All Focus articles
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FocusDouble bassist Christine Hoock on sound and phrase
The professor of double bass at Mozarteum University Salzburg and president of the International Sperger Society for Double Bass shares her wisdom in this month’s Technique article
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Focus
5 tips for viola players, by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra's Manchin Zhang
Manchin Zhang shares her wisdom on various aspects of playing the viola, from vibrato to body balance
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Focus
How I interpret Bach: Tomás Cotik on Treatises Sources, Numerology and the Doctrine of Affections
Ahead of his 2020 album release of Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas, the violinist continues his blog series, in which he discusses the contradictions between the opposing trends and traditions in Bach interpretation, and his personal solutions to them
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Premium ❘ Article
Technique: achieving balance between the chin and left thumb
Learn to reduce physical stress by distributing instrument weight more effectively across your body. By Matthew Jones, Head of chamber music and professor of viola at the Guildhall School of Music Drama, London; director of Pro Corda Intermediate Course.
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Premium ❘ Article
In focus: Paul Dörfel
A 1920 violin made by the Markneukirchen-based luthier Paul Dörfel. Written by Bruce Babbitt
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Article
Life Lessons: David Harrington
The American violinist recalls the path that led him to found the genre-defying Kronos Quartet
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Focus
How I interpret Bach: Tomás Cotik on The Pieces in Context, The Title and Editions
Ahead of his 2020 album release of Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas, the violinist continues his blog series, in which he discusses the contradictions between the opposing trends and traditions in Bach interpretation, and his personal solutions to them
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Focus
Are contemporary violin makers limiting their potential to develop new ideas?
A key aim of the VSA/Oberlin Workshop ‘Obie 1’ project was to create a good original violin design that was not directly derived or copied from a previous instrument
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Feature
12 strategies for teaching adolescents
Violinist and Ohio State University professor of music education Bob Gillespie shares his step-by-step guide for success
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Focus
How I interpret Bach: Tomás Cotik on Ornaments, Trills and Appoggiaturas
Ahead of his 2020 album release of Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas, the violinist continues his blog series, in which he discusses the contradictions between the opposing trends and traditions in Bach interpretation, and his personal solutions to them
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Focus
9 tips on working with violin bridges
Advice on how to fit, adjust and design your bridge from The Strad Archive
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Lisa Batiashvili on the joys of collaboration
Georgian violinist Lisa Batiashvili has recently taken on new challenges, among them artistic directorship of the Audi Summer Concerts festival and performing on the soundtrack to The White Crow . But, she tells Toby Deller , she finds equal joy in creating wonderful interpretations from long-term partnerships
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Premium ❘ Feature
Buying the right instrument for you
Whatever your needs, whatever your budget, there's an instrument out there for you. Laurinel Owen suggests some ways to find it
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Focus
Why 10,000 hours of practice won’t make you an expert
Emma Allingham, a music psychology researcher at the University of Hamburg, shares her insight into the psychology of music practice
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Focus
7 views on teaching stringed instruments to beginners
Advice on how to nurture beginner learners from The Strad's Archive
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Focus
8 ways to combat negative thoughts on stage
How to banish your inner demons from The Strad's Archive
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Focus
How I interpret Bach: Tomás Cotik on Overdotting and Rhythmic Assimilation
Ahead of his 2020 album release of Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas, the violinist continues his blog series, in which he discusses the contradictions between the opposing trends and traditions in Bach interpretation, and his personal solutions to them
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Focus
What is the secret behind the Royal Danish Orchestra’s string sound?
The Royal Danish Orchestra has been adding to its collection of fine stringed instruments for centuries – but there is revolution and evolution behind its string sound, which is unmistakable, finds Andrew Mellor
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Focus
Lessons in Time Travel - Violinists on Baroque Performance
What impact can voyages into period performance have on modern-instrument playing? Four soloists reveal the fruits of their Baroque explorations to Ariane Todes
