Drones, Double Stops, Double Strings

Whatever you want to call it, here's a how-to on that classic Cajun sound.
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Discover the sounds of Cajun fiddling with Mitch Reed Music Lessons. Learn to play in the unique DGCF tuning (one step down from standard tuning) with Mitch's expert guidance. Access free resources on our website, and if you enjoy the content, support us by leaving a tip on Venmo @MitchReedMusicLessons.
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Have fun, stay inspired and keep on fiddling!

[@gerardgiddings8198]

Thanks, just found my warm-up!!!

[@trudybradt6413]

Thanks Mitch.....you're a awesome teacher. I've been playing for almost 2 years but haven't really tried to learn how to do double stops. This is a great video and I'm going to try these steps. Thanks again.

[@MitchReedMusicLessons]

Keep trying, Trudy! You'll get there.

[@wsearp]

Great teacher, I'm 80 now and have been playing banjo, guitar, dobro and mandolin for many, man years.... I recently built a fiddle and now am trying to learn to play it, so far it's the most difficult instrument for me to learn.... I think by following your videos I may catch on to it....

[@MitchReedMusicLessons]

How's the learning coming along? I have some here resources you might find helpful: www.mitchreedmusiclessons.com/free-resources

[@wsearp]

Thanks for the tips....I can play a litte by retuning to Cajun style but still just seem to make a lot of noise.... Love your videos by the way....

[@MitchReedMusicLessons]

@@wsearp keep up the good work! Record yourself playing and listen back to see where you think you're falling short. I bet you're doing better than you think.

[@deadmanswife3625]

@@wsearp how's it coming bill?

[@wsearp]

@@deadmanswife3625 Been sick and haven't played any instruments in a long while.... Had some serious surgery and just now getting some strength back.... I haven't progressed with the fiddle at all.... It's like I'm trying to play with boxing gloves on.... Guess I was meant for banjo and guitar but will keep at it.... Thanks for asking....

[@hafidlalaoui9798]

Thank you, it's been very helpful.

[@MitchReedMusicLessons]

Glad to hear that!

[@lowellirish]

Shit...This year is going to be ANOTHER learning year...lol. I'm 5+ years into fiddle, with space between years 2 and 3 and a broken wrist with 9 screws...yeah. Lost 8 years of Irish Flute, and 15 years of pennywhistle and 20 years bodhran with THAT motorcycle crash ! Took up guitar 3.5 years ago...playing barre chords, power chords and Travis picking now...time to rejoin my fiddle...Back to Drowsy Maggie, Morrisons jig and O'Carolans...started learning some Quebecquois, Cape Breton and New England stuff (I live in upstate NH) ...NOW CAJUN? Great!! 🤣🤣 Torturing myself...lol.

[@chelsealovitt]

This was really helpful! Really down to earth authentic approach.

[@MitchReedMusicLessons]

Merci! Thanks for watching🎻

[@TheBanjoFlyBoy]

First off Mitch, thanks for adding me to your "friend's list" on the FiddleHangOut. Great lesson! You and Fiddlehed do a terrific job of keeping it simple.

[@MitchReedMusicLessons]

Oh, yeah! I love FiddleHed's videos. Thanks for the feedback.

[@kimberlysullivan2187]

I'm just now learning this now with my violin lessons and this is very helpful.

[@MitchReedMusicLessons]

Glad to hear that Kimberly!

[@bjwmorgan]

another great tutorial Mitch, Thankyou for posting it

[@MitchReedMusicLessons]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@dirkhebert6816]

Great lesson and tips Mitch!

[@MitchReedMusicLessons]

+Dirk Hebert Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dktice7011]

Very very helpful video, thank you!

[@MitchReedMusicLessons]

Thanks for watching!

[@michaeltaylor7407]

Brilliant video Mitch! You sound awesome!!

[@MitchReedMusicLessons]

Thanks for great feedback🎻

[@dandavis1953]

Great exercises Mitch, thanx!

[@MitchReedMusicLessons]

Thanks for watching🎻

[@1cleandude]

Another good one Mitch; thanks again!! Working on it now!

[@MitchReedMusicLessons]

Great!

[@congero113]

Thank you, this is exactly what I’ve been looking for! Hard to get the old time sound playing only one sting at a time!

[@MitchReedMusicLessons]

Thanks for watching🎻

[@inglesconalan5360]

Very informative, I am learning a lot. Thanks.

[@MitchReedMusicLessons]

Glad to hear, Alan! If you’re looking for more video break downs of Louisiana tunes, give my website a gander! mitchreedmusiclessons.com/

[@nozecone]

Great shirt!

[@MitchReedMusicLessons]

Thanks! My 3 year old picked it out herself...That girl knows me well!

[@gerardbissett]

Great video!

[@MitchReedMusicLessons]

Thanks for watching🎻

[@thomasmichael5940]

Q: When playing two open string pairs together, what note, if any, is being played? (E/A together, A/D together, D/G together). Thanks. Great video, by the way.

[@mitchellreed3090]

Hey... Mitch Reed... Like your name buddy. (My name too)

[@MitchReedMusicLessons]

Nice!

[@mitchellreed3090]

@@MitchReedMusicLessons I also do music lessons... Kinda coincidence.

[@MitchReedMusicLessons]

@@mitchellreed3090 Wow...that is a coincidence!

[@sarahmitchell374]

This is a great explanation of double stop technique HOWEVER (correct me if I'm wrong) your violin seems to be tuned down a tone - your 'open A' string is actually tuned to a G note and your 'open E' string is tuned to a D etc. You've probably done this on purpose but this might be very confusing to some students who are trying to play along but tuned to the standard EADG notes - they will be sounding a tone out of tune with you!

[@MitchReedMusicLessons]

You are right, Sarah. I am tuned down one whole step to Cajun tuning (DGCF in stead of standard EADG). Check out my video "Talk About Cajun Tuning" for more on that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHS6pqinityWoaM

[@sarahmitchell374]

Thanks Mitch, that's really interesting. I'm a British Classical/folk fiddle player and have never played Cajun style fiddle before, so have never had any reason to tune my fiddle down. I'm always interested in expanding my knowledge and technique, so I'll definitely check out your videos to see how you approach playing style. Maybe I'll tune my spare fiddle down a tone so I can play along too!

[@MitchReedMusicLessons]

Yes, keeping a fiddle tuned down is a good idea. Let me know if you have any questions...I'm always glad to help!

[@chazworm3]

Yes. But he always refers to the F string as the G string even though technically it’s now an F string. I do the same thing on my A tuned banjo. I still think in G. Sometimes that makes trying to read music a bit problematic.

[@MitchReedMusicLessons]

@@chazworm3 Great observation. I find calling them by their standard tuning name makes it easier for my students.

[@judyamirault8292]

Very good exercise video.... what is the name of the Cajun tune that you suggest for practicing the double stops and melody? Thanks

[@MitchReedMusicLessons]

Great feedback! The tune is called Mon Vieux Wagon. It is almost always the first tune I will teach my new students because it is simple and easy. I have a full starter breakdown bundle here if you want to check it out: www.mitchreedmusiclessons.com/offers/FF8otxFr/checkout

[@lorenzomateo8429]

Judy Amirault h

[@stevenordborg3558]

So do we always use the higher string for the drone?

[@chazworm3]

I noticed when droning through scales when you hit the 5th with your 4th finger its often a microtone flat and quickly slid into correct note. Is this done on purpose because sliding up to find the pitch just sounds more acceptable than sliding down.

[@MitchReedMusicLessons]

Probably so. I don’t think too much about it...good ear!

[@bobbyraspone5208]

Where can I find notes for your practice song that you used at the end of the lesson?

[@MitchReedMusicLessons]

Great question. Cajun and Creole aren't written traditions, so I encourage you to find the notes using your ear. Frustrating, I know, but it'll catapult your playing to the next level.

[@TheFlite29]

How do you approach doublestops when the melody is on the E string?

[@MitchReedMusicLessons]

Are you going to be in class this Sunday? We can talk about it then if you want.

[@leimaniax]

Mitch, what is the name of the song you mention by the Balfa Brothers, at 17:39? Would love to learn it but can’t hear the words clearly. Please help!

[@leimaniax]

Found it, Mitch! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGnHaKWep8plpas Would love to learn this tune. Do you teach it in any of your courses?

[@MitchReedMusicLessons]

Great Question! It’s called Mon Vieux Wagon and I break it down in my Fiddle from Scratch series🎻