Technique – Page 6
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DebateWith vibrato the question isn't just about more or less, but also about variety of sound
It is a wonderfully expressive tool when used sensitively, but soloists especially should take greater advantage of the various vibrato possibilities, writes violist Hartmut Rohde
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FocusTechnique: Two-octave scales and arpeggios
An essential way to improve tone and intonation by Michael Frischenschlager, professor emeritus of violin at the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna
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FocusTechnique: Viola vibrato, and how flexible joints and a keen ear can enhance your expressive range
Roger Tapping, violist of the Juilliard Quartet, on the faculty of the Juilliard School, and formerly New England Conservatory, gives a lesson on improving vibrato, particularly for violists
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FocusKlezmer violin technique masterclass with Sophie Solomon
The violin is a vital ingredient of the klezmer sound. In this Masterclass from January 2007, Sophie Solomon, founding member of klezmer fusion band Oi Va Voi and artistic director of London’s Jewish Music Institute, explains that embodying a vocal quality in the instrument is the key to performing this ...
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FocusDouble stopping on the cello: How to play passages of 3rds and 6ths with more fluidity
Technique advice, exercises and repertoire examples from Lionel Handy, cello professor at the Royal Academy of Music in London, Birmingham Conservatoire and Winchester College, UK
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FocusContact points: controlling your sound through the position of your bow on the string
New England Conservatory and Juilliard School cello faculty member Natasha Brofsky introduces a set of exercises for exploring the tone, colour and expressive potential of a well-controlled bow, plus three videos showing the techniques in action
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FocusCollé: Kurt Sassmannshaus on mastering a crucial bow technique
Kurt Sassmannshaus, chair of classical violin at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, director of the Great Wall Music Academy, Beijing, and founder of violinmasterclass.com, discusses the bow stroke that forms the beginning of any effective martelé
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FocusWhat is the best scale system for string students?
The Strad's panel of teaching experts answer reader questions as part of the magazine's Teacher talk series
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ArticleViolinist Rachel Podger on matching technique and musicality
Often you find that technique and musicality marry quite well. Something that works musically will so often also work from a technical perspective. And the opposite is also true - that if you change a passage for technical reasons it suddenly makes more musical sense too!' Baroque ...
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ArticleVibrato in slow motion - on violin and cello
As part of a series of studies on vibrato pitch centre (2004, 2005, 2014), researchers Rebecca MacLeod of the University of North Carolina and John Geringer of Florida State University asked 60 university string players and a former concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic to perform a ...
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ArticleHow to balance the left-hand when playing chords and double stops
The Berlin University of the Arts and London Royal Academy of Music viola professor speaks about left arm set-up when playing multiple notes simultaneously
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ArticleAmerican cellist Paul Katz on right-hand vibrato
The American cellist and New England Conservatory professor shares a technical tip from his former teacher, the great János Starker
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FocusHow to avoid tension in the bow arm, by cellist Bonnie Hampton
A good strong sound comes from a flexible bow hold and relaxed bowing arm, says the former Juilliard School professor
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BlogsAaron Rosand on finding the correct bowings and fingerings
There are no short cuts to discovering the fingerings and bowings to suit your hands, writes the American violinist. Practice and more practice is the key
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BlogsA novel way to practise double-stops - Rachel Barton Pine
The US violinist advocates emphasising either the top or bottom lines when practising double stopped scales to anticipate more accurately what occurs in the repertoire
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FocusAsk the Experts: regaining your technique after time away from the violin
Strad readers submit their problems and queries about string playing, teaching or making to our experts
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BlogsViolinist Alexander Sitkovetsky on the importance of practising scales
Scales are invaluable to all aspects of playing says the Royal Academy of Music and Royal Northern College of Music violin professor
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BlogsDeveloping a natural and relaxed approach to string playing – part 2
Portland State University professor Dr Tomas Cotik gives an introduction to kinesthetic feelings and demonstrates techniques and exercises
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BlogsDeveloping a natural and relaxed approach to string playing - part 1
Portland State University professor Dr Tomas Cotik gives an introduction to kinesthetic feelings and demonstrates techniques and exercises
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BlogsSing your way to string playing perfection - violinist Jack Liebeck
Breath control is very much like bow control, says the British violinist and Royal Academy of Music professor