If you’ve ever marveled at a jaw-dropping performance by a string player on YouTube (you know the ones, where their left hand is climbing up and down the fingerboard at lightening speed while the bow works to light a fire …
The Humble Etude: The Mainstay of String Technique Read more »
In my studio, I find myself explaining basic skills in many different ways, in order to best help my student understand and master a certain concept. The basic skill’s execution stays the same, of course, but each student’s understanding dictates …
With so many different types of bowing out there, one can be easily confused by the variety- and the disagreement upon terms and definitions. In an attempt to provide accurate information for my students, I have compiled an expository list …
We have added a new feature to the website: online practice forms! I know, you may be groaning, but just think: -Have you ever wondered how much you REALLY practice in a week? -Is there a particular skill you’d …
We had our first session of the Kaw Valley Orchestra Project last night, and we had a great time! The students from last year were ready for something new, and we started talking about improvisation (one of my favorite subjects!). …
This summer, I had my students set goals. Each student has given me verbal confirmation of a skill or piece of music he or she would like to master before the school year starts- and we work on this skill …
Practicing Positions Other Than I and III (yikes!) Read more »
I happened to come across this article recently- it’s a must- read! This guy is a very accomplished jazz violinist, and he sheds some insight into his opportunistic attitude toward practice. I agree with his message: take every music- based …
If you’ve ever experienced the terror of sitting through an orchestra rehearsal where the notes are flying around you and you’re lost beyond hope, this post is for you! That feeling, you may be relieved to know, occurs in most …
When you play an instrument, you use your body- right? Though you may not be engaged in an Olympic athlete sort of activity, you still utilize muscle groups, joints, tendons, and several different systems in order to perform the task …
Well, it’s a few weeks until school. Have you been playing this summer? 🙂 Sometimes summer presents some grave barriers to the type of practice and performance associated with the school year, and it’s hard to get back into the …