All Improve your playing articles – Page 2
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Focus10 things you need to know about vibrato
The following quotes, taken from the pages of The Strad over the past 100 years, offer a fascinating glimpse of the changing attitudes and approaches towards this most subjective and controversial area of a string player's technique
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Cellist Paul Katz on creating your ideal sound with vibrato
The New England Conservatory cello professor describes how to vary hand position to produce your desired vibrato sound
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7 ways to harness mental practice for musicians
Tips for using mental imaging to boost your musical practice regime from The Strad’s archive
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7 views on repetitive practice
Is repetition the most effective mode of practice? Debate from The Strad Archive
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8 pieces of advice for happy string quartets
Words of instruction and inspiration on quartet playing from the pages of The Strad
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6 ways to perfect your double-stops
Tips from The Strad’s archive on producing even and finely tuned double-stops
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6 ways to improve your string crossing
Tips for even and seamless string crossing from The Strad’s archive
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How to achieve smooth bow changes at the frog
Former Juilliard School cello professor Bonnie Hampton answers advises readers on how to encourage smooth bow changes in their students
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11 stretching exercises for musicians
Do you feel tired and stiff after performing? Pilates instructor John Black explains how some simple stretching exercises can make all the difference
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The harmonious string quartet - a balance of four personality types
No one said that living in a quartet was easy - but the most successful groups develop a unique identity that survives vitriolic relationships and even personnel changes, writes Paul Robertson
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8 tips for second violinists
Views on second violin playing from experienced orchestral and chamber performers
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6 tips for improved coordination
Guidance from The Strad’s archive for greater synchronisation between left-hand fingers and bow
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I know that I know nothing: Tomás Cotik concludes his series on Bach
Ahead of his 2020 album release of Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas, the violinist concludes 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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How to make scales enjoyable
Encouraging students to practise scales needn't be an uphill struggle, says Paul Harris - in fact, it can even be fun!
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How I interpret Bach: Tomás Cotik on Classification
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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How important is happiness for effective practising?
Adopting a positive mindset helps to prime you for learning, writes musician and performance psychology expert Christine Carter
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Premium ❘ Focus
Technique: strum bowing
A guitar technique adapted for violin, to help bowed string players plug into their inner groove. By Tracy Silverman, electric violinist, author of The Strum Bowing Method , string faculty member at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, and jazz clinic and workshop tutor worldwide
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5 ways to improve playing in thirds
Tips for hand position, bow distribution and intonation from The Strad Archive
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Double 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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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
