All Feature articles
-
Feature
How harmonics and singing can help to build a sound technique
Violin and viola pedagogue Jane Metcalfe discusses using techniques inspired by Kodály and Colourstrings methods
-
Feature
‘Spectacularly colourful, loud and proud’ - The Strad Calendar 2023: The Australian Collection
The Strad Calendar 2023 showcases twelve fine instruments owned or played by Australians.
-
Feature
String Courses 2023: Start your course hunting here!
Before you start combing through the string courses listed in our guide, take a look at these suggestions to help find the course that’s right for you
-
Feature
Masterclass: Bow techniques for jazz bass
By John Goldsby, bassist with the WDR Big Band in Cologne, Germany, and author of Jazz Bowing Techniques For The Improving Bassist and The Jazz Bass Book
-
Feature
Leonard Rose: All about the bow
Oskar Falta explores some of Rose’s bowing theories and speaks to former students about his teaching techniques
-
Feature
Should soloists always perform music from memory?
Pointless and terrifying, or essential for musical communication? Playing without the music arouses some strong opinions, finds Laurinel Owen
-
Feature
6 ways to improve left-hand flexibility
Tips from The Strad’s archive on increasing suppleness of movement and reducing tension
-
Feature
How to shift correctly on the violin
What tips do the great pedagogues and players offer for getting around the instrument? Rok Klopčič looks at a fundamental aspect of playing: change of position. From August 2004
-
Feature
In Focus: a 1682 violin by Nicolò Amati
Precision and elegance abound in this grand pattern Amati once owned by the Italian virtuoso Spagnoletti, writes Christopher Reuning
-
Feature
Sentimental Work: Amanda Forsyth
For the Canadian cellist, Richard Strauss’s Don Quixote is a rollercoaster ride through all the composer’s Romantic works, as well as a huge physical challenge
-
Feature
String Recycling: New Life from Old Strings
The structure and shape of strings make them difficult and costly to recycle. But that hasn’t stopped some manufacturers from tackling the challenge, and even extracting metal from old strings to use in new ones, writes Tom Stewart
-
Feature
Ask the Experts: how to correct a violin bridge position
Three top luthiers answers a reader's query on preserving the correct instrument geometry after changing strings, in this feature from 2014
-
Feature
Professor Ševčík addresses Strad readers
The Czech violinist and influential teacher passes on words of wisdom to readers of The Strad in February 1912
-
-
Feature
How to help music students with sightreading
If your students only brush up their sightreading at exam time, they're missing out on an important part of music making
-
Feature
Sentimental Work: Boris Kuschnir on Mozart Violin Concerto no.4
For the Austrian violinist, Mozart’s Violin Concerto no.4 in D major K218 brings back fond memories of David Oistrakh – and a less salubrious recollection of the Tibor Varga Competition. From the October 2019 issue
-
Feature
Sentimental Work: François Rabbath
Performing Bach’s Cello Suites on the double bass was unheard of when the 90-year-old bassist was starting out – but now they’re almost considered standard repertoire
-
Feature
From the archive: Interpreting ‘I Got Rhythm’
Practical steps towards improvising like the greats on one of jazz’s most frequently performed progressions. Taken from the April 2011 issue
-
Feature
From the Archive: String players should concentrate equally on the right and left hands
Performers often concentrate their attention on the dexterity of the left hand to detriment of the right hand and bowing arm. Louis Kievman advocates a healthy balance. Taken from the January 1986 issue
-
Feature
How to use your left hand in non-classical violin playing
Understand the use of touch in your playing and you’ll be well on your way to finding the best approach for non-classical styles, explains Julie Lyonn Liberman