Shutdown Skills Series: 12 Questions Violinists Ask About Fiddling
It all starts with the beat—and the spellingBy Donna HebertHow many times have you heard someone (perhaps yourself) ask, “What’s the difference between play... Read More...
How To
Technique, advice, and tips.
Shutdown Skills Series: 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 instr... Read More...
Shutdown Skills Series: Master the Irregular Rhythmic Passages in the First Movement of the Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1
By Scott Flavin
This article first appeared in Strings' May 2018 issue.
The Bruch Concerto! For most intermediate violinists, it’s a rite of passage, the first ... Read More...
Shutdown Skills Series: Work on Overcoming Stage Fright
By Patrick Sullivan
This article first appeared in Strings' January 2017 issue.
It should have been the proudest moment of Matthew Tifford’s budding musical car... Read More...
Shutdown Skills Series: Restringing Your Instrument—A Refresher Course & Tips from the Pros
By Emily WrightThe basic order of operations for installing a string is simple enough. Secure one end through the tailpiece, thread the other end through t... Read More...
Shutdown Skills Series: 10 Tips for the 21st-Century String Player
by Joe DeninzonThe past three decades have seen a seismic shift in the string world. The general public’s increased awareness of electric-bowed stringed instr... Read More...
Shutdown Skills Series: Learn to Devise the Best Cello Fingerings
How to make the challenge of creating fingerings fascinating and enjoyableBy Benjamin WhitcombIn the world of the cello, it's no secret that good playing r... Read More...
Shutdown Skills Series: How to Make Better Use of Your Practice Time
Manage your time effectively and creatively to make woodshedding funBy James ReelWhy do people give up playing after just a little study? Usually not beca... Read More...
Shutdown Skills Series: How to Prevent and Treat Fingertip Cracks and Splits
By Patrick SullivanIt had been an intense week of rehearsals in the middle of winter. But cellist Matthew Tifford felt ready for Hansel and Gretel at the form... Read More...
Shutdown Skills Series: Cellists, Retrain Your Collapsing-Locking Left 4th Finger
By Miranda Wilson
The “pinky problem,” where the middle joint of the left fourth finger buckles when the player pushes down a string, is one of the top complain... Read More...