Stories | Strings Magazine | For players of violin, viola, cello, bass & fiddle

You Are Musical! Too Many Students Come to Me Having Been Told the Opposite

There is a myth that either you’re born with an artistic gift or you’re not. Here's how music teachers can break down that misconception and un-do the mantra of "you're not musical."

Isabel Hagen Combines Viola and Comedy in an Unconventional Career

For violist Isabel Hagen, it was more than just a few steps to get from amusing friends in elementary school to a showcase on the Tonight Show.

Fiddler Jim VanCleve of Appalachian Road Show

Jim VanCleve’s Fiddle Joy Shines Through on Appalachian Road Show’s ‘Jubilation’

Grammy Award–winning fiddler Jim VanCleve talks about his history with the instrument and his latest album with Appalachian Road Show, Jubilation.

Preparing for a Musical Whirlwind Summer on Cello After a 30-year Break

And after the first nervousness subsided, starting to play cello again after 30 years was exhilarating, like having the wind in your face driving a fast convertible.

Brett Deubner Records a Powerful Collection of Solo Viola Works

The Covid-19 lockdown afforded violist Brett Deubner the time to record five new works for unaccompanied viola by five contemporary composers for Hope: Music for Solo Viola.

Inge kjemtrup playing violin with a cello player

On the Importance of Learning Music from Other Amateurs

I have learned just as much from my fellow musicians as anyone else about how to play, how to get the most out of music, and how to find the real joy in an artistic life.

Adventurous Unpredictability: The Chiaroscuro Quartet Takes a New Look at Mozart

The Chiaroscuro Quartet's interpretation of Mozart's 3 “Prussian” quartets suggests a return to a point of focus from their early years—and at the same time a venture into new territory.

Sprig of That is Cultivating a Genre-Jumping String Sound with Violin, Guitar, and Tabla

Sprig of That combines original compositions and diverse musical influences with an unusual instrumentation of violin, guitar, and tabla.

A Four-Day Festival Supports Each Member’s Passions for the Momenta Quartet

The Momenta Quartet's annual Momenta Festival—four consecutive concerts, each one curated by a different member of the quartet—is their antidote to programming constraints from presenters.

‘The Martinů Cello Sonatas’ Takes Johannes Moser Through a Thorny Sonata Trilogy

“It’s really not everyday repertoire,” admits Cellist Johannes Moser of his recordings of Martinů's cello sonatas. “I discovered that these pieces have such variety and depth."