Mind Pathway
When we are learning something new, our minds can be our greatest allies or our harshest critics. Are you looking to perform without letting your inner critic interfere? Do you need some time to relax and play peacefully without stress? Or perhaps you want to step back from playing and simply enjoy some inspirational harp music concerts?
In this pathway, you'll find modules on relaxation, performing, and inspiration. You can dip into any module in any order or choose to complete one module before moving on to the next. Enjoy this learning journey and be kind to yourself. To fully benefit from this pathway, it's recommended that you feel comfortable with basic harp skills, but any level of harpists can benefit from and enjoy this pathway.
1. Relaxation
Learn how to approach your harp practice with calm and focus. This section helps you create a peaceful mindset that enhances your playing and brings joy to your harp journey.
1A. Body, Arm, Hand and Finger Stretches
Keep your body in tip top condition with these exercises away from the harp.
1B. Warm Ups
Ensure you are warming up before every practice, take time to listen to your body.
1C. Slow and Spacious
Look at the choreography and flow of harp playing, and work through two of Eleanor's calmest compositions, 'Slow and Spacious' and 'Serenity'.
1D. Body, Arm & Hand Position Masterclass
Heather with Vickie - learn the proper body, arm and hand position. Play without pain.
1E. Mastering Rolled Chords
Develop even and beautiful rolled (brushed) chords through this short course.
1F. In the Snow where the Deers Are
Wendy Stewart teaches her much loved composition 'In The Snow Where The Deers Are'.
1G. Learn 3 relaxing tunes at a level relaxing for you to play
Oogwey Ascends - Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Bless Us All - Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Amazing Grace - Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
2. Performance Anxiety
Build confidence and overcome the fears that can hold you back. Here, you’ll explore strategies to manage nerves and perform with assurance, allowing your love for music to shine through.
2A. Shine Your Light
Practical tips to overcome performance anxiety, impostor syndrome and that inner critic!
2B. Performing From Memory
Dr. Molly Gebrian shares strategies to improve mastery of performing from memory.
2C. The Bulletproof Musician
Take a look at some tips Noa Kageyama gave on how to be a 'Bulletproof Musician'.
2D. Practice Performing with Heather
Lots of tips and techniques to help you get started with performing. Get rid of those nerves and learn to love it!!
2E. Apply Your Learning
Join a Practice Together Session. Even though you are muted just having your camera on while playing will help with performance anxiety.
2F. Apply Your Learning
Perform a work in progress for your pod, family member or friend. It will get easier every time you do this!
2G. Apply Your Learning
Sign up to perform in a member concert (every July & December) - email Katherine at [email protected] to get involved.
2F. Stretch Your Learning
Start a YouTube Channel and begin regularly uploading and sharing recordings. Set videos to private and only share with those you choose.
3. Inspiration
Reconnect with the joy and passion that brought you to the harp. This section is all about finding motivation, exploring creativity, and staying inspired on your musical journey.
3A. Amy Turk
Amy Turk is a multi-genre harpist, arranger, composer & session artist from the UK. With special interests in percussion, video game music, film music and popular music of all styles, Amy has created a unique career path through her presence online.
3B. Eleanor Turner
Eleanor believes that music is the most powerful language in the universe and seeks to explore new tangents that celebrate the beauty and infinite power of the harp.
3C. Tamsin Dearnley
Tamsin's work ranges from the atonal to the lyrical, from purely instrumental to synth- and electronics-based. She has released several albums of solo harp music, including transcriptions of Bach and an EP of self-penned songs for voice and guitar.
3D. Pippa Reid-Foster
Innovative contemporary Scottish pedal and lever harpist Pippa combines a minimal compositional style with strong references to her Scottish roots in this wonderful performance.
3E. Gillian Fleetword
Gillian is a Scottish harper, composer and singer based in Glasgow, Scotland. She has been a key player in the Scottish Harp scene for many years as part of The Duplets.
3F. Dimitra Fleissner
One of our members made some awesome music!! Woo! Have a listen to some of Dimitra's harp CD 'The Harp Side of Life', and hear her share her experience of making her very own album!
3G. Take Workshops
Take the inspiration further by working through a workshop by someone who’s concert inspired you.
4. Goal Setting and Practice Strategies
Discover how to make the most of your practice time by setting clear goals and using effective strategies. This section will help you stay organised and focused, making your progress feel effortless and rewarding.
4A. Practice Strategies
Learn from Josh Layne and Victoria Johnson how to be happier, more productive and improve faster than ever before!
4B. Goal Setting
Goal setting and planning your practice time is the best way to make sure you are progressing.
4C. Attend Practice Together Session
Attend a Practice Together with Goal Setting event hosted by Victoria.