harpcolumn

We challenge you to learn six new pieces!

Harp Column’s FREE 30 Day Practice Challenge begins January 1, 2024! This year we’re challenging you to practice 20 minutes a day while you learn six new pieces from our Tear-out Tunes series (or whatever else you choose). As always we’re providing ideas and inspiration every step of the way!

Sign up now to join the challenge, win prizes, and attend FREE live events throughout January. Watch this page and your inbox for more details and live event schedule, coming soon.

(Have you already signed up? Lucky you! We’ll announce prize winners each week in our challenge emails!)

A few important reminders

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Check your spam folder

Challenge emails may go to your spam folder. Be sure to check it for our email confirming that you’ve signed up for the challenge, along with our daily challenge emails.

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access content

It’s FREE to participate in the challenge and be enrolled to win prizes, but you’ll need to be a member of Harp Column Academy and subscribe to Harp Column magazine to access some of the content we’ll be linking to throughout the challenge.

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follow us

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the most up-to-the-minute challenge info and inspiration!

Here’s how it works:

Each day of the challenge will be focused on one of six pieces from Harp Column magazine’s Tear-out Tunes series. Every day we’ll give you tips you can use to practice these pieces, or any others that you choose.  Scroll down for the daily tips, or sign up for the challenge to get them delivered directly to your inbox.

Challenge rules

Pick six tunes

Use the six tunes from our Tear-out Tunes series as the basis for this year’s challenge, or choose six other tunes of your own.

Practice 20 minutes a day

Commit to practicing your music for a minimum of 20 minutes total each day throughout the challenge. You’re on the honor system!

Post on social media

Optional: Share your progress on social media by tagging Harp Column and #HCPracticeChallenge!

Download the practice log!

Win prizes!

We’re giving away great Harp Column prizes EVERY WEEK during the 30 Day Practice Challenge! Sign up for the challenge to be automatically enrolled in prize drawings throughout the challenge. Winners will be announced in challenge emails and at live events. Check out the great prizes we’re giving away:

A year of Harp Column magazine!

We’re giving away full one-year subscriptions to Harp Column magazine! Prize includes six issues of Harp Column delivered to your door (or download the PDF edition outside the U.S.).

Harp Column Music Gift Card!

Your choice of sheet music downloads at Harp Column Music with an HCM gift card! Choose from over 3,000 downloads from top arrangers!

A year of Harp Column Academy

We’re giving away full one-year memberships to Harp Column Academy! Your membership includes all access to over 400 lessons on harp technique, repertoire, and more! 

Daily tips

We’ll be posting daily tips and inspiration right here every day of the challenge.
Sign up now to join the challenge and be enrolled to win prizes!

Day 30

Day 30

To play a wrong note is insignificant. To play without passion is inexcusable.

—Ludwig Van Beethoven

TUNE 6:

“A Christmas Cwtch,” by Amanda Whiting

Download it in Harp Column magazine, or purchase it at Harp Column Music.
Use our Tear-Out Tunes as the basis for this year’s challenge, or substitute something else!

Today’s Tip:

leave the nest

You made it. Take a second to recognize how far you’ve come. One of the hardest things about completing a challenge is figuring out what to do next. Harpist and teacher Angela Schwartzkopf suggests it might be a good opportunity to imagine what your teacher might say about your playing. “Try video recording a run-through or practice session to take your self-teaching to the next level,” she says. “The goal is to be able to hear what is effective in your playing, and what you would like to change or improve.”

Learn More:

Angela Schwartzkopf’s Harp Column article “Leave the Nest” is perfect to set you on your next musical journey.

Day 29

Day 29

When learning a piece, your attitude should be that of getting to know someone for the first time. —HCA master teach Judy Loman TUNE 6: "A Christmas Cwtch," by Amanda Whiting Download it in Harp Column magazine, or purchase it at Harp Column Music.Use our Tear-Out...

Day 28

Day 28

Practice—there is no denying it is the key to unlocking a musician’s full potential. —Rebecca Harrisson, Harp Column contributing writer TUNE 6: "A Christmas Cwtch," by Amanda Whiting Download it in Harp Column magazine, or purchase it at Harp Column Music.Use our...

Day 27

Day 27

We are all athletes at the harp. We must strive to stay active and clarify our minds before we even think about practicing. —Elizabeth Hainen, Principal Harp of the Philadelphia Orchestra TUNE 6: "A Christmas Cwtch," by Amanda Whiting Download it in Harp Column...

Day 26

Day 26

Practice, perform, listen. The path to success requires a single-minded pursuit and willingness to sacrifice. —Sarah Bullen, retired principal harp of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Live event today! • 11:00 a.m. E.T. featured guest: amanda whiting CONGRATULATIONS TO...

Day 25

Day 25

Being a musician is not only about how well you play your instrument; it’s in your mentality, in your personality, in your head. —Isabelle Perrin, HCA master teacher TUNE 5: "An Exploration in Line and Color," by Amy Nam Download it in Harp Column magazine, or...

Day 24

Day 24

If everything was perfect, you would never learn and you would never grow. —Beyoncé Knowles, singer, songwriter, and businesswoman TUNE 5: "An Exploration in Line and Color," by Amy Nam Download it in Harp Column magazine, or purchase it at Harp Column Music.Use our...

Day 23

Day 23

The only reason for mastering technique is to make sure the body does not prevent the soul from expressing itself. —La Meri, American Ethnic Dancer TUNE 5: "An Exploration in Line and Color," by Amy Nam Download it in Harp Column magazine, or purchase it at Harp...

Day 22

Day 22

If you always sound good in the practice room, you’re probably not doing it right. —Unknown Live event today! • 11:00 a.m. E.T. featured guest: Amy Nam TUNE 5: "An Exploration in Line and Color," by Amy Nam Download it in Harp Column magazine, or purchase it at Harp...

Day 21

Day 21

It isn’t where you came from, it’s where you’re going that counts. —Ella Fitzgerald, American Jazz Singer TUNE 5: "An Exploration in Line and Color," by Amy Nam Download it in Harp Column magazine, or purchase it at Harp Column Music.Use our Tear-Out Tunes as the...

Day 20

Day 20

You practice and you get better. It’s very simple. —Phillip Glass, composer TUNE 4: "Swinging," by Maurice Draughn Download it in Harp Column magazine, or purchase it at Harp Column Music.Use our Tear-Out Tunes as the basis for this year's challenge, or substitute...

Day 19

Day 19

Great things are done by a series of small things brought together. —artist Vincent Van Gogh CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS WEEK’S PRIZE WINNERS! Coralie Olszta—a one-year subscription to Harp Column magazine Trish Suvak—a one-year membership to Harp Column Academy Linda...

Day 18

Day 18

When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it. —Dalai Lama XIV TUNE 4: "Swinging," by Maurice Draughn Download it in Harp Column magazine, or purchase it at Harp Column Music.Use our Tear-Out Tunes as the basis for this year's challenge,...

Day 17

Day 17

I’m a lifelong student of this music, and I know it. I don’t try to act like I know what I don’t know. This is a lifelong uphill journey. —Brandee Younger, GRAMMY-nominated contemporary harpist and recording artist Live event today! • 11:00 a.m. E.T. featured guest:...

Day 16

Day 16

Never go into a situation thinking that you know everything, because there is always something to learn. —Kathleen Bride, professor of harp at the Eastman School of Music TUNE 4: "Swinging," by Maurice Draughn Download it in Harp Column magazine, or purchase it at...

Day 15

Day 15

You’ve got to learn your instrument. Then you practice, practice, practice. And then, when you finally get up there on the bandstand, forget all that and just wail. —Charlie Parker, legendary jazz saxophonist TUNE 3: "Celtic Wedding Bells," by Skaila Kanga Download it...

Day 14

Day 14

Discipline. Stick with something no matter what, and go beyond what you think is possible. —Heidi Lehwalder, renowned harpist and student of Carlos Salzedo TUNE 3: "Celtic Wedding Bells," by Skaila Kanga Download it in Harp Column magazine, or purchase it at Harp...

Day 13

Day 13

Practicing is like training, and we are working towards guaranteeing that we are as consistent as possible. —Noel Wan, USA International Harp Competition 2022 gold medalist TUNE 3: "Celtic Wedding Bells," by Skaila Kanga Download it in Harp Column magazine, or...

Day 12

Day 12

Count out loud. It isn’t a childish thing to do. I’m a professional harpist and counting out loud helps me embody the music and strengthen my sense of rhythm. —Deborah Henson-Conant, HCA master teacher Live event today! • 11:00 a.m. E.T. featured guest: skaila kanga...

Day 11

Day 11

The harp is not a means in itself, it is an instrument to express music and move the audience. —Xavier De Maistre, international soloist and recording artist TUNE 3: "Celtic Wedding Bells," by Skaila Kanga Download it in Harp Column magazine, or purchase it at Harp...

Day 10

Day 10

Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity. —Oprah Winfrey TUNE 2: "Bright Spot," by Stephanie Curcio Download it in Harp Column magazine, or purchase it at Harp Column Music.Use our Tear-Out Tunes as the basis for this year's challenge, or substitute...

Day 9

Day 9

It doesn't matter what your background is or where you come from, if you have dreams and goals, that's all that matters. —Serena Williams, professional tennis player Live event today! • 11:00 a.m. E.T. Featured guest: Stephanie curcio TUNE 2: "Bright Spot," by...

Day 8

Day 8

Consider your warmups to be the ingredients in a recipe for practice time. The better the ingredients, the better the final product. —Jaymee Haefner, HCA master teacher and University of North Texas harp TUNE 2: "Bright Spot," by Stephanie Curcio Download it in Harp...

Day 7

Day 7

Have patience. If you sound good on Monday, and not so good on Tuesday, have patience. It just means it isn’t there yet, and that it will be better on Wednesday. —Itzhak Perlman TUNE 2: "Bright Spot," by Stephanie Curcio Download it in Harp Column magazine, or...

Day 6

Day 6

There is no magic in magic, it's all in the details. ——Walt Disney TUNE 2: "Bright Spot," by Stephanie Curcio Download it in Harp Column magazine, or purchase it at Harp Column Music.Use our Tear-Out Tunes as the basis for this year's challenge, or substitute...

Day 5

Day 5

The secrets of the harp are far simpler than certain people imagine, and its possibilities are never-ending for those who have faith. ——Marcel Tournier CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS WEEK’S PRIZE WINNERS! Kathleen Lee Stewart—a one-year subscription to Harp Column magazine...

Day 4

Day 4

Practice—there is no denying it is the key to unlocking a musician’s full potential. ——Rebecca Harrisson, Harp Column contributing writer Live event today! • 11:00 A.m. E.T. Featured guest: Rhett Barnwell TUNE 1: "Peace Prayer," by Rhett Barnwell Download it in Harp...

Day 3

Day 3

Get the notes off the page and into your own world of sound, message, imagination, and expressiveness. —Joan Holland, harp instructor at the Interlochen Arts Academy and the University of Michigan TUNE 1: "Peace Prayer," by Rhett Barnwell Download it in Harp Column...

Day 2

Day 2

Music is a way to express things that cannot be expressed in words. ——Rhett Barnwell, Seraphim Music founder, HCM artist, and HCA specialist TUNE 1: "Peace Prayer," by Rhett Barnwell Download it in Harp Column magazine, or purchase it at Harp Column Music.Use our...

Day 1

Day 1

In order to stay focused and motivated while you practice, you must have a purpose that makes all that hard work worth it. —Rachel O’Brien, Harp Column Academy Practice Specialist Live event today! • 2:00 p.m. E.T. Join us for a practice challenge kick-off party on...

Live event lineup

Stay motivated by joining our FREE live sessions with Tear-out Tunes composers throughout the challenge! 

All events below take place at 11:00 a.m. E.T. on Zoom.

Thursday, Jan. 4 • Rhett Barnwell
Tuesday, Jan. 9 • Stephanie Curcio
Friday, Jan. 12 • Skaila Kanga
Wednesday, Jan. 17 • Maurice Draughn
Monday, Jan. 22 • Amy Nam
Friday, Jan. 26 • Amanda Whiting

Get the music!

Each of the Tear-out Tunes featured in this year’s challenge comes from a recent issue of Harp Column magazine. Subscribe to Harp Column to download them now! Or purchase them separately at Harp Column Music. 

Peace Prayer

Rhett Barnwell

Download this tune in Harp Column magazine, or buy at Harp Column Music.

Bright Spot

by Stephanie Curcio

Download this tune in Harp Column magazine, or buy at Harp Column  Music.

Celtic Wedding Bells

by Skaila Kanga

Download this tune in Harp Column magazine, or buy at Harp Column Music.

Swinging

by Maurice Draughn

Download this tune in Harp Column magazine, or buy at Harp Column Music.

An Exploration in Line and Color

by Amy Nam

Download this tune in Harp Column magazine, or buy at Harp Column Music.

A Cristmas Cwtch

by Amanda Whiting

Download this tune in Harp Column magazine, or buy at Harp Column Music.