I’ve just been reading the latest horror story about Airlines and their seeming inability to accommodate string players on board. This appears to be an ongoing vendetta against Cello players especially, but also Violin and Viola. On the one hand it is understandable that airline security can easily be spooked by a violin case resembling…
DetailsThe Stick It is important to loosen the hair on your bow after each session – left tensioned, the bow will over time tend to lose its bounce (camber) and possibly warp. Regular use may also affect the bow, but if the bow is worth repairing this can be done by a qualified bowman. Keep…
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Playing an Instrument can improve your life The BBC iWonder has a very enlightening article on How Playing an instrument can improve your life. As they say ‘No matter what your age, playing an instrument can have a positive impact on your brain and body’, as well as improve your health. Share this post or…
DetailsHow to choose your child’s first instrument Choosing your son or daughter’s first musical instrument ought to be easy – but sadly that isn’t the case. These notes, which have been prepared for parents by two companies that specialise in supplying instruments for children and teenagers, might, hopefully, make life a little easier. The most…
DetailsAlphayue violin strings now available in fractional sizes The Thomastik Alphayue violin strings which combine an unbeatable price with Thomastik-Infeld quality means you no longer have to settle for solid-steel strings to assure durability. These strings, yes at this price, have an advanced synthetic core which delivers a rich, colourful sound impossible to achieve with…
DetailsHaving music lessons is the way to learn to play a musical instrument. But does the process also make you more intelligent? It has long been thought that children who learn to play an instrument increase their intellectual, perceptual, and cognitive skills. Which in short suggests that such children may well be able to raise…
DetailsHow can we make a judgement about a musical improvisation? When a pupil or student plays a piece of music from a notated copy it’s not that hard to give the performance a mark. True, different judges might give different marks, but in such a case they would be able to debate and justify their…
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National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain The National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain (NCO) provides exceptional orchestral training to musically talented children between the ages of 7 and 14. This is irrespective of background and financial circumstances. Its orchestras regularly enthrall audiences in some of the finest concert venues in the country, performing repertoire usually confined to…
DetailsEnsemble Courses for String players Are you a String player Grade 6 or above and aged 9-15? Join the Intermediate National Youth String Orchestra for a fun and creative musical challenge during the Easter and Summer school holidays. Intermediate NYSO brings together talented young string players from across the country to enjoy rewards of playing in a…
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National Youth String Orchestra In less than 20 years, National Youth String Orchestra (NYSO) has become one of the UK’s most prestigious and important training organisations for young string players. It provides specialist, quality training for talented young string players up to the age of 21, and gives them regular experience in the art of public…
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