Latest Articles

Welcome to my practice room, where I share my latest tips, tricks, and videos, drawn from decades on the world’s stages.

ALL CATEGORIES
LEFT HAND
BOW ARM
AUDITION PREPARATION
The Three Variables faucet
There’s no secret to violin sound, just “the three variables”
Nathan Cole
There’s no secret to violin sound, just “the three variables”
VIEW POST
A violin walks the tightrope
Fix violin intonation by walking the tightrope
Nathan Cole
Fix violin intonation by walking the tightrope
VIEW POST
Nathan Cole performing Paik's One for solo violin. Photo: Ian Byers-Gamber
What is the sound of one violin smashing?
Nathan Cole
What is the sound of one violin smashing?
VIEW POST
Nathan Cole plays Beethoven with the Milstein Strad
Speed-dating a Strad: one week with Milstein’s ex
Nathan Cole
Speed-dating a Strad: one week with Milstein’s ex
VIEW POST
Make your pinky your "lucky" finger
Pinky power: tame and strengthen a flat fourth finger (VIDEO)
Nathan Cole
Pinky power: tame and strengthen a flat fourth finger (VIDEO)
VIEW POST
violin on lakeside dock
Purity practice: find the phrase by losing your vibrato (VIDEO)
Nathan Cole
Purity practice: find the phrase by losing your vibrato (VIDEO)
VIEW POST
violin with broken E string
What does Zigeunerweisen sound like with no E string?
Nathan Cole
What does Zigeunerweisen sound like with no E string?
VIEW POST
Robert Cole, flutist (1923-2016)
Robert Cole (1923-2016): flutist, teacher, Grandpa
Nathan Cole
Robert Cole (1923-2016): flutist, teacher, Grandpa
VIEW POST
Effortless vibrato
Violin vibrato: how to make it flexible and effortless
Nathan Cole
Violin vibrato: how to make it flexible and effortless
VIEW POST
Practice like a bodybuilder: slow, steady and super strong!
Nathan Cole
Practice like a bodybuilder: slow, steady and super strong!
VIEW POST
Terrible tremors: embracing your violin bow shakes
Terrible tremors: embracing your violin bow shakes
Nathan Cole
Terrible tremors: embracing your violin bow shakes
VIEW POST
The paradox of the endless violin bow (VIDEO)
Nathan Cole
The paradox of the endless violin bow (VIDEO)
VIEW POST
Mishna Wolff
Want to tame performance nerves? Play on the street!
Nathan Cole
Want to tame performance nerves? Play on the street!
VIEW POST
Nathan basketball, violin spiccato
Master violin spiccato at any speed (video)
Nathan Cole
Master violin spiccato at any speed (video)
VIEW POST
Track runner with violin concerto openings
Which violin concerto has the toughest opening?
Nathan Cole
Which violin concerto has the toughest opening?
VIEW POST
Only 14 finished my New York Philharmonic violin audition Challenge!
Only 14 finished my New York Philharmonic violin audition Challenge!
Nathan Cole
Only 14 finished my New York Philharmonic violin audition Challenge!
VIEW POST
Don't take a violin audition "for the experience"!
Don't take a violin audition "for the experience"!
Nathan Cole
Don't take a violin audition "for the experience"!
VIEW POST
Schumann scherzo
The New York Phil violin audition Challenge
Nathan Cole
The New York Phil violin audition Challenge
VIEW POST

Free Guide: 8 Most Common Practice Mistakes

DOWNLOAD FREE GUIDE
Free Guide

If You’re Making Any Of These 8 Mistakes In The Practice Room

(and everyone I’ve worked with makes at least 1) you’re holding yourself back! Get back on track today:
Name(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
arrow-commentsarrow-leftarrow-opencaret-downclose-modalclosecopydouble-arrowfacebook-squarehamburgerinstagram-squarelinkedin-squaremailminuspausepinterestplay-smallplayplusscroll-iconsearchtwitter-sharetwitter-squareyoutube-square