All Shifting articles
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Premium ❘ FeatureTechnique: Finding your voice on the viola
Susie Mészáros’s thoughts on shifting and articulation
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Premium ❘ FeatureBlue 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
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FocusHow 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!
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ArticleVictoria Chiang demonstrates shifting exercises for viola
'You have to be able to move freely without your shoulder getting in the way' Peabody Institute of Music viola professor Victoria Chiang helps a student with shifting exercises during a National Philharmonic Masterclass in 2013. Explore more Technique like this in The Strad Playing Hub
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Focus6 ways to improve shifting for string players
Advice on how to shift smoothly and cleanly from The Strad archives
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FeatureHow to shift correctly on the violin
What tips do the great pedagogues and players offer for getting around the instrument? Rok Klopčič looks at a fundamental aspect of playing: change of position. From August 2004
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Focus8 ways to teach cello students how to shift confidently
Top teachers speak to Laurinel Owen about their methods in The Strad’s September 2001 issue
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FocusThe art of the violin slide: Exploring shifts in different musical styles
Julie Lyonn Lieberman describes how different slides can enhance your string playing, from oozing your way in the true blues style to the Klezmer 'bend'
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FocusReplacing shifts with a stretch: Daniil Shafran’s left-hand technique
Oskar Falta examines Soviet cellist Daniil Shafran’s unique left-hand technique and vibrato in this extract from the September 2021 issue
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ArticleDouble bassist François Rabbath demonstrates his crab technique
In honour of François Rabbath, who turns 90 today, we are republishing content from our archive related to the French-Syrian double bassist
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FocusHow to make the most of cello scales
Approach scales with commitment, imagination and daring, and they will inspire your cello playing, argues Mats Lidström
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Premium ❘ ArticleAsk the Teacher - Grigory Kalinovsky
The New York-based violin pedagogue explains why he advocates Galamian scales and a few sprints for students warming up
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ArticleA 30-minute daily practice routine for violinists and violists
How to keep your playing in shape while maintaining a busy schedule, by Misha Galaganov, professor of viola and chamber music at Texas Christian University, TX, US
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Premium ❘ FeatureTechnique: A 30-minute routine to keep your playing on top form
Ideas to help violinists and violists maintain high technical and musical standards around a busy regime
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Premium ❘ FeatureTechnique: Sound and phrase
The importance of developing a refined, balanced technique to communicate a nuanced musical line on the double bass
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Focus10 playing tips by violist Lionel Tertis
Sydney Errington, who was to become principal violist of The Hallé, was a student of the great British violist Lionel Tertis in the 1930s. Here, taken from Errington's notebook, are some of the things Tertis told him during his introductory lesson: 1 Feel every note you are performing all the ...
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FeatureHow to shift smoothly and cleanly by cellist Jeffrey Solow
When it comes to shifting, the American cellist and Boyer College professor gets his inspiration from the physics of ball games in this 2007 article
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BlogsRachel Barton Pine: 10 tips for practice and performance
The Strad attended a masterclass with the American violinist in 2015 and took down these practical pointers
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FocusThe secret behind Paganini's amazing technique
Generations of violinists have tried to discover what it was that made Paganini so legendary. In this article from 2014, the late great Ruggiero Ricci shared his thoughts with Strad readers
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FocusTurtle Island Quartet techniques: chop, slide and hickety mute
Members of the genre-crossing ensemble share some of the unusual techniques they use to give them their unique sound