How to Overcome Bow-Hand and Bow-Arm Tension

Before you can produce the smooth sound on violin, viola, cello, or bass, that attracted you to strings in the first place, you have to overcome that tension in... Read More...

A Primer on Pegs

By Erin Shrader “Pegs don’t get a lot of respect,” says Eric Meyer, a Portland, Oregon, craftsman whose handmade fittings grace some of the world’s great ins... Read More...

12 Ways to Ace Your Orchestral Audition

Preparation and post-audition strategy are just as important as being in the seat by Katherine Millett Four cellists, friends since music school, have playe... Read More...

The Effects of a Tailpiece on Tone

By Erin Shrader “It’s amazing how they are overlooked in terms of aesthetics and function,” marvels Eric Meyer, when asked about tailpieces. “Especially sinc... Read More...

How to Make Better Use of Your Practice Time

Manage your time effectively and creatively to make woodshedding fun By James Reel Why do people give up playing after just a little study? Usually not... Read More...

How to Tame Annoying Howling Wolf Tones

Cellists need not suffer tonal abuse By Sarah Freiberg Last week, a student of mine stopped playing to critique herself. “I just can’t make this not... Read More...

Learning to Write Cello Études for Beethoven’s String Quartets

The cello challenge By Marcelo Sanchez In the past, such cellists as Jean-Louis Duport, Friedrich Gruetzmacher, and David Popper wrote études that have s... Read More...

14 Steps Toward Improved Intonation

Solo and group exercises from author and instructor Michael E. Martin Posted by James Reel It's inevitable: The first few times you put bow to string, it ... Read More...

14 Steps Toward Improved Intonation

Solo and group exercises from author and instructor Michael E. Martin By James Reel It's inevitable: The first few times you put bow to string, it sounds... Read More...

Learn to Compose Your Own Cadenzas and Variations

9 ways to improve your improv and craft a cadenza by Richard S. Bridges I learned how to improvise by the “sink-or-swim” method when, as a teenager, I was i... Read More...