All Focus articles
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FocusGuy Johnston: Life Lessons
The British cellist reflects on transformative experiences in the US and returning as a teacher to his old student haunts
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5 ways in which learning new violin styles can train your musical ear
Too often string teachers shy away from embracing styles outside the Western classical canon, but in doing so they’re ignoring a wealth of useful skills and techniques, writes Julie Lyonn Lieberman
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Should vibrato exercises be practised separately from the repertoire?
Teacher Talk: your string teaching questions answered by our panel of experts
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‘You’re never truly ready, but at a certain point you just have to dive in and do it,’ – Dover Quartet on recording Beethoven
After twelve years together, the Dover Quartet is marking its graduation to the ranks of mature ensembles with a new Beethoven recording cycle and a residency at the Curtis Institute. The players speak to Charlotte Smith
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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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The Strad Calendar 2021; Nicolas Lupot cello 1823
The Lupot cello is a wonderful piece of controlled craftsmanship, and bears his personal signature on the back
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‘I’ve always been fascinated about how the mind works’ – Midori
Toby Deller finds out how the Japanese-American violinist combined a Psychology degree with a busy solo career
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What is it like to play Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s own violin?
Christoph Koncz, principal second violinist of the Vienna Philharmonic, shares his experience
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How has COVID-19 affected the Italian lutherie business?
Violin makers worldwide were hit hard by the Covid-19 outbreak as the customers dried up – nowhere more so than in Italy. Peter Somerford speaks to some of the country’s makers to find out how the industry is gradually getting back on its feet
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The Strad Calendar 2021: Francesco and Giovanni Grancino viola c.1665
The varnish of the Grancino is most beautiful and wonderfully well preserved
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What does it feel like to play in a socially-distanced orchestra?
As live music begins to make a cautious comeback, Matthew Bain, a freelance violinist with the London Philharmonic and Philharmonia amongst other ensembles, shares his experience of returning to orchestral playing
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Making the most of one hour of practice
The Strad’s panel of experts answer your string teaching questions for the Teacher Talk series
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Patricia Kopatchinskaja: Life Lessons
Early encounters with nature left their mark on the Moldovan-born violinist, who thinks a culture of perfection is damaging our relationship with music
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‘I go through the process of learning a piece a few times’ – Midori
The Japanese-American violinist speaks to Toby Deller about getting to the core of new works
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9 thoughts about playing on gut strings
We delve into The Strad archive for advice and opinion on using natural gut strings
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How should a double bassist prepare to play Bach’s Cello Suites?
Virtuoso bassist and conservatoire professor Leon Bosch explains how he introduces the Bach Cello Suites to his students
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What I would tell my younger self - violist Kim Kashkashian
The American violist talks about learning how to relax and to not take things so personally
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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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Advice I'd give my younger self: violinist Hilary Hahn
Identify your own instincts and find ways to bring those ideas across effectively, says the American musician
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‘That pre-performance adrenaline rush made me feel alive again’ – Guy Johnston
Ahead of his streamed chamber music festival at Hatfield House, the British cellist shares his experience of performing for online broadcast during the lockdown
