Online Music Theory · Starts 4th May 2026

Finally Understand
the Music You Play

26 weeks. Video lessons, live sessions, and hands-on practice.
From confused to confident, one step at a time.

📅 26 Weeks 🎬 Video Lessons 🎙️ Live Sessions 💻 Practice Labs 🖨️ Worksheets + Answers 💬 Community 🎓 Optional ABRSM Exam
Enrolment Closes 3rd May The courses start on the 4th of May and will not be available to purchase again until next year.
Sales Window Closes: 3rd May

Enrolment
Closes Soon!

📅 Starts 4th May 🔒 Sales window closes 3rd May ⏳ Won't reopen until next year
Standard Price £495
or
How To Harp Members £396
🎉 Members save 20%!
0% Interest-Free Payment Plan
6 × £82.50/month
How To Harp Members: 6 payments of £66/month

Enrolment closes in

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The Right Fit

Are the How To Harp
Theory Courses Right for You?

These courses aren't for everyone, and that's a good thing.
Here's an honest look at who they're designed for.

Yes, these courses were made for you

You'll thrive here if any of these feel familiar:

  • You want a true, lasting understanding of music, giving you a deeper connection to the pieces you love and play
  • You've tried books or short courses before but found them unmotivating or hard to stick with
  • You want structure and accountability: a clear path, a new lesson each week, and someone to ask when you get stuck
  • You value 26 weeks of proper teaching, not just a book on a shelf or a handful of Zoom calls
  • You want to learn alongside a community of other musicians at the same stage as you
  • The idea of an optional ABRSM qualification appeals to you, even if you haven't decided yet
🎓

Taught by an expert Heather holds a Masters in Learning & Teaching in the Arts and is Lecturer and Head of Lever Harp at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She knows exactly how adult musicians learn best.

🤔

This might not be the right fit if...

A few honest reasons these courses might not be for you right now:

  • · You want instrument technique lessons. These courses cover music theory only, not how to play your instrument.
  • · You're looking for quick results. Building real musical understanding takes time and consistent weekly practice, and that's exactly what makes it stick.
  • · You're already at an advanced level. If you're confident with Grade 5 theory and beyond, you may find the content too familiar.
  • · You need 1-to-1 tutoring. You'll get plenty of support via the live sessions and community, but this isn't private weekly tuition.
  • · You don't have time for regular study. Missing some weeks and then catching up is totally fine, but working through each lesson weekly will give you the best results.

💬 Worried you're just "bad at theory"? Notice that isn't on the list above. You don't need a special gift for theory to succeed here. Just a willingness to take it one step at a time.

If you found yourself nodding along to that first column:
you're in exactly the right place.

Help Me Choose My Grade →
A Safe Space To Learn

Taught with warmth, not pressure.

"

She just explains things really well - they finally click in my brain.

★★★★★
How To Harp Member
"

Super cheerful, very friendly, and very supportive. There is no harshness and there is never any judgment.

★★★★★
How To Harp Member
"

A wonderful community... everyone is very welcoming, encouraging and supportive.

★★★★★
How To Harp Member
Everything You Get

What's Inside Each Course

Every grade follows a proven 26-week structure, packed with everything you need to go from confused to confident.

🎬

Weekly Video Lessons

A new lesson each week, breaking down one concept at a time so it never feels overwhelming. Watch entirely at your own pace.

🎙️

Live Sessions

Three interactive sessions to keep you on track: a welcome kickoff, a midway Q&A, and a closing wrap-up.

💻

Online Practice Labs

Test your skills in real time. Interactive exercises for every single lesson so you can feel it properly click.

🖨️

Printable Worksheets

Beautifully designed sheets to practice offline, complete with full answer keys so you can easily check your own work.

💬

Community & Support

Ask questions and celebrate wins in our private, supportive learning area alongside other musicians at your exact level.

🎓

Optional ABRSM Exam

Get everything you need to sit the official ABRSM theory exam for your chosen grade. Fully prepared, but 100% optional.

The 26-Week Journey

Every grade course follows three progressive blocks, building your confidence week by week.

1
Block 1

Learn. Practice. Test.

Step-by-step videos build your core knowledge.

Online labs & sheets solidify the concepts.

A block quiz checks how far you've come.

2
Block 2

Deepen & Connect.

The rhythm continues as you tackle new topics.

Concepts start to click and blend together.

Another block quiz builds your confidence.

3
Block 3

Exam-Ready (or just proud).

The final stretch of new material.

A full mock exam shows exactly where you stand.

Sit the ABRSM exam, or simply enjoy your skills!

Heather Downie - Music Teacher
Your Tutor

Hi, I'm Heather.

I believe that absolutely anyone can learn music theory, provided it is taught in a way that makes sense.

Traditional theory books often leave adult learners feeling frustrated. I built these courses to be the exact opposite.

We bypass the overwhelm entirely by breaking complex ideas into bite-sized, weekly steps within a safe, encouraging space.

Whether you want to sit an ABRSM exam or simply understand the music you play, I'm here to guide you to those "aha!" moments.

Heather Downie
  • Internationally Recognised Harpist & Educator
  • Principal Lever Harp Tutor at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
  • First Class (Hons) BA in Scottish Music
  • PG Dip (with Distinction) in Harp Performance
  • Master of Education in Learning & Teaching in the Arts
  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Your Next Step

Choose Your Grade

We currently offer Grades 1 & 3.
Both courses run for 26 weeks and include everything you've seen above. The only difference is where you start.

Grade 1

Music Theory
Grade 1

The perfect starting point. No experience needed.

Choose Grade 1 if you...

  • Are new to music theory and want to start from scratch
  • Can play your instrument but struggle to read or write music
  • Want to build a solid foundation before going further
No prior theory knowledge needed. We start right at the beginning and build from there.
£495 or £396 for Members
0% Interest Free 6 payments of £82.50
(or £66/mo for Members)

Enrolment closes 3rd May

Enrol in Grade 1 Starts 4th May · Enrolment closes 3rd May
Grade 3

Music Theory
Grade 3

For those ready to go deeper. Build on what you know.

Choose Grade 3 if you...

  • Already fully understand basic music theory at Grade 1 and 2 level
  • Are comfortable with notes, rhythms, clefs, and simple key signatures
  • Want to tackle scales, intervals, harmony, and more complex concepts
Full Grade 1 and 2 knowledge required.
£495 or £396 for Members
0% Interest Free 6 payments of £82.50
(or £66/mo for Members)

Enrolment closes 3rd May

Enrol in Grade 3 Starts 4th May · Enrolment closes 3rd May

Not sure which grade is right for you?

Start with Grade 1 if...

  • You're not sure what a time signature is
  • You find treble clef notes tricky to name
  • You've never studied theory formally before
  • You'd rather start at the beginning and feel confident

Move to Grade 3 if...

  • You can name notes in treble and bass clef
  • You understand simple time signatures and key signatures
  • You've completed Grade 1 & 2 theory (or equivalent)
  • You're ready to go deeper into harmony and scales

14-Day Money-Back Guarantee

We want you to feel completely confident in your decision. Join the course, explore the first two weeks of lessons, try the worksheets, and see if the teaching style works for you. If it doesn't feel like the right fit, just let us know within 14 days for a full, hassle-free refund.

Got Questions?

Frequently Asked
Questions

Everything you need to know before you enrol.

Do I need to play the harp to take this course?

Not at all. Music theory applies to every instrument, and to anyone who simply loves music. While Heather's teaching naturally draws on the harp as an example, everything covered is universal. If you sing, or play piano, guitar, violin, or any other instrument, you'll feel right at home.

Do I have to sit the ABRSM exam?

Absolutely not. The exam is entirely optional. You can take the course purely for the joy of finally understanding music more deeply. The qualification is there if you want it, but it is never a requirement.

If you do choose to sit the exam, the course gives you everything you need to feel prepared. The exam itself is booked and paid directly with ABRSM and is not included in your course fee.

How does the payment plan work?

You can spread the cost over 6 monthly payments of £82.50 (or £66 for members) at absolutely 0% interest, so you pay exactly the same total either way.

Please note: this is a payment plan for the full course fee, not a monthly subscription. By choosing this option, you are committing to paying all 6 instalments.

Payment plan options are available at checkout on the course page.

I'm a How To Harp member. How do I get my discount?

Members receive a 20% discount, bringing the course fee to £396 (or 6 x £66/mo). To enroll using this discount, please visit your student dashboard and use the link on the banner.

Or simply email Katherine at [email protected] for the direct links to purchase your desired course and payment option!

When does the course start and how does it work week to week?

The course starts on 4th May with a live welcome session. From that point, a new lesson is released each week for 26 weeks. You can work through each lesson in your own time, with no pressure to do everything on a set day.

Three live sessions are woven through the course at key points. You'll receive plenty of notice of the dates and times in advance.

I'm genuinely not sure whether to choose Grade 1 or Grade 3.

If you're unsure, Grade 1 is always the safer choice. It's far better to feel confident and well-prepared than to feel lost in the first week of Grade 3.

The "Not sure?" guide just above the grade cards, and Heather's video, will both help you decide.

I've never studied music theory in my life. Is Grade 1 really for me?

Yes, absolutely. Grade 1 begins at the very beginning. If you can read this sentence, you can learn music theory. It's simply a language, and like any language, it makes much more sense once someone shows you how it works.

Heather has designed the course for adult learners who learn best with warmth, clarity, and a supportive community alongside them. You don't need to know anything before you start.

What if life gets in the way and I fall behind?

Life happens, and this course is designed with that in mind. Lessons are released weekly, but you keep access to everything that's been released so you can catch up at your own pace. The community is there for support whenever you need it.

How does the 14-day money-back guarantee work?

If you find the course isn't the right fit for you, simply email us at [email protected] within 14 days of the course starting, and we will issue a full refund of what we received.

Please note that depending on your bank and location, you may lose a small percentage due to bank or processing fees. We will always refund exactly 100% of the funds that reached us.

Still have a question that isn't answered here?
Send us an email and we'll be happy to help.

[email protected]

Heather sitting at her desk, cup of tea in hand, harp in the background and music sheets on the table
Enrolment open 20th April–3rd May
Ready When You Are

Ready to take
the next step?

You already know that understanding theory will transform your playing and your confidence.

You just need a structured course that makes it manageable, enjoyable, and genuinely worth doing.

26 weeks from now, you'll look back and be so glad you started.

Enrolment closes 3rd May. The courses start on the 4th of May and will no longer be available to purchase after this window.

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Questions first? Email us at [email protected] and we'll be happy to help.