Violin - Can double stops be played when the strings are not next to each other?How does the violin strings'...
Character escape sequences for ">"
Where did Heinlein say "Once you get to Earth orbit, you're halfway to anywhere in the Solar System"?
Did US corporations pay demonstrators in the German demonstrations against article 13?
Global amount of publications over time
On a tidally locked planet, would time be quantized?
How should I respond when I lied about my education and the company finds out through background check?
Has Darkwing Duck ever met Scrooge McDuck?
Query about absorption line spectra
Longest common substring in linear time
Could the E-bike drivetrain wear down till needing replacement after 400 km?
Is XSS in canonical link possible?
Is Asuka Langley-Soryu disgusted by Shinji?
We have a love-hate relationship
Has any country ever had 2 former presidents in jail simultaneously?
Biological Blimps: Propulsion
By means of an example, show that P(A) + P(B) = 1 does not mean that B is the complement of A.
Should I install hardwood flooring or cabinets first?
Customize circled numbers
Open problems concerning all the finite groups
Why does Async/Await work properly when the loop is inside the async function and not the other way around?
What is the grammatical term for “‑ed” words like these?
Why do IPv6 unique local addresses have to have a /48 prefix?
Is camera lens focus an exact point or a range?
How do you respond to a colleague from another team when they're wrongly expecting that you'll help them?
Violin - Can double stops be played when the strings are not next to each other?
How does the violin strings' gauge affect the instrument's functionalityHow are double stops / divisi indicated in violin scores?Double stopping pizzicato on the violinOther strings vibrating when playing pizzicato on Violinviolin other string vibrates loudly when playing another stringWhat violin strings have the lowest tension without a bad effect on sound quality?How slur/legato score notation should be played on violin: with hammer and pull-of or the other way?Double stops in ABRSM Grade 7 violinIs this double stop playable on violin?Violin - How to keep fingers from touching other string when playing double stops
Suppose I wanted to play a double stop on the violin. The double stop played the G string and the A string simultaneously. Is this possible? Can you play a double stop on two non-adjacent strings?
strings violin bowing double-stops fingerstyle-violin
add a comment |
Suppose I wanted to play a double stop on the violin. The double stop played the G string and the A string simultaneously. Is this possible? Can you play a double stop on two non-adjacent strings?
strings violin bowing double-stops fingerstyle-violin
6
Why this was downvoted? It seems an entirely reasonable and practical question.
– replete
Mar 16 at 8:55
5
Probably by someone who thought he was clever enough to know that it was impossible. Wrong! And not good enough to explain.
– Tim
Mar 16 at 9:20
add a comment |
Suppose I wanted to play a double stop on the violin. The double stop played the G string and the A string simultaneously. Is this possible? Can you play a double stop on two non-adjacent strings?
strings violin bowing double-stops fingerstyle-violin
Suppose I wanted to play a double stop on the violin. The double stop played the G string and the A string simultaneously. Is this possible? Can you play a double stop on two non-adjacent strings?
strings violin bowing double-stops fingerstyle-violin
strings violin bowing double-stops fingerstyle-violin
edited Mar 21 at 4:04
Xilpex
asked Mar 16 at 3:39
XilpexXilpex
783222
783222
6
Why this was downvoted? It seems an entirely reasonable and practical question.
– replete
Mar 16 at 8:55
5
Probably by someone who thought he was clever enough to know that it was impossible. Wrong! And not good enough to explain.
– Tim
Mar 16 at 9:20
add a comment |
6
Why this was downvoted? It seems an entirely reasonable and practical question.
– replete
Mar 16 at 8:55
5
Probably by someone who thought he was clever enough to know that it was impossible. Wrong! And not good enough to explain.
– Tim
Mar 16 at 9:20
6
6
Why this was downvoted? It seems an entirely reasonable and practical question.
– replete
Mar 16 at 8:55
Why this was downvoted? It seems an entirely reasonable and practical question.
– replete
Mar 16 at 8:55
5
5
Probably by someone who thought he was clever enough to know that it was impossible. Wrong! And not good enough to explain.
– Tim
Mar 16 at 9:20
Probably by someone who thought he was clever enough to know that it was impossible. Wrong! And not good enough to explain.
– Tim
Mar 16 at 9:20
add a comment |
8 Answers
8
active
oldest
votes
Just to add to the other answers, there's this unusual technique where you loosen the hair of the bow and play with the stick of the bow under the violin, but the hair wrapping over it. This allows you to play three or four strings simultaneously.
To play only two non-adjacent strings, I guess you'd need to somehow mute the string(s) in between. I never played violin so I don't know how feasible that would be.
4
Muting strings in between, like you might do on guitar, is not really possible with bowed strings. The muted string would produce a horrible scratching noise.
– leftaroundabout
Mar 17 at 12:24
@leftaroundabout - I added my comment to Graham's answer before seeing yours here. You said it: I just tried it on both baroque and modern violins, and indeed it does not work.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 9:03
abi- you are right about what you can do with a loosened bow, but that is not answering the question, which was if it's possible to play a double stop on the G and A strings.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 9:04
add a comment |
As Jomiddnz points out, there's pizzicato. You could also bow one string and pluck another at the same time.
But if you want both notes played with the bow, and don't want the bow to catch the strings in between, the only way is by playing on the top and bottom strings with the bow under the strings. Here's an example (OK, the only example I've found): the last few bars of Flausino Vale's variations on Franz Lehár's Paganini. (Note also the combination of an arco note and pizzicato open strings.)
If you don't want to use that extraordinary technique, then, no.
Are there several bars of rest notated while the player changes bow positions..?
– Tim
Mar 16 at 8:20
No, only that double-caesura sign in b.112. The piece is for solo violin so the player is at liberty to take their time over this awkward change.
– Rosie F
Mar 16 at 8:24
4
Haha, Flausino Vale was definitely a show-off! :)
– Creynders
Mar 16 at 9:03
1
Yep, that is a very show-offy technique. I'm sure Paganini would have approved.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 9:27
add a comment |
Just to be pedantic, you could pretty easily bow the open G and A strings together by holding the D string depressed just above the bridge.
add a comment |
Absolutely, but it's harder on a modern instrument
As RedLitYogi says, the convex bridge (not the fingerboard!) affects your ability to play more than two adjacent strings. A tight bow means you can only normally hit two notes at once.
Historically this was not the case though. Baroque instruments had a shallower curve to the bridge, and they also used lower tension on the bow. As a result, they were perfectly capable of treble-stopping as an advanced technique.
Its still possible with a modern instrument and bow. You need to apply extreme pressure to the bow though, which makes it impossible for anything other than forte or fortissimo.
More normally, you'd simply pivot over the D string to hit the A in a single move, resulting in an arpeggiated chord. It's worth noting that even on instruments which can play true chords (e.g guitar or piano), arpeggiated chords are often used for expression, so this does not sound in any way unusual.
These techniques all assume playing three notes at once, of course. To avoid playing the "middle" string and only sound the outer two, damp the unwanted string by touching it lightly with the fleshy part of a finger.
1
I'm not a string player so may be misunderstanding your answer, but it seems to me that you're answering a different question: whether it's possible to play treble-stops. Are you saying double stops were playable on these earlier instruments with non-adjacent strings, that is, without sounding an intervening string?
– replete
Mar 18 at 0:41
@replete Good point - I need to make that clearer.
– Graham
Mar 18 at 0:50
1
I tried damping the middle string (the D) of a triple stop G-D-A on both a baroque and a modern violin, and I couldn't get it to work. The D string always sounds either a harmonic or a fuzzy but loud tone based on where you're touching it. Not surprising you can't damp it, because it has more pressure on it than on the G and A strings. Try it yourself.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 8:58
add a comment |
No. It is physically impossible unless you play it pizzicato.
add a comment |
You most likely know this, but just in case: the instruments of the string choir (violin, viola, cello, bass violin) all have convex fingerboards. This makes it much easier to bow a single string than it would be if the strings were all on one plane as they are in guitars and lutes, etc. That is why the answer given in 13 seems to be the best. (Paganini must really have been a show-off - this is akin to Hendrix playing behind his back, etc...)
2
It not only makes it easier to bow a single string, it's what makes it possible at all.
– leftaroundabout
Mar 17 at 16:01
very true. "makes it easier" is an understatement.
– RedLitYogi
Mar 18 at 3:47
add a comment |
If you used two bows you could achieve the result. It would be rather tricky to hold them both, and only short strokes would be viable without some extremely dexterous right-hand work (or perhaps a bowing action which moves the bow along the strings more than across them - which wouldn't sound great), but would be more versatile than the under-the-strings solution, more musical than the high-pressure solution. A specialised bowing device (perhaps like a couple of EBows) might be an option too, depending on how determined you are.
add a comment |
I just realized there is a way (and it works quite well, I tried it) to play double stops on the G and A strings, while still being able to finger them normally: unscrew the the bow completely, pass the frog (carefully!) down between the E and A strings and under the A, D, and G strings. Screw it back on. Play with the bow lifted, not pressed. You will get a lovely double stop of just the G and A strings.
Probably of limited practical use.
add a comment |
Your Answer
StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "240"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});
function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});
}
});
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fmusic.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f81525%2fviolin-can-double-stops-be-played-when-the-strings-are-not-next-to-each-other%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
8 Answers
8
active
oldest
votes
8 Answers
8
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Just to add to the other answers, there's this unusual technique where you loosen the hair of the bow and play with the stick of the bow under the violin, but the hair wrapping over it. This allows you to play three or four strings simultaneously.
To play only two non-adjacent strings, I guess you'd need to somehow mute the string(s) in between. I never played violin so I don't know how feasible that would be.
4
Muting strings in between, like you might do on guitar, is not really possible with bowed strings. The muted string would produce a horrible scratching noise.
– leftaroundabout
Mar 17 at 12:24
@leftaroundabout - I added my comment to Graham's answer before seeing yours here. You said it: I just tried it on both baroque and modern violins, and indeed it does not work.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 9:03
abi- you are right about what you can do with a loosened bow, but that is not answering the question, which was if it's possible to play a double stop on the G and A strings.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 9:04
add a comment |
Just to add to the other answers, there's this unusual technique where you loosen the hair of the bow and play with the stick of the bow under the violin, but the hair wrapping over it. This allows you to play three or four strings simultaneously.
To play only two non-adjacent strings, I guess you'd need to somehow mute the string(s) in between. I never played violin so I don't know how feasible that would be.
4
Muting strings in between, like you might do on guitar, is not really possible with bowed strings. The muted string would produce a horrible scratching noise.
– leftaroundabout
Mar 17 at 12:24
@leftaroundabout - I added my comment to Graham's answer before seeing yours here. You said it: I just tried it on both baroque and modern violins, and indeed it does not work.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 9:03
abi- you are right about what you can do with a loosened bow, but that is not answering the question, which was if it's possible to play a double stop on the G and A strings.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 9:04
add a comment |
Just to add to the other answers, there's this unusual technique where you loosen the hair of the bow and play with the stick of the bow under the violin, but the hair wrapping over it. This allows you to play three or four strings simultaneously.
To play only two non-adjacent strings, I guess you'd need to somehow mute the string(s) in between. I never played violin so I don't know how feasible that would be.
Just to add to the other answers, there's this unusual technique where you loosen the hair of the bow and play with the stick of the bow under the violin, but the hair wrapping over it. This allows you to play three or four strings simultaneously.
To play only two non-adjacent strings, I guess you'd need to somehow mute the string(s) in between. I never played violin so I don't know how feasible that would be.
edited Mar 16 at 16:15
answered Mar 16 at 14:18
ablabl
2144
2144
4
Muting strings in between, like you might do on guitar, is not really possible with bowed strings. The muted string would produce a horrible scratching noise.
– leftaroundabout
Mar 17 at 12:24
@leftaroundabout - I added my comment to Graham's answer before seeing yours here. You said it: I just tried it on both baroque and modern violins, and indeed it does not work.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 9:03
abi- you are right about what you can do with a loosened bow, but that is not answering the question, which was if it's possible to play a double stop on the G and A strings.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 9:04
add a comment |
4
Muting strings in between, like you might do on guitar, is not really possible with bowed strings. The muted string would produce a horrible scratching noise.
– leftaroundabout
Mar 17 at 12:24
@leftaroundabout - I added my comment to Graham's answer before seeing yours here. You said it: I just tried it on both baroque and modern violins, and indeed it does not work.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 9:03
abi- you are right about what you can do with a loosened bow, but that is not answering the question, which was if it's possible to play a double stop on the G and A strings.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 9:04
4
4
Muting strings in between, like you might do on guitar, is not really possible with bowed strings. The muted string would produce a horrible scratching noise.
– leftaroundabout
Mar 17 at 12:24
Muting strings in between, like you might do on guitar, is not really possible with bowed strings. The muted string would produce a horrible scratching noise.
– leftaroundabout
Mar 17 at 12:24
@leftaroundabout - I added my comment to Graham's answer before seeing yours here. You said it: I just tried it on both baroque and modern violins, and indeed it does not work.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 9:03
@leftaroundabout - I added my comment to Graham's answer before seeing yours here. You said it: I just tried it on both baroque and modern violins, and indeed it does not work.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 9:03
abi- you are right about what you can do with a loosened bow, but that is not answering the question, which was if it's possible to play a double stop on the G and A strings.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 9:04
abi- you are right about what you can do with a loosened bow, but that is not answering the question, which was if it's possible to play a double stop on the G and A strings.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 9:04
add a comment |
As Jomiddnz points out, there's pizzicato. You could also bow one string and pluck another at the same time.
But if you want both notes played with the bow, and don't want the bow to catch the strings in between, the only way is by playing on the top and bottom strings with the bow under the strings. Here's an example (OK, the only example I've found): the last few bars of Flausino Vale's variations on Franz Lehár's Paganini. (Note also the combination of an arco note and pizzicato open strings.)
If you don't want to use that extraordinary technique, then, no.
Are there several bars of rest notated while the player changes bow positions..?
– Tim
Mar 16 at 8:20
No, only that double-caesura sign in b.112. The piece is for solo violin so the player is at liberty to take their time over this awkward change.
– Rosie F
Mar 16 at 8:24
4
Haha, Flausino Vale was definitely a show-off! :)
– Creynders
Mar 16 at 9:03
1
Yep, that is a very show-offy technique. I'm sure Paganini would have approved.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 9:27
add a comment |
As Jomiddnz points out, there's pizzicato. You could also bow one string and pluck another at the same time.
But if you want both notes played with the bow, and don't want the bow to catch the strings in between, the only way is by playing on the top and bottom strings with the bow under the strings. Here's an example (OK, the only example I've found): the last few bars of Flausino Vale's variations on Franz Lehár's Paganini. (Note also the combination of an arco note and pizzicato open strings.)
If you don't want to use that extraordinary technique, then, no.
Are there several bars of rest notated while the player changes bow positions..?
– Tim
Mar 16 at 8:20
No, only that double-caesura sign in b.112. The piece is for solo violin so the player is at liberty to take their time over this awkward change.
– Rosie F
Mar 16 at 8:24
4
Haha, Flausino Vale was definitely a show-off! :)
– Creynders
Mar 16 at 9:03
1
Yep, that is a very show-offy technique. I'm sure Paganini would have approved.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 9:27
add a comment |
As Jomiddnz points out, there's pizzicato. You could also bow one string and pluck another at the same time.
But if you want both notes played with the bow, and don't want the bow to catch the strings in between, the only way is by playing on the top and bottom strings with the bow under the strings. Here's an example (OK, the only example I've found): the last few bars of Flausino Vale's variations on Franz Lehár's Paganini. (Note also the combination of an arco note and pizzicato open strings.)
If you don't want to use that extraordinary technique, then, no.
As Jomiddnz points out, there's pizzicato. You could also bow one string and pluck another at the same time.
But if you want both notes played with the bow, and don't want the bow to catch the strings in between, the only way is by playing on the top and bottom strings with the bow under the strings. Here's an example (OK, the only example I've found): the last few bars of Flausino Vale's variations on Franz Lehár's Paganini. (Note also the combination of an arco note and pizzicato open strings.)
If you don't want to use that extraordinary technique, then, no.
answered Mar 16 at 7:46
Rosie FRosie F
1,441314
1,441314
Are there several bars of rest notated while the player changes bow positions..?
– Tim
Mar 16 at 8:20
No, only that double-caesura sign in b.112. The piece is for solo violin so the player is at liberty to take their time over this awkward change.
– Rosie F
Mar 16 at 8:24
4
Haha, Flausino Vale was definitely a show-off! :)
– Creynders
Mar 16 at 9:03
1
Yep, that is a very show-offy technique. I'm sure Paganini would have approved.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 9:27
add a comment |
Are there several bars of rest notated while the player changes bow positions..?
– Tim
Mar 16 at 8:20
No, only that double-caesura sign in b.112. The piece is for solo violin so the player is at liberty to take their time over this awkward change.
– Rosie F
Mar 16 at 8:24
4
Haha, Flausino Vale was definitely a show-off! :)
– Creynders
Mar 16 at 9:03
1
Yep, that is a very show-offy technique. I'm sure Paganini would have approved.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 9:27
Are there several bars of rest notated while the player changes bow positions..?
– Tim
Mar 16 at 8:20
Are there several bars of rest notated while the player changes bow positions..?
– Tim
Mar 16 at 8:20
No, only that double-caesura sign in b.112. The piece is for solo violin so the player is at liberty to take their time over this awkward change.
– Rosie F
Mar 16 at 8:24
No, only that double-caesura sign in b.112. The piece is for solo violin so the player is at liberty to take their time over this awkward change.
– Rosie F
Mar 16 at 8:24
4
4
Haha, Flausino Vale was definitely a show-off! :)
– Creynders
Mar 16 at 9:03
Haha, Flausino Vale was definitely a show-off! :)
– Creynders
Mar 16 at 9:03
1
1
Yep, that is a very show-offy technique. I'm sure Paganini would have approved.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 9:27
Yep, that is a very show-offy technique. I'm sure Paganini would have approved.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 9:27
add a comment |
Just to be pedantic, you could pretty easily bow the open G and A strings together by holding the D string depressed just above the bridge.
add a comment |
Just to be pedantic, you could pretty easily bow the open G and A strings together by holding the D string depressed just above the bridge.
add a comment |
Just to be pedantic, you could pretty easily bow the open G and A strings together by holding the D string depressed just above the bridge.
Just to be pedantic, you could pretty easily bow the open G and A strings together by holding the D string depressed just above the bridge.
answered Mar 16 at 11:19
Scott WallaceScott Wallace
4,4711017
4,4711017
add a comment |
add a comment |
Absolutely, but it's harder on a modern instrument
As RedLitYogi says, the convex bridge (not the fingerboard!) affects your ability to play more than two adjacent strings. A tight bow means you can only normally hit two notes at once.
Historically this was not the case though. Baroque instruments had a shallower curve to the bridge, and they also used lower tension on the bow. As a result, they were perfectly capable of treble-stopping as an advanced technique.
Its still possible with a modern instrument and bow. You need to apply extreme pressure to the bow though, which makes it impossible for anything other than forte or fortissimo.
More normally, you'd simply pivot over the D string to hit the A in a single move, resulting in an arpeggiated chord. It's worth noting that even on instruments which can play true chords (e.g guitar or piano), arpeggiated chords are often used for expression, so this does not sound in any way unusual.
These techniques all assume playing three notes at once, of course. To avoid playing the "middle" string and only sound the outer two, damp the unwanted string by touching it lightly with the fleshy part of a finger.
1
I'm not a string player so may be misunderstanding your answer, but it seems to me that you're answering a different question: whether it's possible to play treble-stops. Are you saying double stops were playable on these earlier instruments with non-adjacent strings, that is, without sounding an intervening string?
– replete
Mar 18 at 0:41
@replete Good point - I need to make that clearer.
– Graham
Mar 18 at 0:50
1
I tried damping the middle string (the D) of a triple stop G-D-A on both a baroque and a modern violin, and I couldn't get it to work. The D string always sounds either a harmonic or a fuzzy but loud tone based on where you're touching it. Not surprising you can't damp it, because it has more pressure on it than on the G and A strings. Try it yourself.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 8:58
add a comment |
Absolutely, but it's harder on a modern instrument
As RedLitYogi says, the convex bridge (not the fingerboard!) affects your ability to play more than two adjacent strings. A tight bow means you can only normally hit two notes at once.
Historically this was not the case though. Baroque instruments had a shallower curve to the bridge, and they also used lower tension on the bow. As a result, they were perfectly capable of treble-stopping as an advanced technique.
Its still possible with a modern instrument and bow. You need to apply extreme pressure to the bow though, which makes it impossible for anything other than forte or fortissimo.
More normally, you'd simply pivot over the D string to hit the A in a single move, resulting in an arpeggiated chord. It's worth noting that even on instruments which can play true chords (e.g guitar or piano), arpeggiated chords are often used for expression, so this does not sound in any way unusual.
These techniques all assume playing three notes at once, of course. To avoid playing the "middle" string and only sound the outer two, damp the unwanted string by touching it lightly with the fleshy part of a finger.
1
I'm not a string player so may be misunderstanding your answer, but it seems to me that you're answering a different question: whether it's possible to play treble-stops. Are you saying double stops were playable on these earlier instruments with non-adjacent strings, that is, without sounding an intervening string?
– replete
Mar 18 at 0:41
@replete Good point - I need to make that clearer.
– Graham
Mar 18 at 0:50
1
I tried damping the middle string (the D) of a triple stop G-D-A on both a baroque and a modern violin, and I couldn't get it to work. The D string always sounds either a harmonic or a fuzzy but loud tone based on where you're touching it. Not surprising you can't damp it, because it has more pressure on it than on the G and A strings. Try it yourself.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 8:58
add a comment |
Absolutely, but it's harder on a modern instrument
As RedLitYogi says, the convex bridge (not the fingerboard!) affects your ability to play more than two adjacent strings. A tight bow means you can only normally hit two notes at once.
Historically this was not the case though. Baroque instruments had a shallower curve to the bridge, and they also used lower tension on the bow. As a result, they were perfectly capable of treble-stopping as an advanced technique.
Its still possible with a modern instrument and bow. You need to apply extreme pressure to the bow though, which makes it impossible for anything other than forte or fortissimo.
More normally, you'd simply pivot over the D string to hit the A in a single move, resulting in an arpeggiated chord. It's worth noting that even on instruments which can play true chords (e.g guitar or piano), arpeggiated chords are often used for expression, so this does not sound in any way unusual.
These techniques all assume playing three notes at once, of course. To avoid playing the "middle" string and only sound the outer two, damp the unwanted string by touching it lightly with the fleshy part of a finger.
Absolutely, but it's harder on a modern instrument
As RedLitYogi says, the convex bridge (not the fingerboard!) affects your ability to play more than two adjacent strings. A tight bow means you can only normally hit two notes at once.
Historically this was not the case though. Baroque instruments had a shallower curve to the bridge, and they also used lower tension on the bow. As a result, they were perfectly capable of treble-stopping as an advanced technique.
Its still possible with a modern instrument and bow. You need to apply extreme pressure to the bow though, which makes it impossible for anything other than forte or fortissimo.
More normally, you'd simply pivot over the D string to hit the A in a single move, resulting in an arpeggiated chord. It's worth noting that even on instruments which can play true chords (e.g guitar or piano), arpeggiated chords are often used for expression, so this does not sound in any way unusual.
These techniques all assume playing three notes at once, of course. To avoid playing the "middle" string and only sound the outer two, damp the unwanted string by touching it lightly with the fleshy part of a finger.
edited Mar 18 at 0:55
answered Mar 18 at 0:36
GrahamGraham
1,795413
1,795413
1
I'm not a string player so may be misunderstanding your answer, but it seems to me that you're answering a different question: whether it's possible to play treble-stops. Are you saying double stops were playable on these earlier instruments with non-adjacent strings, that is, without sounding an intervening string?
– replete
Mar 18 at 0:41
@replete Good point - I need to make that clearer.
– Graham
Mar 18 at 0:50
1
I tried damping the middle string (the D) of a triple stop G-D-A on both a baroque and a modern violin, and I couldn't get it to work. The D string always sounds either a harmonic or a fuzzy but loud tone based on where you're touching it. Not surprising you can't damp it, because it has more pressure on it than on the G and A strings. Try it yourself.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 8:58
add a comment |
1
I'm not a string player so may be misunderstanding your answer, but it seems to me that you're answering a different question: whether it's possible to play treble-stops. Are you saying double stops were playable on these earlier instruments with non-adjacent strings, that is, without sounding an intervening string?
– replete
Mar 18 at 0:41
@replete Good point - I need to make that clearer.
– Graham
Mar 18 at 0:50
1
I tried damping the middle string (the D) of a triple stop G-D-A on both a baroque and a modern violin, and I couldn't get it to work. The D string always sounds either a harmonic or a fuzzy but loud tone based on where you're touching it. Not surprising you can't damp it, because it has more pressure on it than on the G and A strings. Try it yourself.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 8:58
1
1
I'm not a string player so may be misunderstanding your answer, but it seems to me that you're answering a different question: whether it's possible to play treble-stops. Are you saying double stops were playable on these earlier instruments with non-adjacent strings, that is, without sounding an intervening string?
– replete
Mar 18 at 0:41
I'm not a string player so may be misunderstanding your answer, but it seems to me that you're answering a different question: whether it's possible to play treble-stops. Are you saying double stops were playable on these earlier instruments with non-adjacent strings, that is, without sounding an intervening string?
– replete
Mar 18 at 0:41
@replete Good point - I need to make that clearer.
– Graham
Mar 18 at 0:50
@replete Good point - I need to make that clearer.
– Graham
Mar 18 at 0:50
1
1
I tried damping the middle string (the D) of a triple stop G-D-A on both a baroque and a modern violin, and I couldn't get it to work. The D string always sounds either a harmonic or a fuzzy but loud tone based on where you're touching it. Not surprising you can't damp it, because it has more pressure on it than on the G and A strings. Try it yourself.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 8:58
I tried damping the middle string (the D) of a triple stop G-D-A on both a baroque and a modern violin, and I couldn't get it to work. The D string always sounds either a harmonic or a fuzzy but loud tone based on where you're touching it. Not surprising you can't damp it, because it has more pressure on it than on the G and A strings. Try it yourself.
– Scott Wallace
Mar 18 at 8:58
add a comment |
No. It is physically impossible unless you play it pizzicato.
add a comment |
No. It is physically impossible unless you play it pizzicato.
add a comment |
No. It is physically impossible unless you play it pizzicato.
No. It is physically impossible unless you play it pizzicato.
answered Mar 16 at 4:09
JomiddnzJomiddnz
2,303510
2,303510
add a comment |
add a comment |
You most likely know this, but just in case: the instruments of the string choir (violin, viola, cello, bass violin) all have convex fingerboards. This makes it much easier to bow a single string than it would be if the strings were all on one plane as they are in guitars and lutes, etc. That is why the answer given in 13 seems to be the best. (Paganini must really have been a show-off - this is akin to Hendrix playing behind his back, etc...)
2
It not only makes it easier to bow a single string, it's what makes it possible at all.
– leftaroundabout
Mar 17 at 16:01
very true. "makes it easier" is an understatement.
– RedLitYogi
Mar 18 at 3:47
add a comment |
You most likely know this, but just in case: the instruments of the string choir (violin, viola, cello, bass violin) all have convex fingerboards. This makes it much easier to bow a single string than it would be if the strings were all on one plane as they are in guitars and lutes, etc. That is why the answer given in 13 seems to be the best. (Paganini must really have been a show-off - this is akin to Hendrix playing behind his back, etc...)
2
It not only makes it easier to bow a single string, it's what makes it possible at all.
– leftaroundabout
Mar 17 at 16:01
very true. "makes it easier" is an understatement.
– RedLitYogi
Mar 18 at 3:47
add a comment |
You most likely know this, but just in case: the instruments of the string choir (violin, viola, cello, bass violin) all have convex fingerboards. This makes it much easier to bow a single string than it would be if the strings were all on one plane as they are in guitars and lutes, etc. That is why the answer given in 13 seems to be the best. (Paganini must really have been a show-off - this is akin to Hendrix playing behind his back, etc...)
You most likely know this, but just in case: the instruments of the string choir (violin, viola, cello, bass violin) all have convex fingerboards. This makes it much easier to bow a single string than it would be if the strings were all on one plane as they are in guitars and lutes, etc. That is why the answer given in 13 seems to be the best. (Paganini must really have been a show-off - this is akin to Hendrix playing behind his back, etc...)
answered Mar 17 at 13:49
RedLitYogiRedLitYogi
211
211
2
It not only makes it easier to bow a single string, it's what makes it possible at all.
– leftaroundabout
Mar 17 at 16:01
very true. "makes it easier" is an understatement.
– RedLitYogi
Mar 18 at 3:47
add a comment |
2
It not only makes it easier to bow a single string, it's what makes it possible at all.
– leftaroundabout
Mar 17 at 16:01
very true. "makes it easier" is an understatement.
– RedLitYogi
Mar 18 at 3:47
2
2
It not only makes it easier to bow a single string, it's what makes it possible at all.
– leftaroundabout
Mar 17 at 16:01
It not only makes it easier to bow a single string, it's what makes it possible at all.
– leftaroundabout
Mar 17 at 16:01
very true. "makes it easier" is an understatement.
– RedLitYogi
Mar 18 at 3:47
very true. "makes it easier" is an understatement.
– RedLitYogi
Mar 18 at 3:47
add a comment |
If you used two bows you could achieve the result. It would be rather tricky to hold them both, and only short strokes would be viable without some extremely dexterous right-hand work (or perhaps a bowing action which moves the bow along the strings more than across them - which wouldn't sound great), but would be more versatile than the under-the-strings solution, more musical than the high-pressure solution. A specialised bowing device (perhaps like a couple of EBows) might be an option too, depending on how determined you are.
add a comment |
If you used two bows you could achieve the result. It would be rather tricky to hold them both, and only short strokes would be viable without some extremely dexterous right-hand work (or perhaps a bowing action which moves the bow along the strings more than across them - which wouldn't sound great), but would be more versatile than the under-the-strings solution, more musical than the high-pressure solution. A specialised bowing device (perhaps like a couple of EBows) might be an option too, depending on how determined you are.
add a comment |
If you used two bows you could achieve the result. It would be rather tricky to hold them both, and only short strokes would be viable without some extremely dexterous right-hand work (or perhaps a bowing action which moves the bow along the strings more than across them - which wouldn't sound great), but would be more versatile than the under-the-strings solution, more musical than the high-pressure solution. A specialised bowing device (perhaps like a couple of EBows) might be an option too, depending on how determined you are.
If you used two bows you could achieve the result. It would be rather tricky to hold them both, and only short strokes would be viable without some extremely dexterous right-hand work (or perhaps a bowing action which moves the bow along the strings more than across them - which wouldn't sound great), but would be more versatile than the under-the-strings solution, more musical than the high-pressure solution. A specialised bowing device (perhaps like a couple of EBows) might be an option too, depending on how determined you are.
edited Mar 18 at 2:47
answered Mar 18 at 2:41
OutstandingBillOutstandingBill
26316
26316
add a comment |
add a comment |
I just realized there is a way (and it works quite well, I tried it) to play double stops on the G and A strings, while still being able to finger them normally: unscrew the the bow completely, pass the frog (carefully!) down between the E and A strings and under the A, D, and G strings. Screw it back on. Play with the bow lifted, not pressed. You will get a lovely double stop of just the G and A strings.
Probably of limited practical use.
add a comment |
I just realized there is a way (and it works quite well, I tried it) to play double stops on the G and A strings, while still being able to finger them normally: unscrew the the bow completely, pass the frog (carefully!) down between the E and A strings and under the A, D, and G strings. Screw it back on. Play with the bow lifted, not pressed. You will get a lovely double stop of just the G and A strings.
Probably of limited practical use.
add a comment |
I just realized there is a way (and it works quite well, I tried it) to play double stops on the G and A strings, while still being able to finger them normally: unscrew the the bow completely, pass the frog (carefully!) down between the E and A strings and under the A, D, and G strings. Screw it back on. Play with the bow lifted, not pressed. You will get a lovely double stop of just the G and A strings.
Probably of limited practical use.
I just realized there is a way (and it works quite well, I tried it) to play double stops on the G and A strings, while still being able to finger them normally: unscrew the the bow completely, pass the frog (carefully!) down between the E and A strings and under the A, D, and G strings. Screw it back on. Play with the bow lifted, not pressed. You will get a lovely double stop of just the G and A strings.
Probably of limited practical use.
answered Mar 18 at 9:12
Scott WallaceScott Wallace
4,4711017
4,4711017
add a comment |
add a comment |
Thanks for contributing an answer to Music: Practice & Theory Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fmusic.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f81525%2fviolin-can-double-stops-be-played-when-the-strings-are-not-next-to-each-other%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
6
Why this was downvoted? It seems an entirely reasonable and practical question.
– replete
Mar 16 at 8:55
5
Probably by someone who thought he was clever enough to know that it was impossible. Wrong! And not good enough to explain.
– Tim
Mar 16 at 9:20