Double Stop

[Adare_Steve]

Following on from the 'sore fingers' thread, can someone tell this mando-ingnoramus what a 'double stop' fingering technique is, please?

I assume it's like playing a 'hammer-on'. Would I be right in thinking that?

Thanks,

Steve

[John Flynn]

A double stop is playing two adjacent strings, to sound two notes in harmony, with the same pick stroke(s).

[Tom C]

It's just playing 2 notes from a chord.
G double stops..... You do not play the X
GDAE
-----
00XX (Just open G and D strings)
40XX
45XX
X52X
X55X
X95X
XX23
XX53

[TeleMark]

What's your fingering technique for double stops at the same position? My instructor said that I should try to use my fingertip on both strings, rather than a barre. I feel like my fingertip isn't wide enough. Is there a hard/fast rule for this?

Thanks,

TeleMark http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[Tom C]

Yes, that iswhat I try to do -Cover both strings with 1 finger but not barring.
I do have to flatten my finger a little though.

[Peter Hackman]

Yes, that iswhat I try to do -Cover both strings with 1 finger but not barring.
I do have to flatten my finger a little though.
I almost barre the two strings with the outer joint of my
index finger. However I use this fretting technique
not for double-stopping in fifths, but rather
for an effect similar to open strings. I play
the first part of Monroe's Crossing the Cumberlands
that way, locking a g and a d on the
third and second courses. It's a banjo piece and I
try to imitate the banjo.

(This is much easier to do than to explain!)

[Gary]

I try to do it this way as well. My problem is when i have to play the same fret with the G and D strings and play open on the A strings (i guess this isn't really a double stop but a similar issue). I find it very hard to play all the notes cleanly. Any suggestions? thanks. gary

[TommyK]

So what's the difference between a double stop and a two finger chord?
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[J. Mark Lane]

A double stop is not a chord. A chord has three notes, by definition. A double stop is (as stated above) two notes played simultaneously on adjacent strings, for the purpose of sounding *a note.* It is a melodic device (and while chords can certainly be used melodically, they are not primarily melodic devices).

Obviously, it is common to move from double stops to the melodic use of chords very quickly. Still, they are different techniques.

Ronnie McCoury gives a nice (if brief) discussion of the use of double stops in his "instructional" video (really, for me, it's just good entertainment <g>.

Mark

[JiminRussia]

A chord is any combination of notes. As long as it's plural,it's a chord. A major chord has three notes, a Major Seventh has four notes, a perfect octave or a unison has two notes, etc. While we are on the subject, has anyone come up with a way to play double stops on two strings that are NOT adjacent? I've tried trying to mute the strings in between without too uch success.

[Greg H.]

Actually, quoting the old faithful Mirriam-Webster, a chord is 'Three or more musical tones sounded simultaneously.' So two notes can be defined as a double-stop or, if used within a chordal phrase, as passing tones, but they do not by themselves make up a chord. An octave can be (and often is) used as a double-stop but it does not meet the definition of a chord. If, however, you put two octaves together it would meet the basic definition of a chord (e.g. open G string, 5th fret on the D, and 3rd fret on the E with the A string muted).

[twaaang]

Two notes are an "interval", but can imply a chord in the context played. -- PDW

[John Zimm]

While we are on the subject, has anyone come up with a way to play double stops on two strings that are NOT adjacent? I've tried trying to mute the strings in between without too uch success.
I've not had a lot of success with this either. Usually I try to finger the notes on adjacent strings. if this proves impossible, I'll try to find a manageable note on the string in between and add a harmony note. Otherwise, I guess it is possible to learn how to deaden the in-between string, but I don't know this from personal experience.

-John.

[J. Mark Lane]

A chord is any combination of notes. As long as it's plural,it's a chord.
I've heard people say this before, but it is simply not true. A chord must have at least three notes. That's just very basic music theory.

Mark

[JiminRussia]

Hey!I learned something today! Thanks

[Tom C]

Quote #
While we are on the subject, has anyone come up with a way to play double stops on two strings that are NOT adjacent? I've tried trying to mute the strings in between without too uch success.

<span style='color:purple'>I have done octives like that but I still need practice. For a
G octive, I play a normal G bluegrass chord but with only the DAE strings.
Instead of pressing down on the A string (B note), just mute it with the finger.
it takes practice having less pressure on only one of your fingers. Another G octive you be playing it on adjacent strings using the 5th fret on D string and 10th fret on A string.</span>

[Dave Hicks]

'has anyone come up with a way to play double stops on two strings that are NOT adjacent?'
Play one note with the pick, the other with your middle finger. Harder to do on a mando than a guitar, though.

D.H.