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Improve your playing in the Playing Hub
Technique: Octaves for cellists
Cellist Seth Parker Woods on overcoming the fear and finding joy in octave practice
6 ways to improve left-hand flexibility
Tips from The Strad’s archive on increasing suppleness of movement and reducing tension
How Bach enhances right-hand dexterity: Violinist Rebeca Nuez Suarez
Rebeca Nuez Suarez discusses the contribution the Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin by Bach can make to gaining dexterity and strength in the right hand
Premium ❘ Feature
Technique: Octaves for cellists
Cellist Seth Parker Woods on overcoming the fear and finding joy in octave practice
Feature
6 ways to improve left-hand flexibility
Tips from The Strad’s archive on increasing suppleness of movement and reducing tension
Blogs
How Bach enhances right-hand dexterity: Violinist Rebeca Nuez Suarez
Rebeca Nuez Suarez discusses the contribution the Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin by Bach can make to gaining dexterity and strength in the right hand
‘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
‘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
Learning about your performance anxiety: Adam Hockman
Understanding what influences your performance anxiety is the key to overcoming stage fright, writes practice and performance consultant Adam Hockman
Learning about your performance anxiety: Adam Hockman
Understanding what influences your performance anxiety is the key to overcoming stage fright, writes practice and performance consultant Adam Hockman
New free video tutorial series aims to boost performance skills in young musicians
Starting 16 January 2023, the Stringcredibles will release weekly videos to boost young musicians’ performance skills
8 tips for good muscular health as a performer
Looking after your body is the key to meeting the physical demands of a busy performance lifestyle, writes violinist Davina Clarke
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!
The Art of Vibrato: Techniques and Tips for Violinists
Donna Maurer offers six tips to help violinists master the technique of vibrato
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
9 ways to develop a flexible bow hold
Advice for string players on avoiding tension in the bow hand and wrist from The Strad's archive
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
Cellist Steven Isserlis on using vibrato to improve phrasing
Steven Isserlis gives a cello masterclass on Schumann's Fantasiestücke op.73, recorded at the International Musicians' Seminar, Prussia Cove. The student is Ani Kalayjian
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
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 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
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
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
By heart, with heart: memorising an entire symphony
Aurora Orchestra have become renowned for presenting entire symphonies by memory since 2014. Principal double bass Benjamin Griffiths shares his experiences and unexpected joys of memorising entire symphonic works
6 ways to improve left-hand flexibility
Tips from The Strad’s archive on increasing suppleness of movement and reducing tension
6 ways to improve left-hand flexibility
Tips from The Strad’s archive on increasing suppleness of movement and reducing tension
Technique: how to play chords
How to tackle multi-stopped passages with more confidence, musicality and alacrity with Pavel Berman
Technique: Developing powerful base knuckles
Stephen Upshaw on developing powerful base knuckles in both hands for tension-free playing
- Blogs
‘Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto is physically demanding’: Nemanja Radulović
The violinist shares his thoughts on this challenging, yet beautiful work
- Blogs
Studio Strings: Recording the violin’s timeless sound
Donna Maurer provides simple tips for getting the best results from a home studio
- Blogs
How I play both baroque and modern violin: Anna Urpina
Focus, preparation and a willingness to adapt are keys to performing on two different instruments
Blogs
‘Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto is physically demanding’: Nemanja Radulović
The violinist shares his thoughts on this challenging, yet beautiful work
Blogs
Studio Strings: Recording the violin’s timeless sound
Donna Maurer provides simple tips for getting the best results from a home studio
Blogs
How I play both baroque and modern violin: Anna Urpina
Focus, preparation and a willingness to adapt are keys to performing on two different instruments
Masterclass: Mozart Violin Concerto no.4 in D major K218
Violinist Francesca Dego looks at how to play the final movement of this violin concerto with direction, musicality and a sense of fun
Masterclass: Mendelssohn Violin Concerto 2nd movement
Violinist Tessa Lark delves beneath the surface to discover why the concerto’s second movement is such a pleasure to perform
Masterclass: Ray Chen on Mozart Violin Concerto no.3
Ray Chen gives bowings, fingerings and ideas for interpretation in the first movement of the popular G major Concerto K216
The Strad Podcast #79: Iris Zhulla on bow repair and restoration
Iris shares her philosophy behind repairing bows, as well as some simple tips for keeping one’s bow in good health
The Strad Podcast #78: Seth Parker Woods on practising octaves for cellists
The cellist shares his strategies for breaking down this tricky technical concept
The Strad Podcast #77: 2023 Sphinx Competition winner Njioma Grevious
The violinist shares her strategies for competition and performance preparation, as well as how she embodies the character of a piece on stage
Masterclass: Mozart Violin Concerto no.4 in D major K218
Violinist Francesca Dego looks at how to play the final movement of this violin concerto with direction, musicality and a sense of fun
Masterclass: Mendelssohn Violin Concerto 2nd movement
Violinist Tessa Lark delves beneath the surface to discover why the concerto’s second movement is such a pleasure to perform
Masterclass: Ray Chen on Mozart Violin Concerto no.3
Ray Chen gives bowings, fingerings and ideas for interpretation in the first movement of the popular G major Concerto K216
The Strad Podcast #79: Iris Zhulla on bow repair and restoration
Iris shares her philosophy behind repairing bows, as well as some simple tips for keeping one’s bow in good health
The Strad Podcast #78: Seth Parker Woods on practising octaves for cellists
The cellist shares his strategies for breaking down this tricky technical concept
The Strad Podcast #77: 2023 Sphinx Competition winner Njioma Grevious
The violinist shares her strategies for competition and performance preparation, as well as how she embodies the character of a piece on stage
More from the Playing Hub
Cellist Pablo Casals on expressive intonation
The great artist believed that 50 per cent of a player's total dramatic power lay in exaggerated intonation, writes former pupil Pamela Hind O'Malley
Ask the Experts: how to help a beginner pupil with intonation issues
Strad readers submit their problems and queries about string playing, teaching or making to our experts
From the Archive: the difficulties of playing in tune
The Strad writer E. Polonaski bemoans the number of string players with suspect intonation in our March 1893 issue
Cellist Pablo Casals on expressive intonation
The great artist believed that 50 per cent of a player's total dramatic power lay in exaggerated intonation, writes former pupil Pamela Hind O'Malley
Ask the Experts: how to help a beginner pupil with intonation issues
Strad readers submit their problems and queries about string playing, teaching or making to our experts
From the Archive: the difficulties of playing in tune
The Strad writer E. Polonaski bemoans the number of string players with suspect intonation in our March 1893 issue
Masterclass: Mozart Violin Concerto no.4 in D major K218
Violinist Francesca Dego looks at how to play the final movement of this violin concerto with direction, musicality and a sense of fun
Masterclass: Mendelssohn Violin Concerto 2nd movement
Violinist Tessa Lark delves beneath the surface to discover why the concerto’s second movement is such a pleasure to perform
Masterclass: Ray Chen on Mozart Violin Concerto no.3
Ray Chen gives bowings, fingerings and ideas for interpretation in the first movement of the popular G major Concerto K216
Masterclass: Julia Fischer on Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, Third Movement
Conversations between instruments, harmony and articulation all form part of Julia Fischer’s discussion of this joyous third movement
Masterclass: Mozart Violin Concerto no.4 in D major K218
Violinist Francesca Dego looks at how to play the final movement of this violin concerto with direction, musicality and a sense of fun
Masterclass: Mendelssohn Violin Concerto 2nd movement
Violinist Tessa Lark delves beneath the surface to discover why the concerto’s second movement is such a pleasure to perform
Masterclass: Ray Chen on Mozart Violin Concerto no.3
Ray Chen gives bowings, fingerings and ideas for interpretation in the first movement of the popular G major Concerto K216
Masterclass: Julia Fischer on Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, Third Movement
Conversations between instruments, harmony and articulation all form part of Julia Fischer’s discussion of this joyous third movement
Sentimental Work: Viotti’s Ranz des Vaches
Peter Sheppard Skærved on how Viotti’s short piece Ranz des Vaches had a seismic effect on him
‘My whole person was struck by extraordinary tones’: G.B. Viotti on the ‘Ranz des Vaches’
In the March 2023 issue, violinist Peter Sheppard Skærved discusses his love for this short piece by Giovanni Battista Viotti (1755–1824).
Peter Sheppard Skærved gives an open-air performance of Viotti’s Ranz des Vaches
The British violinist chose the piece as his Sentimental Work for the March 2023 issue
Schubert transports me to another world: violinist Stella Chen
‘To play Schubert’s music, you have to bare your whole soul’
Sentimental Work: Viotti’s Ranz des Vaches
Peter Sheppard Skærved on how Viotti’s short piece Ranz des Vaches had a seismic effect on him
‘My whole person was struck by extraordinary tones’: G.B. Viotti on the ‘Ranz des Vaches’
In the March 2023 issue, violinist Peter Sheppard Skærved discusses his love for this short piece by Giovanni Battista Viotti (1755–1824).
Peter Sheppard Skærved gives an open-air performance of Viotti’s Ranz des Vaches
The British violinist chose the piece as his Sentimental Work for the March 2023 issue
Schubert transports me to another world: violinist Stella Chen
‘To play Schubert’s music, you have to bare your whole soul’
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