On Kevin Burke's Irish fiddling instructional video, he teaches the tune "Britches Full of Stitches." On the second time through the tune, he plays a double stop on the first note of the tune. I would love to learn how to do this, and I've watched the video over and over but can't figure out what he's doing with his fingers.
If anyone has seen this video and could tell me what he's doing, I would greatly appreciate it.
I haven't seen the video, but when I play that tune, whether it's in D or G, I do the same thing. You just do your double stop in conjunction with the next string down, just open.
For example, in D you're going to bow the open D string AND the D on the A string made with your third finger, which is also the starting note of the tune.
Same for the key of G, only it's the open G string and the G on the D string.
On the Burke video he plays it in A, if I remember correctly, and I think what he does is play the melody on the A string against a droning high E string. Sometimes on the last note, the low E, he plays the string above it (the A) open. It's really simple, no extra fingering to do at all, but it sounds really cool.
He plays the melody MOSTLY on the A string, of course. There are a few notes on the high e string and the end phrase uses the E and F# notes on the D string (just dug out the accompanying booklet and peeked at the dots).
Thank you all so much for your help. I suspected that it might be the low E on the D string. I'm sure the reason I couldn't get it to sound correct is just my lack of skill in playing double stops. But at least now I know what I need to do.
"Britches" is dead easy on the whistle in "A". No Gs in the tune, and no Ds either.
FYI, my favourite terminological nitpick (again): a chord involving an open string is not a double-stop. Technically, "stopping" a string means putting your finger on it, so to double-stop you have to have fingers down on both the strings that are sounding.
Double stops on "Britches Full of Stitches"
Double stops on "Britches Full of Stitches"
On Kevin Burke's Irish fiddling instructional video, he teaches the tune "Britches Full of Stitches." On the second time through the tune, he plays a double stop on the first note of the tune. I would love to learn how to do this, and I've watched the video over and over but can't figure out what he's doing with his fingers.
If anyone has seen this video and could tell me what he's doing, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks!!
# Posted on March 24th 2008 by macnasparade
Re: Double stops on "Britches Full of Stitches"
Can you do a double stop normally?
I haven't seen the video, but when I play that tune, whether it's in D or G, I do the same thing. You just do your double stop in conjunction with the next string down, just open.
For example, in D you're going to bow the open D string AND the D on the A string made with your third finger, which is also the starting note of the tune.
Same for the key of G, only it's the open G string and the G on the D string.
# Posted on March 24th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Double stops on "Britches Full of Stitches"
On the Burke video he plays it in A, if I remember correctly, and I think what he does is play the melody on the A string against a droning high E string. Sometimes on the last note, the low E, he plays the string above it (the A) open. It's really simple, no extra fingering to do at all, but it sounds really cool.
# Posted on March 24th 2008 by fidkid
Re: Double stops on "Britches Full of Stitches"
Britches full of stitches is often played in A, in which case a first finger E on the D string ,played with the open A starting note could be used.
# Posted on March 24th 2008 by cathycook
Re: Double stops on "Britches Full of Stitches"
He plays the melody MOSTLY on the A string, of course. There are a few notes on the high e string and the end phrase uses the E and F# notes on the D string (just dug out the accompanying booklet and peeked at the dots).
# Posted on March 24th 2008 by fidkid
Re: Double stops on "Britches Full of Stitches"
I've cross posted with Fidkid, haven't seen the video, but maybe he does use open E rather than fingered E. I prefer the low E but it is more awkward.
# Posted on March 24th 2008 by cathycook
Re: Double stops on "Britches Full of Stitches"
Cathycook, you're right -- I actually played it just now it's the low E on the D string for that first note, I think.
# Posted on March 24th 2008 by fidkid
Re: Double stops on "Britches Full of Stitches"
Thank you all so much for your help. I suspected that it might be the low E on the D string. I'm sure the reason I couldn't get it to sound correct is just my lack of skill in playing double stops. But at least now I know what I need to do.
Thanks again!!
# Posted on March 24th 2008 by macnasparade
Re: Double stops on "Britches Full of Stitches"
A, eh?
...and then duck as the tin whistle player throws his pint glass at you for playing the tune in some goofed up key he can't play along with.
# Posted on March 24th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Double stops on "Britches Full of Stitches"
Or, at least that's what my buddy does to me. You mean all whistlers don't do that when fiddlers play in the A? Really?
Oh, he's so going to get it next time.
# Posted on March 24th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Double stops on "Britches Full of Stitches"
"Britches" is dead easy on the whistle in "A". No Gs in the tune, and no Ds either.
FYI, my favourite terminological nitpick (again): a chord involving an open string is not a double-stop. Technically, "stopping" a string means putting your finger on it, so to double-stop you have to have fingers down on both the strings that are sounding.
# Posted on March 25th 2008 by Jeeves Tones
Re: Double stops on "Britches Full of Stitches"
Fair point, do I remember Miles Krassen talking about "double noting"?
Whilst we're on terminological nitpicking, are two notes actually a chord?
"I used to be pedantic, but I realise I was misusing the term."
# Posted on March 25th 2008 by TomB-R