All Featured Stories articles – Page 180
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BlogsPerforming from memory has given our string quartet new life
After twelve years together, playing and recording from memory were key to an exciting rebirth for the Chiara Quartet, writes cellist Gregory Beaver
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ArticleGreat teachers on film: Bernard Greenhouse
Do you know what happens when a person is frightened? He pulls back, and shrinks . This destroys the sense of beauty' Cellist Bernard Greenhouse gives a masterclass on the first movement of Haydn's Second Cello Concerto in Kronberg. Buy the August 2011 issue, featuring tributes to ...
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ArticleSteven Isserlis on using the right amount of vibrato
You do need vibrato to emphasise phrasing and emotion, but not as an automatic part of your sound' Cellist Steven Isserlis puts former BBC Young Musician of the Year winner Guy Johnston through his paces in Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata at the International Musicians' Seminar Prussia Cove, and ...
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Blogs12 words of wisdom on practice and performance by Burton Kaplan
The Manhattan School of Music pedagogue offered the following guidance to violinist Ariane Todes when she attended his Magic Mountain Music Farm Practice Marathon Retreat in upstate New York this summer
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BlogsPlaying with less emotion can create more beautiful music
Putting in more effort does not necessarily mean greater improvement, writes violin professor and soloist Andrej Bielow
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ArticlePaul Tortelier gives masterclass on Elgar's Cello Concerto
French cellist Paul Tortelier gives a televised masterclass on Elgar's Cello Concerto in 1974.Subscribe to The Strad or download our digital edition as part of a 30-day free trial. To purchase single issues click here.
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Premium ❘ FeatureHow to breathe freely when playing a stringed instrument
Ruth Phillips describes how she persuades musicians to rediscover their body and their instrument through the gentle art of inhaling
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Premium ❘ FeatureHow to reduce tension when playing the violin or viola
Mary McGovern provides some advice on holding your instrument without unnecessary spine and shoulder discomfort
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Premium ❘ FeatureWhat does the future hold for English fiddling?
Jon Boden explains the difficulties of finding an authentic playing style for traditional English tunes
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Premium ❘ FeatureFrom the Archive: advice for second violinists
Intelligent, modest, self-controlled, sympathetic: a description of all good second violinists from The Strad's May 1914 issue
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ArticleCellist Dane Johansen demonstrates 'blurred' string-crossing
US cellist Dane Johansen demonstrates 'blurred' string-crossing to accompany his Practice Diary on solo Bach in The Strad's May 2014 issue, out now. Subscribe to The Strad or download our digital edition as part of a 30-day free trial. To purchase single issues click here.
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Blogs6 pieces of advice for performers by violinist Daniel Hope
The soloist, former Beaux Arts Trio member and associate artistic director of the Savannah Music Festival offers tips for musicians on performing and launching a career
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BlogsCreating a broad portfolio career rewards both musician and audience
Cellist and baritone Matthew Sharp explains why you should broaden your musical horizons ahead of his RE:naissance festival, celebrating Shakespeare's 450th anniversary, at London's Kings Place
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BlogsRussian violin teacher Yuri Yankelevich on how to achieve quick reflexes in your playing
Yankelevich believed that violin playing is based on key physiological principles. In preparing the English translation of his works, Masha Lankovsky takes a look at some of his suggestions
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Premium ❘ DebateThe skills we learn as musicians can counteract today's short attention spans
Are apps, tweets and status updates killing our minds? Ariane Todes argues that string players are uniquely placed to rise above the dangers of modern technology
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FocusViolist Lesley Robertson on taking the plunge with laser eye surgery
In this Health Matters article from The Strad, June 2009, the St Lawrence Quartet player describes the process of having her eyes lasered
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Blogs
The art of distraction is more effective than repetitive practice
Repeating a difficult passage over and over again can lead to stress and tension. Instead distract your mind at the point of execution to feel relaxed as you play, writes cellist Thomas Demenga
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DebateNow is the time for the double bass to shine
After centuries of neglect, the double bass is receiving the attention it has always deserved. Jeff Bradetich argues that now is a great time to be a bassist
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DebateWhy we should take Chinese players seriously
Using the lazy assumption that string players from China have ‘great technique but no musicality' ignores the talent that they bring to Western music, says Nancy Pellegrini
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DebateGet rid of histrionics in quartet playing
Over-the-top emoting by individual players ruins the whole point of chamber music, says David Kettle
