Guidelines For Double Stops

[spikesstickies]

Just wanted to know if there are any guidelines governing double stops, I know its sounds fine if you play them on a 7, but what are all the degrees that double stops will sound fine at. And does the structure of double stops always remain the same? As in the same finger position all the time?

[jeremyr]

I like double stops on the 5.

So say I'm moving from the 1 to the 5 in the key of C I'll do a double stop off of the 5(G) an octave or 2 higher and I'll play the 1 of the 5(which is G) and the b5(which is Db) of the 5 the resolve back to the 1(C) of the originating key.

I guess you could look at it as a lydian power chord played on the 5th degree (whereas typically the 5th would leave you with the mixolodian mode).

[Ed Fuqua]

All a "double stop" is is two notes played simultaneously. You want to try to voice them so that you can clearly hear the function (what may work as a b9 won't sound so good as a b2).
How you finger 'em is kind of up to you. Somebody that's got long skiny fingers is gonna have different fingering solutions than somebody with short stubby ones.


As far as "what are all the degrees that double stops will sound fine at", that kind of doesn't mean anything. The info you're trying to convey by playing more than one note is information about harmony or chords. You need to look at the notes in the chord and decide which notes and what voicings are gonna make somebody hear the chord you're going for.

[tplyons]

I do a lot of double stops on a four string.

I play a lot of 9ths (can imply major or minor this way)

[Aaron Saunders]

Generally, unless you're in a key using open chords, double stops on a bass can be somewhat limited until you get to a certain range of the instrument.

If you start in a low range -- in the first octave of the bass -- it's hard to play double-stops that don't sound muddy. In this situation, 7ths, 6ths, 9ths, 10ths, #11's, and 12ths are the only ones you can reasonably expect to hit. Fifths are possible, but still generally sound like butt below an open D.

Once you get past the 1st octave, things are much more open for clarity and what intervals you can hit.

[Audiophage]

Originally Posted by tplyons

I play a lot of 9ths (can imply major or minor this way)

Do you mean 10ths?

Anything bigger than a major 2nd should sound pretty good in most situation, it all depends on what chords you're playing under.