All Focus articles – Page 34
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Focus6 technical ways for improving your practice
In the second of a four-part series of blogs, violin professor at Junior Guildhall Ivo Stankov offers advice on how to practise efficiently
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Focus‘Inherently democratic’ - equity and the Suzuki Method
In this extract from the September 2021 issue, Samara Ginsberg examines common misunderstandings and myths in the Suzuki Method related to sightreading, parental involvement, racism and social issues
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FocusVarious viola variables: weight, shape and sound
In the September 2021 issue, William Castle examines how weight, shape and sound is affected in violas of various sizes
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FocusWalter Reiter’s exercises to improve Baroque playing
The violinist offers tips on how narrate emotions through the bow when playing Baroque music
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FocusThe Strad Podcast Episode #10: Joshua Bell on Piazzolla
The violinist speaks about playing Piazzolla’s music in the centenary of the composer’s birth
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FocusThe 3-points practicing routine: Description - Action - Result
In the first of a series of blog posts, violin teacher at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama Junior department Ivo Stankov outlines his motivation for creating the Violin Tips Practice Guide
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FocusOpinion: Make ’em laugh
Humour can be a useful tool when teaching – especially online, argues Naomi Yandell
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FocusOpen to change: a history of scordatura
In this extract from June 2003, Pauline Nobes delves into the history and purpose of scordatura from the 17th-century onwards
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FocusDaniil Shafran’s practice routine
A cellist who never enjoyed widespread success, Shafran adhered to a strict practice regimen that enabled his unique virtuosity and technique celebrated within the cello community of the 20th century
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FocusGut reaction: the worst job in history?
How to make gut strings the 18th-century way. From February 2011
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Focus9 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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FocusBaiba Skride: Life Lessons
The Latvian violinist recalls growing up in a musical family, and stresses the importance of hard work
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FocusThe rhetorical nature of Baroque music: learning to speak with the bow
Walter Reiter discusses how the rhetorical narrative in Baroque music must be reflected in how players use the bow, illustrating the parallels between spoken word and string playing
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FocusThe Strad Podcast Episode #9: Anne Akiko Meyers on new commissions
The violinist speaks about working closely with composers on new works and cadenzas
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FocusAsk the Experts: what to look for in a Baroque bow
In this article from the June 2016 issue, Strad readers submit their problems and queries about string playing, teaching or making to a panel of experts
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FocusEsther Yoo’s instrument and bow
Read violinist Esther Yoo’s personal insights on the tools of her trade
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FocusA weighty argument: wood density in violins
John Waddle, Steve Rossow and Steve Sirr discuss how wood density can vastly affect the acoustic properties of violins
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FocusMystery lady: investigating female violinists in Georgian England
Upon stumbling across a portrait of an unnamed musician, Kevin MacDonald delved into the lives of several female violinists in the 18th-century, all with fascinating stories
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FocusCT scanning and the ‘Betts’ Stradivari
John Waddle shows how CT scanning technology is used to examine the structure and wood density of the ‘Betts’ Stradivari
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FocusMusical architecture - sound in time and space
Violist Hsin-Yun Huang writes about how acknowledging the ephemerality of music in space and time allows for greater freedom and joy in music-making
