Here’s how it works:
Each day of the challenge we’ll give you a new tool you can add to your daily practice routine. Weekly themes include foundation tools, technical tools, musical tools, and performance tools. Use our music suggestions to put your tools into practice, or work on any other pieces 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
Master one tool a day
Master one new practice tool each day. Work from our daily suggestions, or choose a different tool that works for you. As always, itโs YOUR challenge!
Practice 20 minutes a day
Commit to practicing your music for a minimum of 20 minutes total each day throughout the challenge. Youโre 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!
New Year’s Day Kickoff party!
Stay motivated by joining our FREE live sessions with special guests!
Thursday, Jan. 1, kickoff partyย โข 2:00 p.m. E.T.
Grace Browning
Shamim Minoo
Joseph Rebman
(Live event seating is limited. Recordings will be available on YouTube one day following the event.)
weekly meetups
All events below take place at 12:00 p.m. E.T.
Monday, Jan. 5, with Kristan Toczko and Elizabeth Steiner
Monday Jan. 12 with Kirsten Agrestaย andย Joel von Lerber
Mon. Jan. 19 with Elisabeth Plank and LiShan Tan
Mon. Jan. 26 with Katherine Siochi
Kirsten Agresta Copely
Elisabeth Plank
Elizabeth Steiner
Katherine Siochi
Lishan Tan
Kristan Toczko
Joel von Lerber
(Live event seating is limited. Recordings will be available on YouTube one day following the event.)
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!ย
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
CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS WEEKโS PRIZEWINNERS!
KATHLEEN DAVID-BAJARโa one-year subscription to Harp Column Magazine
URSULA OSSWALDโa one-year membership to Harp Column Academy
MEIKE SCHIRLINGโa $20 gift certificate to Harp Column Music
Todayโs tool
Creating your personal toolkit
Design a personal toolkit using your 10 most effective tools from the challenge.
Congratulations! You finished Harp Columnโs 30 Day Practice Challenge! We hope this yearโs challenge introduced you to some new, useful tools and helped you brush up on some old techniques. Today, review all 29 tools youโve learned this month and evaluate them: Which 10 tools produced the biggest improvements for you? Which felt most natural? Which solved the most problems? Build your toolkit to include the tools that actually work for YOU!
Learn more:
Put Purpose Into Your Practice, with Rachel OโBrien
In this lesson on how to practice, Harp Column Academy expert Rachel OโBrien shows how to put purpose into your practice to achieve results. For the last day of the challenge, itโs a great reminder of why we do what we do!
Music ideas:
Les Amuse-Bouches (Appetizers), by Franรงois Pernel
This original collection of 60 short, charming pieces for lever harp or pedal harp includes โa taste of modal and modern,โ says Pernel. Itโs a great repertoire builder for students of any age!
Keep learning with Harp Column!
Celebrate completing the 30 Day Practice Challenge with a special offer from Harp Column! Use the coupon code practicechallenge10 to receive 10% off at all Harp Column websites! Shop Harp Column Music, subscribe to Harp Column magazine, join Harp Column Academyโor do all three! Coupon can be used once at each site through February 15.
Day 30
CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS WEEKโS PRIZEWINNERS! KATHLEEN DAVID-BAJARโa one-year subscription to Harp Column Magazine URSULA OSSWALDโa one-year membership to Harp Column Academy MEIKE SCHIRLINGโa $20 gift certificate to Harp Column Music Todayโs tool Creating your...
Day 29
Todayโs tool Learning from every performance experience Assignment: Analyze yesterdayโs performance run-through. What went well? What can be improved? Do a thorough analysis of yesterdayโs run-though. First, list objective facts: What went exactly as planned? What...
Day 28
Todayโs tool The performance run-through Assignment: Do a complete dress rehearsal of your piece or program, including performance clothes, formal entrance, full piece, bow, and exit. Today is your full dress rehearsalโmeaning EVERYTHING must be as close to the real...
Day 27
Todayโs tool Creating a pre-performance ritual Assignment: Design your perfect pre-performance routine and practice it today. Design your ideal performance day routine and practice it today as if youโre performing tonight. Decide: When will you warm up? What will you...
Day 26
Live event today! โข 12:00 p.m. ET Join us today at 12:00 p.m. ET to get practice tips and inspiration from the Harp Column team and special guests! Katherine Siochi JOIN ON ZOOM Todayโs tool Sharing your music with confidence Assignment: Practice your complete...
Day 25
Todayโs tool Building survival skills Assignment: Survival as a musician comes down to being prepared and being flexibleโbe as prepared as possible, while knowing things likely wonโt go entirely as planned. Practice is cumulative. Everything you do at the harp,...
Day 24
Todayโs tool Practicing for performance Assignment: Practice your piece in different clothes, in a different setting, or with someone listening. No matter whether you are playing for a concert hall full of strangers or a few family members in your home, performance...
Day 23
CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS WEEKโS PRIZEWINNERS! PAIGE LYTHGOEโa one-year subscription to Harp Column Magazine SABRE THOMASโa one-year membership to Harp Column Academy GIULIA TRABACCHIโa $20 gift certificate to Harp Column Music Todayโs tool Performance visualization...
Day 22
Todayโs tool Memory channels Assignment: Memorize 8 bars using visual, auditory, physical, and analytical memory separately. Harpists often memorize using muscle memory alone, but memorizing this way can be unreliable. Today, try memorizing a short section of your...
Day 21
Todayโs tool Finding your musical voice Assignment: Record yourself playing the same passage three different ways, choose your favorite. Today, think about these questions: Which musicians inspire you most? What pieces make you feel most alive when playing? Now...