Kerstin Wartberg and Florin Iliescu

Description of the Lecture

Mastering the Key Bow Strokes

Practical Strategies for Violin and Viola Teaching

Part 1: Practical Video Course
Part 2: Recorded Zoom Masterclass

Join violin and viola teachers, advanced students, and enthusiastic amateur players for an in-depth exploration of seven essential bow strokes that form the foundation of expressive and technically secure string playing.

In Part 1, a practical video course, renowned violin pedagogue Kerstin Wartberg and internationally acclaimed violinist Florin Iliescu, First Concertmaster of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony, present and demonstrate the most important elements of seven key bow strokes.

Through clear explanations, practical exercises, and practical teaching suggestions, participants will learn how to develop these techniques step by step and how to teach them effectively to students of different ages and levels.

The course focuses on:

• understanding the essential characteristics of each bow stroke,
• developing technical control and flexibility,
• improving tone quality and musical expression,
• building efficient practice habits,
• and applying these techniques successfully in daily teaching and personal practice.

In Part 2, a recorded Zoom masterclass, Florin Iliescu and Kerstin Wartberg deepen the material through additional demonstrations, practical applications, and discussions of common teaching challenges.

Participants gain further insights into effective practice strategies and ways to integrate the bow strokes naturally into repertoire and technical studies.

To support long-term development, the course also includes a short daily practice programme that can be used by both teachers and students.

In addition to the video recordings, participants receive the eBook “Key Bow Strokes” by Kerstin Wartberg together with an extensive collection of accompanying MP3 play-along tracks.

These materials provide detailed explanations, practical exercises, and professionally recorded accompaniment files at various tempi, enabling teachers and students to practise the bow strokes systematically and integrate them directly into lessons and daily practice.

Bonus: Participants can also enjoy a high-level concert performance by Florin Iliescu, demonstrating how these technical foundations contribute to artistic and expressive violin and viola playing.

This course offers a unique opportunity to refine fundamental bow techniques, deepen musical understanding, and gain practical teaching tools that can be applied immediately in lessons, practice sessions, and performance preparation.

Here you can enjoy a live concert recording with Florin Iliescu:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61r3lovBJTs