Using Musical Context to Approach Viola Scale Work

Most viola methods and fingerings for scales are based on violin playing, but why are there so few dedicated scale or study materials for the viola?

Your First Cello Lesson: A Beginner’s Guide to Playing Cello

From how to hold the cello to left-hand tips for cellists, here's your comprehensive first cello lesson and a beginner's guide to playing the cello.

Reimagining Musical Mistakes as Invitations to Growth

Fixing one failure can raise your entire level of musicianship, especially when you apply the solutions to similar difficulties moving forward. Here’s how to do it.

Deciphering Debussy’s Markings Inspires New Thinking in Other Pieces

Notation is only the very beginning of musical interpretation in Debussy's Sonata for Cello and Piano, and markings alone leave a great deal to be imagined.

‘Me-Time with My Viola’: How Creating a Warm-up Routine Helps Make the Most of Your Music Practice

Violist Michelle Manson details their warm-up routine and gives suggests for how musicians can continue to evolve their own warm-up routine.

A Beginner’s Guide to Tuning Your Cello

by Anita Graef Making sure your cello’s strings are in tune is a crucial component of being able to play your instrument. Making sure your strings are in tu... 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...

3 Tips for Achieving a Relaxed Bow Hold on Violin or Viola

Having a relaxed bow hold is not only good for our playing, but also for our bodies. Here are a few tips on how to best achieve a relaxed bow hold on violin or viola.

Study with Strings Students: Bassist Ben Foerster Shares Tips on Playing the Solo in Ginestera’s Variaciones Concertantes

Double bassist Ben Foerster shares his tips for playing the bass solo from Ginastera's Variaciones Concertantes.

4 Strategies for Honing Musician Mental Toughness from a Juilliard Psychologist

At first glance, there may not seem to be much in common between top athletes and elite cellists or violinists, but inside the mind, it’s much the same thing.