! Send your questions for future podcast episodes to me at [email protected]

Memorizing your music isn’t essential, but developing your memorization skills IS.

Memorization isn’t just for people who want to play without music. It’s also a proven practice technique that creates critical connections between what you play and what you hear which translate into faster learning and longer retention. Even if you can’t remember what you had for breakfast you can learn to memorize - if you use the only method which really works! 

Links to things I think you might be interested in that were mentioned in the podcast episode: 

• Cracking the Nutcracker Code webinar
• My Harp Mastery
• No More Memorization Mistakes Blog post
• Harpmastery.com

Get involved in the show! Send your questions for future podcast episodes to me at [email protected]

“Which Ave Maria?” I asked the bride. I could see the panic in her eyes. “You mean there’s more than one?”

Whether it’s for a wedding, a funeral or Christmas Eve, all of the Ave Maria settings are beloved favorites. On today’s show we’ll discuss the two most requested ones: their histories, similarities, differences, plus practice ideas and performance tips including my secrets for making those awkward rhythms smooth.

Links to things I think you might be interested in that were mentioned in the podcast episode: 

• Break Forth CD
• Schubert's Ave Maria: the Real Story
• Ave Maria sheet music set
• Harpmastery.com

Get involved in the show! Send your questions for future podcast episodes to me at [email protected]

Without question, the glissando is the signature harp sound. It’s likely the very first thing you ever tried when you first touched a harp. 

It’s equally likely that at this point in your harp journey you have questions about how to make them sound glorious. On today’s show I will share the expressive secrets to a sweeping glissando plus the technical specifics. Whether your favorite term is glissando, sdrucciolando or flux, you can make it magical.

Links to things I think you might be interested in that were mentioned in the podcast episode: 

• Waltz of the Flowers Cadenza Challenge
• Develop Your Glissando Color Palette blog post
• Harpmastery.com

Get involved in the show! Send your questions for future podcast episodes to me at [email protected]

Maybe the piece is too hard for you. You could soldier on or you could put it away for later. Which choice do you make?

Neither choice is satisfying. Instead of battling on or conceding defeat, you could choose to fix the problem. Asking the right questions will show you what you need to do to eliminate the obstacles so you can play the piece confidently and with pride. In this episode I will share six key questions and the all-important answers.

Links to things I think you might be interested in that were mentioned in the podcast episode:

• Waltz of the Flowers Cadenza Challenge
• Are Your Fingers Failing You? 10 Quick Fixes blog post
• Harpmastery.com

Get involved in the show! Send your questions for future podcast episodes to me at [email protected]