In this episode we speak with Tokyo born, New York based Jazz violinist and composer about her new album, "Lingering," with pianist Kevin Hayes, how her conversion to Judaism has informed her life and music, her journey from Julliard to free improvisation, and how she's managed to turn labels and stereotypes into assets along her career path.

Show notes:

Meg's website https://www.megokura.com

Listen/Purchase "Lingering" https://megokurakevinhays.bandcamp.com/album/lingering

Stream "Lingering" on Apple Music https://music.apple.com/us/album/lingering/1737319248

Stream "Lingering" on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/26Xn8ZzKI0mzStvnSorUQ5

Scores & Parts for some of Meg's compositions https://www.megokura.com/scores-parts

~~

Host Laurel Thomsen's info and links:

For more information and info about my performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit my website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.laurelthomsen.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

To check out my Violin Geek Blog, the companion to the podcast, sharing tips, insight and inspiration since 2007, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic you’d like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like me to interview, or have a  story or insight to share, please send me an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Also, please reach out if you’d like to inquire about online violin, viola, or fiddle lessons with me via Skype, FaceTime, or  Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Happy Practicing!

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support

What is shifting? How do we make our shifts more accurate and clean? If we're just beginning and not ready to learn how to shift yet, what can we do to ensure we'll be ready when the time comes? Join me as we dive deep into the nuances of shifting technique as it applies to the violin or viola, with tips also helpful for cellists, and for both beginning shifters and the more advanced among us.

Please also enjoy the video version of this episode here: https://youtu.be/64Nzrqfqc9g

~

Show Notes:

Intro/outro music: "Music Bug" by Laurel Thomsen https://laurelthomsen.bandcamp.com/track/music-bug

~

For more information and info about my performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit my website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.laurelthomsen.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

To check out my Violin Geek Blog, the companion to the podcast, sharing tips, insight and inspiration since 2007, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic you’d like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like me to interview, or have a  story or insight to share, please send me an email at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠.

Also, please reach out if you’d like to inquire about online violin, viola, or fiddle lessons with me via Skype, FaceTime, or  Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Happy Practicing!

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support

Many of us were drawn to play the violin, viola, or cello because we'd heard playing that brought us to tears, filled us with joy, or expressed a feeling that we couldn't even describe with words. Truly, there seems to be no limit to the emotions and the variety of sounds these instruments can express. However, our first weeks, months, and even years of learning to play can feel very technical - focused on just playing the right notes, at the right time, and hopefully with decent tone! Securing these basics can often feel like it could take a lifetime, so when and how will we get to actually play more musically? Today we're exploring what a difference just a handful of elements makes in creating a more musical version of a simple folk song from Suzuki Book 1. And yes, one element is vibrato, but even before we learn vibrato and begin adding it to our pieces, we have other factors that even a beginner can use to start to add more personality to their renditions.

~

Show Notes:

"Sweet Beauty" full track https://open.spotify.com/track/7jjfysw3FoEQnvrNbBgcMB?si=32ce40e225b74803

Laurel's YouTube Channel with recent deep dives into tone etc.: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe5W2-LP_E2A65RCxIC9uGw

Laurel's "Complete Vibrato Mastery" online course https://www.udemy.com/course/complete-vibrato-mastery/?referralCode=5B724D936FF08F7DDFB8

~

For more information and info about my performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit my website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.laurelthomsen.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

To check out my Violin Geek Blog, the companion to the podcast, sharing tips, insight and inspiration since 2007, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic you’d like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like me to interview, or have a  story or insight to share, please send me an email at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠.

Also, please reach out if you’d like to inquire about online violin, viola, or fiddle lessons with me via Skype, FaceTime, or  Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Happy Practicing!

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support

It's frustrating and disheartening when all our preparation in the practice room doesn't make it out onto the stage. Instead of presenting the polished piece we've been performing in the comfort of our room, we're suddenly overcome by hyper-drive vibrato, sweaty palms, or a bow that jitters and skids as we squeak out our phrases. We're overwhelmed by mental calculations about difficult upcoming passages and worries about how we'll even be able to make it to the end of the piece, versus the thoughts we'd love to be having about sharing the character and emotion of the music and connecting with our listeners. Sound familiar?

If so, I hope you enjoy this exploration into performance anxiety that goes far beyond imagining the audience in their underwear! I share my own journey through debilitating stage fright as a teen, and the tools, including hands-on mind-body practices we'll experience during the episode, which I've used to foster more confidence and focus on stage, and to help get comfortable with the uncomfortable symptoms of performance anxiety. I hope you find new tips to help you and/or your students in what I have to share!

~

For more information and info about my performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit my website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.laurelthomsen.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

To check out my Violin Geek Blog, the companion to the podcast, sharing tips, insight and inspiration since 2007, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic you’d like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like me to interview, or have a  story or insight to share, please send me an email at ⁠[email protected]⁠.

Also, please reach out if you’d like to inquire about online violin, viola, or fiddle lessons with me via Skype, FaceTime, or  Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Happy Practicing!

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support

Happy New Year! We want our music making journey to be positive and comfortable, so we can express ourselves with freedom. Listen in as I chat with Jennifer Roig-Francolí, a professional violinist, certified Alexander Technique instructor, and the creator of the Art of Freedom Method. We learn about Jennifer’s path from concert violinist to her role as a coach, specializing in helping musicians of all kinds play with more ease and joy, less pain and performance anxiety, and less tension and stress. Jennifer has just released a new book titled “Make Great Music with Ease!: The Secret to Smarter Practice, Confident Performance, and Living a Happier Life,” and we explore how bringing more awareness to our lives can help us become better players, but also people, in all the various roles we play.

Show Notes:

Jennifer's website: https://artoffreedom.me

Buy Jennifer's new book: ⁠https://a.co/d/bvY3TcY

"TheCyCle" video Jennifer recommended in the episode: ⁠https://youtu.be/Zr1c4T9KgFM?si=-vNgq1AsKfzMRWzJ

Check out Jennifer's album "Solo Con Spirito! https://artoffreedom.me/product/solo-con-spirito-celebrating-50/
Connect with Jennifer through her YouTube channel with multiple playlists (teaching, music, etc.): https://www.youtube.com/@JenniferRoigFrancoli
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/J30DPC/

~

For more information and info about her performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit host Laurel Thomsen's website ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.laurelthomsen.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

To check out Laurel's Violin Geek Blog, the companion to the podcast, sharing tips, insight and inspiration since 2007, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blog⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic you’d like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like Laurel to interview, or have a  story or insight to share, please send Laurel an email at [email protected].

Also, please reach out if you’d like to inquire about online violin, viola, or fiddle lessons with Laurel via Skype, FaceTime, or  Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusic⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Happy Practicing!

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support

It's holiday time! Why not give the gift of comfort to yourself, your child, or your student, with a more suitable chin or shoulder rest! In this episode, violinist/violist, teacher, and host Laurel Thomsen shares the factors we need to consider when shopping for a more secure, effective, and comfortable chin and shoulder rest. And as we'll find, the most popular models might not be serving most of us very well!

View the video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/mCxxoNa88fE

Show notes:

Ergonomic, lifted, and custom chinrests: https://www.chinrests.com/chinrestline

Non-custom lifted chinrests: https://fiddlershop.com

Chinrest models mentioned: Hamburg, Teka, Original Flesch

Shoulder rest models mentioned: Wolf Forte Secondo, Poly Pad, Bon Musica, Kun Seven

Intro/outro music: "Unexpected Waltz," written and performed by Laurel Thomsen. To listen and download visit https://laurelthomsen.bandcamp.com/track/unexpected-waltz

~

For more information and info about her performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit host Laurel Thomsen's website ⁠⁠⁠https://www.laurelthomsen.com⁠⁠⁠

To check out Laurel's Violin Geek Blog, a companion to the podcast, sharing tips, insight and inspiration since 2007, please visit ⁠⁠⁠https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blog⁠⁠⁠

If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic you’d like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like Laurel to interview, or have a  story or insight to share, please send Laurel an email at [email protected]. Also, please reach out if you’d like to inquire about violin, viola, or fiddle coaching or lessons with Laurel via Skype, FaceTime, or  Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusic⁠⁠⁠.

Happy Practicing!

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support

In this last installment of her Music Careers series, violinist/violist, teacher, and host Laurel Thomsen explores music careers that are more "behind the scenes," as well as a few that don't neatly fit into other categories. Despite not necessarily placing us in the spotlight, most could become stand-alone full-time careers, or a supplement to a performance or teaching career. And, especially if we’re not drawn to performance or teaching, I think this particular episode shows us options where we can still contribute, sometimes in very important ways.

~

For more information and info about her performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit host Laurel Thomsen's website ⁠⁠https://www.laurelthomsen.com⁠⁠

To check out Laurel's Violin Geek Blog, a companion to the podcast, sharing tips, insight and inspiration since 2007, please visit ⁠⁠https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blog⁠⁠

If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic you’d like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like Laurel to interview, or have a   story or insight to share, please send Laurel an email at [email protected]. Also, please reach out if you’d like to inquire about violin, viola, or fiddle coaching or lessons with Laurel via Skype, FaceTime, or   Zoom.  You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusic⁠⁠.

Happy Practicing!

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support

In this episode we enjoy a fascinating conversation with Russian born violinist and educator Michael Dvoskin about the differences between violin training in Russia versus the United States. Michael also shares his story about immigrating to America, and tips for students preparing for an audition or recital. In effort to create both a successful and enjoyable musical education, there's a lot we can learn from both countries' approaches. We hope you enjoy!

Show notes:

- Michael's website https://kandmmusicschool.com/

- Yuri Yankelvich book mentioned https://global.oup.com/us/companion.websites/9780199917624/

~

For more information and info about her performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit host Laurel Thomsen's website ⁠⁠https://www.laurelthomsen.com⁠⁠

To check out Laurel's Violin Geek Blog, a companion to the podcast, please visit ⁠⁠https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blog⁠⁠

If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic you’d like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like Laurel to interview, or have a story or insight to share, please send Laurel an email  at ⁠[email protected]⁠.

Also, please reach out if you’d like to  inquire about violin, viola, or fiddle coaching or lessons with  Laurel via Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusic⁠⁠.

Happy Practicing!

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support

Today we speak with violinist, educator, and Violin Class podcast creator and host Julia Reddy about making time for practice. We discuss how to ramp back up after a hiatus, how to make the most out of limited time, how to effectively divide up our practice time and focus our attention for results, and how to balance our practice routine when juggling solo repertoire and technical work with orchestral or audition preparation. We hope you enjoy!

Show notes:

- Julia's website https://juliareddy.com

- The Violin Class podcast website https://www.violinclass.co

- Julia's free warmup PDF https://www.violinclass.co/warmup

- Listen to Julia's arrangement and recording of Maurice Ravel's Deux Mélodies Hébraïque for violin and guitar https://juliareddy.com/kaddish

Techniques and etudes mentioned:

Son filé exercise demonstrated https://youtu.be/WnH6EvvzCk8?si=pNCq8lvxGxveAahT

Schradieck School of Violin Technics https://imslp.org/wiki/School_of_Violin_Technics_(Schradieck%2C_Henry)

Ševčík Op. 1 https://imslp.org/wiki/School_of_Violin_Technique%2C_Op.1_(%C5%A0ev%C4%8D%C3%ADk%2C_Otakar)

~

For more information and info about her performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit host Laurel Thomsen's website ⁠https://www.laurelthomsen.com⁠

To check out Laurel's Violin Geek Blog, a companion to the podcast, please visit ⁠https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blog⁠

If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic you’d like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like Laurel to interview, or have a story or insight to share, please send Laurel an email  at [email protected].

Also, please reach out if you’d like to  inquire about violin, viola, or fiddle coaching or lessons with  Laurel via Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to ⁠https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusic⁠.

Happy Practicing!

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support

Today we chat with Grammy-nominated violinist Gabe Terracciano, who's expanding the range of the violin as a member of the Turtle Island String Quartet and the Hot Toddies Jazz Band, among other exciting projects. We hear about Gabe's transition from nearly quitting early Classical lessons to discovering and falling in love with Jazz, discuss what it's like to be a band leader in New York City, hear tracks from The Hot Toddies recently released full-length album, and gain tips for improvising for the first time and finding our own voice within whatever genre of music we play.

Show notes:

Gabe’s website https://gabeterracciano.com

The Hot Toddies Jazz Band https://www.hottoddies.band

The Hot Toddies new album and “Quarantine EP” https://www.hottoddies.band/buy

Gabe’s solo album “Three Part Invention” https://gabeterracciano.bandcamp.com/album/three-part-invention

Some Jazz and Swing artists mentioned:

Vince Giordano https://vincegiordano.com

Andy Stein https://www.andysteinmusic.com

Artie Shaw https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artie_Shaw

Woody Herman https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woody_Herman

Glenn Miller https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Miller

Stuff Smith https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuff_Smith

Jean Luc Ponty https://www.ponty.com

Zbigniew Seifert https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zbigniew_Seifert

Other mentions:

Prohibition Productions https://www.prohibitionproductions.com

~

Laurel's new music video "New York City Sundance" https://youtu.be/CcvpvsyzGaY

For more information and info about her performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit host Laurel Thomsen's website ⁠https://www.laurelthomsen.com⁠

To check out Laurel's Violin Geek Blog, a companion to the podcast, please visit ⁠https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blog⁠

If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic you’d like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like Laurel to interview, or have a story or insight to share, please send Laurel an email  at [email protected].

Also, please reach out if you’d like to  inquire about violin, viola, or fiddle coaching or lessons with  Laurel via Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. You're also welcome to post your success story, comments, or suggestions to ⁠https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusic⁠.

Happy Practicing!

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support

The bow is a string player's primary "tool for tone," but like any tool, sometimes we need more than one to get the job done. In this episode we speak with historical bow maker Ralph Ashmead, learning all about the differences between Baroque, Transitional, and Modern bows, the reasons why we might choose one over another, and exploring the factors that caused bow design to change over time. Having crafted bows for over 40 years, we hear Ralph's story into bow-making, and learn about his process for choosing wood and "wrestling" bows into being. Our chat concludes with tips for players looking to purchase a historical bow, and practicalities, like what to do when it comes time to re-hair your Baroque bow.

Show Notes:

Ralph Ashmead website (check out the gorgeous pictures of his bows!!): https://www.ashmeadbows.com/

Rachel Barton Pine on Baroque bows and Bach https://youtu.be/b73g8LR3zD4

~

For more information about her performances, recordings, and teaching, please visit host Laurel Thomsen's website ⁠⁠https://www.laurelthomsen.com⁠⁠

To check out Laurel's Violin Geek Blog, a companion to the podcast, sharing tips, insight, and inspiration since 2007, please visit ⁠⁠https://www.laurelthomsen.com/violin-geek-blog⁠⁠

If you have a violin, viola, fiddle, music biz, or practice related question or topic you’d like to have covered on the Violin Geek podcast or in the blog, have someone you'd like Laurel to interview, or have a story or insight to share, please send Laurel an email at [email protected]. You're also welcome to post your comments, suggestions, or a success story to ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/laurelthomsenmusic⁠⁠⁠.

If you’d like to inquire about violin, viola, or fiddle lessons with Laurel via Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom, please visit the Teaching tab on her website and reach out via email at ⁠[email protected]⁠.

Happy Practicing!

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/violingeek/support