Tips for Double Stops

[@PaulChrisman-dh2ii]

I’m 75 and been seriously playing fiddle 😮with Riders in the Sky for 46 years and numerous other groups for my whole life basically all styles--always having troubles with the double stops, partially due to small hands and a broken and resultantly crooked little finger. Have studied and worked so hard for years to be in tune, my excelent sense of intonation always making it harder and harder to to accept….I could go on and on but wanted you to know how helpful your your brief advice and straight simple and study have been, and what can I say but SO HELPFUL I CANT BELIEVE IT - and Cant begin to count the numbers of fiddlers ( violinists) that I have studied- hard and long--your’s is the best -I dont really understand completely the whys, but yours is the best I’ve experienced-THANK YOU SO MUCH! Woody Paul.

[@cnewtonc]

This is an Excellent, Excellent Lesson. I have been playing double stops for years but it is always good to hear another teacher. You are correct about the pressure. It is very hard not to apply extra pressure when playing double stops in both the bow and the left hand. Thanks for the tips... I know have more info to work with.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Thank you, N Charles!

[@pablodustin2665]

dont know if you guys gives a damn but if you're bored like me during the covid times you can watch all the new movies and series on InstaFlixxer. Been watching with my girlfriend for the last days =)

[@immanuelkaleb4204]

@Pablo Dustin definitely, I have been using InstaFlixxer for since november myself =)

[@tylerdavis2503]

This video had so many more tips than I was expecting! It helped me so much, I never noticed I was forcing the double stops with my bow. Great lesson, thank you!

[@RedDesertViolin]

Yep. We focus on our left hand on double stops, and so often our BOW is the culprit for bad sounds! Thanks for watching.

[@drahow]

Thank you for the clear, logical, step by step progressive instruction. A rare find. Admirable.

[@RedDesertViolin]

I appreciate that. Thanks!

[@123jozef]

I have watched a ton of "double-stop" tutorials, most of which are very misleading due to the "instructor" playing a beautiful variation... but not showing you the parts that make it sound so good, or teaching you something completely different. Thinking about building double-stops based on a scale structure kind of makes a light bulb go off in your head. Not only does it teach you the basis for the structure, it allows you to double-check your mistakes yourself. Great tutorial. As much as instructors ultimately need to sell something whether it be lessons or products (or both) it is refreshing to have teachers that seriously want you to learn. Thank you for that. 🎻 🎻 🎻

[@RedDesertViolin]

Tommy, that is super sweet of you to say. I appreciate it! BEST of luck for your violin endeavors!

[@123jozef]

@@RedDesertViolin ~ Lara, you know what is so cool with the learning process in ANY endeavor? You can practice and practice.. and feel you are getting better, but then you always get those "leaps and bounds" and that is what has always amazed me. The jumps forward in progress can be so tremendous at times. This is (again) why I like your teaching style. It puts me on track for those "forward jumps'.... I was bustin' my butt to learn the "Shannon Walz" by Al Cherney... it was slow-going. I knew the notes and just kept breaking it down with my Mandolin (as you know, same notes as the violin setup instead of looking all over the guitar)... anyway, all of the sudden I noticed his usage of Glissando. I listened and listened just quietly playing my violin with my guitar pick. When I picked up the bow and tried the Glissando (along with my excessive practicing of the double-stops) I just hit it.. like "wham!"... .my son (who is my greatest and worst critic) came into the room looking at me.... he was like.. "Dad!.. you SOUND GOOD!" (He NEVER says that) even though I've been playing and teaching music for over 40 years. I don't know if this kind of comment will help anyone, but STAY ON THIS PAGE FOR LESSONS and PRACTICE CONSISTENTLY.... eventually, that light bulb will go off... and you can thank Lara for breaking everything down into tiny pieces for you. Some people might not think that those little pieces of the puzzle are important, but they are KEY in your lifetime attempt to master this sensitive little stringed monster. This is my opinion, I don't know if it's true or not, but I feel that even the best of the best (Like Paginini) was still always getting better and better. I don't think it ever ends to where you say "Oh, there's nothing more to learn here, I've got it all figured out"... not with this piece of wood. No way Jose!

[@Kwisten050]

Ugh my double stops are horrendous. I'm sure that has nothing to do with me avoiding them like the plague! I know these tips will help though and I'm gonna give them a try. Thanks for another great video.

[@aasserelzoghby6781]

I dont understand how they tune intervals Please I need to understand because I am grade 2 trinity and I need to know how to tune by ear but I am still trash Same as your problem

[@mariemueller8888]

Wow, I am really enjoying your videos! They have the perfect mix between being informative as well as being funny. Thank you for sharing your tips :)

[@RedDesertViolin]

Marie Mueller You're welcome, Marie. Thanks for the kind words.

[@rosiesrose548]

Hello!!! I'm back! I'm now doing scales and moved on to Suzuki book 6!! and I always have trouble doing double stops so thank you for this lesson!!

[@RedDesertViolin]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! Book 6 is SO FUN. I hope you enjoy it! I hope double stops are coming for you. If not....get Cassia Harvey's books. You can go through them without a teacher, and they really help. Good luck!

[@rosiesrose548]

@@RedDesertViolin Thank You

[@محمدعلیحبیباللهی-ي8ف]

thank you. that was so good when you describe it and make it some easy to hard steps. i have a little problem with my left hand. my finger actually blocks the right string. i have to be very careful about that to make a steady and clear sound . what is your suggestion about that?? thanks for sharing this lessons

[@RedDesertViolin]

Your finger blocks the RIGHT string? You mean the string to the right? That is a common problem. YOu can do a couple things that will help: 1) crowd your fingertip over toward the left string, since it probably won't matter if you touch the string to the left. 2) rotate your left elbow under, to the right. This will help you achieve #3. 3) Get your fingers arched VERY HIGH, like ballerinas on their tippy toes. Try these 3 things. They will help!

[@محمدعلیحبیباللهی-ي8ف]

@@RedDesertViolin thank you so much for advice.

[@patfal1514]

After a lifetime of watching and listening to many talented players (I grew up in Union Grove ,N.C. (where one of the original and oldest fiddlers conventions was held yearly for over 100 years) I decided to teach myself to play violin (it will always be a "fiddle" to me lol). I could tune up and play by ear along to several CD's immediately, easily using the bow and getting absolutely smooth pleasant in key single-string sounds. It all came so easily (I didn't realize how rare that ability was until talking to some music teachers) HOWEVER double stops stalled my efforts. What throws me off is when playing the E &G strings is how can they be played without contacting the D & A strings... since the fret board is "rounded" with those 2 center strings higher than the G & E.I live in an area where any teacher is going to be too far away for personal instruction to be possible. this issue caused me to "give up" several years ago but I am going to try again to figure it out.

[@RedDesertViolin]

It's possible I don't understand your question, because the way you describe the problem IS THE ANSWER! The fingerboard and bridge are rounded.....that makes A and D higher on the arc, and G and E lower on the arc. The shape of the violin has the "C" bouts, which gives plenty of room for the bow to move away from A or D when playin on G or E. Hmmm....Good luck on your return to the fiddle! Wishing you well.

[@artemiszhong]

Learn a lot from your videos, thanks a lot!

[@NancyHernandez-jp6yy]

Very useful! I sometimes can't hit those double stops, watching makes things alot easier for me! :D

[@amberlenalovescats2160]

thanks for this video! I have been trying to work on double stops for years, but it's so hard and I still haven't accomplished much with them. I will definitely try these tips.

[@miraculous2366]

Do you play them fluently now? 😅

[@gayvinmcginnes2508]

This is so extremely helpful. I can't wait to practice this. You really are a fantastic teacher! If you don't have a patreon for you KZbin only viewers I highly recommend it (gonna go look and see if you have one now lol).

[@RedDesertViolin]

Thanks for the kind words, Gayvin. What the heck is a "patreon"?

[@gayvinmcginnes2508]

Patreon is kind of like PayPal slash GoFundMe. A lot of youtubers have Patreon accounts and offer extra content for subscribers (you can post stuff exclusively for subscribers through patreon, or offer them the opportunity for personalized services ie a one-on-one tutorial session). people can subscribe to your patreon for whatever dollar amount you want (people actually often have tiers for $1, $2, $5 pledges etc.). The idea is that people pledge to contribute some amount to their favorite content creators every month. it's a pretty flexible platform for creators like yourself and the patrons who pledge support. I know you have a platform on your website for your tutorials but you could probably use patreon to expand your reach and show people a sample of the kind of content that's available on your main website. There are some other KZbin violin instructors on patreon, check it out if it interests you! You really are a great teacher, coming from a high school science teacher who is a violin newbie :)

[@RedDesertViolin]

WOW. That is incredible! Thank you for this information. I am now noticing some channels with a Patreon account. So many options, so little time! Thanks, Gayvin.

[@gayvinmcginnes2508]

You're very welcome! If you set one up let me know so I can pledge to you :)

[@MartinHouston]

Great tips. I can do double stops but getting them to sound good consistently Is requiring quire a bit of work. This should help a lot, thank you.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Double stops are tricky, because BOTH HANDS have to do certain things just right. Good luck!

[@angelicacantu3382]

Awesome video, cleared everything up, thanks

[@bobbrawley9439]

No one on youtube describes going from one double stop to the other one. I belive you demonstrated it. You seemed to stop bowing and lifted your fingers off the fingerboard. is that correct? then on slurping how did you do it ?

[@bloodyxombie]

Those tips are so helpful. I'm a beginner (have played for less than a year) and I recently started practicing Sevcik Op.1 with double stops...they sound so melancholic and beautiful that I want to totally stop playing on a single string ( kidding ! ) Anyway thank you again ... I'm gonna try to apply those great tips :)

[@RedDesertViolin]

Sevcik Opus 1 is one of my all time favorite method books! It sounds like you are diving right into the good stuff! Keep it up, and good luck!

[@virgilschmoe9435]

Thank you, you are helping me to be a better teacher,to break it down a lot more

[@RedDesertViolin]

Thanks, Virgil. I appreciate all your participation!

[@florianmusik1]

Thank you...very helpfull....Greetings from Austria

[@RedDesertViolin]

Great to hear from someone in Austria! Greetings! Hope you are still playing!

[@eliz4740]

It’s soo helpful.i am playing tango ballade Grade4 exam.its helps me in it!thank you

[@RedDesertViolin]

Oooh, Tango Ballade.....by what composer?

[@joanneleung1212]

HI, I have a problem when I'm required to use one finger to stop two strings simultaneously. For example, playing E on D and B on A (all 1st position) with the 1st finger. Do you have a video about that? Thanks. :)

[@RedDesertFiddle]

No I don't, but that's a great idea. I will try to get one posted ASAP....make sure you are subscribed so you will be notified when I get one posted. Thanks for the idea..check back soon.

[@saharhb777]

You are a great teacher! Thank you!

[@RedDesertViolin]

Thank you! 😃

[@lesangmaxmalema8805]

Soo helpful. I'm playing Romanze in D by Shostakovich for my Grade 6 ABRSM

[@RedDesertViolin]

Beautiful piece. I love Shostakovich. Keep up the great work.

[@johnaustin1825]

Your tips worked! Thanks

[@RedDesertViolin]

SO fun to hear this! Thanks John!

[@Zxouf873]

Symphony n9 is what made me want to learn double stops 🥺♥️

[@RedDesertViolin]

Beethoven?

[@Zxouf873]

@@RedDesertViolin yes.. would loveeeee to see you play it Laura, it's my ultimate goal in playing 💕

[@AS-bm4uw]

Excellent!

[@oceangem100]

Fabulous Fabulous Teaching. QUESTION: Is tilting the violin to get these touch double strings accurately a no-no?

[@RedDesertViolin]

It's not a no-no.....but any time you compensate, you have to be careful to only do it when it's needed. In other words, if you tilt your violin to get a double stop, you should un-tilt it when the double stop is completed. UNLESS: maybe you are considering increasing your tilt 100% of the time. That's ok too.....there is a RANGE of acceptable angles, and it's different for everyone. People with short pinkies need to tilt more than normal pinkies, for instance. Instead of tilting the violin, you could also try rotating your elbow UNDER the violin to the right for the double stop. That brings your pinky up higher and allows your fingers to drop VERTICALLY onto the violin, and helps you avoid hitting other strings.

[@marcesoprano3821]

So helpful thank you!

[@HumphreyChou96]

Super super helpful. Thank you!

[@eyadha1]

Many thanks. Very helpful.

[@SHADOWMAN296]

do you have a video on the different tuneing for the violin? such as collie tuneing for blue grass and Irish folk?

[@RedDesertFiddle]

+SHADOWMAN296 I don't, because that is not my specialty at all! Try searching "alternate tuning for fiddle", or "old time tuning" for fiddle, and you will find tons of stuff!

[@williambradford3627]

Thank you so much! Thia has helped so much!!

[@RedDesertViolin]

So happy it helped!

[@mypianofavourites1635]

Dear Violin Tutor... FAB Video I am Shopping for A VIOLIN BRIDGE....mine having broke THREE Times Yesterday whist playing Expressive FORTE Chords in Bach's Adagio. Please tell me....WHICH MAKE of Violin Bridge do you use or recommend... And Do YOU use a Violin "E" String Bridge Protector...either Plastic or Ebony?? PLUS...Violin Bridge Protector-- Should I/one AVOID bridges with "Protector inserts"... because they don’t sound as good as solid maple bridge???? Thank you in anticipation of a response Posted on 3rd August 2015 +++++

[@RedDesertViolin]

My Piano Favourites Hi. The best violin bridge to get is a CUSTOM cut solid maple bridge carved by a luthier. If you are not fortunate enough to have a luthier nearby, then search google for a "self-adjusting" bridge, which has moveable feet to help it "mate" to the top of your violin. This is not a good option, but it's the only one I know of besides getting a custom bridge. If you just buy a "bridge", it will not fit well because the feet need to be carved and shaped to perfectly sit on top of your violin. Self-adjusting takes care of that. I don't mind the ebony inserts for the E string, but honestly, I never use them. I just have solid maple and the little "tube" of plastic.

[@halanfones9345]

Do you need to be able to see the strings to play the double stos or will it come naturally with enough practice

[@RedDesertViolin]

It will come absolutely naturally with practice. Eyes are helpful, and it's fine for you to start out with your eyes. Eventually, (hopefully naturally) you won't need them any more.

[@TrebleFM]

hi. i need help with legato bowing. should i focus on my bowing rather then looking at the fingerplacement so much?

[@emmamanigat2606]

Maybe try to get the finger placement first, and then do bowings. That's how I practice at least. So I would play/practice with all the correct notes and "placement" without bowings (up bow, down bow, up bow, ect.) and then when you have that down, work on bowings. Doing both at once may be confusing. Hope this is helpful😊

[@beautifuldreamer3991]

Wonderful! Thank you!

[@RedDesertViolin]

Hope it helped!

[@jocelynleung9376]

I have a problem . For the example playing c and e on the g and d string, playing pinky will touch the d string and make a squeaky sound. Same thing happened to other double stops. It is because a have small hands and short pinky or it’s just my problem? I have tried to fix my finger angles toward the scroll but it still happen. Do you have any advice for me ? Thanks

[@RedDesertViolin]

Hey Loksum, Try rotating your left elbow to your RIGHT, and as you do it, WATCH YOUR LEFT HAND....see how the pinky elevates higher? So when playing hard double stops, use that tip. Also, if that doesn't solve it, you might need to tilt your violin further....so make the E string lower and the G string even HIGHER. That tends to make PINKY's job easier. You just have to learn to play double stops with your fingers on their TIPPY TOES, and with really tall arches.

[@jocelynleung9376]

Red Desert Violin thanks you so much. I kinda corrected my elbow position now I my double stops are getting better. I think I just need more practice. Sometimes I think that my fingers are pressing so hard and it make I wrist look weird, but when I try to relax a bit the notes go squeaky😂😂😂 do you have any advice? Thanks you

[@jocelynleung9376]

Red Desert Violin at this point I am always changing my violin position but every time I change my position or tilt my violin more, I get a crocked bow

[@csmihaly]

This was excellent.

[@RedDesertViolin]

Thank you!

[@marcellacarta2766]

Thank you very much! Your videos are all amazing and really helpful :) I have just a question. When I have to do the double stop I have a problem with my fingers tips. Unfortunately when i play I continues to touch the other string. I tried so many times to follow the advice you give us to this video, but I don't know why but whit me it doesn't work.... I am afraid I can't fix these. I am desperate😢

[@RedDesertViolin]

Marcella, it takes lots of practice to learn to not accidentally touch other strings. You must keep working, and BE PATIENT. But also, check to see if your violin neck or string spacing is unusually narrow. That can happen, and that makes it really hard. Or if you have large blunt finger tips, it makes it harder. (you can even get a wider violin neck, or wider string spacing if it's REALLY necessary.....but probably you just need practice and patience!)

[@dekzan]

Thaaaank you ! You are so good.

[@RedDesertViolin]

I'm super glad it helped! Would you like to do me a favor? I need help! Visit this link, and vote for Red Desert Violin. I"m a finalist in a contest and I need EVERY vote I can get! Please vote daily until February 8! THANK YOU! www.aweber.com/bigimpact.htm

[@j.pachelbel]

Thank you 🍏

[@RedDesertViolin]

You are welcome 😊

[@lynnnilssen3589]

thank you that was very helpful

[@RedDesertViolin]

So glad it helped, Lynn! Keep up the good work!

[@Banjer]

Very helpful

[@RedDesertViolin]

Thanks! Yeah, double stops are a world unto themselves!

[@Lincreatorhandle6]

Please give me book with practice for first 3 positions awaiting your reply thanks

[@RedDesertViolin]

Lina, the best book for these double stops, HANDS DOWN is the book called "Double Stop Beginnings for Violin" by Cassia Harvey. YOU WILL LOVE THIS BOOK. You can find it on Amazon. She has lots of awesome books. I hope to buy them all some day. Let me know if you buy them, and w hat you think!

[@Lincreatorhandle6]

Rather please let me know where could get it thank you

[@RedDesertViolin]

Can you remind me what book you are talking about? Did I talk about a double stops book in the video? Please refresh my memory so I don't' have to watch my video.

[@가을구름-i7p]

더블스탑 불가능 문제- 같은 현을 사용한 ㄴ음역일 경우, 더블 스탑은 서로 다른 현을 사용하는 것이기 때문에 불가능하다

[@RedDesertViolin]

That is where learning different positions is important. Double stops that are impossible in 1st position ARE possible in other positions, like 2nd, 3rd, or 4th.

[@Gwaciee]

I have to play open D and B on the A string and I can do that fine but I can’t play E on the D string and open A at the same time

[@RedDesertViolin]

Do you know why? It's because when you have to play FINGERS on a LOWER string, plus an open string above.....we have to make very tall arches carefully with our fingers, and DO NOT touch the open string, or it will interfere. So, if you are playing E on the D string plus open A.....then arch your fingers really tall, and crowd the fingers over toward the G string to keep them from touching the A string.

[@kathleenteo7711]

Really hope I can conquer double stops once and for all... Thank you so much for this helpful video! 😍 The problem I have is that when I try to do double stops sometimes my fingers aren't curled enough and they end up touching the other string... I can't control it because the muscles in my fingers are strong enough 😭😭 any tips for that?

[@RedDesertViolin]

+Kathleen Teo Hi Kathleen. Hmmmmm....the first thing I want to say is playing double stops does not require double strength...and so that is probably the root of your problem. It only requires minimal finger pressure by two fingers at the same time. So what you really need is precision and relaxation. You could try rotating your left elbow under to the right a little more.....that makes our fingers arch a little higher....but don't give yourself a sore shoulder. ALSO: I just learned of the BEST double stops book.....it is called "Introducing Double Stops" by Harvey Whistler. Get this book and you will write back and say, "Double stops are so easy!"

[@kathleenteo7711]

Thanks so much for the advice! I'll definitely try that out and get my hands on that book! 😍Really appreciate it!!

[@hipolitom5]

How l can play fast two notes indiferente strings C-E o D-F#

[@studamanduncan9728]

Thanks

[@RedDesertFiddle]

😊

[@alodibaba8483]

Hi how do I play d and b at the same time on the a note?

[@RedDesertViolin]

You mean d and b on the A string? To do that, you would need to shift to a higher position so that the lower note (b) could be played on the D string. You could play 4 on the D string (b) and 2 on the A string (d)......that would be 2nd position. But MOST COMMONLY, that double stop would be done in 3rd position, with 3 on the D string (b) and 1 on the A string (d).

[@alodibaba8483]

Red Desert Violin thank you!

[@markwang7480]

How can you play interval 3 double stops in tune

[@RedDesertViolin]

I assume you are referring to "thirds"? I would play the bottom note, then the top note, and then play both notes together a couple times. Then repeat. Over and over, until your fingers know exactly their placement.

[@augustinechinnappanmuthria7042]

Super 💞💞💞

[@augustinechinnappanmuthria7042]

Super ❤️

[@RedDesertViolin]

Thank you!

[@banjiddle]

I love double stops, but they will tell when I am out of tune!

[@flavio5046]

So double-stops are more than one string being used? Where are the the "stops"?

[@RedDesertViolin]

Yes, double stops are what we call it when we play 2 notes at a time on the violin. The only way to achieve that is to play on 2 strings together. (a triple stop usually requires 3 strings). The "STOPS" are created when our fingers "stop" the strings with a note. That's where the "stops" are. Some people argue that playing an open string with a fingered note is not technically a "double stop" because only one note is being "stopped". Whatever. For me.....if we are playing 2 notes simultaneously, it's a double stop!

[@Gina_DT]

The notes of a chord. C major has C, E, G. So C + E can be together or 3 of them together or just C + G. Or E + G

[@RedDesertViolin]

Or even notes of a NON chord. A double stop can be ANY two notes.....even if they clash or sound like nonsense. But on violin, to make a 3 or 4 note chord and have it spell out a chord takes great knowledge of the fingerboard and of chord spelling and harmony.

[@DivaDeb1234]

U know what's hard.? Ist post double stop to 2nd pos shift.

[@aveensss]

Why are there 16 dislikes

[@RedDesertViolin]

Hmmm. No clue. Oh well. Haterz gonna hate, right?! ;)

[@aveensss]

lol

[@mattwertin]

PLEASE PUT A CAMERA so we can see your fingering, that seems to be the hardest , no one is doing it, guitar players are

[@RedDesertViolin]

I am doing that now, Nomosushi nomo. (cute!) I cringe at all the videos I did from 2012-2015 without the 2nd camera. Thanks for the input!!