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Improve your playing in the Playing Hub
Technique: Comfortable double bass playing
Finding effortless ways to play with bassist Yung-Chiao Wei
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: Cello sound production
Cellist Alexander Baillie guides those starting to explore sound options with the bow
Premium ❘ Feature
Technique: Comfortable double bass playing
Finding effortless ways to play with bassist Yung-Chiao Wei
Blogs
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
Premium ❘ Feature
Technique: Cello sound production
Cellist Alexander Baillie guides those starting to explore sound options with the bow
7 tips on adjustments to get the best out of your instrument
The finest Stradivari in the world will sound poor if it is badly set up. Here are some points to consider sourced from our archive
‘Beautiful heart, beautiful tone’: Shinichi Suzuki's philosophy on sound
In this extract from the September 2021 issue, violinist and teacher Helen Brunner shares personal reminiscences of working on tone with Shinichi Suzuki
7 pointers for perfect pizzicato
Advice on plucking and strumming from 120 years of The Strad
7 pointers for perfect pizzicato
Advice on plucking and strumming from 120 years of The Strad
How harmonics and singing can help to build a sound technique
Violin and viola pedagogue Jane Metcalfe discusses using techniques inspired by Kodály and Colourstrings methods
‘Begin with some finger push-ups’ - Technique: Left-hand finger independence
How to build strength and flexibility for a truly agile left hand with Adriana LaRosa Ransom, professor of cello and string project director at Illinois State University, US
‘We still get nervous’: violinist Brett Yang on performance nerves
The key to dealing with performance anxiety and nerves is to have the confidence to gain more experience performing, says the violinist
‘We still get nervous’: violinist Brett Yang on performance nerves
The key to dealing with performance anxiety and nerves is to have the confidence to gain more experience performing, says the violinist
Opinion: The Wisdom of Yoda
In the Star Wars universe, Jedi Master Yoda is the ultimate teacher – and his insights can be applied just as readily to string playing as to learning the ways of the Force, writes cellist Brian Hodges
Opinion: Jedi Wisdom for string playing
In the second of his articles, mining the wisdom of the Star Wars universe, cellist Brian Hodges explains how the teachings of the Jedi can be applied to string playing
Technique: Finding your voice on the viola
Susie Mészáros’s thoughts on shifting and articulation
Technique: Finding your voice on the viola
Susie Mészáros’s thoughts on shifting and articulation
Blue Sky Teaching: Using creative approaches to refine students’ technique
In our June 2019 issue, Judith Kogan spoke with three string teachers, all based in North America and whose unique ideas are achieving significant results
How to make scales enjoyable
Encouraging students to practise scales needn't be an uphill struggle, says Paul Harris - in fact, it can even be fun!
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
Technique: Violin bow landings with Gina McCormack
Violinist Gina McCormack on teaching bow landings in reference to Mozart
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
Violinist Aaron Rosand on how to produce a good vibrato
The American violinist examines the role of vibrato in enhancing sound and providing character. From 2017
‘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
Ask the Experts: how to encourage students to trust their ears
A reader asks what can be done to help young students who rely on learning finger placement rather than trusting their ears. Three teachers give their views
4 ways Bach can improve your playing: Violinist Rebeca Nuez Suarez
Rebeca Nuez Suarez reflects on the application of Bach’s Solo Violin Sonatas and Partitas in the technical and musical development of young performers
How to memorise earlier and smarter: Adam Hockman
The practice and performance consultant identifies what causes memory slips and gives tips on improving memorisation technique
How to memorise earlier and smarter: Adam Hockman
The practice and performance consultant identifies what causes memory slips and gives tips on improving memorisation technique
How to improve your aural skills and ditch your sheet music in 5 easy steps
Simplicity, curiosity and diligence are the keys to learning by ear, according to violinist Lissa Schneckenburger
Should soloists always perform music from memory?
Pointless and terrifying, or essential for musical communication? Playing without the music arouses some strong opinions, finds Laurinel Owen
Playing Fast: add these above-and-beyond rhythm exercises to your practice routine
Changing up rhythm and metre are great ways to get that fast passagework down, writes violinist Susanna Klein
Playing Fast: add these above-and-beyond rhythm exercises to your practice routine
Changing up rhythm and metre are great ways to get that fast passagework down, writes violinist Susanna Klein
6 tips for practising fast passages: violinist Susanna Klein
Susanna Klein gives advice on left and right hand dexterity and coordination for violinists wanting to improve their virtuosity
Technique: Octaves for cellists
Cellist Seth Parker Woods on overcoming the fear and finding joy in octave practice
BlogsCornerstones for violinists: the Australian violinist and teacher Alice Waten (1947-2022)
Liza Wilson remembers the violin pedagogue and examines the principles and methodology behind her famed teaching
Premium ❘ FeatureTelemann’s Viol Fantaisies on the viola
When a long-lost set of Telemann bass viol fantaisies was found in a private collection a few years ago, Mikhail ‘Misha’ Galaganov set about arranging them for the viola. Here he explores the history of the works and reveals some of the challenges he encountered in his quest
ArticleDragonflies, monsoons and the Somali Jet inspire a new violin concerto for Johan Dalene
Swedish composer Tebogo Monnakgotla speaks to The Strad about how she went about writing her new concerto, which depicts the migration system of dragonflies across the Indian Ocean
Blogs
Cornerstones for violinists: the Australian violinist and teacher Alice Waten (1947-2022)
Liza Wilson remembers the violin pedagogue and examines the principles and methodology behind her famed teaching
Premium ❘ Feature
Telemann’s Viol Fantaisies on the viola
When a long-lost set of Telemann bass viol fantaisies was found in a private collection a few years ago, Mikhail ‘Misha’ Galaganov set about arranging them for the viola. Here he explores the history of the works and reveals some of the challenges he encountered in his quest
Article
Dragonflies, monsoons and the Somali Jet inspire a new violin concerto for Johan Dalene
Swedish composer Tebogo Monnakgotla speaks to The Strad about how she went about writing her new concerto, which depicts the migration system of dragonflies across the Indian Ocean
Masterclass: Vadim Gluzman on Brahms’s Violin Sonata no.1
The Israeli violinist discusses why colour, shading and restraint are key in the first movement of this often-misinterpreted work.
Masterclass: Dvořák Cello Concerto first movement
Cellist Hannah Roberts looks to subtlety and nuance in the quest to communicate this titan of the repertoire with mastery
Masterclass: Torleif Thedéen on the Lalo Cello Concerto
Cellist Torleif Thedéen discusses how to give a rhythmic, characterful performance of the first movement of this often-neglected work
The Strad Podcast #104: Brescia vs Cremona with luthier Linda Lespets
What was life like for instrument makers in Brescia? What was the making style like? Why hasn’t Brescia retained the same reputation as Cremona? Linda spotlights the home of Da Salò, Maggini and Rogeri
The Strad Podcast #103: adult learner mindset with violinist Rachael Ridge
Embracing gradual growth and progress, curiosity and a willingness to make mistakes is crucial for adults learning a musical instrument, says the violinist
The Strad Podcast #102: teaching students to teach themselves with cellist Laurence Lesser
In celebration of his 85th birthday and 50 years at the New England Conservatory, Laurence speaks about his teaching approaches, including valuable ’a-ha’ moments from throughout his career
Masterclass: Vadim Gluzman on Brahms’s Violin Sonata no.1
The Israeli violinist discusses why colour, shading and restraint are key in the first movement of this often-misinterpreted work.
Masterclass: Dvořák Cello Concerto first movement
Cellist Hannah Roberts looks to subtlety and nuance in the quest to communicate this titan of the repertoire with mastery
Masterclass: Torleif Thedéen on the Lalo Cello Concerto
Cellist Torleif Thedéen discusses how to give a rhythmic, characterful performance of the first movement of this often-neglected work
The Strad Podcast #104: Brescia vs Cremona with luthier Linda Lespets
What was life like for instrument makers in Brescia? What was the making style like? Why hasn’t Brescia retained the same reputation as Cremona? Linda spotlights the home of Da Salò, Maggini and Rogeri
The Strad Podcast #103: adult learner mindset with violinist Rachael Ridge
Embracing gradual growth and progress, curiosity and a willingness to make mistakes is crucial for adults learning a musical instrument, says the violinist
The Strad Podcast #102: teaching students to teach themselves with cellist Laurence Lesser
In celebration of his 85th birthday and 50 years at the New England Conservatory, Laurence speaks about his teaching approaches, including valuable ’a-ha’ moments from throughout his career
More from the Playing Hub
Playing Fast: add these above-and-beyond rhythm exercises to your practice routine
Changing up rhythm and metre are great ways to get that fast passagework down, writes violinist Susanna Klein
6 tips for practising fast passages: violinist Susanna Klein
Susanna Klein gives advice on left and right hand dexterity and coordination for violinists wanting to improve their virtuosity
How to memorise earlier and smarter: Adam Hockman
The practice and performance consultant identifies what causes memory slips and gives tips on improving memorisation technique
Technique: Octaves for cellists
Cellist Seth Parker Woods on overcoming the fear and finding joy in octave practice
Masterclass: Vadim Gluzman on Brahms’s Violin Sonata no.1
The Israeli violinist discusses why colour, shading and restraint are key in the first movement of this often-misinterpreted work.
Masterclass: Dvořák Cello Concerto first movement
Cellist Hannah Roberts looks to subtlety and nuance in the quest to communicate this titan of the repertoire with mastery
Masterclass: Torleif Thedéen on the Lalo Cello Concerto
Cellist Torleif Thedéen discusses how to give a rhythmic, characterful performance of the first movement of this often-neglected work
Masterclass: Paul Neubauer on Schubert’s Arpeggione Sonata - second and third movements
Violist Paul Neubauer considers the merits of a more Classical interpretation for this often over-romanticised work
Masterclass: Vadim Gluzman on Brahms’s Violin Sonata no.1
The Israeli violinist discusses why colour, shading and restraint are key in the first movement of this often-misinterpreted work.
Masterclass: Dvořák Cello Concerto first movement
Cellist Hannah Roberts looks to subtlety and nuance in the quest to communicate this titan of the repertoire with mastery
Masterclass: Torleif Thedéen on the Lalo Cello Concerto
Cellist Torleif Thedéen discusses how to give a rhythmic, characterful performance of the first movement of this often-neglected work
Masterclass: Paul Neubauer on Schubert’s Arpeggione Sonata - second and third movements
Violist Paul Neubauer considers the merits of a more Classical interpretation for this often over-romanticised work
Life Lessons: Violinist Hilary Hahn
Adrenalin can be helpful, says the American violinist, but you should never forget the true reasons for performance
Opinion: 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
Practice Diary: cellist Hannah Roberts
The British cellist chooses her warm-up keys carefully before tackling the trickiest passages of Dvořák’s Concerto – leaving the best bits till last
‘Compares well to Paganini’s most difficult writing!’: Pieter Schoeman on Florence Price’s Violin Concerto no.2
Ahead of a performance on 29 November, the London Philharmonic Orchestra leader recalls the joys and challenges of a work he’d not heard until a few years ago, as well as tips and advice for those learning the piece
Life Lessons: Violinist Hilary Hahn
Adrenalin can be helpful, says the American violinist, but you should never forget the true reasons for performance
Opinion: 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
Practice Diary: cellist Hannah Roberts
The British cellist chooses her warm-up keys carefully before tackling the trickiest passages of Dvořák’s Concerto – leaving the best bits till last
‘Compares well to Paganini’s most difficult writing!’: Pieter Schoeman on Florence Price’s Violin Concerto no.2
Ahead of a performance on 29 November, the London Philharmonic Orchestra leader recalls the joys and challenges of a work he’d not heard until a few years ago, as well as tips and advice for those learning the piece
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