All Improve your playing articles
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FocusThere is no such thing as a piano 'accompanist'
Elana Estrin delves into the field of collaborative piano
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Focus9 ways to develop a flexible bow hold
Advice for string players on avoiding tension in the bow hand and wrist from The Strad's archive
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Focus7 tips on adjustments to get the best out of your instrument
The finest Stradivari in the world will sound poor if it is badly set up. Here are some points to consider sourced from our archive
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Premium ❘ FeatureCellist Pablo Casals on expressive intonation
The great artist believed that 50 per cent of a player's total dramatic power lay in exaggerated intonation, writes former pupil Pamela Hind O'Malley
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ReviewMastering intonation, by cello professor Antonio Lysy
Cellist Antonio Lysy provides exercises to help you play in tune every time you put your finger on the string
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FocusHow to develop secure intonation, by cellist Maria Kliegel
Maria Kliegel explains how developing accurate intonation gives security and confidence to her playing
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FocusConquering performance nerves: I'm great in practice but don't perform so well on the day
Brian Hodges and Diana Allan answer student questions on coping with stage fright
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BlogsRelease the Fear Monster: how to conquer performance anxiety and perform at your best
Brian Hodges and Diana Allan discuss the origins of stage fright and offer guidance on how to combat fear during performance
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BlogsConquering performance nerves: how do I control my fear of failure?
Brian Hodges and Diana Allan answer student questions on coping with stage fright
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Blogs'I often have to battle negative thoughts on stage,' says violinist Joshua Bell
The star performer talks about channelling nervous energy and thinking oneself confident
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BlogsViolinist Itzhak Perlman on conquering performance nerves
‘Know your enemy,’ says The Strad’s August 2015 issue cover star
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Focus7 techniques to combat stage fright
Are you suffering from stage fright? Laurinel Owen gives advice on overcoming this common affliction
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FocusMartelé: Essential foundations for a top-quality bow technique
Rictor Noren offers grounding, exercises and repertoire suggestions to help you work on your martelé stroke
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FocusMovement in the bow hand and wrist, by violin professor Boris Kuschnir
Kuschnir explains how to master control of your sound through correct use of the bow
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FocusString players should bow with individual fingers rather than the whole hand
Awareness of the movement of each right-hand finger is one of the great secrets of bowing, writes Rok Klopčič
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BlogsViolinist Aaron Rosand on why memorisation is key to interpretation
The American maestro discusses the importance of understanding a work's cultural background and performing by memory to convey this. From 2016
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Premium ❘ FeatureHow to develop left-hand finger strength
Up and down movement is the basis of left-hand technique and many pedagogues have invented fiendish exercises to improve it. Rok Klopčič takes a look at some of them
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FocusViolinist Elena Urioste on why a thorough warm-up routine is a necessity for good practice
The US violinist explains why warming up is an essential part of a day's practice