Nathan Cole - violin
There is method to the mastery
It wasn't so long ago, the pre-mobile-phone era. Back then, you prayed that your plans would come off without a hitch. And when a hitch found you, you had to find a pay phone. As I flew through …
Continue Reading about From Kentucky to Curtis: first lesson with my violin “Yoda” →
Before my first rehearsal as a member of the Chicago Symphony, I asked my grandfather how I’d know the exact moment to come in after Barenboim’s downbeat. “Ha! You’ll know.” I had hoped for …
Continue Reading about Robert Cole (1923-2016): flutist, teacher, Grandpa →
Editor's note: The original version of this post was missing several concertos, each of which was pointed out by my faithful readers. I have now added the most requested, including one that was …
Continue Reading about Which violin concerto has the toughest opening? →
Way back in the 90s, my parents in Lexington, Kentucky sent me away to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. I had never lived on my own before, so they made sure I had some essentials with …
Continue Reading about 10 essential back-to-school gifts for the 21st-century violinist →
We had a great run, didn’t we? We finished all ten Suzuki books, learned the Tchaikovsky concerto, went to Curtis, won some prizes and a few auditions… I’ve been with you longer than I’ve been with my …
Continue Reading about Why I ditched my shoulder rest after 30 years →
