There is clearly a need for high-quality string tutorials, and YouTube is an ideal platform for such lessons because it is widely available and free. Antonio Lysy has created a series of tutorials for the Bach Cello Suites that will benefit all string players. His monumental work is showcased in the previous blog post on this website. We hope you make use of this amazing resource from modern master Antonio Lysy!
Read MoreHis recent endeavor Bach to Basics is a monumental project which dissects Bach’s solo cello suites and guides students in how to prepare them. Antonio’s kindness and aptitude are present in every moment of this incredible series. It is advantageous for all string players to watch Antonio Lysy in action. While cellists can directly benefit from his teaching of the suites, violinists, violists, and bassists can similarly find value in his approach by applying these lessons to their repertoire. Bach to Basics, by Antonio Lysy | A practice guide for the Bach Cello Suites is available free on YouTube. You will always be missed and valued, Antonio!
Read MoreParticipants were asked to rank the importance of note recognition, both on the staff and on the instrument.
Students who can first identify a note or interval on the staff and then quickly find it on the instrument emerge as capable and fluent readers. Coupled with a strong foundation in rhythm, these skills provide musicians with essential tools to learn new repertoire quickly and stand out in their ability to sightread.
Read MoreI interviewed Wendy Velasco about her new collaborative series, “The Musical Odyssey” by Barbara Arens and Wendy Velasco. This series brings contemporary rhythms and styles into the reach of less advanced players, and fills the gap in our repertoire from women composers—material which has been sorely lacking.
What motivated you to embark upon this project? “Several years ago I thought about having my students play some pieces by women composers…”
Read MoreWho has time for this, and why should I care? Music is so rich, I personally promise you will get back in dividends what you invest. Set your timer and challenge yourself to do this every day. Can you spend 5 minutes twice a day? You’ll learn twice as fast! Ask any professional classical musician if fluent note reading is an important skill, and you will find that professionals unanimously agree that people who can read music fluently have an easier time learning new material and sightreading. It’s worth it, and you can do it, too!
Read MoreParticipants were asked to rank the importance of note recognition, both on the staff and on the instrument.
Students who can first identify a note or interval on the staff and then quickly find it on the instrument emerge as capable and fluent readers. Coupled with a strong foundation in rhythm, these skills provide musicians with essential tools to learn new repertoire quickly and stand out in their ability to sightread.
Read MoreWe have isolated some of the most essential material that is necessary to be a fluent reader and string player. To facilitate memorization, we have created several sets of flashcards on Quizlet which we are providing for free!
For each instrument (violin, viola, cello, and bass), we have included flashcards for beginning, intermediate, and advanced players.
Read MoreTopic: Participants were asked to rank the importance of a few common teaching techniques for helping students to learn rhythm:
Counting out loud while playing
Using the metronome
Clapping & counting
We’ve all heard of the Summer of Love. This summer, let’s fall in love with excellent string playing with The Summer of Technique!
Let’s cultivate a strong foundation in our students that will enable them to play with confidence. Let’s gently help guide students out of bad habits. Let’s build a new generation of relaxed and balanced string players!
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