All Debate articles – Page 3

  • pexels-pixabay-34221
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    Opinion: A New Deal for Early Music

    9 May 2022

    Covid-19 has highlighted the economic inequalities that divide musicians who perform on period instruments from the majority of today’s string players, says Andrew Mellor

  • pexels-cottonbro-7095505
    Focus

    Opinion: Reset, refresh, restore

    8 April 2022

    As teachers and pupils return to in-person lessons, cellist Naomi Yandell examines why it is more important than ever to re-examine students’ goals and priorities, and take nothing for granted

  • femaleluthiers
    Debate

    Is sexism to blame for the scarcity of women in the violin making business?

    11 March 2022

    German violin maker Ute Zahn asked why there are so few female luthiers in The Strad's March 2013 issue

  • Vibrato
    Focus

    Why can't players get vibrato right?

    3 March 2022

    Vibrating need not compromise purity of tone if it's done tastefully, says Tully Potter, who takes to task those who overplay, misplay or completely disown it. From October 2009

  • Alexander Sitkovetsky 1 cr Vincy Ng
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    Opinion: It takes three

    23 February 2022

    As the Sitkovetsky Trio celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, lead violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky looks back at the lessons he and his colleagues have learnt

  • Instagram grid (2)
    Focus

    Opinion: Live for the moment

    21 February 2022

    Classical musicians and audiences can learn from stand-up comedy shows, where there’s a naturalness and immediacy of interaction between performers and the crowd, writes Rita Fernandes

  • Tom roberts violin lesson
    Focus

    Sightreading is a skill that should be taught early

    15 February 2022

    A student’s earliest engagement with note reading is the right time to introduce sightreading, argues Naomi Yandell

  • Cosmin
    Focus

    Opinion: To speak plainly

    7 January 2022

    Teaching a young student with Down’s syndrome has taught Jacqueline Vanasse the value of simple concepts and hands-on rewards

  • DudokQt
    Focus

    Opinion: Playing the game

    14 December 2021

    In addition to technical mastery, musicians need to understand the ‘game rules’ of every performing tradition and musical culture, write Dudok Quartet Amsterdam musicians Judith van Driel and David Faber

  • JulianLloydWebber
    Focus

    Opinion: Dare to be different

    15 November 2021

    When selecting repertoire for that crucial audition it’s an advantage to avoid predictable choices, writes Julian Lloyd Webber, who suggests alternatives for cellists

  • Jascha_Heifetz_-_Carnegie_Hall_1947_(04)_wmplayer_2013-04-16
    Focus

    Opinion: Across the decades

    12 October 2021

    Karen Gomyo revisits recordings by ‘golden age’ violinists, and explores why these performances are still so meaningful today

  • ViolinLesson
    Focus

    Opinion: Make ’em laugh

    1 September 2021

    Humour can be a useful tool when teaching – especially online, argues Naomi Yandell

  • Hsin-Yun Huang
    Focus

    Opinion: Relaxed body, focused mind

    4 August 2021

    The art of Chinese calligraphy has much to teach us about playing a stringed instrument, writes violist Hsin-Yun Huang

  • lhp-00462-final
    Debate

    Beyond Bach: 12 tips for better Baroque playing

    15 July 2021

    A thorough knowledge of Baroque repertoire apart from the works of Bach is so important if modern players are to gain a proper understanding of Classical and Romantic works, writes Adrian Butterfield

  • SoloComposers
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    Opinion: Solo exploring

    30 June 2021

    There is so much more to the unaccompanied violin repertoire than the works of Bach, Paganini and Ysaÿe, writes James Dickenson

  • BowingOpinion
    Debate

    Opinion: An integrated whole

    10 June 2021

    By divorcing technique from the music, we prevent the bow from becoming an extension of our right arm and hand, writes John Crawford

  • BaroqueComposers
    Debate

    Opinion: On the margins

    7 May 2021

    Conservatoires should do more to make 17th-century music a fundamental part of the curriculum, writes Walter Reiter

  • TeachingOnlineiStock
    Debate

    Opinion: Follow the science

    23 March 2021

    A teacher can never rest on their laurels with a pupil – it’s important to keep observing how things are going and ask questions, says Naomi Yandell

  • LvdH_Performing
    Debate

    Opinion: Touching a nerve

    15 March 2021

    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

  • Debussy
    Debate

    Opinion: A new light

    11 February 2021

    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