Dr. Keegan O'Donald

Jargar Evoke Cello Strings Review — Keegan O'Donald - Cellist Jargar Strings has been manufacturing steel strings in Denmark since 1956. Their Classic A and D strings have been a reference standard used by cellists for decades. Jargar has expanded their selectio...

www.keeganodonald.com/blog/jargar-...

Peter Infeld Cello Strings: Long-Term Review — Keegan O'Donald - Cellist I thought it would be useful for cellists interested in Peter Infeld strings to have a follow-up review. Strings are an investment in your instrument and your playing, and musicians will naturally wan...

Here are my thoughts after using the Peter Infeld cello strings for several months.
www.keeganodonald.com/blog/peter-i...

Yes.

I wish there was a string library where you could try a string for a day and then give it back. I wouldn't mind trying a used string if it saved me money.

Interested to know what you think of Peter Infeld. I like the set a lot but it took some adjustment for me.

I would try the Jargar Evoke G/C string! It's comparable to Spirocore but is much less expensive. I like the whole set of Jargar Evoke, but you can mix and match.

Apple Music Classical Review: Part 2 — Keegan O'Donald - Cellist Welcome to Part 2 of my Apple Music Classical review. The first part examines classical music metadata and why a dedicated app for classical music is necessary. Discovery For both the amateur a...

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I've published the 2nd part of my Apple Classical review. How are you using the Classical app?

HEY GUESS WHAT!

Today is composer Florence Price's 138th birthday and for some reason I'm not seeing a lot of stuff about that so I WANT YOU to do your patriotic duty and revel in the life and work of this great American composer with me

Logan Square's "rat assassin" cat now has her own t-shirts, with sales supporting a feral rescue group. buff.ly/2yOrSQS

I wrote a review of the Apple Music Classical app! Let me know if you're using the Classical app and how your experience has been. I'll soon have a second part to the review.

Apple Music Classical Review: Part 1 — Keegan O'Donald - Cellist Introduction Apple’s foray into classical music is both exciting and perplexing. When Apple Music Classical launched, there were prominent ads for the new app in the existing Apple Music app and onl...

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What brand of cello strings are cellists on Bluesky using?

I’m a huge fan of Brahms, but you often hear the symphonies played with a heavy, bellowing playing style. They can be played with lightness and clarity, but it requires an adjustment from players and conductors on what Brahms is “supposed to sound like.”

Not familiar with Pascal's writing exactly, but I read a lot of Fanny Davies for my research! Marion Ranken is another great read. She studied with Joachim and has string-specific technical suggestions for the style.

Two cellists play in front of a class.

A class observes two cellists teaching and performing

I had a wonderful time working with the DePaul University cello studio. I shared a bit about my research on Brahms historical performance practice and then we implemented these ideas during a masterclass.

YouTube video by Keegan O'Donald Brahms E Minor Cello Sonata, Op. 38 - I. Allegro non troppo | Historically Informed Performance

youtu.be/d2pc7UVjUC4
I thought Bluesky could use some historically-informed Brahms

Peter Infeld Strings for Cello Review — Keegan O'Donald - Cellist Yet another set of cello strings. Before these strings came out, I had been trying the Jargar Classic Forte A+D with Spirocore Tungsten Medium G+C strings. At the risk of curmudgeonliness, I had wan...

www.keeganodonald.com/blog/peter-i...