All Debate articles
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DebateOpinion: Touching a nerve
Although nervous energy can lead to inspired playing, it can also result in performance anxiety – unless we find ways to control it, writes cellist Laura van der Heijden
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Debate
Opinion: A new light
Debussy’s Sonata for flute, viola and harp is just one of many works written for that combination, and is a prime example of how loosening fixed traditions can open new and exciting sound worlds, writes Toby Deller
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Debate
Building an international profile for French violinists
In comparison with its array of top-level cellists and string quartets, France’s violin soloists seem in general to attract less media attention globally. Charlotte Gardner investigates the causes
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Debate
Opinion: Defining relevance
Classical musicians can feel concerned about their lack of consequence in the ‘real’ world. But, as the pandemic has shown, the art form is needed now more than ever – and it’s up to performers to make the case, writes Andrew Mellor
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Debate
Opinion: Being conscious
Developing musical potential requires a real sense of critical awareness as students grow, writes cellist Cecilia Radic
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Debate
Should music tuition revolve around passing exams?
Toby Deller argues that young instrumental players should be inspired by fulfilling experiences
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Debate
Opinion: Original and the best?
Scouring the archives for early drafts is fine in the name of research, but when it comes to performance, the composer’s revised version is usually the more satisfying option, writes Charlotte Gardner
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Focus
Opinion: Jedi Wisdom for string playing
In the second of his articles, mining the wisdom of the Star Wars universe, cellist Brian Hodges explains how the teachings of the Jedi can be applied to string playing
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Debate
Opinion: Wise words
Masterclasses should be special forums in which great artists impart the insight and knowledge they have acquired over a lifetime, writes double bassist Leon Bosch
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Focus
Sightreading is a skill that should be taught early
A student’s earliest engagement with note reading is the right time to introduce sightreading, argues Naomi Yandell
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Debate
Opinion: A light touch
Learning to play harmonics early on has many potential benefits for beginner string players, as Naomi Yandell observes
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Debate
Beethoven’s music is especially appropriate in the time of Covid-19
Beethoven has been denied his year of celebration by the coronavirus pandemic. But, writes Toby Deller , his ‘Heiliger Dankgesang’ is an emblem for the current crisis
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Debate
Opinion: From the Heart
In the Covid-19 crisis, musicians have begun to film their playing from home. Andrew Mellor asks whether these raw and sometimes less-than-pristine performances have killed off classical music’s ‘cult of perfection’
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Debate
Opinion: Best of both worlds
If we work together and communicate effectively there is no reason why a student cannot benefit from lessons with more than one instrumental tutor, writes Celia Cobb
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Debate
After Corona, pay inequality among musicians will be unsustainable
The great disparity in wages between soloists and rank-and-file musicians has been highlighted by the Covid-19 crisis, writes Andrew Mellor
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Debate
Opinion: Mind the gap
For classical music students, bridging the divide between training and employment is often a case of being entrepreneurial, writes Jacqueline Vanasse
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Debate
Opinion: The long and short of it
Using short bows when teaching beginner string players is a useful practice that should be more widespread, writes cellist Naomi Yandell
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Debate
Opinion: The Wisdom of Yoda
In the Star Wars universe, Jedi Master Yoda is the ultimate teacher – and his insights can be applied just as readily to string playing as to learning the ways of the Force, writes cellist Brian Hodges
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Debate
Opinion: Go your own way
Musicians today are encouraged to play it safe by a recording culture that encourages perfect homogeneity. But, writes violist Paul Neubauer, it is still possible for individuality to thrive
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Article
Opinion: ‘The cello has never been more popular’
In the years since Gregor Piatigorsky first set out to boost the cello’s profile, the instrument has seen a massive growth in popularity, particularly through the efforts of crossover artists, says Yoshika Masuda
