All Focus articles – Page 7
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FocusPerforming entirely by reflex, by cellist Leonid Gorokhov
The Russian musician and Hochschule für Musik und Theater, Hannover professor describes how he trains himself to transcend the physical restraints of playing
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How to play with a flexible bowing arm by cellist Gary Hoffman
The American musician explains how he developed a supple and varied bow arm motion, guided by his ear and musical instinct
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Feature
Behind the scenes with the New York String Orchestra
The New York String Orchestra Seminar, one of America’s first orchestral training programmes for young musicians, celebrated its 50th anniversary in December 2018. Bruce Hodges attended rehearsals and concerts of the landmark season
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Focus
From the Archive: students of today are distracted by fast cars and loud cinema
Albert J Roberts bemoans the pleasure-seeking of the younger generation in The Strad's July 1923 issue, and calls on music teachers not to give up on promoting their art in the face of such competition
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Is repetitive practice a good or a bad thing?
A prolonged, sickening and monotonous repetition of a section of music or the legitimate means of mastering a difficult passage? Joseph O'Doherty weighs up the two sides.
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Focus
Beyond Villa-Lobos: the music of Brazil
For many classical enthusiasts Brazilian music can be summed up in the folk-inspired compositions of Villa-Lobos. Naxos’s multivolume series The Music of Brazil is set to broaden awareness, writes Peter Quantrill
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How to develop fourth finger strength
String students often suffer from weakness in the little finger, but this can be overcome, writes James Winram in the Strad's July 1913 issue
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Violinist David Juritz on overcoming a painful shoulder injury
The London-based instrumentalist was helped by physiotherapy and Pilates
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Ask the Experts: how to deal with a young problem pupil
Four teachers give their thoughts on helping an errant seven-year-old focus on her lessons
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Focus
5 tips for viola teachers by Juilliard School professor Michael Tree
How can viola teachers help their students develop into good players? The former Guarneri Quartet violist outlines the most important areas to focus on
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Behind the scenes at the music and wine festival
Burgundy’s Musique & Vin festival has quickly grown from its humble origins to encompass a rich diversity of elements, not least first-rate performances from international artists and an instrument loan scheme for young musicians. Charlotte Gardner spoke to those involved in this unique project
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Focus
8 ways to vary your vibrato
Tips from The Strad’s archive for varying vibrato speed, width, pressure and direction to produce an infinite range of colour contrasts
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Ask the Experts: choosing a new violin tailpiece
A violinist asks what he should consider when choosing a new tailpiece – from the material used to the weight and shape
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Are dendrochronology reports useful in valuing an instrument?
Dealers and auction houses increasingly include dendrochronology reports along with high-value instruments, but how meaningful are they in verifying an attribution?
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Survival tips for touring musicians
International tours bring a wealth of opportunities for discovering new cultures and audiences – along with less pleasant experiences such as jet lag and homesickness. Sarah Mnatzaganian asks string players for their travel tips
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6 pieces of advice for music teachers by cellist Anna Shuttleworth
The former Royal College of Music and Leeds University pedagogue explains why it's important to encourage students to relax
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The 4 types of difficult parents and tips for dealing with them
Sometimes parents can be more of a handful than their sons and daughters. Catherine Nelson provides essential tips for dealing with misguided parent power
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Focus
Why do so many orchestras lag behind the beat?
Even under the best conductors and in the finest orchestras, players tend to drag behind the baton. Evan Johnson looks at the reasons for this universal phenomenon
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Blogs
Players of tomorrow: Maxim Tzekov
Following his win at the Kloster Schöntal International Violin Competition, 18-year-old Maxim Tzekov shares his top practice tip and reveals how he mentally prepares for competitions
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7 mental techniques to boost your practice
Effective practice without the frustration and drudgery? Piet Koornhot looks at ways to direct your imagination.
