Student Hub

A string quartet is an ‘instrument’ that students must master

2022-03-18T14:23:00

TeachingChamberMusic

Graham Oppenheimer, senior chamber music tutor at Chetham’s School of Music, shares some of his teaching strategies for school-age students

As technical mastery emerges, so can creativity. This is achieved by using a nuts and bolts approach to understanding how to play in ensembles, including encouraging them to:

  • practise co-leading in order to inspire confidence 
  • have one player ‘pulsing’ out the beat to help with rhythm
  • match bow strokes and articulation
  • tune chords (playing slightly slower, with a clear sound and less vibrato)
  • have the entire group using the right sound for the right moment
  • develop vital listening skills through a range of tactics…

Already subscribed? Please sign in

Continue reading this article and explore hundreds more…

  • Easy registration

    Sign up to access select Strad content and the option to receive our weekly newsletters

    Register

  • Free 7-day subscription

    Full access including all subscriber content and the digital archive

    No strings attached – we won’t ask for card details

    Free Trial