Episodes
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Can't quite get up to tempo? Starting to wonder if you even "have what it takes" to keep up with an ensemble? In this episode, host Laurel Thomsen demystifies one of the most universal issues among musicians of all types and skill levels, with tips for how to troubleshoot any speed issue. Buckle up and get ready to take your playing to warp speed.
Show Notes:
Intro/outro music "Sure Fire Way of Taking":
On Bandcamp https://danandlaurel.bandcamp.com/track/sure-fire-way-of-taking
On Apple Music â â https://music.apple.com/gb/album/sure-fire-way-of-taking/1626585646?i=1626585652
On Spotify https://open.spotify.com/track/4G1XiQgCBbYQFa1qQ4SAMH?si=f154d6f32198475c
Breaking the Speed Barrier - Violin Geek blog post https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blog/?id=breaking-the-speed-barrier-tips-for-musicians
Learn to Love Your Metronome - Violin Geek Podcast episode https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blog/?id=learn-to-love-your-metronome
Audiation - Violin Geek blog post https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blog/?id=simple-4-step-audiation-procedure-to-clean-up-intonation
Intonation Mastery #4 - Violin Geek Podcast episode https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blog/?id=intonation-mastery-4-issues-within-our-technique-and-approach
Laurel's new music video "Crow Flies High" https://youtu.be/nqTtIGcsOus?si=E6FekRY7VUJKnfc8
~~
Host Laurel Thomsen's info and links:
For more information and info about my performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit my website â â â â â â â â â â â â https://www.laurelthomsen.comâ â â â â â â â â â â â
To check out my Violin Geek Blog, the companion to the podcast, sharing tips, insight and inspiration since 2007, please visit â â â â â â â â â â â â https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blogâ â â â â â â â â â â â
If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic youâd like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like me to interview, or have a story or insight to share, please send me an email at â â â â â â â â [email protected]â â â â â â â â .
Also, please reach out if youâd like to inquire about online violin, viola, or fiddle lessons with me via Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to â â â â â â â â â â â â https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusicâ â â â â â â â â â â â .
Happy Practicing!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support -
In this episode, host Laurel Thomsen answers your violin questions, including about strings, rosin, the instrument she plays, how to get dust out of your instrument, the story about the oldest violin she's ever played, and more. Enjoy!
Show Notes:
Intro/outro music "Tales from the Labyrinth":
On Bandcamp â https://danandlaurel.bandcamp.com/track/tales-from-the-labyrinthâ
On Apple Music â https://music.apple.com/ca/album/tales-from-the-labyrinth/1626585646?i=1626585650â
On Spotify â https://open.spotify.com/track/6ITy5Zl4qDUDHH4ZQYSCBF?si=6ddf46ccb48342c8â
Boveda Humidity Packs https://store.bovedainc.com/collections/[email protected]
Frirsz Tailpieces https://frirszmusic.com/
Violin Geek Podcast interview with Nikolas Frirsz
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tailpiece-innovation-for-tonal-excellence-a-chat/id374305295?i=1000524032601
~~
Host Laurel Thomsen's info and links:
For more information and info about my performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit my website â â â â â â â â â â â https://www.laurelthomsen.comâ â â â â â â â â â â
To check out my Violin Geek Blog, the companion to the podcast, sharing tips, insight and inspiration since 2007, please visit â â â â â â â â â â â https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blogâ â â â â â â â â â â
If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic youâd like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like me to interview, or have a story or insight to share, please send me an email at â â â â â â â [email protected]â â â â â â â .
Also, please reach out if youâd like to inquire about online violin, viola, or fiddle lessons with me via Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to â â â â â â â â â â â https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusicâ â â â â â â â â â â .
Happy Practicing!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support -
Episodes manquant?
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We know we can't stop to fix mistakes during a performance, so why don't we ever seem to spend time in the practice room practicing how to recover? In this episode, host Laurel Thomsen shares why "recovery practice" might be the missing factor in your routine, and three ways to practice getting better at getting back on track when we do make a mistake on-stage. In the process, we may even find that we make fewer mistakes to begin with, and feel more confident when it does come time to share what we've been working so hard to prepare.
Show Notes:
Intro/outro music "Tales from the Labyrinth":
On Bandcamp https://danandlaurel.bandcamp.com/track/tales-from-the-labyrinth
On Apple Music https://music.apple.com/ca/album/tales-from-the-labyrinth/1626585646?i=1626585650
On Spotify https://open.spotify.com/track/6ITy5Zl4qDUDHH4ZQYSCBF?si=6ddf46ccb48342c8
Functional Fitness for Musicians video series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTLosOjyPE8dMbBfD2niksBZ03zUTH5Lb&si=pYA0c0lm-zH0A7iH
~~
Host Laurel Thomsen's info and links:
For more information and info about my performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit my website â â â â â â â â â â https://www.laurelthomsen.comâ â â â â â â â â â
To check out my Violin Geek Blog, the companion to the podcast, sharing tips, insight and inspiration since 2007, please visit â â â â â â â â â â https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blogâ â â â â â â â â â
If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic youâd like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like me to interview, or have a story or insight to share, please send me an email at â â â â â â [email protected]â â â â â â .
Also, please reach out if youâd like to inquire about online violin, viola, or fiddle lessons with me via Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to â â â â â â â â â â https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusicâ â â â â â â â â â .
Happy Practicing!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support -
Beginning students, but even the more advanced among us, often struggle with pitch (intonation) and tone. Troubleshooting sounds we'd like to improve can be especially frustrating when we're having a hard time differentiating between the two. One is the domain of the left hand, while the other, the domain of the right. In this episode we explore how to identify each and steps we can take to start to improve.
Show notes:
Intro/outro music "The Rain Don't Need These Flowers/Back Down the Aisle":
on Bandcamp https://danandlaurel.bandcamp.com/track/05-the-rain-dont-need-these-flowers-back-down-the-aisle
on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/track/7lAvDqCXU1k9OSkMNVnsmu?si=a9cb6ba19a2449f2
on Apple Music https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-rain-dont-need-these-flowers-back-down-the-aisle/1105581704?i=1105582163
Sounding point video https://youtu.be/e0zdC5VdDoc?si=YmIN7Kn1a03eNFMR
Laurel's latest music video "Country Beauty Queen" https://youtu.be/ej1jFLJ0Hz0?si=KnGAwYLhn2z5woDL
Hand Framing for Better Intonation video https://youtu.be/WDQMMAW4Cew?si=HjVt2t6eN_JtPLb5
~~
Host Laurel Thomsen's info and links:
For more information and info about my performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit my website â â â â â â â â â https://www.laurelthomsen.comâ â â â â â â â â
To check out my Violin Geek Blog, the companion to the podcast, sharing tips, insight and inspiration since 2007, please visit â â â â â â â â â https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blogâ â â â â â â â â
If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic youâd like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like me to interview, or have a story or insight to share, please send me an email at â â â â â [email protected]â â â â â .
Also, please reach out if youâd like to inquire about online violin, viola, or fiddle lessons with me via Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to â â â â â â â â â https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusicâ â â â â â â â â .
Happy Practicing!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support -
In this episode we speak with Tokyo born, New York based Jazz violinist and composer about her new album, "Lingering," with pianist Kevin Hayes, how her conversion to Judaism has informed her life and music, her journey from Julliard to free improvisation, and how she's managed to turn labels and stereotypes into assets along her career path.
Show notes:
Meg's website https://www.megokura.com
Listen/Purchase "Lingering" https://megokurakevinhays.bandcamp.com/album/lingering
Stream "Lingering" on Apple Music https://music.apple.com/us/album/lingering/1737319248
Stream "Lingering" on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/26Xn8ZzKI0mzStvnSorUQ5
Scores & Parts for some of Meg's compositions https://www.megokura.com/scores-parts
~~
Host Laurel Thomsen's info and links:
For more information and info about my performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit my website â â â â â â â â https://www.laurelthomsen.comâ â â â â â â â
To check out my Violin Geek Blog, the companion to the podcast, sharing tips, insight and inspiration since 2007, please visit â â â â â â â â https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blogâ â â â â â â â
If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic youâd like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like me to interview, or have a story or insight to share, please send me an email at â â â â [email protected]â â â â .
Also, please reach out if youâd like to inquire about online violin, viola, or fiddle lessons with me via Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to â â â â â â â â https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusicâ â â â â â â â .
Happy Practicing!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support -
What is shifting? How do we make our shifts more accurate and clean? If we're just beginning and not ready to learn how to shift yet, what can we do to ensure we'll be ready when the time comes? Join me as we dive deep into the nuances of shifting technique as it applies to the violin or viola, with tips also helpful for cellists, and for both beginning shifters and the more advanced among us.
Please also enjoy the video version of this episode here: https://youtu.be/64Nzrqfqc9g
~
Show Notes:
Intro/outro music: "Music Bug" by Laurel Thomsen https://laurelthomsen.bandcamp.com/track/music-bug
~
For more information and info about my performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit my website â â â â â â â https://www.laurelthomsen.comâ â â â â â â
To check out my Violin Geek Blog, the companion to the podcast, sharing tips, insight and inspiration since 2007, please visit â â â â â â â https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blogâ â â â â â â
If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic youâd like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like me to interview, or have a story or insight to share, please send me an email at â â â [email protected]â â â .
Also, please reach out if youâd like to inquire about online violin, viola, or fiddle lessons with me via Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to â â â â â â â https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusicâ â â â â â â .
Happy Practicing!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support -
Many of us were drawn to play the violin, viola, or cello because we'd heard playing that brought us to tears, filled us with joy, or expressed a feeling that we couldn't even describe with words. Truly, there seems to be no limit to the emotions and the variety of sounds these instruments can express. However, our first weeks, months, and even years of learning to play can feel very technical - focused on just playing the right notes, at the right time, and hopefully with decent tone! Securing these basics can often feel like it could take a lifetime, so when and how will we get to actually play more musically? Today we're exploring what a difference just a handful of elements makes in creating a more musical version of a simple folk song from Suzuki Book 1. And yes, one element is vibrato, but even before we learn vibrato and begin adding it to our pieces, we have other factors that even a beginner can use to start to add more personality to their renditions.
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Show Notes:
"Sweet Beauty" full track https://open.spotify.com/track/7jjfysw3FoEQnvrNbBgcMB?si=32ce40e225b74803
Laurel's YouTube Channel with recent deep dives into tone etc.: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe5W2-LP_E2A65RCxIC9uGw
Laurel's "Complete Vibrato Mastery" online course https://www.udemy.com/course/complete-vibrato-mastery/?referralCode=5B724D936FF08F7DDFB8
~
For more information and info about my performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit my website â â â â â â https://www.laurelthomsen.comâ â â â â â
To check out my Violin Geek Blog, the companion to the podcast, sharing tips, insight and inspiration since 2007, please visit â â â â â â https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blogâ â â â â â
If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic youâd like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like me to interview, or have a story or insight to share, please send me an email at â â [email protected]â â .
Also, please reach out if youâd like to inquire about online violin, viola, or fiddle lessons with me via Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to â â â â â â https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusicâ â â â â â .
Happy Practicing!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support -
It's frustrating and disheartening when all our preparation in the practice room doesn't make it out onto the stage. Instead of presenting the polished piece we've been performing in the comfort of our room, we're suddenly overcome by hyper-drive vibrato, sweaty palms, or a bow that jitters and skids as we squeak out our phrases. We're overwhelmed by mental calculations about difficult upcoming passages and worries about how we'll even be able to make it to the end of the piece, versus the thoughts we'd love to be having about sharing the character and emotion of the music and connecting with our listeners. Sound familiar?
If so, I hope you enjoy this exploration into performance anxiety that goes far beyond imagining the audience in their underwear! I share my own journey through debilitating stage fright as a teen, and the tools, including hands-on mind-body practices we'll experience during the episode, which I've used to foster more confidence and focus on stage, and to help get comfortable with the uncomfortable symptoms of performance anxiety. I hope you find new tips to help you and/or your students in what I have to share!
~
For more information and info about my performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit my website â â â â â https://www.laurelthomsen.comâ â â â â
To check out my Violin Geek Blog, the companion to the podcast, sharing tips, insight and inspiration since 2007, please visit â â â â â https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blogâ â â â â
If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic youâd like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like me to interview, or have a story or insight to share, please send me an email at â [email protected]â .
Also, please reach out if youâd like to inquire about online violin, viola, or fiddle lessons with me via Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to â â â â â https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusicâ â â â â .
Happy Practicing!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support -
Happy New Year! We want our music making journey to be positive and comfortable, so we can express ourselves with freedom. Listen in as I chat with Jennifer Roig-FrancolĂ, a professional violinist, certified Alexander Technique instructor, and the creator of the Art of Freedom Method. We learn about Jenniferâs path from concert violinist to her role as a coach, specializing in helping musicians of all kinds play with more ease and joy, less pain and performance anxiety, and less tension and stress. Jennifer has just released a new book titled âMake Great Music with Ease!: The Secret to Smarter Practice, Confident Performance, and Living a Happier Life,â and we explore how bringing more awareness to our lives can help us become better players, but also people, in all the various roles we play.
Show Notes:
Jennifer's website: https://artoffreedom.me
Buy Jennifer's new book: â https://a.co/d/bvY3TcY
"TheCyCle" video Jennifer recommended in the episode: â https://youtu.be/Zr1c4T9KgFM?si=-vNgq1AsKfzMRWzJ
Check out Jennifer's album "Solo Con Spirito! https://artoffreedom.me/product/solo-con-spirito-celebrating-50/
Connect with Jennifer through her YouTube channel with multiple playlists (teaching, music, etc.): https://www.youtube.com/@JenniferRoigFrancoli
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/J30DPC/~
For more information and info about her performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit host Laurel Thomsen's website â â â â https://www.laurelthomsen.comâ â â â
To check out Laurel's Violin Geek Blog, the companion to the podcast, sharing tips, insight and inspiration since 2007, please visit â â â â https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blogâ â â â
If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic youâd like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like Laurel to interview, or have a story or insight to share, please send Laurel an email at [email protected].
Also, please reach out if youâd like to inquire about online violin, viola, or fiddle lessons with Laurel via Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to â â â â https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusicâ â â â .
Happy Practicing!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support -
It's holiday time! Why not give the gift of comfort to yourself, your child, or your student, with a more suitable chin or shoulder rest! In this episode, violinist/violist, teacher, and host Laurel Thomsen shares the factors we need to consider when shopping for a more secure, effective, and comfortable chin and shoulder rest. And as we'll find, the most popular models might not be serving most of us very well!
View the video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/mCxxoNa88fE
Show notes:
Ergonomic, lifted, and custom chinrests: https://www.chinrests.com/chinrestline
Non-custom lifted chinrests: https://fiddlershop.com
Chinrest models mentioned: Hamburg, Teka, Original Flesch
Shoulder rest models mentioned: Wolf Forte Secondo, Poly Pad, Bon Musica, Kun Seven
Intro/outro music: "Unexpected Waltz," written and performed by Laurel Thomsen. To listen and download visit https://laurelthomsen.bandcamp.com/track/unexpected-waltz
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For more information and info about her performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit host Laurel Thomsen's website â â â https://www.laurelthomsen.comâ â â
To check out Laurel's Violin Geek Blog, a companion to the podcast, sharing tips, insight and inspiration since 2007, please visit â â â https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blogâ â â
If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic youâd like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like Laurel to interview, or have a story or insight to share, please send Laurel an email at [email protected]. Also, please reach out if youâd like to inquire about violin, viola, or fiddle coaching or lessons with Laurel via Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to â â â https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusicâ â â .
Happy Practicing!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support -
In this last installment of her Music Careers series, violinist/violist, teacher, and host Laurel Thomsen explores music careers that are more "behind the scenes," as well as a few that don't neatly fit into other categories. Despite not necessarily placing us in the spotlight, most could become stand-alone full-time careers, or a supplement to a performance or teaching career. And, especially if weâre not drawn to performance or teaching, I think this particular episode shows us options where we can still contribute, sometimes in very important ways.
~
For more information and info about her performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit host Laurel Thomsen's website â â https://www.laurelthomsen.comâ â
To check out Laurel's Violin Geek Blog, a companion to the podcast, sharing tips, insight and inspiration since 2007, please visit â â https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blogâ â
If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic youâd like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like Laurel to interview, or have a story or insight to share, please send Laurel an email at [email protected]. Also, please reach out if youâd like to inquire about violin, viola, or fiddle coaching or lessons with Laurel via Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to â â https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusicâ â .
Happy Practicing!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support -
In this episode we enjoy a fascinating conversation with Russian born violinist and educator Michael Dvoskin about the differences between violin training in Russia versus the United States. Michael also shares his story about immigrating to America, and tips for students preparing for an audition or recital. In effort to create both a successful and enjoyable musical education, there's a lot we can learn from both countries' approaches. We hope you enjoy!
Show notes:
- Michael's website https://kandmmusicschool.com/
- Yuri Yankelvich book mentioned https://global.oup.com/us/companion.websites/9780199917624/
~
For more information and info about her performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit host Laurel Thomsen's website â â https://www.laurelthomsen.comâ â
To check out Laurel's Violin Geek Blog, a companion to the podcast, please visit â â https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blogâ â
If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic youâd like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like Laurel to interview, or have a story or insight to share, please send Laurel an email at â [email protected]â .
Also, please reach out if youâd like to inquire about violin, viola, or fiddle coaching or lessons with Laurel via Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to â â https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusicâ â .
Happy Practicing!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support -
Today we speak with violinist, educator, and Violin Class podcast creator and host Julia Reddy about making time for practice. We discuss how to ramp back up after a hiatus, how to make the most out of limited time, how to effectively divide up our practice time and focus our attention for results, and how to balance our practice routine when juggling solo repertoire and technical work with orchestral or audition preparation. We hope you enjoy!
Show notes:
- Julia's website https://juliareddy.com
- The Violin Class podcast website https://www.violinclass.co
- Julia's free warmup PDF https://www.violinclass.co/warmup
- Listen to Julia's arrangement and recording of Maurice Ravel's Deux MĂ©lodies HĂ©braĂŻque for violin and guitar https://juliareddy.com/kaddish
Techniques and etudes mentioned:
Son filé exercise demonstrated https://youtu.be/WnH6EvvzCk8?si=pNCq8lvxGxveAahT
Schradieck School of Violin Technics https://imslp.org/wiki/School_of_Violin_Technics_(Schradieck%2C_Henry)
Ć evÄĂk Op. 1 https://imslp.org/wiki/School_of_Violin_Technique%2C_Op.1_(%C5%A0ev%C4%8D%C3%ADk%2C_Otakar)
~
For more information and info about her performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit host Laurel Thomsen's website â https://www.laurelthomsen.comâ
To check out Laurel's Violin Geek Blog, a companion to the podcast, please visit â https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blogâ
If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic youâd like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like Laurel to interview, or have a story or insight to share, please send Laurel an email at [email protected].
Also, please reach out if youâd like to inquire about violin, viola, or fiddle coaching or lessons with Laurel via Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to â https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusicâ .
Happy Practicing!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support -
Today we chat with Grammy-nominated violinist Gabe Terracciano, who's expanding the range of the violin as a member of the Turtle Island String Quartet and the Hot Toddies Jazz Band, among other exciting projects. We hear about Gabe's transition from nearly quitting early Classical lessons to discovering and falling in love with Jazz, discuss what it's like to be a band leader in New York City, hear tracks from The Hot Toddies recently released full-length album, and gain tips for improvising for the first time and finding our own voice within whatever genre of music we play.
Show notes:
Gabeâs website https://gabeterracciano.com
The Hot Toddies Jazz Band https://www.hottoddies.band
The Hot Toddies new album and âQuarantine EPâ https://www.hottoddies.band/buy
Gabeâs solo album âThree Part Inventionâ https://gabeterracciano.bandcamp.com/album/three-part-invention
Some Jazz and Swing artists mentioned:
Vince Giordano https://vincegiordano.com
Andy Stein https://www.andysteinmusic.com
Artie Shaw https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artie_Shaw
Woody Herman https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woody_Herman
Glenn Miller https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Miller
Stuff Smith https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuff_Smith
Jean Luc Ponty https://www.ponty.com
Zbigniew Seifert https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zbigniew_Seifert
Other mentions:
Prohibition Productions https://www.prohibitionproductions.com
~
Laurel's new music video "New York City Sundance" https://youtu.be/CcvpvsyzGaY
For more information and info about her performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit host Laurel Thomsen's website â https://www.laurelthomsen.comâ
To check out Laurel's Violin Geek Blog, a companion to the podcast, please visit â https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blogâ
If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic youâd like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like Laurel to interview, or have a story or insight to share, please send Laurel an email at [email protected].
Also, please reach out if youâd like to inquire about violin, viola, or fiddle coaching or lessons with Laurel via Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to â https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusicâ .
Happy Practicing!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support -
The bow is a string player's primary "tool for tone," but like any tool, sometimes we need more than one to get the job done. In this episode we speak with historical bow maker Ralph Ashmead, learning all about the differences between Baroque, Transitional, and Modern bows, the reasons why we might choose one over another, and exploring the factors that caused bow design to change over time. Having crafted bows for over 40 years, we hear Ralph's story into bow-making, and learn about his process for choosing wood and "wrestling" bows into being. Our chat concludes with tips for players looking to purchase a historical bow, and practicalities, like what to do when it comes time to re-hair your Baroque bow.
Show Notes:
Ralph Ashmead website (check out the gorgeous pictures of his bows!!): https://www.ashmeadbows.com/
Rachel Barton Pine on Baroque bows and Bach https://youtu.be/b73g8LR3zD4
~
For more information about her performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit host Laurel Thomsen's website â â https://www.laurelthomsen.comâ â
To check out Laurel's Violin Geek Blog, a companion to the podcast, sharing tips, insight, and inspiration since 2007, please visit â â https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blogâ â
If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic youâd like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like Laurel to interview, or have a story or insight to share, please send Laurel an email at [email protected]. You're also welcome to post your comments, suggestions, or a success story to â â â https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusicâ â â .
If youâd like to inquire about violin, viola, or fiddle lessons with Laurel via Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom, please visit the Teaching tab on her website and reach out via email at â [email protected]â .
Happy Practicing!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support -
A lot of us often wonder, where am I supposed to place my thumb on the violin (or viola) neck? What finger should it be closest to? Should it be stationary? Should it move? Is there a spot that will magically help it stop gripping and finally relax? Today we explore this question recently posed by a podcast listener. Always a frequent topic among Laurel's private students and the students in her "Complete Vibrato Mastery" course, please also check out the companion YouTube video to see all Laurel's demos in action.
Show notes:
Video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/iVl1xqZM5ek
~
For more information about her performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit host Laurel Thomsen's website â â https://www.laurelthomsen.comâ â
To check out Laurel's Violin Geek Blog, a companion to the podcast, sharing tips, insight and inspiration since 2007, please visit â â https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blogâ â
If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic youâd like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like Laurel to interview, or have a story or insight to share, please send Laurel an email at [email protected]. Also, please reach out if youâd like to inquire about violin, viola, or fiddle coaching or lessons with Laurel via Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to â â https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusicâ â .
Happy Practicing!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support -
In this second installment of her Music Careers series, violinist/violist, teacher, and host Laurel Thomsen explores music careers and activities that require knowledge and skill in music, but not necessarily on one particular instrument. Itâs rare for even very talented musicians to be able to make a living at performance alone, so piecing together a variety of activities within our career is a great way to ensure our financial security, and stay passionate about everything we're doing. And even if weâre not planning to make a career of music, we may find that being involved with music in ways beyond playing our instrument very fulfilling and supportive to our overall drive to keep music in our life.
~
For more information and info about her performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit host Laurel Thomsen's website â https://www.laurelthomsen.comâ
To check out Laurel's Violin Geek Blog, a companion to the podcast, sharing tips, insight and inspiration since 2007, please visit â https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blogâ
If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic youâd like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like Laurel to interview, or have a story or insight to share, please send Laurel an email at [email protected]. Also, please reach out if youâd like to inquire about violin, viola, or fiddle coaching or lessons with Laurel via Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to â https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusicâ .
Happy Practicing!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support -
In this episode, we talk to Rachael Ridge, an Indiana based violinist and violin teacher, and the creator of "The Adult Violin Academy," a self paced online, video based course geared towards adult learners and their unique needs. We discuss the strengths that adult students bring to the table, as well as common challenges, like finding enough time to practice while juggling a job and a family, as well as physical pain and/or injury. We also talk about the importance of mindset. As much as we might consider playing a musical instrument to be a physical and musical pursuit, there are also mental and even emotional components that can easily derail our progress. Even if you aren't an adult student, but a teacher, professional, a younger student, or even just a music lover, there are many helpful tips and insights for everyone in this episode!
Show notes:
Rachael Ridge https://www.rachaelridge.com/
Rachael's "Adult Violin Academy" https://www.rachaelridge.com/adult-violin-academy
The "Active Violinist" Instagram https://www.instagram.com/activeviolinist/
~
For more information and info about her performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit host Laurel Thomsen's website â https://www.laurelthomsen.comâ
To check out Laurel's Violin Geek Blog, a companion to the podcast, please visit â https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blogâ
If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic youâd like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like Laurel to interview, or have a story or insight to share, please send Laurel an email at [email protected]. Also, please reach out if youâd like to inquire about violin, viola, or fiddle coaching or lessons with Laurel via Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to â https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusicâ .
Happy Practicing!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support -
Whether or not we plan to make a career of music, this series will be relevant for everyone! If we keep at it, we all reach a point where we're ready to take our music beyond the practice room, but as one of Laurel's students recently asked: "What can I do with this violin besides become Hilary Hahn or TwoSet?" Thankfully, there are many more options, and hopefully something for everyone, including for those who enjoy being in the spotlight, those who prefer group dynamics, those who want to be self-employed, and those who'd prefer to not have to think too much about the business side of their musical activities. In this first installment of her Music Careers series, violinist/violist, teacher, and host Laurel Thomsen explores performance based roles that require us to be skilled on our particular instrument. In future episodes in this series, we'll explore options that will require knowledge and skill in music, but not necessarily on one particular instrument. As Laurel has found herself, piecing together a variety of activities within our career is a great way to ensure our financial security as musicians, and stay passionate about everything we're doing.
Show notes:
Laurel's new "Colfax Harbor" music video https://youtu.be/moYNxsEfBac
Angela Myles Beeching career coaching/resources https://angelabeeching.com
Berklee School of Music careers articles https://www.berklee.edu/careers
~
For more information and info about her performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit host Laurel Thomsen's website https://www.laurelthomsen.com
To check out Laurel's Violin Geek Blog, a companion to the podcast, sharing tips, insight and inspiration since 2007, please visit https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blog
If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic youâd like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like Laurel to interview, or have a story or insight to share, please send Laurel an email at [email protected]. Also, please reach out if youâd like to inquire about violin, viola, or fiddle coaching or lessons with Laurel via Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusic.
Happy Practicing!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support -
Last summer I was honored to chat with Julia Reddy of the Violin Class podcast about life, music, managing our inner critic, improving our self-esteem, and the experience of starting over with technique and getting to the other side. Julia has been on maternity leave, so the episode has just released and I hope you enjoy our conversation! It was nice to revisit what we'd discussed. Please consider subscribing to Julia's podcast for more tips and interviews geared towards helping and inspiring adult violin students.
Check out Julia Reddy's Violin Class podcast https://www.violinclass.co/
~
For more information and info about her performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit host Laurel Thomsen's website https://www.laurelthomsen.com
To check out Laurel's Violin Geek Blog, a companion to the podcast, sharing tips, insight and inspiration since 2007, please visit https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blog
If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic youâd like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like Laurel to interview, or have a story or insight to share, please send Laurel an email at [email protected]. Also, please reach out if youâd like to inquire about violin, viola, or fiddle coaching or lessons with Laurel via Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusic.
Happy Practicing!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support - Montre plus
