Show Notes
Niccie heard a harp at the ballet when she was little, then waited more than four decades before she started playing one. Heather sits down with her to find out how she finally got going, and why doing it her way has mattered so much.
She's nearly three years in now, and she knows exactly how she learns, what she wants from an instrument, and what she'd rather take her time over. Heather gets into both harps, the teaching that suits her, and the mindset that holds it all together.
In this episode: - Why weekly lessons weren't right for her, and how monthly ones with Angela work instead - Choosing a Pilgrim Clarsach, and the harp she never expected to fall for - Building and painting a Harp-E from a bare kit, levers and all - Being on the autistic spectrum, and how the harp settles a busy brain - Picking music that's far too hard on purpose, and preferring exercises to pieces - Harmonics on the lower metal strings, and getting two hands to agree with each other - Practice Togethers, the technique bank, and a community where nobody feels behind
Host: Heather Downie - Harpist, Principal Lever Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Founder of How To Harp
Guest: Niccie Hughes - Learner Harpist and How To Harp Member
Learn with us: https://www.HowToHarp.com (membership, courses, retreats)
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