The Strad Vs. Strings Magazine

November 23, 2007 at 03:31 AM · I prefer Strad. It's longer, meatier, and focuses more on the professional classical world. Strings is not bad, but in recent years I've noticed a marked shift towards a more amateur/student audience and more on other styles of playing like jazz and bluegrass. It's good for what it is, just not my cup of tea.

November 23, 2007 at 04:16 AM · I've only read online samples, but like Strad a lot.

November 23, 2007 at 01:59 PM · They are really so different, so it is hard to compare. Strings has always had a more all-around approach to music. Also, Strings tends to be focused on the American music scene, whereas The Strad makes a real effort to cover classical music all over the world. I have subscribed to both for years. I keep all the back issues. They are hogging a lot of shelf space...

My personal favorite is The Strad. They have the most thorough CD and concert reviews. Tully Potter is always a delight to read! The recent luthier articles have been quite nice too, and not too complicated for simple-minded musicians like me!

The Strad's articles seem to be a bit shorter than they used to, although that could be my imagination run amok with old age. The Strad's print has gotten TINY, and the ink color is lighter, making it hard to read. I wish they would go back to a bigger, darker font.

November 23, 2007 at 03:29 PM · If money is an issue, Strad costs about $100 per year. It has gotten so expensive I have not renewed my current subscription. Strings is about $20.

November 23, 2007 at 04:50 PM · yikes... gotta disagree about Tully Potter. Whenever I read an article or review in Strad and find myself furious at the reviewer's bias - expecting performers to fulfill a preconceived ideal, and frequent irrelevant comparisons to artists of yesteryear - they are inevitably written by Potter. I really object to his approach to music criticism.

That said, I still prefer Strad for the more in-depth articles and professional focus, although Strings may be closing the gap with improving writing quality.

November 23, 2007 at 05:18 PM · I agree with Anne. They are so different. to the extent I read them, I prefer Strad because of my particular interests (and I agree that Tully Potter is good). However, I do have an interest in jazz which Strings serves better, and Strings has had some very good articles on particular classical subjects. So, although I subscribe to neither, I am glad both are there.

November 23, 2007 at 05:28 PM · Jesse, that is why I like Potter (Insert smiley face here).

November 23, 2007 at 06:48 PM · I asked Strad magazine if they give "senior citizen" discounts as I could not afford it otherwise. They got back to me a long time later with a short but snide letter and said NO!

November 24, 2007 at 03:58 PM · My most recent Strad renewal bill arrived, and the current subscription rates are stated:

1 Year @ $101.35 ($8.44 per issue)

2 Year @ $182.40 ($7.69 per issue)

I believe VSA and ASTA members get a further discount.

Even at the $101.35 per year rate, that still is less than 30 cents a day.

November 24, 2007 at 06:38 PM · Regarding Tully Potter, I particularly enjoy his reviews, as he is one of the only current writers with an appropriate understanding of the Golden Age violinists. Unfortunately, critics with any real knowledge of the history of our art are surprisingly far and few between.... Eric Wen, by the way, is another fabulous writer.

November 24, 2007 at 07:11 PM · What are "Golden Age" violinists? And why are they called that way? What would Golden Age violinists say about today's "Carbon Age" (or how would you call them?) violinists, if they only could listen to them? I have to admit that I am feeling like caught in a last century record label marketing trap whenever hearing or reading this - in my mind really hollow - term.

FMF

November 24, 2007 at 10:36 PM · ""Carbon Age" (or how would you call them?)"

It's the age of silicone on silicon :) And of silicon-based life forms. But I seem to remember carbon age is part of the lifetime of a star (between the helium age and the heavy metal age). P.S. I vastly prefer Strings magazine to that other one.