Each music note has two attributes – pitch and duration. Pitch and duration are independent of each other. Pitch is indicated by the vertical position of the note on the stave, the key signature, and “accidentals” placed next to the…

Fritz Kreisler was a highly accomplished violinist and composer in the early 20th century. His compositions are regularly performed as encores and in recitals. In addition to performing the classic repertoire and his own compositions, Kreisler was known for premiering…

In music, some notes are held longer than others, and the basic notation system is easily understood. For example, a half note is half as long as a whole note. A quarter note is half as long as a half…

William, Charles, and Alfred Voller were skilled luthiers and forgers of the early 20th century. They created nearly perfect “copies” of several early Italian violins – which they sold at high prices. Their forgery of the Balfour Stradivari violin was…

Joyce Hatto was an English pianist and piano teacher who performed throughout Europe from the 1950s until the 1970s. Married to record producer William Barrington-Coupe, Hatto produced recordings under several labels, but primarily her husband’s Saga Records label. Hatto quit…

Deciding on fingerings is an advanced aspect of playing orchestra instruments. Musicians playing wind instruments have limited fingering options because some notes can be played only one way. Pitches are created on a clarinet by opening and closing (or covering)…

When someone buys a ticket to a live concert, they may think they’re just paying to see musicians perform. But musicians don’t receive the entire ticket price. Rather, the musicians frequently receive only a tiny fraction, perhaps 15%-20% of the…