Technique – Page 8
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Focus'Extremes of constant vibrato or none at all do not solve musical problems,' says violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter
The violinist speaks about vibrato as an expressive device
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BlogsMastering up-bow and down-bow staccato
Dr Tomas Cotik gives an introduction to the bow stroke and demonstrates techniques and exercises
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FocusThe importance of lateral movement in the left hand for string players
Surprisingly little has been said in the literature about the sideways left-hand movement, although any passage over more than one string uses it. Rok Klopčič researches
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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 ...
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FocusViolist Tabea Zimmermann on technique, teaching and competitions
The German violist talks to Carlos María Solare about her teaching philosophies and the role of competitions in the development of young musicians
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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 ...
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BlogsCellist Alban Gerhardt on the importance of open string practice
The German musician also advocates bringing a broader perspective to the interpretation of great concertos
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ArticleThe Strad Technique: Michael Frischenschlager's Violin Scale System
Michael Frischenschlager, professor emeritus at the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna, explains his two-octave violin scale and arpeggio system for improving tone and intonation in The Strad's December 2015 issueStudents work in pairs, playing in harmony, and perform each exercise ppp and fff, in major and ...
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FocusHow to improve your playing with slow practice
Does slow and steady win the race when it comes to practice, or does a more up-tempo approach bring the best results, asks Rok Klopčič
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ArticleCellist Ralph Kirshbaum on varying bow speed
When playing Bach we tend to use a slightly faster bow speed - with less core and more resonance' Cellist Ralph Kirshbaum speaks about varying bow speed depending on period and genre for the Play With A Pro Music Academy. The full masterclass is available here. Kirshbaum ...
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ArticleHow to achieve perfectly controlled bowing
The presentation may be a little odd, but this video on how to achieve a clear and controlled bow stroke, drawing inspiration from the method of Paganini, features some very useful tips.Read: The evolution of violin bow holdRead: Violinist Aaron Rosand on improving bow technique
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ArticleViolinist Rachel Podger gives Baroque bowing masterclass
Imagine your hand is like seaweed in the water, always flowing...'British Baroque violinist Rachel Podger gives a bowing masterclass as part of the York Baroque Strings Project for students at the National Centre for Early Music in 2014.Podger speaks about the singular challenges of Biber’s Rosary Sonatas, considered ...
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Focus5 views on playing the perfect harmonic
Learning how to do harmonics properly is invaluable to a player’s left hand, bow arm and intonation – as the following tips from The Strad's archive demonstrate.
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FocusAsk the Experts: how to cure a locked left-hand fourth finger
Strad readers submit their problems and queries about string playing, teaching or making to a panel of experts
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ArticleViolinist Itzhak Perlman on mastering up-bow staccato
Josef Gingold: 'I'm sorry Mr Ysaÿe, I don't have a good staccato' Eugène Ysaÿe: 'Ah, don't worry, I'll give you a good staccato - and you won't forget!' While giving a masterclass for a young Cho-Liang Lin, violinist Itzhak Perlman relays a humorous story, passed on to ...
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ArticleViolinist Aaron Rosand demonstrates the impact of bow direction
For me the bow is the breathing process - it has to be free and clear' Violinist Aaron Rosand speaks about the importance of bowing direction and demonstrates his ideas in the opening of Sibelius's Violin Concerto. Read Aaron Rosand's blogs: Improving bow technique and Every movement ...
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FocusUsing harmonics as a violin teaching and practice tool
Although harmonics are most often used for musical effect, in the search for a perfectly pure sound they can be a wonderful aid to learning and practice, argues Laura Reed
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ArticleCellist János Starker on vibrato
Vibrato is tension and release. I had an argument with Paul Rolland, who claimed I was rolling above the note and back, but I don't think so. I am in the middle of the note and then releasing' Cellist János Starker speaks about vibrato in an interview with Paul Katz ...
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ArticleViolinist Ray Chen reviews fans' up bow staccato videos
Violinist Ray Chen shares his humorous reviews of videos sent in by string players in response to his up bow staccato masterclass.Read The Strad’s 6 ways to improve your staccato.Watch Ray Chen performing Ysaÿe’s Solo Sonata no.6 at the Queen Elisabeth Music Competition in Belgium in 2009 – ...
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Focus6 ways to develop a smooth legato
Tips from The Strad’s Archive on producing a fluid and beautiful tone