All Shifting DO NOT USE articles
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Premium ❘ FeatureTechnique: Sound and phrase
The importance of developing a refined, balanced technique to communicate a nuanced musical line on the double bass
-
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
-
Premium ❘ FeatureTechnique: Walking bass
Essential foundations for producing a jazz bass-line with good sound, rhythm and harmony
-
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
-
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
-
Focus10 tips for improving your scales
Guidance from The Strad 's archive on tuning, bow control, shifting, direction and pulse
-
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
-
FocusTechnique: Two-octave scales and arpeggios
An essential way to improve tone and intonation by Michael Frischenschlager, professor emeritus of violin at the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna
-
FocusKlezmer violin technique masterclass with Sophie Solomon
The violin is a vital ingredient of the klezmer sound. In this Masterclass from January 2007, Sophie Solomon, founding member of klezmer fusion band Oi Va Voi and artistic director of London’s Jewish Music Institute, explains that embodying a vocal quality in the instrument is the key to performing this ...
-
FocusWhat is the best scale system for string students?
The Strad's panel of teaching experts answer reader questions as part of the magazine's Teacher talk series
-
FocusAsk the Experts: playing violin in the second position
Strad readers submit their problems and queries about string playing, teaching or making to a panel of experts
-
BlogsIntermediary notes are unnecessary for shifting
One the great pedagogical minds of the 20th Century, Yuri Yankelevich (1909-1973) wrote an extremely detailed treatise on shifting that has now been published in English by Oxford University Press. Translator Masha Lankovsky takes a look at one of his conclusions
-
FocusHow to develop expressive technique, by violist Pauline Sachse
The professor of viola at the Carl Maria von Weber School of Music, Dresden, explains how to give meaning to every note by training independence of the hands
-
ArticleThe Strad Technique: Michael Frischenschlager’s Violin Scale System Part 2
Michael Frischenschlager, professor emeritus at the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna, explains Part 2 of his two-octave violin scale and arpeggio system, as featured in The Strad's December 2015 issue. In this exercise the focus is on shifting - playing two-octave scales, arpeggios, dominant and diminished 7ths on ...
-
ArticleViolinist Christian Tetzlaff on whether or not to practise scales
Sometimes in a concert if you feel tense or unsure, you might want muscle memory and motor skills to take over for a while so you can remove yourself from the performance and calm down...' Violinist Christian Tetzlaff and neurologist Dr Steven Frucht talk about whether scales and technical exercises ...
-
FocusAsk the Experts: playing in cello thumb position
Strad readers submit their problems and queries about string playing, teaching or making to a panel of experts