- News
- For Subscribers
- Student Hub
- Playing Hub
- Directory
- Lutherie
- Magazine
- Magazine archive
- Whether you're a player, maker, teacher or enthusiast, you'll find ideas and inspiration from leading artists, teachers and luthiers in our archive which features every issue published since January 2010 - available exclusively to subscribers. View the archive.
- Jobs
- Shop
- Podcast
- Contact us
- Subscribe
- School Subscription
- Competitions
- Reviews
- Debate
- Artists
- Accessories
Improve your playing in the Playing Hub
Technique: Double bass spiccato
Gaelen McCormick offers tips on teaching the technique on double bass
Technique: artistry with the bow
British cellist Hannah Roberts explores the expressive possibilities of the right hand
Why you should stop and think before you play
Violinist and Suzuki pedagogue Helen Brunner advocates for a thoughtful, step-by-step approach to practice
Premium ❘ Feature
Technique: Double bass spiccato
Gaelen McCormick offers tips on teaching the technique on double bass
Premium ❘ Feature
Technique: artistry with the bow
British cellist Hannah Roberts explores the expressive possibilities of the right hand
Blogs
Why you should stop and think before you play
Violinist and Suzuki pedagogue Helen Brunner advocates for a thoughtful, step-by-step approach to practice
Why you should stop and think before you play
Violinist and Suzuki pedagogue Helen Brunner advocates for a thoughtful, step-by-step approach to practice
Why you should stop and think before you play
Violinist and Suzuki pedagogue Helen Brunner advocates for a thoughtful, step-by-step approach to practice
Opinion: why don’t string players practice pizzicato?
Perfecting bowing is a lifelong quest for string players – but what about pizzicato? Cellist Davina Shum advocates setting aside some dedicated practice time to this neglected technique
Opinion: why don’t string players practice pizzicato?
Perfecting bowing is a lifelong quest for string players – but what about pizzicato? Cellist Davina Shum advocates setting aside some dedicated practice time to this neglected technique
Stress is our friend, not our foe: how to manage stress to perform at your best
Cellist and researcher Joanna Latała encourages positively reframing the feeling of stress, and offers strategies on how to transform it into a force for growth and success
Stress is our friend, not our foe: how to manage stress to perform at your best
Cellist and researcher Joanna Latała encourages positively reframing the feeling of stress, and offers strategies on how to transform it into a force for growth and success
Positive self-talk: a key to boosting musicians’ confidence
Cellist and researcher Joanna Latała shares methods for how to enhance your performance with affirming language, plus what musicians can learn from top athletes and sports psychology
Aija Reke: how to deal with performance anxiety
The violinist gives tips on how to build your confidence on stage through her own experiences and examples from literature
Vibrato: three reminders from our online editor Davina Shum
Don’t overdo it and avoid slipping into auto-pilot mode, writes the cellist
Vibrato: three reminders from our online editor Davina Shum
Don’t overdo it and avoid slipping into auto-pilot mode, writes the cellist
The Art of Vibrato: Techniques and Tips for Violinists
Donna Maurer offers six tips to help violinists master the technique of vibrato
Should vibrato exercises be practised separately from the repertoire?
Teacher Talk: your string teaching questions answered by our panel of experts. From 2011
Interpreting Dvořák vs. Mozart — a technical perspective for violinists
Grace Park provides a mini masterclass on how violinists can bring to life to the stylistic and musical qualities of the two seemingly opposite composers
‘We just love what we do’: 21 years of the Sacconi Quartet
Comprising violinists Ben Hancox and Hannah Dawson, violist Robin Ashwell and cellist Cara Berridge, the members of the Sacconi Quartet chat with The Strad about their guiding principles throughout their shared history together, as well as as some memorable performances
‘We just love what we do’: 21 years of the Sacconi Quartet
Comprising violinists Ben Hancox and Hannah Dawson, violist Robin Ashwell and cellist Cara Berridge, the members of the Sacconi Quartet chat with The Strad about their guiding principles throughout their shared history together, as well as as some memorable performances
Numbness of the fingers in violinists: what causes it and how can you fix it?
J.L.H. Thomas delves into a physical exploration of what causes numbness, as well as exercises to help strengthen muscles to alleviate its symptoms
Numbness of the fingers in violinists: what causes it and how can you fix it?
J.L.H. Thomas delves into a physical exploration of what causes numbness, as well as exercises to help strengthen muscles to alleviate its symptoms
Setting up the left hand: a guide for beginner violinists
Rachael Ridge gives some helpful pointers and a step-by-step guide delving into the nitty-gritty of left-hand set-up
Cornerstones for violinists: the Australian violinist and teacher Alice Waten on left-hand set-up
The Australian violin pedagogue Alice Waten (1947-2022) shared advice on achieving fluidity and expressivity in the left hand in an interview with Joy Lee from early 2022
BlogsFrom lockdown to lightsabre duels: R2ViolinCello on rebuilding epic film scores for just two instruments
Cellist Rowena Calvert of the husband-and-wife duo shares the background, motivation and technical challenges of arranging symphonic orchestral film scores for two stringed instruments, as the duo releases its new EP Mission Impossible
BlogsViolinist Eldbjørg Hemsing: finding new colours and perspectives in Bach
The violinist reimagines Bach’s iconic works through fresh arrangements, personal storytelling and a vibrant palette of contemporary sound, in her new album Colors of Bach
VideoJupiter Quartet performs Ginastera’s String Quartet no.1
The ensemble performs a furious and volatile Vivacissimo in its first video performance with new violinist, Mélanie Clapiès
Blogs
From lockdown to lightsabre duels: R2ViolinCello on rebuilding epic film scores for just two instruments
Cellist Rowena Calvert of the husband-and-wife duo shares the background, motivation and technical challenges of arranging symphonic orchestral film scores for two stringed instruments, as the duo releases its new EP Mission Impossible
Blogs
Violinist Eldbjørg Hemsing: finding new colours and perspectives in Bach
The violinist reimagines Bach’s iconic works through fresh arrangements, personal storytelling and a vibrant palette of contemporary sound, in her new album Colors of Bach
Video
Jupiter Quartet performs Ginastera’s String Quartet no.1
The ensemble performs a furious and volatile Vivacissimo in its first video performance with new violinist, Mélanie Clapiès
Masterclass: Beethoven Violin Sonata no.10, op.96, first movement
Simplicity is the challenge in this peaceful, pastoral movement, creating an image of Beethoven at one with nature, says violinist Lena Neudauer
Masterclass: Brahms Cello Sonata no.1 in E minor op.38, third movement
This fugal final movement requires elements of restraint where climaxes must be managed carefully, says cellist Steffan Morris
Masterclass: Beethoven Violin Sonata no.10, op.96, first movement
Simplicity is the challenge in this peaceful, pastoral movement, creating an image of Beethoven at one with nature, says violinist Lena Neudauer
Masterclass: Brahms Cello Sonata no.1 in E minor op.38, third movement
This fugal final movement requires elements of restraint where climaxes must be managed carefully, says cellist Steffan Morris
Masterclass: Brahms Violin Concerto, second movement
The feeling of rhetoric and a stream of consciousness must be represented when approaching this movement, says violinist Liza Ferschtman
More from the Playing Hub
Opinion: why don’t string players practice pizzicato?
Perfecting bowing is a lifelong quest for string players – but what about pizzicato? Cellist Davina Shum advocates setting aside some dedicated practice time to this neglected technique
Cornerstones for violinists: the Australian violinist and teacher Alice Waten on left-hand set-up
The Australian violin pedagogue Alice Waten (1947-2022) shared advice on achieving fluidity and expressivity in the left hand in an interview with Joy Lee from early 2022
Five tips for achieving flawless legato for violinists and violists
Artists from The Strad’s extensive back catalogue share their insights on playing smoothly with the bow arm
Technique: Violin bow landings with Gina McCormack
Violinist Gina McCormack on teaching bow landings in reference to Mozart
Masterclass: Beethoven Violin Sonata no.10, op.96, first movement
Simplicity is the challenge in this peaceful, pastoral movement, creating an image of Beethoven at one with nature, says violinist Lena Neudauer
Masterclass: Brahms Cello Sonata no.1 in E minor op.38, third movement
This fugal final movement requires elements of restraint where climaxes must be managed carefully, says cellist Steffan Morris
Masterclass: Brahms Violin Concerto, second movement
The feeling of rhetoric and a stream of consciousness must be represented when approaching this movement, says violinist Liza Ferschtman
Masterclass: Dvořák Romance in F minor op.11
Violinist Grace Park examines ways of creating nuance and variety in this seemingly simple piece, which is imbued with folk elements characteristic of Dvořák’s heritage
Masterclass: Beethoven Violin Sonata no.10, op.96, first movement
Simplicity is the challenge in this peaceful, pastoral movement, creating an image of Beethoven at one with nature, says violinist Lena Neudauer
Masterclass: Brahms Cello Sonata no.1 in E minor op.38, third movement
This fugal final movement requires elements of restraint where climaxes must be managed carefully, says cellist Steffan Morris
Masterclass: Brahms Violin Concerto, second movement
The feeling of rhetoric and a stream of consciousness must be represented when approaching this movement, says violinist Liza Ferschtman
Masterclass: Dvořák Romance in F minor op.11
Violinist Grace Park examines ways of creating nuance and variety in this seemingly simple piece, which is imbued with folk elements characteristic of Dvořák’s heritage
Paganini Quartet: When the stars aligned
The Paganini Quartet was formed 80 years ago in Los Angeles, named after the four Stradivari instruments in its members’ charge. Tully Potter looks at the group’s dazzling but relatively short career
‘It always comes back to listening to others’ - Alasdair Tait’s life lessons
The Scottish cellist and chief executive of Young Classical Artists Trust on communication and creativity
‘We wanted to share music that shaped us’: Esmé Quartet on a season of premieres, debuts and celebration
From its residency with San Francisco Performances to a New York debut and a tenth anniversary concert in Seoul, the Esmé Quartet reflects on a year that blends Schubert, Mendelssohn and a world-premiere by Juri Seo
Amy Beach’s Romance op.23 for double bass and piano
With pianist John Solari, double bassist Jacob Warren performs his transcription of the piece originally written for violin and piano, and shares his thoughts on the process
Paganini Quartet: When the stars aligned
The Paganini Quartet was formed 80 years ago in Los Angeles, named after the four Stradivari instruments in its members’ charge. Tully Potter looks at the group’s dazzling but relatively short career
‘It always comes back to listening to others’ - Alasdair Tait’s life lessons
The Scottish cellist and chief executive of Young Classical Artists Trust on communication and creativity
‘We wanted to share music that shaped us’: Esmé Quartet on a season of premieres, debuts and celebration
From its residency with San Francisco Performances to a New York debut and a tenth anniversary concert in Seoul, the Esmé Quartet reflects on a year that blends Schubert, Mendelssohn and a world-premiere by Juri Seo
Amy Beach’s Romance op.23 for double bass and piano
With pianist John Solari, double bassist Jacob Warren performs his transcription of the piece originally written for violin and piano, and shares his thoughts on the process
Available from The Strad Shop
-
The number one source for books, CDs, calendars and back issues of the magazine.
- THE STRAD SHOP
Keep informed
