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Improve your playing in the Playing Hub
Technique: Working with hypermobile violinists
Drawing from both personal and teaching experience, violinist Usha Kapoor outlines the ways players and teachers can deal with hypermobility
Technique: Shifting on the double bass
Shifting can be especially tricky for bassists, Nina Decesare gives tips on how to best approach it
Technique: Latin American music techniques and rhythms
Cellist David Chew presents tips on approaching Latin American rhythms, in particular from Brazil
Premium ❘ Feature
Technique: Working with hypermobile violinists
Drawing from both personal and teaching experience, violinist Usha Kapoor outlines the ways players and teachers can deal with hypermobility
Premium ❘ Feature
Technique: Shifting on the double bass
Shifting can be especially tricky for bassists, Nina Decesare gives tips on how to best approach it
Premium ❘ Feature
Technique: Latin American music techniques and rhythms
Cellist David Chew presents tips on approaching Latin American rhythms, in particular from Brazil
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
Why practice doesn’t prepare musicians for performance
Violinist and educator Maggie Watson explores why performance feels so different from the practice room, revealing how perception, the nervous system and psychological skills shape what really happens under pressure, and how musicians can train for the stage as deliberately as they train their technique
Why practice doesn’t prepare musicians for performance
Violinist and educator Maggie Watson explores why performance feels so different from the practice room, revealing how perception, the nervous system and psychological skills shape what really happens under pressure, and how musicians can train for the stage as deliberately as they train their 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
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
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
Those notorious liars: thirds and sixths!
Getting the intonation right on your thirds and sixths can be tricky and misleading. Cellist Michael Reynolds shares some strategies to make the process less painful and more in tune
Those notorious liars: thirds and sixths!
Getting the intonation right on your thirds and sixths can be tricky and misleading. Cellist Michael Reynolds shares some strategies to make the process less painful and more in tune
What in-tarnation? Exploring expressive intonation with cellist Michael Reynolds
Cellist Michael Reynolds shares the importance of expressive intonation, as well as practical intonation tips that should prevent your string quartet from disbanding!
‘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
BlogsHow I won my job at the San Francisco Symphony, aged 18
Cellist Starla Breshears shares her experiences winning a job with an orchestra, from preparing excerpts to navigating the trial period
Premium ❘ Focus‘Chamber music is a microcosm of life’ - Paul Huang’s life lessons
The Taiwanese–American violinist on his formative influences and the importance of chamber music
BlogsCrafting a violin for Alican Süner: a maker’s story
Violin maker Nurgül Çomak explores craftsmanship, emotion and serendipity through the story of the instrument she built for Alican Süner
Blogs
How I won my job at the San Francisco Symphony, aged 18
Cellist Starla Breshears shares her experiences winning a job with an orchestra, from preparing excerpts to navigating the trial period
Premium ❘ Focus
‘Chamber music is a microcosm of life’ - Paul Huang’s life lessons
The Taiwanese–American violinist on his formative influences and the importance of chamber music
Blogs
Crafting a violin for Alican Süner: a maker’s story
Violin maker Nurgül Çomak explores craftsmanship, emotion and serendipity through the story of the instrument she built for Alican Süner
Masterclass: Chausson Poème for Violin and Orchestra op.25
Understanding the harmonic framework is key to making sense of Chausson’s fluid, freely structured Poème, says violinist Maria Włoszczowska
Masterclass: Schubert Piano Trio no.2 in E flat major, first movement
David and Edgar Moreau dive into Schubert’s sound world, exploring colour, balance and the expressive detail that shapes their interpretation of this late work
Masterclass: Chausson Poème for Violin and Orchestra op.25
Understanding the harmonic framework is key to making sense of Chausson’s fluid, freely structured Poème, says violinist Maria Włoszczowska
Masterclass: Schubert Piano Trio no.2 in E flat major, first movement
David and Edgar Moreau dive into Schubert’s sound world, exploring colour, balance and the expressive detail that shapes their interpretation of this late work
Masterclass: Bruch Violin Concerto no.1, second movement
Bella Hristova outlines the importance of pacing oneself and creating a hierarchy of intensity in this popular slow movement
More from the Playing Hub
6 tips for improved coordination
Guidance from The Strad’s archive for greater synchronisation between left-hand fingers and bow
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
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
Masterclass: Chausson Poème for Violin and Orchestra op.25
Understanding the harmonic framework is key to making sense of Chausson’s fluid, freely structured Poème, says violinist Maria Włoszczowska
Masterclass: Schubert Piano Trio no.2 in E flat major, first movement
David and Edgar Moreau dive into Schubert’s sound world, exploring colour, balance and the expressive detail that shapes their interpretation of this late work
Masterclass: Bruch Violin Concerto no.1, second movement
Bella Hristova outlines the importance of pacing oneself and creating a hierarchy of intensity in this popular slow movement
Masterclass: Beethoven String Quartet no.11 op.95 ‘Serioso’, first movement
This whirlwind movement represents a turbulent time in the composer’s life, evident in the work’s relentless momentum and extreme characters, says Ariel Quartet cellist Amit Even-Tov
Masterclass: Chausson Poème for Violin and Orchestra op.25
Understanding the harmonic framework is key to making sense of Chausson’s fluid, freely structured Poème, says violinist Maria Włoszczowska
Masterclass: Schubert Piano Trio no.2 in E flat major, first movement
David and Edgar Moreau dive into Schubert’s sound world, exploring colour, balance and the expressive detail that shapes their interpretation of this late work
Masterclass: Bruch Violin Concerto no.1, second movement
Bella Hristova outlines the importance of pacing oneself and creating a hierarchy of intensity in this popular slow movement
Masterclass: Beethoven String Quartet no.11 op.95 ‘Serioso’, first movement
This whirlwind movement represents a turbulent time in the composer’s life, evident in the work’s relentless momentum and extreme characters, says Ariel Quartet cellist Amit Even-Tov
‘We’re all winners’ – an interview with 2026 Queen Elisabeth Cello Competition first laureate, Ettore Pagano
Fresh from his victory in Brussels, the Italian cellist chats with Davina Shum about competition preparation and challenges, making bold repertoire choices, and his unique chance to play on Casals’ cello for four years
Homecoming with TwoSet Violin: ‘Sacrilegious Games’ in Australia, NZ and Singapore
From 7 June 2026, musical comedy duo TwoSet Violin will embark on a homecoming tour of Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, bringing their highly successful Sacrilegious Games show from sold out venues in the US, Europe and the UK. Davina Shum caught up with Brett Yang on what to expect
Analysis June 2026: How musical institutions have endured in Ukraine five years on
The Russo-Ukrainian war is now in its fifth year. How have Ukrainian music institutions adapted to the ongoing situation and the ever-present threat of drone attacks?
Session Report: the Catalyst Quartet on recording the Chevalier de Saint-Georges quartets
Catalyst Quartet violinist Karla Donehew Perez speaks to Thomas May about the focus required to reconstruct and record all 18 string quartets by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges
‘We’re all winners’ – an interview with 2026 Queen Elisabeth Cello Competition first laureate, Ettore Pagano
Fresh from his victory in Brussels, the Italian cellist chats with Davina Shum about competition preparation and challenges, making bold repertoire choices, and his unique chance to play on Casals’ cello for four years
Homecoming with TwoSet Violin: ‘Sacrilegious Games’ in Australia, NZ and Singapore
From 7 June 2026, musical comedy duo TwoSet Violin will embark on a homecoming tour of Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, bringing their highly successful Sacrilegious Games show from sold out venues in the US, Europe and the UK. Davina Shum caught up with Brett Yang on what to expect
Analysis June 2026: How musical institutions have endured in Ukraine five years on
The Russo-Ukrainian war is now in its fifth year. How have Ukrainian music institutions adapted to the ongoing situation and the ever-present threat of drone attacks?
Session Report: the Catalyst Quartet on recording the Chevalier de Saint-Georges quartets
Catalyst Quartet violinist Karla Donehew Perez speaks to Thomas May about the focus required to reconstruct and record all 18 string quartets by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges
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