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Improve your playing in the Playing Hub
Technique: Latin American music techniques and rhythms
Cellist David Chew presents tips on approaching Latin American rhythms, in particular from Brazil
Technique: Integrating improvisation into your daily practice
Swedish violist Henrik Frendin on how to add the technique to your everyday playing
Technique: thoughts on up- and down-bow staccato
Miclen LaiPang shares tips on the often-notorious technique
Premium ❘ Feature
Technique: Latin American music techniques and rhythms
Cellist David Chew presents tips on approaching Latin American rhythms, in particular from Brazil
Premium ❘ Feature
Technique: Integrating improvisation into your daily practice
Swedish violist Henrik Frendin on how to add the technique to your everyday playing
Premium ❘ Feature
Technique: thoughts on up- and down-bow staccato
Miclen LaiPang shares tips on the often-notorious technique
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
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!
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
Blogs‘Hold on, do what you can!’: Peter Sheppard Skærved on Michael Hersch’s ‘Zwischen Leben und Tod’
British violinist Peter Sheppard Skærved, known for his wide-ranging repertoire and interdisciplinary work, discusses the challenges and rewards of recording Hersch’s monumental cycle engaging with the paintings and drawings of Peter Weiss
BlogsConsistency is not about doing more
Just because you are busy does not mean you are productive. Michael Brook explores how stepping back, setting boundaries and protecting attention can transform consistency and elevate musical performance
BlogsBeethoven reimagined: ‘The Kreutzer Project’ by Colin Jacobsen
Richard Linnett reports back from Santa Fe Pro Musica’s season finale on 3 May, featuring a varied programme including Beethoven’s ‘Kreutzer’ Sonata and works inspired by it
Blogs
‘Hold on, do what you can!’: Peter Sheppard Skærved on Michael Hersch’s ‘Zwischen Leben und Tod’
British violinist Peter Sheppard Skærved, known for his wide-ranging repertoire and interdisciplinary work, discusses the challenges and rewards of recording Hersch’s monumental cycle engaging with the paintings and drawings of Peter Weiss
Blogs
Consistency is not about doing more
Just because you are busy does not mean you are productive. Michael Brook explores how stepping back, setting boundaries and protecting attention can transform consistency and elevate musical performance
Blogs
Beethoven reimagined: ‘The Kreutzer Project’ by Colin Jacobsen
Richard Linnett reports back from Santa Fe Pro Musica’s season finale on 3 May, featuring a varied programme including Beethoven’s ‘Kreutzer’ Sonata and works inspired by it
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: 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
More from the Playing Hub
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
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
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: Hoffmeister Viola Concerto in D major, first movement
Knowledge of the Classical style, technical proficiency and musical creativity are keys to making this movement successful beyond audition preparation, says violist Louise Lansdown
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: Hoffmeister Viola Concerto in D major, first movement
Knowledge of the Classical style, technical proficiency and musical creativity are keys to making this movement successful beyond audition preparation, says violist Louise Lansdown
No string player is a musical island: the benefits of duets for students
Fresh from publishing her book Duo Gems, Jennifer Maslin outlines the myriad ways chamber music can impact overall musician training
‘He has brought us invaluable method’: celebrating violinist Felix Andrievsky at 90
A birthday party was held for the long-time violin professor at London’s Royal College of Music on 1 May
Ten practical ways to make your strings classroom more inclusive (without burning out)
When music lessons are designed for inclusion, all students benefit. Katherine Findlay Hagstrom offers some practical strategies and methods for meeting the needs of students in large string ensemble settings, to ensure that music making is enjoyed by everyone
In search of the Spiritillo: freedom, ornamentation and the Mediterranean sound
Cristina Prats Costa outlines the inspiration behind her solo recording debut Spiritillo Mediterraneo, a portrait of Baroque music shaped by Mediterranean cultures that reflects her own artistic journey and heritage
No string player is a musical island: the benefits of duets for students
Fresh from publishing her book Duo Gems, Jennifer Maslin outlines the myriad ways chamber music can impact overall musician training
‘He has brought us invaluable method’: celebrating violinist Felix Andrievsky at 90
A birthday party was held for the long-time violin professor at London’s Royal College of Music on 1 May
Ten practical ways to make your strings classroom more inclusive (without burning out)
When music lessons are designed for inclusion, all students benefit. Katherine Findlay Hagstrom offers some practical strategies and methods for meeting the needs of students in large string ensemble settings, to ensure that music making is enjoyed by everyone
In search of the Spiritillo: freedom, ornamentation and the Mediterranean sound
Cristina Prats Costa outlines the inspiration behind her solo recording debut Spiritillo Mediterraneo, a portrait of Baroque music shaped by Mediterranean cultures that reflects her own artistic journey and heritage
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