The Violin Geek Blog Tips, insight, and inspiration since 2007.
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In this second installment of my Music Careers series, we explore music careers and activities that require knowledge and skill in music, but not necessarily on one particular instrument. It’s rare for even very talented musicians to be able to make ...
In this recent teaching video I'm sharing on my YouTube channel I'm sharing one of my favorite exercises to share with my students. Do you conveniently avoid playing in the lower half of the bow, or outright fear the tones you might encounter down ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
At first glance, measures with either a 6/8 or 3/4 time signature could be filled with six eighth notes (see figure below), so how are the two different in terms of music theory, and do we need to approach them any differently in our playing?
Canadian singer-songwriter Dan Frechette and I are excited to share our latest music video with you! Featured on our fifth duo album After the Fire, which we released in 2022, "Colfax Harbor" is our nod to the Celtic/Irish ballad. ...
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
"After the Fire" - released January 21, 2022!
