All Blogs articles – Page 4
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Blogs
Aaron Rosand on how to practise effectively
There is no short cut to fine playing; only logical, intelligent and concentrated practice will yield results, writes the American violin virtuoso
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Blogs
Émile Sauret, moderation and the ‘saccade’ bow stroke
As Nazrin Rashidova continues her recorded exploration of Sauret’s Études-Caprices played on his own Stradivari, she contemplates an unusual technical challenge
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Blogs
Yuri Zhislin on the 6 pillars of violin playing
The violinist and violist boils down a career’s worth of experience as soloist, chamber musician and teacher
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Blogs
Stringtelligence by Thomastik-Infeld: the right rosin for your strings
Franz Klanner, director of engineering and technology at Thomastik-Infeld, shares his knowledge about rosin and the importance of choosing the right one for your strings
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Focus
Stringtelligence by Thomastik-Infeld: whistling E-strings
In the third part of his blog series for The Strad celebrating Thomastik-Infeld’s 100th anniversary, Franz Klanner, the Austrian string manufacturer’s director of engineering and technology, concentrates on whistling and other common issues of violin E-strings
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Blogs
Absolute Bird: music inspired by birdsong
Violinist Alexandra Wood, Creative Director of City of London Sinfonia, introduces their Absolute Bird series in conjunction with the RSPB – a life-affirming project on and off the stage of the Southbank and Southwark Cathedral
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Focus
Stringtelligence by Thomastik-Infeld: wolf tones and string buzzing
In the second of the new blog series for The Strad celebrating Thomastik-Infeld’s 100th anniversary, Franz Klanner, the Austrian string manufacturer’s director of engineering and technology, shares his experience in how to tame a wolf tone and get rid of irritating string buzzing
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Blogs
5 steps to help save music education in the UK
Rob Adediran, executive director of the London Music Masters education charity, comments on the #SaveOurMusic campaign led by a group of LMM alumni and asks, ‘What can we do to save music for the next generation?’
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Blogs
The chamber music of Grace Williams
Madeleine Mitchell writes about her growing appeciation for the music of a remarkably gifted but neglected composer
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Blogs
7 tips for successful practice by violinist Rachel Podger
The Baroque musician reveals the most important elements of her practice routine
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Blogs
Technique can be developed, but musicianship is inbuilt, says violist Rivka Golani
In this article from 2016, Toby Deller paid tribute to the pioneering musician and teacher as she celebrated her 70th birthday
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Blogs
The Rewards of a Portfolio Career
Cellist and baritone Matthew Sharp explains why you should broaden your musical horizons
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Blogs
Three top tips for improving performances with meditation techniques
Violist Matthew Jones discusses the ways in which meditation and mindfulness can help performers
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Blogs
5 reasons Boccherini is actually worth getting to know
Cellist Peggy Nolan argues that posterity has been unfair to this cello virtuoso who was also a unique and prolific composer
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Blogs
5 tips for improvising on strings
Violinist Curtis Stewart of the innovative New York based PUBLIQuartet writes us a checklist for throwing off the shackles of the score and exploring your own creativity
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Blogs
Tasmin Little: why I love the music of Ethel Smyth, Clara Schumann and Amy Beach
In advance of her new CD release in February, the British violinist discusses the music on the programme
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Blogs
'He handed me the Black Violin and said, try this one – it was love at first sight'
Violinist and composer Edward W. Hardy remembers his first encounter with a unique instrument he is now raising funds to purchase
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Blogs
12 interpretation and technique tips for string soloists
Making the transition from practice room to concert hall, whether for a competition or public performance, is itself a technical challenge. These tips were extracted from a masterclass given by Marianne Piketty and Nora Chastain and first published in 2014
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Blogs
Postcard from Harbin, China: the Schoenfeld Competition
Competition jury member Karine Georgian notes Harbin’s long musical tradition and hails a competition with a healthy process – as well as worthy winners
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Blogs
A 6-point plan for exploring contemporary music
Ross Snyder, first violin for the Tesla Quartet, offers encouragement and a practical primer on incorporating new music into your chamber repertoire