All Focus articles – Page 13
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Focus4 tips on using antiquing methods to give an instrument a warm look
John Simmers shares his wisdom on finding a balance between antiquing and not antiquing
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Postcard from Colorado
At this year’s Aspen Festival and School, an array of leading performers rubbed shoulders with hundreds of enthusiastic young musicians. Bruce Hodges soaked up the clear mountain air
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Four Paul Rolland exercises
Nancy Kredel describes some of the simpler actions devised by pioneering pedagogue Paul Rolland, our November 2018 issue cover star
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In focus: violin by Vincenzo Postiglione, 1891
Sean Bishop examines a violin by the most prolific and finest Neapolitan makers of the second half of the 19th century. From the January 2008 issue. Photographs by Richard Valencia [click ‘+’ to zoom]
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6 tips for smooth bow changes
Advice on smooth and inaudible bow changes at the tip and the heel from The Strad's archives
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James Ehnes: ‘you should never be scared of Beethoven's Violin Concerto'
Beethoven’s Violin Concerto has been a mainstay of the Canadian violinist’s repertoire since his teenage years, but it retains its ability to inspire
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10 tips for learning and teaching sightreading
Advice from The Strad’s archive on how to improve sightreading and reminders of its crucial place in any good musician’s skillset
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The 1724 'Cecil' Stradivarius – a masterpiece unseen and unheard
Despite having been examined by some of the best-known experts in history, the violin has spent centuries largely hidden – until now. John Dilworth examines one of the least regarded instruments by the Cremonese master
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Is own-label recording the right choice if you're not already established?
Creating your debut CD is only the first step on the road to success, as the subsequent marketing process can be just as difficult. Peter Somerford gathers some expert advice
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Violinist Jascha Heifetz's first appearance in The Strad, October 1912
The legendary artist was first mentioned in The Strad at the age of eleven following several well-received performances
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Paul Rolland's tension-free philosophy
Pioneering pedagogue Paul Rolland formulated a groundbreaking approach to string teaching through his University of Illinois String Research Project in the late 1960s. Charlotte Smith investigates the legacy of his findings, 40 years after his death
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Commissioning a new instrument – a guide for players
Commissioning an instrument can be an exciting prospect, but as a creative journey it can have its ups and downs. John Milnes considers how both player and maker can keep each other happy.
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8 ways to maximise your sound with minimum effort
Advice on how to increase your sound without any extra effort from The Strad Archive
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Is sexism endemic in the world of lutherie?
In the past year, women from all walks of life have been reporting incidents of sexist behaviour in their workplaces. Is a violin workshop any different? Femke Colborne discusses the question with a range of female luthiers
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Life Lessons: Viktoria Mullova
The Russian violinist on music and engineering, Soviet Bach and the perils of reading reviews
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10 tips for improving your scales
Guidance from The Strad’s archive on tuning, bow control, shifting, direction and pulse
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Postcard from Ludwigslust
The tenth International J.M. Sperger Competition for Double Bass honoured its namesake writes jury member Jeff Bradetich
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10 views on the benefits of slow practice
Debate on how best to harness slow practice from The Strad Archive
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Life Lessons: Irvine Arditti
The founder of the iconic Arditti Quartet reflects on a life devoted to contemporary music
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Tokyo Stradivarius Festival: A Celebration of Genius
Ending on Monday 15 October, the Tokyo Stradivarius Festival 2018 has brought together 21 of the finest Stradivari instruments from all over the world, together with some of the master’s tools and templates, an acoustic demonstration, and concerts performed on several of the instruments.
