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Inside the World’s Greatest Stringed-Instrument Collection

One man’s passion for violins built the Chi Mei Culture Foundation collection of violins and bows by Christopher Reuning This past spring, I arrived in the ... Read More...

Violin Sound Production: Tips on Tone

How to sound like a superstar by Sarah Freiberg “I find tone is like someone’s voice,” says virtuoso violinist Jaime Laredo, conductor of the prestigious ... Read More...

How Jacqueline du Pré Sparked a Cello Explosion

50 years after her London debut, EMI Reissues her complete recorded works—friends and colleagues marvel at her legacy. by Laurence Vittes It’s easy to feel... Read More...

5 Minutes With Hilary Hahn

On how she handles the balancing act between old and new works by Greg Cahill “Emboldened Orchestras Are Embracing the New” trumpeted the headline in the ar... Read More...

stringed instrument bow hair care - Bow tip

Stringed Instrument Bow Hair Care Tips

The everyday basics of bow care could be reduced to three simple rules: be careful where you set it down, keep it clean, and loosen the hair when you’re not playing.

proper arm placement on violin for string crossing

Bowing Tips: 3 Easy Ways to Improve Your String Crossings

Work your shoulder weight to gain speed, accuracy, and powerby Laurel Thomsen The Problem: You’re not getting power in your strokes after sloppy string crossing... Read More...

6 Ways to Protect Your Instrument from Damaging Winter Chill

Winterizing your fiddle will stabilize it and ensure that your violin survives the season's humidity changes. Here are 6 ways to protect it from winter's chill.

violin and viola bow hold hand shape example 3

Learn to Develop a More Natural-Feeling Bow Hold

Here is a 5-step approach to finding the perfect grip for your violin or viola bow to produce the desired tone colors, strokes, and dynamics.

4 Ways to Achieve Masterful Bowing Dynamics

To achieve the full spectrum of dynamics while maintaining a beautiful tone, it’s important to consider all four of the factors that affect volume.

3 Ways to Improve Your Sight-Reading Skills

Counting, looking ahead, and prioritizing are keys to success by Robert Battey Everyone knows that good sight-reading requires the player to always scan ahe... Read More...