All Focus articles – Page 6
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FocusStringtelligence by Thomastik-Infeld: dealing with corrosion and perspiration
In the first of a new blog series for The Strad celebrating Thomastik-Infeld’s 100th anniversary, the Austrian string manufacturer’s director of engineering and technology, Franz Klanner, gives his recommendations for players who find their strings corroding too quickly
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Elicia Silverstein's 5 tips for approaching gnarly contemporary works
The American violinist gives an insight into her strategy for getting her head, and fingers, around tough new repertoire
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5 tips from Max Grosch for improving jazz rhythm
The jazz musician shares his wisdom on ways to improve our jazz rhythm and internal sense of pulse
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In focus: c.1690 violin by Willem van der Sijde
Hubert De Launay takes a close look at a violin with full arching, unusually placed f-holes and a slender swan necked scroll
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Should string teachers use fingerboard stickers for beginners?
Three string teachers debate the age-old question: should stickers be used on the fingerboard when teaching a beginner pupil?
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Edgar Meyer on the Prelude from Bach’s Cello Suite no.2
For the American double bassist and composer, what began as a pathway to technical expertise became a lifetime’s voyage of musical exploration. From the November 2015 issue
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Masterclass: Steven Tenenbom, Schumann Märchenbilder
The American viola soloist, chamber musician, and teacher explores how to find your own sense of character and flow in the first two contrasting pieces
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5 tips for practising effectively from Chloë Hanslip
Tieing in with her new CD of Beethoven sonatas, the violinist shares a few insights
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Life Lessons: Lynn Harrell
The American cellist, who turned 75 earlier this year, looks back at the beginnings of his life as a musician
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Sheku Kanneh-Mason: 'I was always being inspired by amazing musicians – and friends'
The British cellist, cover star of The Strad’s March 2019 issue, discusses learning, improvisation and inspirational teachers in conversation with Pauline Harding
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Sentimental Work: Anne Akiko Meyers on traditional Japanese songs
A brace of traditional songs from Japan bring back fond memories and inspire a wealth of interpretations for the American violinist
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10 tips on maximising tone quality & projection
Advice on projecting your sound from over 120 years of The Strad
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5 tips from Isabelle van Keulen on achieving a relaxed bow hold
The Dutch violinist and violist considers the many processes involved in keeping your bow hold tension-free
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Is it a real Stradivarius? How to check the authenticity and value of a violin
A reader has inherited an old Italian violin, in this case a Landolfi. In fact, finding a violin in a grandparent’s attic is some people’s first introduction to the stringed-instrument world. What’s the next step regarding authentication?
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Masterclass: Daniel Hope on the Franck Violin Sonata
The British violinist takes a look at the second movement of a work filled with Romantic flair, fireworks and colour, and highlights the importance of building a perfect piano-violin partnership
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Jacob Stainer: Micro-CT analysis of top-block and pins
In the April 2019 issue of The Strad, Rudolf Hopfner explains how the neck root and top-block of a Jacob Stainer violin made after 1650 gives insights into his working methods – and solves a mystery about the maker’s training in the process. This video, made up of hundreds ...
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Discovering Ysaÿe’s lost sonata
In 2017 violinist Philippe Graffin discovered a previously unknown three-movement work by Eugène Ysaÿe: his original Sixth Solo Violin Sonata. As his recording of the piece is released, he speaks to Chloe Cutts about completing the composition.
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Learning a violin as an adult: How do you progress beyond practising for exams?
How can an adult amateur, beginning or relearning an instrument, progress beyond practising for exams? Three tutors examine the various options – as well as suggesting ways to combat shyness
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Postcard from Shanghai: Viva la Viola festival
Shanghai Conservatory of Music’s biennial Viva la Viola festival returned for its sixth instalment in November, turning the spotlight on one of the most underrated instruments in China, writes Nancy Pellegrini
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Ida Haendel making her first appearance in The Strad in 1937
In our March 1937 issue our correspondent predicts great things for a 14-year-old violinist who may have actually only been 9 at the time
