A brilliant 20th-century voice rooted in Polish tradition Grażyna Bacewicz (1909–1969) was a celebrated Polish composer, violinist, and educator whose music is finally gaining the international recognition it deserves. A well-known, yet underrepresented, figure in 20th-century classical music, Bacewicz wrote extensively for the violin, creating works that are filled with character, rewarding to play, and…
Standard, overlooked, and contemporary violin repertoire for adult learners and amateurs When I was growing up, I studied violin through the Suzuki Method, which heavily emphasizes baroque repertoire. After returning to the instrument as an adult, I found myself interested in exploring a wider variety of music. I still love Baroque music, but I wanted…
Vibrato is the violinist’s expressive tool that really makes the instrument sing. But for some adult violin learners, it can feel almost impossible to learn. I know, because I struggled with vibrato for years. The coordination involved in the fluid vibrato motion felt like an impossible feat, especially while holding the violin, which is not…
If you’ve started exploring Baroque violin playing, you might be wondering whether your modern setup is sufficient, if it’s time to invest in a Baroque bow or even a period-style instrument. Maybe you’ve experimented with gut strings, or you are already playing in a Baroque ensemble and looking for an instrument that will blend in…
Practical advice on renting, buying, and finding the right size viola for violinists ready to explore You’ve thought about trying the viola. Maybe you’ve borrowed a friend’s instrument during a break at orchestra or quartet rehearsal, or read about why switching to viola might be rewarding, and now, you’re ready to find your own instrument. Based…
A practical guide to getting comfortable on a larger instrument, learning to read alto clef, and embracing your inner violist. Are you a violinist interested in trying the viola, or even considering switching to viola as your primary instrument? As someone who added viola to my musical life a few years ago, I’ve found it…
Curious about the viola? Here’s what you’ll gain by giving it a try Whether you are a violinist looking for more opportunities to play in ensembles or have ever noticed a particularly powerful viola line in a string quartet or sonata andthought “I want to play that.,” this post is for you. As a violinist…
Keep your instrument in peak condition with these essential tips If you’re returning to the violin or viola as an adult, or you’ve just started lessons for the first time, you might be wondering what violin or viola maintenance you should be doing to keep your instrument working well. A visit to a luthier (string…
Preparation tips for amateur violinists, violists, and cellists heading to a chamber music workshop I still remember the experience of performing the Mendelssohn Octet at my first chamber music workshop. After three days of rehearsing with the ensemble, our group took to the stage to perform the work for the other participants. The exhilarating performance…
A resource-packed guide for adult amateurs who want to dive into early music and find their playing community After trying out a Baroque bow, or maybe a set of gut strings, you might be eager to join your first early music ensemble, but don’t know where to begin. I stumbled into my local Baroque orchestra…