Help with doublestops

[doublestop]

Even though my screen name is doublestop I still am lacking in that dept. Can anyone clue me in on how I can add them to my practice regime. How do I find them, I know it is just a two finger chord, but it seems like I should have a chart or something. I have a friend who plays almost entirely with doublestops. I should also add that he incorporates those great bluesy doublestops to get a powerful Bluegrass sound. What he plays is technically easy, but can't seem to find them myself unless he shows me. Any help would be appreciated!

[chirorehab]

A doublestop can be a lot of things. Here's a simple exercise:

1 common double stop is using 3rds.

Take the G major scale. Take each note and pair it with it's 3rd note. In the following scale, use the top note as the "root" of your doublestop. The bottom note will be the 3rd.

G A B C D #E F# #
B C D E F# G A

Now fret the G on the E string and the B on the A string. There's a double stop!

Finger the A on the E string and the C on the A sring. There's another!

Continue this pattern. Then use the same pattern on the A and D string, etc. #You can use this all over the place and transpose it to different keys!

Here is the pattern again with numbers:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
3 4 5 6 7 1 2

So for D major:

D #E F# G A #B C#
F# G A #B C# D E

Make sense? #You can also do this for 4ths, 5ths, etc.

I like to write them out & draw the patterns out on the fretboard up & down the neck.

I am only a begginer, but this exercise has helped me ALOT!

Good luck,

Eric

[John Flynn]

The easiest double stops are octaves of open strings. Experiment with this: Every time you have a melody note that rings out (a half note or whole note) on an open string, double that note by sliding up to the octave on the next lower string. Experiment with it to get the timing right and to make sure the effect actually enhances the tune at that point.

Another simple thing to do is to look at chord shapes. Think about what chord goes with the notes you are playing. When a note rings out, it will usually be a tone from that chord. When it is actaully chord tone, you should try doubling it with one of the other tones from that chord. Looking at chord shapes helps with this.

For instance, lets say the melody contains a "B" whole or half note on the second string, second fret. I am playing it with my first finger and the chord at that point is a G Major. Well, my second finger just naturally wants to drop on that "G" note on the first string, third fret at the same time because of that chord shape. So instead of playing just that "B", I play the doublestop "B" and "G" with the same pick stroke. But you have to experiment and see what sounds good. Just because a double stop is technically correct doesn't mean that it enhances the tune.

[mcmando]

chirorehab

Good one! Now that's advice you can use!

Thanks,

Matt

[MikeB]

Check around the Co-mando site. It seems to me there are some double stop charts and exercises there. I got mine somewhere around here...

[c3hammer]

I went to a Matt Flinner seminar a few weeks ago where he showed how a 1st & 3rd of a key or a 3rd and 5th of a key will give you all the double stops that work in any tune.

It was pretty amazing to hear him play them in with the melody line. I still can't seem to ever just go there, but those two combos of notes in any key and any octive seem to work perfetly all the time.

Cheers,
Pete