All Practice articles – Page 3
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Premium ❘ FeatureAsk the Experts: how to make the best use of limited practice time
Four specialists in practice techniques advise a busy amateur musician how to make the most of his limited rehearsal time
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BlogsAaron Rosand on how to practise effectively
There is no short cut to fine playing; only logical, intelligent and concentrated practice will yield results, writes the American violin virtuoso
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Premium ❘ FeatureAsk the Experts: helping double-jointed students
Five teachers and health specialists respond to a reader's query on how best to teach a double jointed student.
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Focus5 practice tips from Leila Josefowicz
To tie in with our review of her latest CD, the violinist shares her insights
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Blogs7 tips on starting a quartet – and keeping it going long-term
The Minguet Quartet began playing together as students in 1988, and the original line-up are still going strong 30 years later. Here’s how they do it.
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FocusHow to practise at home without annoying your neighbours
Practice is part of life for all musicians, and string players are no exception. But what do you do if those around you think your music is just a nuisance? Vicky Hancock finds out
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FocusTechnique: Velocity studies with Hans Jørgen Jensen
Some musicians love playing fast. Others struggle with it, both psychologically and physically: they can’t control their tempo, they play too loudly, their fingers collapse and lose their natural curvature, they have unnecessary tension in different parts of the body, they make facial grimaces, or they lift their fingers too ...
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Blogs7 tips for successful practice by violinist Rachel Podger
The Baroque musician reveals the most important elements of her practice routine
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FocusStay Tuned: the Jameasy bluetooth practice device
Clipped to the scroll of the violin, the Jameasy device monitors intonation and rhythm and displays its findings via a smartphone or tablet connected with Bluetooth. Hundreds of pieces at numerous levels are available from the Jameasy music library, with detailed visual feedback given for accuracy of ...
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VideoRay Chen's practice challenge: Paganini Sauret Cadenza
The violinist lays bare his practice process, beginning from scratch on one of the steepest technical challenges in the repertoire – the Émile Sauret cadenza for Paganini’s First Violin Concerto.
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Focus10 views on the benefits of slow practice
Debate on how best to harness slow practice from The Strad Archive
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Blogs5 tips for learning the Walton Viola Concerto
Norwegian violist Eivind Holtsmark Ringstad discusses the crucial challenges of one of his instrument’s core repertoire concertos
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FocusFunctional Fingering
An article on ways to move around the fingerboard without upsetting your musical flow by Leo Phillips
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VideoPhiladelphia concertmaster David Kim on ‘super slow’ practice, muscle memory and concerto prep
Explore more Featured Stories like this in The Strad Playing Hub In this film for J.W. Pepper, Philhadelphia Orchestra concertmaster David Kim talks about how he organises his practice, and how he prepares for important concerts. Created by J.W. Pepper & Son, Inc. Produced by Rocco Richardson, Celena McAfee ...
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DebateHow to find time to practise as a busy music teacher
Performance coach Travis Baird recommends three key strategies for effective practice when everyday commitments seem to leave little time
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DebateIn their focus on technical prowess, conservatoires neglect music theory
Instinct isn't enough for true musicality. Instead of simply drilling technique, performers should have a profound an understanding of music theory, argues cellist David Watkin
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FocusTechnique: Developing a 'cello vocabulary' for more effective practice with Amit Peled
A system of emoticons and words you can use to help you remember important technical ideas, by Amit Peled, cello faculty at the Peabody Conservatory of The Johns Hopkins University
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FocusDouble stopping on the cello: How to play passages of 3rds and 6ths with more fluidity
Technique advice, exercises and repertoire examples from Lionel Handy, cello professor at the Royal Academy of Music in London, Birmingham Conservatoire and Winchester College, UK
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BlogsTamsin Waley-Cohen: 7 tips for making a successful recording
Making a recording comes with its own special set of pressures, and moving from the stage to the studio isn’t the easiest transition for a musician to make. Here violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen sets out her advice earned through experience
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FocusContact points: controlling your sound through the position of your bow on the string
New England Conservatory and Juilliard School cello faculty member Natasha Brofsky introduces a set of exercises for exploring the tone, colour and expressive potential of a well-controlled bow, plus three videos showing the techniques in action