Stretta Journal
Discover music with the Stretta Journal – we hope you enjoy reading and browsing!
The Philosophy of Practising
Kristin Thielemann explains what practising means, gets to the very heart of its meaning and shares effective methods of practising.
10 reasons for music lessons
‘Music makes you smart’? Kristin Thielemann disagrees! She shows 10 good reasons why music is important - without any pressure to perform or thinking in terms of benefits.
8 Obstacles in Recorder Playing and How to Easily Overcome Them
Recorder hoarse, high notes difficult, fingers cramped? Vera Petry gives tips on how to overcome these hurdles and make faster progress with your playing.
Random Progressions: Practicing Jazz with Chance
Quality over quantity when practising: instead of monotonous repetitions, creative random progressions ensure individual exercises that are precisely tailored to your ability.
Musicians, show your tongue! An exercise to relax the tongue for a better sound
Musicians take note: Showing your tongue can improve articulation, coordination and breathing - without disgust! Discover the surprising benefits for your playing.
From Sound to Emotion - How Music Affects Our Feelings
How can music calm and reduce stress or evoke emotions? Systematic musicologist Bettina Zeidler introduces us to the world of music psychology.
How you succeed in reaching your practice goals
Setting New Year's resolutions is easy - realising them is difficult. Aloisia Dauer explains how to really achieve your musical goals and stick to them.
Young and Under Pressure - From the Lives of Budding Professional Musicians
Rehearsal stress, audition anxiety, competition - the start of a career in music is often tough. Why young talents take the plunge anyway and how they deal with it.
Instrumental Up-Keep in Winter - What Should I Consider?
Cold and heated air can damage instruments in winter. Find out what can happen - and how you can get your instrument through the Christmas period safely.
The Art of the Encore!
What makes a good encore? We asked eight professional musicians to try and answer this question. Let their answers inspire you for your next concert!
Practicing in Summer: More, Less, or Differently? How to Take Care of Your Body in Any Situation
Summer & music: Are you playing more, taking a break or taking your instrument with you? Tips on how to stay mindful of your body - for relaxed music-making!
How Rhythmic Speech Can Make it Easier to Learn your Instrument.
Learning rhythm made easy: drummer Manu Holmer shows how to gain rhythmic confidence with language - ideal for music lessons!
Loop Me, Pachelbel! Creative Practice with Loop-Apps
Do your pupils find scales boring? Loop apps transform exercises into cool pieces of music in no time at all - ideal for beginners and advanced students!
Understanding and Experiencing Breathing - Part 2: Three Practical Exercises
Physiotherapist Sophie Stahl shows you three exercises to strengthen and relax your breathing muscles - before, during and after a rehearsal.
Pretty Wild! Practical tips for educating restless students
Do you know fidgety children in class? Kristin Thielemann gives lots of practical tips on how to deal with restlessness and concentration problems.
Understanding and Experiencing Breathing - Part 1: The processes involved in breathing
We breathe 20,000 times a day. Singing and wind instruments place great demands on our breathing - time to better understand the respiratory function and its importance.
