The Struggle: Why Note Reading and Sight-Reading Are So Hard for Violin, Viola, and Cello Students The ability to read music is a vital skill for musicians, but teaching it to violin, viola, and cello students comes with many challenges and pitfalls. Firstly, having strong note-reading skills along with ear training is one of the […]
Finding Your Best Sound: Expert String Care Advice for Violinists, Violists, and Cellists If you take your string playing seriously, then we know how hard you work to find and maintain your best sound. And, your very best sound will come down, in part, to your strings. Old strings can cause all sorts of […]
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is one of the most well-loved hymns among Christians, and is meaningful for its beautiful lyrics, but also for its haunting melody and Old World sound. But what lies behind this cherished melody? In the opening line there is a wealth of meaning rooted firmly in the earliest Christian […]
Understanding Duo.Hansen’s Scorekeeper’s Seals | Beginner to Advanced String Duets Without looking through the sheet music, it can feel nearly impossible to gauge the true difficulty of a duet. Terms like Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced are used across string sheet music – but their meaning varies wildly from one publisher to another. What […]
How to Get the Most Out of Your Violin, Viola, or Cello Lesson A good lesson can be so powerful. It can shift our entire perspective, inspire weeks worth of motivation, and finally break through a particularly sticky technical challenge. The best lessons can imprint concepts and skills that can stick with us for years. […]
Why It’s Hard to Stay Consistent with Music Practice (and How to Fix It) If you’re like most string players, you’ve felt the familiar tug-of-war between motivation and reluctance. You get inspired…You practice hard for a few days…Then life happens. Suddenly your case stays closed longer than planned, and you wonder how to start again. […]
The Origins of Edvard Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King Edvard Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King is one of the most legendary pieces in classical music, and is instantly recognizable for its suspenseful build and impish pulse. But behind the familiar melody lies a deeper tale rooted in Scandinavian folklore and Norwegian storytelling, which takes […]
