Unlock Your Thumb for Fluid Cello Technique

Relaxation and flexibility promote good technique and injury-free playing By Joel Becktell I often give students a little quiz. It’s simple, yet what it reve... Read More...

Posture Pointers for String Players

What exactly is good posture and how can players know when they are practicing it? By Janet Horvath How one looks, feels, and sounds is inextricably linke... Read More...

An Insider’s Guide to Violin Labels

It often comes as a surprise to learn how unreliable that paper label pasted inside your instrument can be in identifying an instrument's maker, age, and place of origin.

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...

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

Want to play great, beautiful music, but without the daily drudgery of practicing? Manage your time effectively and creatively to make woodshedding fun!

How to Tame Those Howling Wolf Tones on Cello

Most cellos have a “problem” note—one pitch that sounds annoyingly different from all the others. It's called a wolf tone, and here's how to tame it.

How to Shop for a Cello Priced Under $5,000

Here are some ways to find cello bliss from a panel of experts who offered their advice on shopping for a cello under $5,000.

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 on Stringed Instruments

Good intonation on a stringed instrument is something you can work on from Day One. Here are 14 steps toward building good intonation on violin, viola, cello & bass.