Teaching
-
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
-
Focus
Can bowing-wrist suppleness improve intonation?
John Krakenberger has made a number of interesting connections between good tuning and loosening the bowing wrist in his teaching
-
Feature
Leonard Rose: All about the bow
Oskar Falta explores some of Rose’s bowing theories and speaks to former students about his teaching techniques
-
Focus
Martelé: Essential foundations for a top-quality bow technique
Rictor Noren offers grounding, exercises and repertoire suggestions to help you work on your martelé stroke
-
Premium ❘ Feature
Technique: Cello warm-ups - the bow arm
Cellist Mats Lidström discusses how to prepare the whole body for efficient, time-saving repertoire practice
-
Premium ❘ Feature
Technique: 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 ❘ Feature
Violist 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 ❘ Feature
How 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
-
Review
Book review: Whole Notes: Life Lessons through Music
Celia Cobb reads a compelling memoir by Australian cellist, violist and teacher Ed Ayres
-
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
-
Focus
‘I can see good tone’ - Suzuki’s tonalisation exercises
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
-
Article
Cellist David Finckel on vibrato
Cellist David Finckel introduces the subject of vibrato as part of a series of video demonstrations on cello technique. Vibrato, he says, 'connects the listener to the player's innermost feelings about the music. It should be something that reinforces the music, not something that is painted on top ...
-
Focus
How 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!
-
Focus
6 ways to improve shifting for string players
Advice on how to shift smoothly and cleanly from The Strad archives
-
Focus
8 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
-
Review
Book review: Top Banana
Alex Laing reviews the latest series of pieces for young players, from string pedagogues and authors Celia Cobb and Naomi Yandell
-
Premium ❘ Feature
Technique: Phrasing musically under pressure
Double bassist Edwin Barker shares exercises in repetition and variation to ensure maximum musical security on stage
-
Article
Violist Tabea Zimmermann on the pressure of competitions
The German musician speaks to Amanda Holloway about launching her own career with competition wins, and about her attitude to her students entering contests today
-
Premium ❘ Feature
How 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
