Guides

Photo for The Strad 2023 (4)

String Courses 2024: Start your course hunting here!

2024-01-08T00:00:00+00:00

Before you start combing through the string courses listed in our guide, take a look at these suggestions to help find the course that’s right for you

ACS_0229

How to adapt the Suzuki Method for adult learners - violinist Meghan Faw

2024-09-04T09:10:00+01:00

Using the method while teaching adults requires a different approach from teaching children, writes the Suzuki-trained violin teacher

Ray Chen_June 2018_Photo Credit John Mac (1)

Ray Chen: ‘Practising with others pushes you to improve’

2023-03-23T13:34:00+00:00

The violinist shares his approaches to practice, in line with his community-based app Tonic

empowered recording

6 tips for empowered recording: Susanna Klein

2023-01-05T08:33:00+00:00

In the first of a three-part guide to practice strategies, the violinist gives advice on how to reap the benefits of recording yourself in your practice sessions

DSC_0062_psd_horiztonal

20 reminders for musicians: Cellist David Finckel

2022-11-30T13:27:00+00:00

David Finckel shares 20 pieces of advice on big-picture topics often forgotten in the teaching room

Cello-Reading-at-Menlo-1000x500

A Musician’s Ten Commandments: Cellist David Finckel

2022-10-26T08:56:00+01:00

How to enjoy a sustainable and fulfilling musical career through ten guiding principles

BeginnerVn

Ask the Experts: how to help a beginner pupil with intonation issues

2022-09-14T11:15:00+01:00

Strad readers submit their problems and queries about string playing, teaching or making to our experts

pexels-nothing-ahead-4440715

Opinion: How learning a language can inform musical practice

2022-09-05T07:32:00+01:00

Naomi Yandell’s efforts to learn a language using Duolingo have inspired her to rethink the way she teaches her own students, particularly with regard to repetitive practice

Manhattan1

Neesa Sunar: How I use the mutuality of Intentional Peer Support in my music teaching

2022-08-10T23:16:00+01:00

To aid students who have hit a barrier in learning, violist and clinical telehealth therapist Neesa Sunar provides four teaching scenarios which benefit from the empathetic approach of Intentional Peer Support

22665_fig1circletraining_763699

‘I can see good tone’ - Suzuki’s tonalisation exercises

2022-08-08T09:42:00+01:00

With musical examples, Helen Brunner examines how Suzuki’s tonalisation exercises are used to create a beautiful sound on the violin. From the September 2021 issue

image0

5 ways to engage teenage string students in learning and performing a piece of music

2022-07-19T08:34:00+01:00

Violist with the Bath Festival Orchestra, Cameron Howe, shares his experiences of teaching teenagers as part of the orchestra’s outreach work

DSC_6494

Looking after your instrument: a beginner’s guide on how to change your strings

2022-06-30T09:50:00+01:00

From the Women in Lutherie community: Munich-based luthier Lisa Hellmich provides a handy picture guide on how to change your strings with ease

image00127

Looking after your instrument: a guide to cleaning and polishing

2022-06-29T08:39:00+01:00

Luthier Nurgul Comak offers a guide on instilling good cleaning habits and techniques to ensure the health and longevity of your stringed instrument

20220615_120019

Looking after your instrument: an introduction to soundposts

2022-06-28T08:53:00+01:00

What is a soundpost? What does it do? Luthier Cecilia González from the Women in Lutherie community illustrates the enormous role of the little cylindrical piece of wood in an aim to demystify the subject for players

PHOTO 2 moving the bridge

Looking after your instrument: the secret to bridge placement

2022-06-27T13:16:00+01:00

Is a reluctance to adjust your own bridge resulting in unnecessary trips to the luthier? Paris Andrew from the Women in Lutherie community explains how it’s done

McVeigh_Adult

How to teach adult string students

2022-05-25T07:50:00+01:00

Teaching adults need not be a daunting prospect. For Alice McVeigh the rewards outweigh the problems, as she reveals in her guide for tutors. From 2014

LateStarter1

Learning a violin as an adult: How do you progress beyond practising for exams?

2022-05-24T08:05:00+01:00

How can an adult amateur, beginning or relearning an instrument, progress beyond practising for exams? Three tutors examine the various options – as well as suggesting ways to combat shyness

left hand

How should string teachers approach an advanced adult pupil?

2022-05-23T07:59:00+01:00

Understanding the physique and psyche of a new adult pupil should not be taken lightly, writes Pauline Harding

14458_screenshot20190726at12.52.23_848832 © Jan Breckwoldt

5 insights on mental health from The Strad archives

2022-05-03T08:13:00+01:00

To mark World Mental Health Day on Monday 10 October, take a look at some views on mental health from the perspective of students, luthiers and players

thumbnail_IMG_7951 bw

The Strad Podcast Episode #40: Naomi Yandell on teaching beginner bow holds

2022-04-07T08:30:00+01:00

A must-listen episode for anyone flummoxed by the tricky concept of teaching new string players how to hold a bow

Guides

Photo for The Strad 2023 (4)

String Courses 2024: Start your course hunting here!

2024-01-08T00:00:00+00:00

Before you start combing through the string courses listed in our guide, take a look at these suggestions to help find the course that’s right for you

ACS_0229

How to adapt the Suzuki Method for adult learners - violinist Meghan Faw

2024-09-04T09:10:00+01:00

Using the method while teaching adults requires a different approach from teaching children, writes the Suzuki-trained violin teacher

Ray Chen_June 2018_Photo Credit John Mac (1)

Ray Chen: ‘Practising with others pushes you to improve’

2023-03-23T13:34:00+00:00

The violinist shares his approaches to practice, in line with his community-based app Tonic

empowered recording

6 tips for empowered recording: Susanna Klein

2023-01-05T08:33:00+00:00

In the first of a three-part guide to practice strategies, the violinist gives advice on how to reap the benefits of recording yourself in your practice sessions

DSC_0062_psd_horiztonal

20 reminders for musicians: Cellist David Finckel

2022-11-30T13:27:00+00:00

David Finckel shares 20 pieces of advice on big-picture topics often forgotten in the teaching room

Guides

Cello-Reading-at-Menlo-1000x500

A Musician’s Ten Commandments: Cellist David Finckel

2022-10-26T08:56:00+01:00

How to enjoy a sustainable and fulfilling musical career through ten guiding principles

BeginnerVn

Ask the Experts: how to help a beginner pupil with intonation issues

2022-09-14T11:15:00+01:00

Strad readers submit their problems and queries about string playing, teaching or making to our experts

pexels-nothing-ahead-4440715

Opinion: How learning a language can inform musical practice

2022-09-05T07:32:00+01:00

Naomi Yandell’s efforts to learn a language using Duolingo have inspired her to rethink the way she teaches her own students, particularly with regard to repetitive practice

Manhattan1

Neesa Sunar: How I use the mutuality of Intentional Peer Support in my music teaching

2022-08-10T23:16:00+01:00

To aid students who have hit a barrier in learning, violist and clinical telehealth therapist Neesa Sunar provides four teaching scenarios which benefit from the empathetic approach of Intentional Peer Support

22665_fig1circletraining_763699

‘I can see good tone’ - Suzuki’s tonalisation exercises

2022-08-08T09:42:00+01:00

With musical examples, Helen Brunner examines how Suzuki’s tonalisation exercises are used to create a beautiful sound on the violin. From the September 2021 issue