Mortality & Meaning of Beethoven’s Late String Quartet, Op. 132
The 3rd movement of Beethoven's haunting treasure—the String Quartet No. 15 in A Minor, Op. 132—holds a key to the meaning behind this emotional composition.
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Is a One-Piece Back on Violin Really Better Than Two?
Is a one-piece back really better than two? A violin maker explains how to see the forest through the trees.
Understanding the Perils of High Action on Stringed Instruments and 3 Ways to Recognize it
Here are some tips to find your comfortable string height on violin in a range that is also healthy, and how to recognize high action when things are out of whack.
A Guide to Choosing the Right Violin Strings
These days, string players face a multitude of choices when it comes to picking violin strings. Here's how to eliminate the guesswork and find the perfect strings for your instrument.
7 Tips on Developing Beautiful Vibrato
The key to developing good vibrato starts even before you play a single note. Here are 7 tips for developing a beautiful vibrato on cello that may also apply to viola and violin.
Ask the Expert: How to Stop Your Pegs from Slipping
Properly functioning tuning pegs are crucial to a healthy instrument. Here's how to keep them from slipping on your violin, cello, viola and bass.
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...
How to Develop a Warm, Pure Vibrato
By Paul Stein Here are 4 ways to maintain control of a violin or viola while eliciting a pure, warm, and personal vibrato tone. One of my earliest musica... Read More...
Learn to Compose Your Own Cadenzas and Variations
Here are nine ways to improve your improv and craft a cadenza.
3 Old-Time Fiddling Tips: How to Work the Bow
If your classical training prevents you from making old-time fiddle melodies and phrasing sound authentic, mastering these 3 bow strokes can help.
