TalkBass newbie here,

When I hear a double stop on bass during a song, I think, wow, cool, this bass player is one who likes to go out of the ordinary. It kind of surprises me. I really like it when they are used in subtle ways to dramatize the music, not just to be flashy in a "Look ma, two notes!" way.

Not sure why, but I was curious what all of you guys think when you hear a double stop. Does it surprise you like it does for me or are they just like another part of the song to you?

Personally I don't see what the big deal is about them. I have students that want me to teach them how to use them as though there is some big secret to them, but to me they are just another factor in playing music. Like any other part of music they can be great when used effectively. Knowing when and where to use them all comes down to taste and experience as far as I am concerned.

Isn't a power chord a double stop? Doesn't seems all that special, you're just taking out the 3rd is all.

Isn't a power chord a double stop? Doesn't seems all that special, you're just taking out the 3rd is all.

A double stop a technical term for 2 notes being played at the same time. A triple stop...3 notes. so on and so forth.

so a power chord would be a double stop(or triple stop) but not all double stops will be just the root and the fifth. It can be any two notes.

yeah i like thm and in Primus songs, its a given but in other bands when they are used just very gently it can surpris people me for one. I remember at a jazz gig i was soloing and i opened with comping a Dmaj7 chord on an upright and solo'd and i got a lot of congrats for that and people thought that it was very cool. It was one of my best solos, sustain for one that was a triple stop. anyway yeah, Double triple multiple;s like any TECHNIQUE can be overused, abused and stuff but if you are careful they can be very useful but yeah, to use them just know chords and you can usually learn their appropriate times and such

Much more often than not, multiple notes sound terrible on bass. Just my opinion.

Much more often than not, multiple notes sound terrible on bass. Just my opinion.

Yes, they can sound pretty awful up until you get to the D string, which is effectively the guitar's range. So you are right, they sound terrible on bass but good on guitar. Us bassists can just reach for the same notes, though. :p

Much more often than not, multiple notes sound terrible on bass. Just my opinion.

Well have a listen to the beginning of Steely Dan's song "King of the World", Watermelon Man by Headhunters or anything by Jaco! ;)

Essentially:

Double stops = Win!

Much more often than not, multiple notes sound terrible on bass. Just my opinion.

Well when the notes are lower down and/or closer together, they tend to sound a bit muddy and stuff. But wider intervals or playing higher up, they sound beautiful.

10's are totally hip on bass. My favorite!

Sylvain

I always found the term pretty bizarre. Calling it a *stop* makes no sense to me. But, what do I know.

Much more often than not, multiple notes sound terrible on bass. Just my opinion.

Depends on the tone/setup as well.

Lotta bass/low mids + finger style + very little toip end = not good for chords

Less bass/low mids + Pick + lotaa high mids/treble = good for chords

If done well = great

If done poorly = aweful

Yes, they can sound pretty awful up until you get to the D string, which is effectively the guitar's range. So you are right, they sound terrible on bass but good on guitar. Us bassists can just reach for the same notes, though. :p

While I agree that generally higher = better, same notes doesn't necessarily mean same timbre

I always found the term pretty bizarre. Calling it a *stop* makes no sense to me. But, what do I know.


It comes from violin,cello, double bass terminology - where you "stop" the strings - no fretting there!! ;)

Well have a listen to the beginning of Steely Dan's song "King of the World"...
Chuck Rainey is the king of tasteful double-stops..."Peg", "Josie", "Theme From Sanford & Son", etc.


Watermelon Man by Headhunters or anything by Jaco! ;)
Paul Jackson, too.
Jaco takes it up a notch with "Liberty City" & "Opus Pocus".

Here is a tune by a really rocking group that has a lot of double and triple stops on bass:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzMu6ugTNfA&feature=related

its great if used sparingly

`holiday in cambodia` by the dead kennedys is a fine example....although its more of a drone note A with the pattern over the top

`black betty` by the ramjam band is cool,

`into the void` by black sabbath rocks


3 very different examples....all used quite sparingly but to good effect

Double stops are the spice of a bassline.

Sometimes they are uncalled for, other times they`re great. Its all relative

Cucumber Slumber from Weather Reports` Mysterious Traveller is a very tasteful double stop line :)

Double stops are the spice of a bassline.

Sometimes they are uncalled for, other times they`re great. Its all relative

Cucumber Slumber from Weather Reports` Mysterious Traveller is a very tasteful double stop line :)

I have to check that one,it is kind of far in my memory, lol

Sylvain

That is a great bass line - Alphonso Johnson..:)

I always found the term pretty bizarre. Calling it a *stop* makes no sense to me. But, what do I know.
It makes perfect sense to me. When you play one, everyone in the band yells, "Stop!"

:hiding:

j/k...I use them all the time.