Correct right hand technique for double stops?

[tinyd]

Not sure if I'm explaining this too well, but when playing a double stop on 2 adjacent strings (e.g. a perfect 5th consisting of G on the D string and D on the G string), what's techniques do people use with the right hand? Do you 'strum' with right hand index finger from the high string towards the lower string? Or do you pull both strings at once with the first and second finger? Or strum from low string to high string with the thumb?

The reason I'm asking is that I'm trying to play the bassline to 'Acid' by Ray Barretto and I'm trying to figure out the easiest / best way to play the double stop in the line.

Thanks in advance for any pointers...

[pcreelbass]

I'm not sure about that particular tune, but in general I would say try out as many things as possible and have a variety of techniques at your disposal. Sorry if that's vague and doesn't help much.

[DeluxeRed]

Anytime I'm playing more than one string at a time I'm using one finger per string, with my index finger on the lowest (tuned) string. Usually pulling, but if it's a really fast part, I'l use both up- and down-strokes, but still each string gets its own finger. Though I sometimes kinda just slap the whole thing with the palm-side of my fingers.

[Eric Hochberg]

Really, it just depends on the sound you are trying to get. Use whatever works to get that sound.

[EggyToast]

Due to the distance between the strings and the "wimpy" sound quality if you don't set your finger well, you probably would not want to strum. It would sound more like you flubbed and played an extra string, rather than sound like a double stop.

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOWaUR6ta0c

I don't much care for the bass tone or the fingernails, but it doesn't get much better than this. Your thumb sweeping similarly will accomplish the same thing but with a warmer tone.

Thumb and index finger works well to pluck at the same time. Tenths for example can only be done that way.

[BassBot]

Originally Posted by ehochberg

Really, it just depends on the sound you are trying to get. Use whatever works to get that sound.

Agreed.

I've also seen alot of players, especially those who have played EB, use a strumming or raking method, with varying results. To strum, use your nails or the backs of your fingers to do a "shoo-away" motion, where you're hitting the lowest-tuned string first. To rake, you'd do the opposite, using the "normal sides of your fingers" and pulling them over the highest-tuned string first. Stanley Clarke uses both of these methods to perfection in several youtube videos. But he is Stanley Clarke, afterall.

[Clemen]

Originally Posted by clink

Tenths for example can only be done that way.

Not if you ask John Myung :-)

[Marcus Johnson]

Originally Posted by Clemen

Not if you ask John Myung :-)

Probably wouldn't ask John about playing tenths on a DOUBLE BASS.

[Michael Glynn]

As people are saying, these are all valid techniques, just with different sounds. Just to give you an example, here's how I use different double stop techniques on adjacent strings:

1. Thumb and first finger plucking different strings simultaneously: I do this when I want the notes to have the same attack and volume. This doesn't get very loud and has a mellow tone that only works in some situations.
2. Thumb strumming upwards across strings: I use this in higher registers (mostly thumb position) to get a bright, somewhat twangy sound. It tends to emphasize the top note over the bottom note. Great for bluesy tritones (Ray Brown did this a lot). I really only use this on the G and D strings.
3. First finger strumming downwards across both strings: I use this most often for low register double stops, for example in bass lines, but also higher up. Generally not in thumb position, though. This has the closest sound to my normal plucking sound and emphasizes the lower note in the double stop. For me this is the hardest one to make both notes sound simultaneously.

[Clemen]

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

Probably wouldn't ask John about playing tenths on a DOUBLE BASS.

Are you saying you would about playing tenths on an electric bass?

Anyway, that's what I get for not reading which forum this was posted in (I never do, haven't found it necessary until now)

[Marcus Johnson]

Originally Posted by Clemen

Are you saying you would about playing tenths on an electric bass?

No, I know how to do that.

[MR PC]

Originally Posted by pcreelbass

I'm not sure about that particular tune, but in general I would say try out as many things as possible and have a variety of techniques at your disposal. Sorry if that's vague and doesn't help much.

+1 What works in the practice room may not work on the bandstand.

[rarisgod]

Honestly I strum if I'm trying to create a strumming sound, but otherwise I just pluck them with my index finger and my thumb.

[chancletarock]

take a lesson from a flamenco guitarist - it will change you.