Catherine Allen
Catherine was raised on the early and choral music of Salisbury, where the cathedral is never far from earshot, and developed a lasting love of music from earlier centuries. She writes about classical, early music and its instruments.
Common Aston Classical Mistakes to Avoid
The most common Aston Classical mistakes — from buying a laminate top when solid is within budget, to wrong playing position, humidity neglect and rushed right-hand development — are preventable with...
The Best E Bows for the Money
There's no wide field of competitors to rank here. What genuinely varies is which version suits you, and what small additions actually help.
Essential Classical Music Albums Explained
The essential classical music albums worth knowing, era by era, and a practical guide to choosing between the many recordings of each.
Violin Tuners: A Complete Guide
Tuning is the quiet foundation of everything a violinist does. Catherine Allen explains the different types of violin tuner and how each one works.
Common Violin Lessons Mistakes to Avoid
Most early struggles with the violin have nothing to do with talent. Here are the habits that quietly work against students, and how to fix each one.
Violin Case Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A violin case maintains humidity, absorbs impact, and protects the bow. This guide explains what matters most when choosing between designs and price tiers.
The History of Concerto
Four centuries and at least five major reinventions — here's how the form actually evolved, from Baroque Italy to the modern orchestra.
Electric Violin for Beginners: A Complete Guide
It is still just a violin underneath. A warm, honest beginner's guide to starting on electric violin, from silent practice to your first simple routine.
The Best Stentor Violins for the Money
Not every Stentor model is the best buy at every stage. Here's which instrument offers the most for the money, from first lessons to upper intermediate.
Rosin: A Complete Buyer's Guide
It costs very little, but the wrong formula can leave you fighting your instrument for months. Here's how to actually choose well.
The Best Cello Strings for the Money
The most expensive set is not always the most appropriate. Here is where the money actually goes — and where it does not need to — across every budget tier.
Common Double Bass Pedal Mistakes to Avoid
Most problems with learning the two-footboard mechanism come from predictable sources. Identifying and correcting them early prevents months of ingrained bad habits.
Cello: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying a cello means matching budget, size, and quality to where you are as a player. This guide covers every decision, from entry-level outfits to intermediate instruments, bows, strings, and setup.
Concerto Subgenres, Explained
Treat every concerto as one interchangeable shape and you'll miss most of what makes the form interesting. Here's how it actually splits up.
A Guide to Aston Classical
The Aston Classical guitar is built on centuries of tradition: nylon strings, cedar or spruce soundboards and fan bracing. This guide covers construction, technique and who the instrument is right for...
Electric Violin: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Body type, pickup, electronics, strings and comfort, in the right order: a practical buyer's guide to choosing an electric violin that suits your use.
Common Classical Guitar Mistakes to Avoid
Classical guitar technique is precise, and the mistakes beginners make tend to be very specific. Here are the most common ones, and how to put them right.
Cello for Beginners: A Complete Guide
The cello rewards patience and consistency. This beginner's guide covers what to expect in the first year: instrument choice, finding a teacher, posture, bow arm, intonation, and how to practise effec...
The Ultimate Guide to Electric Cellos
The electric cello keeps the bow and the technique of its acoustic cousin while replacing resonant wood with a pickup and a signal chain. Here is everything you need to know about how it works and why...
Cello Case: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The right cello case depends on the instrument's value, how often it travels, and what conditions it faces. Here is the practical breakdown for making that call correctly.
Cello Case for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A cello case is not optional. Whether the instrument is a first student rental or a bought beginner cello, the case determines how much real protection it receives. Here is what matters most.
What Catherine Allen covers
Cello
Core orchestral string instrument with a rich tone, broad range and strong ensemble role.
2 topics
Classical Guitar
Traditional nylon-string guitars for study, recital work and expressive fingerstyle with a warm, balanced tone.
3 topics
Double Bass Pedal
Double bass pedals let drummers play fast, controlled kick patterns with both feet for rock, metal and fusion styles.
Electric Violin
Browse electric violin models for amplified gigs, studio work and contemporary performance settings.
Rosin
Rosin for bowed strings, helping the bow grip and produce a clear, controlled sound.
Stradivarius Violin
Iconic historic violins famed for exceptional craftsmanship, rarity and tonal character.
Violin Strings
Explore violin strings to improve tone, response and tuning stability for study, ensemble and solo playing.
Violin Tuner
Use a violin tuner for quick, accurate tuning at home, in lessons, rehearsal or on stage.
