All Improve your playing articles – Page 7
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Premium ❘ FeatureViolinist David Juritz on overcoming a painful shoulder injury
The London-based instrumentalist was helped by physiotherapy and Pilates
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FeatureHow breaking a thumb saved cellist Colin Carr's career
The international cello soloist and chamber musician describes how a cycling accident forced him to rethink the way he played
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Focus8 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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ArticleDavid Oistrakh performs Debussy's The Girl with the Flaxen Hair
On the great violinist's birthday today, we share this video of him performing a transcription of Debussy's La fille aux cheveux de lin (The Girl with the Flaxen Hair) with pianist Frida Bauer in 1972, displaying his lauded warmth of tone. Read The Strad's guide to David Oistrakh, including ...
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Premium ❘ FeaturePerfect 5ths
British violinist Rodney Friend has spent many years formulating his method for achieving a relaxed left-hand position. Here, he shares his voyage of discovery with Charlotte Smith
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Feature7 mental techniques to boost your practice
Effective practice without the frustration and drudgery? Piet Koornhot looks at ways to direct your imagination.
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Premium ❘ FeatureDouble bassist Peter Buckoke on treating head and neck pain
The Royal College of Music professor found a solution in Alexander technique
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Premium ❘ DebateEarly vibrato was one aspect of a vastly different sound world
A response to Beverly Jerold’s article 'Did early string players use continuous vibrato?' by Kevin Class
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Premium ❘ FeatureRaphael Wallfisch on finding the right cello position
The British artist tells Laurinel Owen why he plays with a long endpin and its effect on technique and sound production
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Premium ❘ FeatureViolinist Reinhard Goebel on adapting to focal dystonia
The condition forced the musician and early music specialist to make a radical career change - he is now a conductor
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Feature6 thoughts on performance and interpretation from Kyung Wha Chung
The Korean star spoke to The Strad in February 1989 about her musical ideas and influences
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BlogsAaron Rosand: 5 ways good posture will improve your playing
Good standing and sitting positions, and avoiding using a shoulder rest, are all important for optimum performance, wrote the American virtuoso in 2014
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FocusMichael Barenboim’s top 5 practice tips
The concertmaster of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra shares his insights into the art of practising the violin
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Video‘With Nicky’ 12: Ask Nicky
This week, ‘With Nicky’ becomes ‘Ask Nicky’ as Nicola Benedetti answers some of your questions. The violinist says: ‘After recording this, however, we realised I never actually answered the most asked question! - What is your shoulder rest? ‘The super duper attentive amongst you may have noticed a change ...
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Video‘With Nicky’ 11: Oasby Music Group
This week on Nicola Benedetti’s journey of video tutorials, the violinist takes a trip outside her living room and into the home of the children of the Oasby Music Group. Founded in 2013 with just 7 beginner young musicians aged 5-8, the organisation now has 13 ensembles aged 4-18, with ...
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FocusTabea Zimmermann's top 6 practice tips
To tie in with our review of her Berlioz CD, Tabea Zimmermann shares her wisdom on getting the most out of your practice
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Focus5 tips for conquering performance nerves from 5 solo string players
Artists share their wisdom on battling the fear monster, as featured over the last five years of The Strad
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VideoCello masterclass from Johannes Moser
As part of his residency with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, last week Johannes Moser gave three local cellists a masterclass on Elgar’s Cello Concerto, Gulda’s Cello Concerto and Squire’s ‘Tzig-Tzig’.
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VideoHilary Hahn gives masterclass on her new album
On 17th May, Hilary Hahn releases her new album: 6 partitas specially written for the violinist by the Spanish composer Antón García Abril. And for each piece on the new album Hahn has prepared a masterclass video for players and listeners alike, to share insider knowledge on interpreting, expressing, and ...
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VideoSlapping with the bow - a double bass lesson from Olivier Babaz
This lesson is taken from Discover Double Bass’s upcoming course, ‘Jazz Bowing’ by the French double bassist Olivier Babaz. Scheduled for release on 7th May, it comprises 61 lessons over 5 hours and is a step-by-step course on jazz bowing technique. It will be available at DiscoverDoubleBass.com. This first lesson, ...
