All Editors pick articles – Page 6
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Focus
Making a carbon fibre bow in 10 steps – photo story
Founded in 1999, Arcus has developed a reputation for making lightweight, durable bows from non-traditional materials. Company director Bernd Müsing explains how a composite bow is made, from initial design to first hair fitting
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Focus
Advances in string manufacture: the latest developments
There are hundreds of strings available on the market already, and new releases seem never ending. But just why are these developments happening, how necessary are they, and how are musicians involved in that process? Pauline Harding asks string manufacturers and testers worldwide
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Protection and portability: five of our favourite violin cases reviewed
The number of instrument cases available can make finding your perfect partner a daunting process. Charlotte Smith takes five cases by leading manufacturers BAM, For-Tune, Gewa, Musafia and Negri on the road to test security, mobility and the range of features available
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News
A new work for viola by Shostakovich discovered in Moscow State Archives
The short work for viola and piano, the discovery of which was announced on the composer’s birthday, appears to have been written in one sitting in 1931
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Article
Flying high: an El Sistema inspired music education programme in China
Inspired by Venezuela’s El Sistema, China’s Wings of Music aims to bring dignity and self-belief to some of the country’s most deprived children. Nancy Pellegrini reports in this article from 2013
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Focus
Blind testing Strads and Guarneris misses a fundamental point
Researchers who seek to compare Old Italian instruments with modern ones under scientific conditions don’t appreciate that the potential of a Strad is intrinsically entwined with its player, writes Frank Almond
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Focus
How much should instrumental teachers push genuinely talented youngsters?
For Royal Northern College of Music senior lecturer in education Philippa Bunting, there’s a delicate balance to be struck
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Debate
Too often, performance presentation skills are left in the lap of the gods
It is desirable for music teachers to take stage presentation skills seriously from the very start, argues Naomi Yandell
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Focus
Ask the Experts: how to teach a group of violin students
Strad readers submit their problems and queries about string playing, teaching or making to our experts
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Debate
Too few conductors understand their double bass section
Though the standard of double bass playing has risen exponentially during the past 50 years, conductors’ attitudes towards the instrument have barely changed
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Premium ❘ Focus
Cellist Timothy Eddy on the teaching styles of Bernard Greenhouse and Pablo Casals
The Orion String Quartet founder learnt the importance of the link between language and music from the two legendary cellists
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Focus
Violist Tabea Zimmermann on technique, teaching and competitions
The German violist talks to Carlos María Solare about her teaching philosophies and the role of competitions in the development of young musicians
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Debate
Does the quest for perfection discourage creativity at lutherie competitions?
Has the demand for 'high standards' at violin making competitions left any room for individuality and personality, asks Michael Köberling
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Focus
I discourage my students from using a shoulder rest, says violinist Aaron Rosand
Only without a shoulder rest can one develop a personal sound that is identifiable, insists the Curtis Institute and Mannes College professor
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Premium ❘ Feature
Playing chamber music is the best way for children to learn an instrument
Group activities and chamber music making are the best ways for young players to develop confidence – and enjoy learning, as pedagogue Sheila Nelson argues
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Premium ❘ Feature
Giuseppe Tartini’s advice on playing the violin
The following letter was sent to Signora Maddalena Lombardini in answer to a query regarding violin technique
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Debate
Sources of inspiration
If players and teachers were less cagey about where they discovered their ideas, Philippa Bunting argues, it would be more interesting for audiences and more valuable for their peers