Teaching
-
Premium ❘ FeatureAsk the Experts: how to encourage students to trust their ears
A reader asks what can be done to help young students who rely on learning finger placement rather than trusting their ears. Three teachers give their views
-
Premium ❘ FeatureTechnique: how to play chords
How to tackle multi-stopped passages with more confidence, musicality and alacrity with Pavel Berman
-
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
-
Premium ❘ FeatureTechnique: Cello warm-ups - the bow arm
Cellist Mats Lidström discusses how to prepare the whole body for efficient, time-saving repertoire practice
-
Premium ❘ FeatureTechnique: Memory and mental practice from violinist William Herzog
Techniques to help you learn music off by heart and protect against memory slips. From December 2020
-
Premium ❘ FeatureViolist Cynthia Phelps on studying with William Primrose and Donald McInnes
For some players, only the viola sound will do. But to bring out its full power, the New York Philharmonic violist sought help from a number of teachers, writes Ariane Todes
-
Premium ❘ FeatureHow to develop left-hand finger strength
Up and down movement is the basis of left-hand technique and many pedagogues have invented fiendish exercises to improve it. Rok Klopčič takes a look at some of them
-
Premium ❘ Feature‘Begin with some finger push-ups’ - Technique: Left-hand finger independence
How to build strength and flexibility for a truly agile left hand with Adriana LaRosa Ransom, professor of cello and string project director at Illinois State University, US
-
Premium ❘ Feature‘Free and ringing, never forced’ - Technique: Developing bow control for improved tone
Violist Martin Outram on mix of exercises to help you draw out sound actively and attentively with the right hand
-
Premium ❘ FeatureTechnique: Phrasing musically under pressure
Double bassist Edwin Barker shares exercises in repetition and variation to ensure maximum musical security on stage
-
Premium ❘ FeatureHow to teach adult string students
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
-
Premium ❘ DebateHow should string teachers approach an advanced adult pupil?
Understanding the physique and psyche of a new adult pupil should not be taken lightly, writes Pauline Harding
-
Premium ❘ FeaturePaul Makanowitzky: From prodigy to pedagogue
Swedish-born violinist Paul Makanowitzky ultimately helped create the American school of violin playing. David Hays explores his life and multifaceted career
-
Premium ❘ FocusTechnique: Speaking with the bow
Cellist Ophélie Gaillard on how to use language, vowels, consonants and inflection to colour and shape every phrase
-
Premium ❘ FeatureTechnique: Developing a controlled vibrato
Exercises and ideas to build finger strength, improved tone and a continuous arm or wrist action, from violinist Lihay Bendayan
-
Premium ❘ FeatureArco project: Evolution of a partnership
Six years ago, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire head of strings Louise Lansdown established a partnership with a music centre in Soweto to launch the Arco project, providing in-person and online lessons for South African string students. Here she reflects on the importance of the scheme and on how it has developed
-
Premium ❘ FeatureTechnique: New perspectives on bow curves for double bass
How to improve fluidity, nuance and expression in every bow stroke
-
Premium ❘ FeaturePierre Baillot: Against the odds
Pierre Baillot battled against financial hardship and suffered personal tragedy, yet he became a leading exponent of the 19th-century French violin school. Martin Wulfhorst reveals his importance as an instrumentalist, pedagogue and composer
-
Premium ❘ FeatureWhere should string players look when performing from memory on stage?
Teacher Talk: your string teaching questions answered by our panel of experts. From October 2011
-
Premium ❘ FeatureAlexander technique: Thoughts that count
Violinist and Alexander technique specialist Alun Thomas details pathways to effortless expression using three real-life student examples
