Questions tagged [double-stops]

For questions related to double stops, the technique of playing multiple pitches simultaneously on a string instrument.

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Double stops on pizzicato

Am composing a modern violin-piano duet here, would love the piece to actually be playable for a violinist (am a pianist myself), so would really appreciate your expertise here: "Can double ...
Alex Lynn's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
276 views

How to play a chord on the violin if two notes are on the same string

I am learning to play on the violin. On my score sheet there is a chord with the notes C,E,G in C major (the scale is not relevant). I do not understand how one can play two notes on the same string ...
user996159's user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
129 views

Can a cellist play minor sixths in thumb position?

I know that playing minor or major sixths on a cello within the normal range of the instrument is a very reasonable request. Adler shows several as possibilities (The Study of Orchestration, p. 79) ...
nuggethead's user avatar
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4 votes
2 answers
456 views

When to start learning double stops on violin?

I am an adult beginner on the violin and would just like to say I've absolutely loved it so far. I started at the very beginning of this year and found a teacher who I'm extremely happy with. Around ...
qfwfq's user avatar
  • 141
0 votes
3 answers
542 views

How to play 3 notes at the same time on the violin? (Der Erlkonig)

I'm trying to play Der Erlkonig by Ernst, and in the first lines it seems possible, but you get to the 3rd, 4th, and 5th lines, I lose all hope in being able to play the piece. To start, a violin has ...
SupBruh's user avatar
  • 153
9 votes
2 answers
1k views

How to notate a double stop for snare drum music

I'm just writing some stuff out by hand, and wondered how to indicate a single note where both hands play in unison, called a double stop. Or perhaps how to indicate a few bars will use double stops. ...
Stevelk's user avatar
  • 91
5 votes
2 answers
163 views

Notating a double stop with a semitone interval

I am arranging a piece of music, and I am having trouble figuring out how to notate a double stop with the notes G and G#. The key is G, and it's for mallet percussion. The notes are repeated once. ...
Skylar's user avatar
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8 votes
2 answers
2k views

Are these double stops playable on violin?

I have written a piece with a string section. Initially I had in mind more than 1 violin but I'd like to know how hard it would be for a single player.
Chris Richardson's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
3k views

Why are double stops rarely written for double basses, compared to other strings?

I've been doing some orchestral transcription work in my spare time, and one of the things I've noticed is that while double stops are relatively common in violin, viola, and cello parts (along with ...
Michael Seifert's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
461 views

What are these octave like shapes used in popular indie rock?

I've got 2 octave(?) related questions. One about starting on the A string and one about starting on the E string. Regarding the A string: there's a specific part of a Strokes song called "Reptilia". ...
Chris S's user avatar
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8 votes
2 answers
453 views

Triple stops in Bruch's violin concerto

I've been finding it hard to find a good fingering that lets me play this sequence in Bruch's violin concerto. Moreover, I'm finding it hard to actually hit all three strings simultaeneously on a ...
Featherball's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
5k views

Piano - What is the notation for two notes played simultaneously, where both notes are different lengths?

I was improvising on my piano, when I played a two notes simultaneously where one of the notes in it was longer than the other. I liked it, and wanted to implement it in the sheet music I write; The ...
xilpex's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
485 views

Violin - Slurring double stops

I was reading some violin sheet music when I came across something that looked like a slurred double stop. Here is an image: The problem is that both double stops use the same fingers, but on ...
xilpex's user avatar
  • 2,202
6 votes
1 answer
470 views

Violin - Sheet music notation for playing the same note at the same time

On the violin you can play a double stop where you are playing 4th finger on the D string (A note) while playing the open A string. This means that you are playing the A note on both strings. How ...
xilpex's user avatar
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1 vote
2 answers
2k views

Violin - How to keep fingers from touching other string when playing double stops

I am new to double stops. When I play a double stop where a finger is on a string while playing an open string (1st finger on the D string and open A string), my finger touches the open string, in ...
xilpex's user avatar
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15 votes
8 answers
3k views

Violin - Can double stops be played when the strings are not next to each other?

Suppose I wanted to play a double stop on the violin. The double stop played the G string and the A string simultaneously. Is this possible? Can you play a double stop on two non-adjacent strings?
xilpex's user avatar
  • 2,202
2 votes
1 answer
237 views

Cello double stop

Just want to make sure this is possible. As you can tell, it's styled after Pachelbel's "Canon," but it's in G. I'm sure it would have to be somewhat detached, and, wherever possible, an ...
J T's user avatar
  • 21
2 votes
1 answer
2k views

Is this double stop playable on violin?

I am thinking of ending my trio piece with the violin playing a double stop. I am wondering however, if the double stop I am thinking of using is playable. Here, I will just show the harmony as I am ...
Caters's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
265 views

Is it possible to play this difficult trill on violin?

There is a line in my violin music where there are two voices: The higher voice is a trill G-Ab on the E string The lower voice is a continuously held Db on the A string held throughout the trill ...
D.R.'s user avatar
  • 448
4 votes
3 answers
1k views

Fingering of cello double stops

Could someone provide me with the fingering for this sequence of double-stops (it's bass clef)? I put together a quick shot on "When I'm 64" for my daughter, but since I can't play cello, I can't ...
DrSvanHay's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
938 views

Cello double stops fingered thirds?

On violin there are (at least) two ways to play double stop octaves. The 'regular' way: using fingers 1+4 1+4 1+4 etc. or 'fingered': using fingers 1+3 2+4 1+3 2+4 etc. I remember seeing ...
xerotolerant's user avatar
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