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Improve your playing in the Playing Hub
Technique: Moving from violin to viola
Australian violist Stephen King outlines tips for making the switch
Technique: Violin bow landings with Gina McCormack
Violinist Gina McCormack on teaching bow landings in reference to Mozart
Technique: Double bass sound production
Alexandra Scott on starting to free your sound on the double bass
Premium ❘ Feature
Technique: Moving from violin to viola
Australian violist Stephen King outlines tips for making the switch
Premium ❘ Feature
Technique: Violin bow landings with Gina McCormack
Violinist Gina McCormack on teaching bow landings in reference to Mozart
Premium ❘ Feature
Technique: Double bass sound production
Alexandra Scott on starting to free your sound on the double bass
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
Our bow is our breath: cellist John-Henry Crawford
Understanding the relationship between the bow and the voice is key to creating a singing line, as the cellist discovered while preparing his new album Voice of Rachmaninoff
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
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 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
Blogs‘Music is a powerful tool for education and awareness’: violinist Rebekah Reid
The violinist shares how using a combination of acoustics, improvisation and electronics to the themes of synchronicity and cycles provided her with the tools to create music for the podcast 28ish Days Later, helping break taboos surrounding discussions of the female menstrual cycle
FocusDo string students really need to learn note names? Teacher’s notes with Philippa Bunting
Learning the names of notes can be one of the first stumbling blocks for beginner pupils. But it doesn’t have to be
Premium ❘ Focus‘As though we’d been playing together for years’ - Double Acts: Emmanuelle Bertrand and Pascal Amoyel
French cellist Emmanuelle Bertrand and her duo partner and compatriot, pianist Pascal Amoyel, on why they are each other’s ‘musical barometer’.
Blogs
‘Music is a powerful tool for education and awareness’: violinist Rebekah Reid
The violinist shares how using a combination of acoustics, improvisation and electronics to the themes of synchronicity and cycles provided her with the tools to create music for the podcast 28ish Days Later, helping break taboos surrounding discussions of the female menstrual cycle
Focus
Do string students really need to learn note names? Teacher’s notes with Philippa Bunting
Learning the names of notes can be one of the first stumbling blocks for beginner pupils. But it doesn’t have to be
Premium ❘ Focus
‘As though we’d been playing together for years’ - Double Acts: Emmanuelle Bertrand and Pascal Amoyel
French cellist Emmanuelle Bertrand and her duo partner and compatriot, pianist Pascal Amoyel, on why they are each other’s ‘musical barometer’.
Masterclass: Hoffmeister’s Violone Concerto no.1 in E flat major
Double bassist Edicson Ruiz provides help on Hoffmeister’s concerto with Viennese tuning
Masterclass: Koussevitzky Double Bass Concerto, first movement
Double bass soloist Leon Bosch uncovers the challenges and opportunities of this emotionally powerful piece
Masterclass: Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto no.2 in G minor op.63
Violinist James Ehnes provides his insight into tackling the tricky technical demands of this lyrical masterpiece
The Strad Podcast #96: Christian Tetzlaff on Bartók Violin Concerto no.2
The violinist shares his personal experience and thoughts on the work
The Strad Podcast #95: Historical instrument chat with violinist Rachel Podger
Rachel speaks about the tools of her trade in this episode of the ‘Podgecast’
The Strad Podcast #94: a theatrical Verklärte Nacht with cellist Matthew Barley
The cellist speaks about creating a theatrical experience with a multitude of access points for new and existing audiences to Schoenberg’s piece and other related works
Masterclass: Hoffmeister’s Violone Concerto no.1 in E flat major
Double bassist Edicson Ruiz provides help on Hoffmeister’s concerto with Viennese tuning
Masterclass: Koussevitzky Double Bass Concerto, first movement
Double bass soloist Leon Bosch uncovers the challenges and opportunities of this emotionally powerful piece
Masterclass: Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto no.2 in G minor op.63
Violinist James Ehnes provides his insight into tackling the tricky technical demands of this lyrical masterpiece
The Strad Podcast #96: Christian Tetzlaff on Bartók Violin Concerto no.2
The violinist shares his personal experience and thoughts on the work
The Strad Podcast #95: Historical instrument chat with violinist Rachel Podger
Rachel speaks about the tools of her trade in this episode of the ‘Podgecast’
The Strad Podcast #94: a theatrical Verklärte Nacht with cellist Matthew Barley
The cellist speaks about creating a theatrical experience with a multitude of access points for new and existing audiences to Schoenberg’s piece and other related works
More from the Playing Hub
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
6 ways to improve left-hand flexibility
Tips from The Strad’s archive on increasing suppleness of movement and reducing tension
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
Masterclass: Hoffmeister’s Violone Concerto no.1 in E flat major
Double bassist Edicson Ruiz provides help on Hoffmeister’s concerto with Viennese tuning
Masterclass: Koussevitzky Double Bass Concerto, first movement
Double bass soloist Leon Bosch uncovers the challenges and opportunities of this emotionally powerful piece
Masterclass: Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto no.2 in G minor op.63
Violinist James Ehnes provides his insight into tackling the tricky technical demands of this lyrical masterpiece
Masterclass: Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor op.85
Cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras provides a detailed guide to performing this classic of the English repertoire
Masterclass: Hoffmeister’s Violone Concerto no.1 in E flat major
Double bassist Edicson Ruiz provides help on Hoffmeister’s concerto with Viennese tuning
Masterclass: Koussevitzky Double Bass Concerto, first movement
Double bass soloist Leon Bosch uncovers the challenges and opportunities of this emotionally powerful piece
Masterclass: Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto no.2 in G minor op.63
Violinist James Ehnes provides his insight into tackling the tricky technical demands of this lyrical masterpiece
Masterclass: Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor op.85
Cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras provides a detailed guide to performing this classic of the English repertoire
‘Learning to trust yourself is a never-ending process’ - Nils Mönkemeyer’s life lessons
The German violist on finding his confidence and the journey of becoming a soloist
Session Report: Johan Dalene on recording Neoclassical 20th-century works
The young Swedish violinist Johan Dalene speaks to Tom Stewart about recording his fourth album, a recital of luminous, Neoclassical 20th-century music for violin and piano
Words of Wisdom: violinist Margaret Batjer
The concertmaster of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and pedagogue shared her musical insights in our March 2014 issue
Seven)Suns: how we play metal on stringed instruments
The members of Seven)Suns share how to transcribe hardcore metal to string quartet, as well as how to preserve their stamina and physical condition while playing works from their upcoming album
‘Learning to trust yourself is a never-ending process’ - Nils Mönkemeyer’s life lessons
The German violist on finding his confidence and the journey of becoming a soloist
Session Report: Johan Dalene on recording Neoclassical 20th-century works
The young Swedish violinist Johan Dalene speaks to Tom Stewart about recording his fourth album, a recital of luminous, Neoclassical 20th-century music for violin and piano
Words of Wisdom: violinist Margaret Batjer
The concertmaster of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and pedagogue shared her musical insights in our March 2014 issue
Seven)Suns: how we play metal on stringed instruments
The members of Seven)Suns share how to transcribe hardcore metal to string quartet, as well as how to preserve their stamina and physical condition while playing works from their upcoming album
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