All Focus articles – Page 19
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My experience: Violinist Lisa Archontidi-Tsaldaraki, Benslow Music Instrument Loan Scheme
The London-based violinist reminisces about the various instruments she has borrowed from the scheme that have enabled achievements throughout her musical journey
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Why can't players get vibrato right?
Vibrating need not compromise purity of tone if it's done tastefully, says Tully Potter, who takes to task those who overplay, misplay or completely disown it. From October 2009
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The Strad Podcast Episode #35: Philippe Quint on new ways to programme music
’We’re going through an incredible renaissance of invention’
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Leila Schayegh's top 5 tips on historically informed vibrato
The Baroque violinist shares her wisdom on how to use vibrato authentically
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Violinist Lihay Bendayan: Fourth finger vibrato
In this extract from the March 2022 issue, violinist Lihay Bendayan provides tips on how to improve a weak fourth finger vibrato
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The Strad Podcast Episode #34: Maria Ioudenitch on her competition success
The winner of both the Tibor Varga and Joseph Joachim International Violin Competitions in 2021 reflects on a successful year
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‘The most perfect music ever written’: Violinist Leonidas Kavakos on recording Bach’s Solo Sonatas and Partitas
’Bach’s music is a reflection of life, and life is not always serious – there is also humour and dancing, and uplifting moods to counter the darker ones.’
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My experience: Njabulo Nxumalo – Arco double bassist
The double bassist shares experiences of his initial violin lessons with the Arco project, plus how the initiative has shaped his musical life
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Opinion: Live for the moment
Classical musicians and audiences can learn from stand-up comedy shows, where there’s a naturalness and immediacy of interaction between performers and the crowd, writes Rita Fernandes
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My experience: LiLa at the Verbier Festival
Chinese cellist LiLa shares fond memories of her time at the Verbier Festival, as well as how it enabled her to meet the instrument of her dreams, a c.1690 Grancino cello
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My experience: Sinethemba Ngiba – Arco violinist
The 21-year-old violinist shares her experience of long-distance string tuition as part of the Arco project
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Vuillaume’s ‘Alard’ bows: Small but beautiful
In the extensive literature concerning Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, there is very little about one of his more remarkable innovations: a refinement of the bow frog design that can be seen on many examples from his workshop. Michel Samson explains how the so-called ‘Alard’ bow was designed to make life easier for ...
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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 Strad Podcast Episode #33: Louise Lansdown and Njabulo Nxumalo on the Arco project
Founder Louise Lansdown speaks about the mission behind the project, while student double bassist Njabulo Nxumalo shares his first-hand experiences of learning music under the scheme
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‘If your craft is to tell stories, you have to learn to tell that story’: Lessons from the Arco project
In this extract from the February 2022 feature, Louise Lansdown examines how the long-distance teaching partnership of the Arco project facilitates musical story-telling, thanks to cross-collaboration of different cultures
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How to teach note reading to beginner violin students
American pedagogue Mimi Zweig explains how she engages new pupils
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Sol Gabetta: Life Lessons
The Argentinian cellist explains why staying true to oneself and constantly evolving make for a fruitful career
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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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'It is even unnecessary to know the names of the notes' - From the Archive: February 1942
Violin pedagogue Percival Hodgson advocates a system of pattern recognition to help young players, rather than the laborious method of learning the names of notes
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‘The repertoire is about transformation, change or loss’: United Strings of Europe
Artistic director of United Strings of Europe Julian Azkoul shares the motivation behind the arrangments featured on the ensemble’s latest album Renewal