All improvisation articles
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Blogs‘Tchaikovsky’s harmonies in a Berlin nightclub’: classical string improv at the Edinburgh Fringe
Ahead of a Fringe Preview show, violinist Rita Fernandes breaks down how her classical training and the sonic possibilities of string instruments inform the comedy improv show she’s bringing to the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe Festival
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Premium ❘ FeatureTechnique: Integrating improvisation into your daily practice
Swedish violist Henrik Frendin on how to add the technique to your everyday playing
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Blogs‘I dismantled it almost entirely’ - Writing improvisatory and jazz-infused Lutosławski arrangements
In conversation with The Strad, New York-based jazz bassist, improviser and composer Michael Bates outlines how he arranged seven Lutosławski works for jazz quintet and string quartet
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Blogs‘How do you make that first mistake?’ - Jazz violinist Scott Tixier on the power of improvisation
The French violinist on his journey into jazz and how the principles of improvisation broaden expressive capabilities and encourage flexibility, imagination and a deeper connection to music, regardless of genre
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Premium ❘ Feature'Your own voice must be in charge': Creating an improvised violin concerto
Can a new work encourage young, classically trained string players to lose their fear of improvisation and find their individual voice? Violinist Christina Åstrand and composer Signe Lykke explain the concept to Andrew Mellor
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FocusThe Strad Podcast #112: making musical choices with violist and composer Jessica Meyer
Believing the word ’improvisation’ to be a scary word for many classical musicians, Jessica calls for a simpler approach that will help musicians interpret both their own and others’ music
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BlogsHow violinists can integrate composition into their practice: Helena Maria Falk
With the release of her debut single ‘To Grandpa’, the violinist hopes more instrumentalists will experiment with composition and improvisation in their playing
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ReviewBook review: Violin Fingerboard Mastery: Contemporary Mapping Exercises and Improvisation Studies
Alex Laing reads US violinist Jason Anick’s method for learning how to improvise
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FocusThe Strad Podcast Episode #2: Maja Bugge’s five tips for teaching improvisation
Cellist Maja Bugge shares some helpful ways to incorporate and explore improvisation in lessons
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Article10 tips for improvising on a stringed instrument
Grammy-winning American jazz violinist Zach Brock gives advice for classical string players wanting to explore the world of improvisation
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BlogsCourage before confidence: the benefits of improvising for classical musicians
Composer Liz Dilnot Johnson describes using lockdown to explore improvising techniques with violinist Lucy Russell
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Premium ❘ FeatureEncouraging independent learning in music lessons
Are scales squeezed out and sightreading neglected? Paul Harris shares some ideas on integrating core skills into your students' lessons
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ReviewBook review: Improvisation for Strings
Max Grosch reviews Tim Kliphuis’s new guide to improvisation
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Blogs5 tips for improvising on strings
Violinist Curtis Stewart of the innovative New York based PUBLIQuartet writes us a checklist for throwing off the shackles of the score and exploring your own creativity
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BlogsWhatever happened to improvisation in classical music?
'Duelling' violin brothers Vladimir & Anton grew up surrounded by Romani music and use a variety of Romani techniques in their performances - including writing their own variations and cadenzas. Here they discuss the lost art of classical improvisation
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FocusShould all string players learn how to improvise?
Dutch violinists Martin Norgaard and Tim Kliphuis believe teaching children improvisation and alternative styles of music should be a requirement of string lessons in the 21st century, writes Pauline Harding
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ArticlePioneering jazz cellist Fred Katz dies aged 94
American cellist and composer Fred Katz has died at the age of 94. Classically trained, Katz was credited as the first musician to explore the cello's potential for jazz improvisation.Born in New York in 1919, Katz studied piano and cello as a child, and took lessons with Leif Rosanoff, who ...
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ArticleNew London festival combines improvised music with art, theatre, dance and film
Cellist Ayanna Witter-Johnson (pictured), viola player Max Baillie and all-string group the 12 Ensemble are among the performers at a new ten-day festival in east London next month. The ‘i = u Festival’ will bring together music with dance, art, theatre and film as it explores improvisation ...
