Topmusicanswers
In music, a double stop is the technique of playing two notes simultaneously on a stringed instrument such as a violin, a viola, a cello, or a double bass. On instruments such as the Hardanger fiddle it is common and often employed. In performing a double stop, two separate strings are bowed or plucked simultaneously.
- Why is it called a double stop?
- How do you play a double stop?
- When should a violinist learn double stops?
Why is it called a double stop?
Double stop. Holding down the fingers on two strings with your left hand. You're stopping two strings from vibrating. Hence double stop.
How do you play a double stop?
There are two general ways to play double-stops: You can play double-stop passages using only one pair of strings (the first two strings, for example) — moving the double-stops up and down the neck — or in one area of the neck by using different string pairs and moving the double-stops across the neck (first playing ...
When should a violinist learn double stops?
By the time a child or an adult can play simple tunes, they are already ready to start playing two notes at the same time - I mean easy double stops, not fingered octaves! Once they are able to play single-note scales with shifts, by definition they are ready to start on double-stop scales.
