Playing debates
-
Premium ❘ FocusOpinion: How a performing career and teaching work hand in hand
Can performers sustain their own careers while also teaching students at a high level? Violinist Irina Rostomashvili believes it is not only possible, but essential
-
Premium ❘ FocusOpinion: Duets as a teaching tool
Cellist and teacher Naomi Yandell outlines the reasons why duet playing is an essential tool in one-to-one instrumental teaching
-
BlogsWhy 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 ❘ FocusOpinion: How to navigate competitions
Lucie Robert, violinist and professor at the Manhattan School of Music, offers sage advice to young string players planning to step on to the competition path
-
Premium ❘ FocusOpinion: The dangers of perfectionism
In striving to become the best player or educator you can be, it’s important not to fall into the trap of unhelpful perfectionism, say violinists and teachers Claire Allen and Christine Goodner
-
Premium ❘ FocusOpinion: Strategies for coming back to your instrument
Returning to your instrument after a long break can be dispiriting, says cellist Davina Shum, but it’s important to take it by degrees, have faith in your ability and trust the process
-
Premium ❘ FocusOpinion: The future of lutherie after the Newark School’s course cancellations
News came in May that the Newark School of Violin Making is withdrawing its degree-level courses. Helen Michetschläger, who trained at the school, says what this might mean for the future of lutherie worldwide
-
Premium ❘ FocusOpinion: Intelligent approaches to the bow in orchestral playing
The default for many orchestral string players is to use as much bow as possible to achieve maximum projection. Violinist Alexandra Gorski argues that a more thoughtful approach is necessary
-
Premium ❘ FocusOpinion: Becoming a ‘bowist’
Violinist and teacher Alun Thomas explains why, when working on our technique and expression, string players should focus much more attention to the right arm than we might at first imagine
-
Premium ❘ FocusOpinion: The importance of repetition in teaching
In the practice of teaching, the value and beauty of repetition must always be encouraged, says violinist and pioneering Suzuki pedagogue Helen Brunner
-
Premium ❘ FocusOpinion: Embracing diversity in string teaching
Having made the difficult journey from an unbending conservatoire education to a fulfilling career playing and teaching non-classical styles, French violinist Scott Tixier says it’s essential to embrace diversity in music education
-
Premium ❘ FocusOpinion: Making the most out of chamber music coaching
Playing chamber music well is the most valuable, and demanding, lesson for both string students and their teachers, says cellist David Finckel. He shares his own wealth of experience for making the most of coaching sessions
-
Premium ❘ FocusOpinion: AI vs live performance?
Even with the proliferation of technology such as generative AI in the music industry, violist Toby Deller believes there will always be a strong human need to experience live performance
-
Premium ❘ FocusOpinion: Practising scales in sequential order
While most string players agree that scales and arpeggios are the basic building blocks for good technique, cellist Robert Jesselson says that it’s essential to practise them sequentially to gain the maximum benefit
-
Premium ❘ FocusOpinion: Avoid overloading students with information
Double bassist Alex Ferkey believes that young string players are often derailed by information overload, and should trust more in unconscious processes when trying to perfect their technique
-
Premium ❘ FocusOpinion: Independence of the left-hand thumb
To free up left-hand technique, violinist and teacher Martin Goldman encourages players to think more carefully about their thumb as an independent entity, yet still in close partnership with the four fingers
-
Premium ❘ FocusOpinion: 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
-
Premium ❘ FocusOpinion: The benefits and challenges of playing at the back of the section
While the musicians at the front of an orchestral string section might be in the spotlight, every string player should experience the unique challenges of sitting towards the back, says violinist Alexandra Gorski
-
Premium ❘ FocusOpinion: Criticism in teaching
Cellist and teacher Naomi Yandell explores the fine line between nagging and getting a point across by reminder and reinforcement, and suggests that a less verbal approach can often yield good results
-
Premium ❘ FocusOpinion: How improvisation can help with perfectionism
Having discovered a love of improvisation during the pandemic, cellist Simone Seales believes that the practice can free classically trained musicians from a typically unhealthy fear of imperfection
