All Focus articles – Page 23
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Opinion: Playing the game
In addition to technical mastery, musicians need to understand the ‘game rules’ of every performing tradition and musical culture, write Dudok Quartet Amsterdam musicians Judith van Driel and David Faber
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Masterclass: Jennifer Koh on ‘Méditation’ from Souvenir d’un lieu cher
The violinist offers practical tips on the first piece of Tchaikovsky’s set of three short works, including audio and sheet music
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The double basses of Domenico Busan
Busan was an assistant to Matteo Gofriller, the first maker of what is unambiguously a double bass. Here, Thomas Martin, George Martin and Martin Lawrence compare the styles of the two makers
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The Strad Podcast Episode #24: Caroline Pether on the joy of playing in chamber orchestras
‘The clue is in the name, really - it’s big chamber music’
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A Violinist’s Practical Guide to Maintenance, Adjustment, Strings and more
In an exclusive video premiere, violinist Daniel Kurganov and violin maker Andrew Ryan discuss tips and tricks on instrument care, maintenance, acoustical understanding, tonal adjustment, proper string care, with the aim to share a practical understanding of how the violin works, and important practices every violinist should know
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The Strad Calendar 2022: Antonio Stradivari violin c.1716 ‘Paul Godwin’
One notable feature of the Stradivari is the angled grain when looking at the side of the scroll
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‘Arm weight, contact point and bow speed’ - How to create a full sound with musical intention
Bassist Christine Hoock shares examples of short pieces from double bass repertoire that can help players develop their sound and phrasing through balanced technique
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Masterclass: The Swan by Saint-Saëns
Cellist Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt guides players on how to create the perfect image of a swan gliding through water, in this extract from the December 2021 issue
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A moving tale: Travelling with a double bass
Fitting a double bass on an aeroplane or in the back of a van can present serious difficulties. Gary Karr’s agent Jane Davis shares her the tricks of the trade, in this interview from November 1999
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The Strad Podcast Episode #23: Pablo Ferrández on Classical cello concertos
’When I’m playing these pieces, I imagine big gestures, a lot of gravity that brings you from one impulse to the next’
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A story’s end: Postcard from Mondsee
Running from 27 August to 6 September, this year’s Musiktage Mondsee was the final edition to be directed by the Auryn Quartet. Laurence Vittes witnessed stylish performances amid stunning Austrian scenery – a fitting farewell to the 40-year-old ensemble
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‘Make it sing’ - Thomas Martin on playing Bottesini
Bass player Thomas Martin shares his thoughts on the music of Bottesini, in this extract from the Winter 2000 issue of the now discontinued magazine, Double Bassist
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The Strad Calendar 2022: G.B. Guadagnini cello 1750
The Guadagnini cello has intense deep reddish-brown varnish to spare
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Double bass technique: Back muscles, weight, and flexibility in the right hand
How to get the most out of your body when playing the double bass, by Dan Styffe, principal bassist for the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra and professor at the Norwegian Academy of Music
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‘You have to follow what it is you really want to do’ - Abel Selaocoe
South African cellist-singer-composer Abel Selaocoe speaks to Tom Stewart about his unique style of music making
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Après un Rêve played on Octobass
Fauré’s classic piece performed on an absolute behemoth of a bass - you may need to listen to this wearing headphones…
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Double bass beginners should play in all left-hand positions
Thomas Martin pinpoints some common technical problems for young bassists and insists that beginners shouldn't be restricted to playing in the lower positions. From the May 2014 issue
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10 points to help you handle performance anxiety
Violinist and performance consultant Berenice Beverley Zammit shares some helpful reminders for those dealing with stage fright, including why you should regard yourself as a superhero
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‘Surrounded by musicians and immersed in music’ - the early life of Giovanni Bottesini
In our December 2021 issue, Stephen Street examines early influences on the virtuoso bass player, composer and conductor
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‘You can combine all those influences into your own playing’ - Hilary Hahn’s violin heroes
In this throwback to an interview from 1999, Hilary Hahn shares why she finds inspiration in the playing of great violinists including Brodsky, Elman, Milstein, Kriesler, Grumiaux and Heifetz