All Improve your playing articles – Page 5
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Video‘With Nicky’ 7: Back to More Basics, Left Hand Part II
After a few very busy weeks practising, Nicola Benedetti presents Back to More Basics Left Hand Part 2. She says: ‘Before you watch this week’s video, I’d really encourage you to revisit Back to More Basics Left Hand Part 1 as this week is a continuation from what we ...
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Stringtelligence 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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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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‘With Nicky’ 6: Back to More Basics; Left Hand part 1
This week on her journey of video tutorials, Nicola Benedetti is going back to more basics focusing on the left hand, taking us through what she considers to be one of the most sacred, basic and life changing exercises for her: Schradieck Number 1. She says: ‘It’s not the ...
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Blogs
7 tips for successful practice by violinist Rachel Podger
The Baroque musician reveals the most important elements of her practice routine
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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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‘With Nicky’ 5: Equipment
This week on her video journey, Nicola Benedetti is talking all things equipment: strings, shoulder rests, chin rests, her bow, her beautiful pegs and the violin itself. She also gives us a glimpse inside her violin case. She says, ‘Equipment is something that I have certainly obsessed over a ...
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Video
‘With Nicky’ 4: Vibrato Part II
Following on from last week’s episode in her series of video tutorials, Nicola Benedetti is on to Vibrato Part 2, in which she progresses from easier to slightly harder vibrato exercises. She focuses on how to put some of last week’s exercises into practice with one of the most ...
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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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Arabella Steinbacher's top 5 practice tips
The German violinist shares her personal favourite practice habits
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Article
8 ways for violinists to improve posture
Advice for violinists from The Strad's pages on establishing a relaxed and stable posture for optimal performance, and avoiding strain and injury
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Video
Kim Kashkashian teaches circular bow motion
This video shows part of a master class with violist Kim Kashkashian at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music.
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Sentimental work: Gautier Capuçon on Schumann
The French cellist finds a whole universe of sound in Schumann’s Adagio and Allegro and the op.73 Fantasiestücke – as well as huge scope for experimentation
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Blogs
Three top tips for improving performances with meditation techniques
Violist Matthew Jones discusses the ways in which meditation and mindfulness can help performers
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Charlie Siem's top 5 practice tips
Ahead of his performance at Cadogan Hall, the violinist shares his knowledge
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From the archive: Technique or tone?
This article from The Strad, September 1954, argues that the trend among students of pursuing mechanical brilliance at the expense of beauty of tone is misguided
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5 views on chamber playing by Borodin Quartet legend Rostislav Dubinsky
The Borodin's founding first violinist, who played with the quartet for 30 years from 1945, was interviewed in The Strad shortly before his death in 1997
