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Why do performers in some situations stand, while others sit? And is it better to sit or stand when we practice?
Traditionally, violin and viola soloists stand, but sit as ensemble members. Standing helps the audience identify the soloist and ...
Between many method books now including play-along tracks, or just wanting to play along with our favorite albums, or videos we find on YouTube, once we've practiced along with a range of pre-recorded tracks and accompaniments, eventually we come across ...
People are starting to hit the road again, but what does this mean for our instruments? In this episode of the Violin Geek Podcast, I'm sharing tips for safely getting your instrument ...
In my latest article for Strings magazine I researched six popular music notation software programs and apps. The article is out now in the July/August print edition, and also online through the link below (I love that Strings also embedded videos ...
With my first email address in the early 2000s came an inbox full of musician scams. The "opportunities" seem to come in waves. Sometimes I'll get five in a month. Other times, they'll forget about me for five years.
The premise of ...
While there are many options for free sheet music online, giving us near instant gratification when we hear a melody we love on a movie or TV show or hear our teacher mention that we’ll be trying a new concerto or sonata soon, it’s usually worth it ...
Please email Laurel at laurel@laurelthomsen.com if you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question you’d like answered in the blog or on a podcast, have a story or insight to share, or if you’d like to inquire about violin, viola, or fiddle lessons with Laurel, in-person or via Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom.
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Laurel Thomsen Violin, Viola, Vocals Performance, Instruction, Recording Based in Santa Cruz, California
