What if the best gift you get this holiday season is discovering you can improvise?
A simple holiday fake book, five live play-along sessions, and an improv toolkit to help you play 50+ holiday songs with freedom.
FOR LEVER AND PEDAL HARP · ALL SONGS IN C · NO PERFECTIONISM REQUIRED.
Schedule of Live Fake Book Activation Sessions
All sessions now available on Instant Replay
Sun. Nov. 16 – 2:30 PM EST: Fake Book Activation Session # 1
Tue. Nov. 18 – 2:30 PM EST: Fake Book Activation Session # 2
Thu. Nov. 20 – 2:30 PM EST: Fake Book Activation Session # 3
Sat. Nov. 22 – 2:30 PM EST: Fake Book Activation Session # 4
Sun. Nov. 23 – 2:30 PM EST: Fake Book Activation Session # 5
How Hip Harp Holiday Kit works
Fake Book = Your songbook
Your Copy of the First Edition of Hip Harp Academy’s Holiday Fake Book with Dozens of Lead Sheets – all in C!
Activation Sessions = Play-along Coaching
Basic Training videos available as soon as you join. Speed up or slow down all videos so you can play at YOUR pace!
Hip Harp Toolkit = Your Improv System
Bonuses like: Chord Symbol Anatomy, 12 Left Hand Patterns, and Chord Spelling Guide
Join Hip Harp Academy now and get the Holiday Kit FREE
(PLUS ALL CLASSES, COACHING, AND COMMUNITY)
OR purchase the Holiday Kit standalone below
ACADEMY MEMBERS: You already have access! Read about it below, then check your Dashboard for access to the Learning Hub
Choose your Holiday Kit
JUST THE BOOK
OPTION 1
Just the Holiday
Fake Book
$29.99 $19.99
Black Friday Preview
YOU GET:
- Hip Harp Holiday Fake Book (digital book)
- 50+ songs as a PDF suitable for printing or uploading to ForScore
- Christmas, Advent & Hanukkah tunes
- All in the key of C with simplified chords
- Instant digital access (print at home or use on tablet)
PERFECT FOR:
- Players who already use lead sheets
- Independent learners who just want the music
- Anyone who wants a simple, all-in-one holiday book
MOST POPULAR
OPTION 2
Fake Book + Activation Sessions
$397 $197
Black Friday Preview
YOU GET:
- Everything in Option 1, plus:
- Five LIVE 90-minute play-along Zoom sessions: Nov. 16, 18, 20, 22, 23 – all at 2:30 PM EST
- We open the book together and play through 5–10 songs each time
- Ask questions in real time and see how I simplify everything
- Lifetime access to all session replays (download or watch in the Learning Hub)
BONUS
- Lead Sheet Boot Camp training: short videos + exercises on “psyching out” any lead sheet
PERFECT FOR:
- Harpists who feel nervous about improvising
- Players who learn best with someone
- Anyone who wants to confidently play for gatherings this year
BEST VALUE
OPTION 3
Complete Holiday Toolkit Bundle
Fake Book + Activation Sessions = $397
Hip Harp Toolkit = $797
$1197 $497
Black Friday Preview
YOU GET:
- Everything in Options 1 & 2, plus:
- Full Hip Harp Toolkit online program – ten modules that show you how to:
- Shape a 5-part arrangement
- Build your first improv repertoire
- Use vamps, medleys and cadenzas
- Package and perform your pieces
- Ongoing resource you can use as your practice and performance guide all year
PERFECT FOR:
- Musicians who want a complete improv system, not just holiday tunes
- Harpists building a professional–level improv repertoire
- Students who like clear, step-by-step structure
Why the Hip Harp Holiday Kit Works
I came to the harp as an adult, without formal theory training — and I had to learn to make music fast – because I had to pay for my first harp by playing parties, hotel dining rooms, and weddings. Lead sheets and fake books saved my life. They’re not just a shortcut, they’re a way to start small and expand for the rest of your life – always playing at your current level of technical ability – always learning and having fun.
It’s not about having a talent – it’s about having the SYSTEM.
This Hip Harp Holiday Kit gives you that system plus all the materials you need to bring it alive:
- One key (C) so your hands and ears relax
- Simple chords so you can focus on sound and connection
- Live sessions where you learn by playing, not by over-thinking
Music isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection — with yourself and with the people listening. These sessions are designed to help you feel that this season.
Ready to make this the year you actually have fun improvising for the holidays?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this for lever or pedal harp?
Yes. Everything is in C with simplified chords, so lever changes are minimal – and tunes with lever changes include my personal suggestions on how to avoid them or set them in advance.
What if I can’t make the live sessions?
All sessions are recorded. You’ll have full access to the replays. You can download the audio or watch the video inside the Learning Hub – speeding up and slowing down the video as you wish.
Do I need to know music theory?
No. You’ll learn by following a simple process.
If you purchase the Fake Book only, you’ll get access to a the “FAKE IT” webinar where I give you the basics of playing from a Fake Book.
If you join the Activation Sessions, I’ll remind you what to look for and how to keep it simple.
If you purchase the whole Hip Harp Holiday Kit, you’ll get step-by-step self-paced training in the Hip Harp Toolkit class.
I already own other fake books — why this one?
This one is holiday-only – including Christmas, Advent, and Hanukkah songs. The chords have been simplified, all in C and you can purchase the Activation Sessions so you get the experience of playing the tunes, so the book doesn’t just sit on your shelf.
Meet your creative coach Deborah Henson-Conant
I’m Deborah Henson-Conant, and I’ve been composing, arranging and creating shows since I was a kid. I now play shows with symphonies and on solo stages with the electric harp that was created for me by CAMAC Harps, the “DHC” Harp.
But I started on the ukulele, playing and singing my own little-kid arrangements, telling stories, improvising and playing and singing with other people. And guess what? I use many of the same skills and principles to arrange the music I record and perform today – including the Grammy-Nominated album “Invention & Alchemy” and the song that won first prize in the International Songwriting Competiton (ISC).
