Tips for Developing Strong Posture When Playing a String Instrument
Playing a string instrument is a physical activity and requires us to be mindful of our bodies when playing. Developing good posture helps students play better, avoid discomfort, and prevent potential injuries. As a teacher, I know that it…
Double Bass 101: Developing a Comfortable Bow Hold
Developing a comfortable bow hold is challenging for young string players first starting out. Rather, maintaining a comfortable, relaxed, and flexible bow is a process that continues even today for me as I develop and grow as a musician. Over…
Helping String Orchestra Students Tune Independently
The goal for our students is to help them become independent learners and musicians. As educators, we want our students to be able to practice effectively, set goals, think critically about their music making, perform and play expressively with a…
Challenges in solo playing – Working on intonation and rhythm
I was recently working with a student on a solo piece they had begun practicing. The student was playing the piece well, but the technical demands of the piece and the rhythm and time feel were proving challenging. After the…
4 Ideas to Improve Intonation Problems
In this post we will discuss four ways to practice intonation and develop more accurate pitch recognition in your students, ensemble, or personal playing. As a string player, solid intonation – or accuracy of pitch – is something that must…