Recent content by Josh_Schwalbach

The most common form of "Solo Tuning" is when you tune each string up a whole step (or 2 semitones). The G string becomes an A string, the D string becomes an E string, etc. In order to avoid the difficulties and confusion that would come with having to learn to read music with a different...

I think you've hit on one of the most difficult aspects of reading music with string instruments. On a keyboard instrument, each note on the page corresponds to just one key on the keyboard; there is only one way to play that note. On a string instrument, there could be anywhere from one to...

There is definitely no shortage of acrobatics required for those Baroque transcriptions, especially the Italian ones (the Italians seem to love disjointed leaps!). Seeing music like that makes me want to experiment with fifths tuning... P.S. The Finale bows are fantastic! Your really get...

David, I love the term "Leap of Faith," it definitely applies to large shifts. I'll try to clarify myself a little bit. Of course the nature of a shift will depend on the musical context, but I think it is usually best (in order to help strengthen your faith ;)) to keep some contact with the...

There certainly are many different schools of thought when it comes to holding the German bow. One thing that I have found helpful in developing a good resonant sound is to have the student play without the thumb on the bow. This can get them to stop squeezing and pressing (common problems for...

This might be getting off-topic a little, but I'm not sure I totally agree with the concept of "Jumping" shifts. I personally think it is best to maintain contact with the neck/fingerboard whenever possible. This gives the player greater awareness of where they are at all times. Intonation...