A double stop is when you play two strings at once - it's a bit like playing half a chord - It's usually rythmic but you can do vibratos and double stops together to get a nice full sound and sustain - bluegrass mandolin players such as Ronnie McCoury, Sam Bush and David Grisman do these to great effect - you should hear their version of Ashokan's Farewell on the Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza to get an idea of what you can do.
Roland White, also a master of double stops, has a very good beginner/intermediate bluegrass mandolin tutorial book with tabs showing where double stops go - this can really enhance some tunes.
With insincere apologies to all ITM musicians who hate bluegrass
Cath
You can start with open string drones. (though some purists might not call that a double stop) On an OM or Bouzouki this can be a great effect. The strings above or below the melody can be used if they fit the chords of the tune or song. Partial chords can be implied for accompaniment. I know a fellow who backs up tunes using only open fifths and octaves, it get a little repetitive, but it really does work. Try it for starters and then work single notes around the chords. As in all things musical, if you let your ear be your guide, you'll likely find a sound that works for you. Simple and rhythmic is best.
I often play double stops on my mandolin by picking downward with the flat pick and upward with my middle finger at the same time. It is a very useful technique for playing both harmony and melody.
Listen to Evan Marshall, the "Lone Arranger." He blows me away. He plays solo mandolin with no over dubbing. He gets the most amazing sound out of an instrument.
I've just added, in the comments box, an arrangement as I might play it on mandolin, making (somewhat excessive) use of open string drones and double stops.
Double Stop on Octave mandolin/ Bouzouki
Double Stop on Octave mandolin/ Bouzouki
I see on the WWW the "double stop" played on mandolin. I don't understand really the use of this technique. Can you help me, please ?
Does it work on CBOM tuned in the same tuning GDAE on Irish music ?
For what playing ? Melody or rythmic ?
# Posted on April 28th 2004 by Mandolman
Re: Double Stop on Octave mandolin/ Bouzouki
A double stop is when you play two strings at once - it's a bit like playing half a chord - It's usually rythmic but you can do vibratos and double stops together to get a nice full sound and sustain - bluegrass mandolin players such as Ronnie McCoury, Sam Bush and David Grisman do these to great effect - you should hear their version of Ashokan's Farewell on the Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza to get an idea of what you can do.
Roland White, also a master of double stops, has a very good beginner/intermediate bluegrass mandolin tutorial book with tabs showing where double stops go - this can really enhance some tunes.
With insincere apologies to all ITM musicians who hate bluegrass
Cath
Cath
# Posted on April 28th 2004 by Cath
Re: Double Stop on Octave mandolin/ Bouzouki
You can start with open string drones. (though some purists might not call that a double stop) On an OM or Bouzouki this can be a great effect. The strings above or below the melody can be used if they fit the chords of the tune or song. Partial chords can be implied for accompaniment. I know a fellow who backs up tunes using only open fifths and octaves, it get a little repetitive, but it really does work. Try it for starters and then work single notes around the chords. As in all things musical, if you let your ear be your guide, you'll likely find a sound that works for you. Simple and rhythmic is best.
# Posted on April 29th 2004 by Plunkett.mi
Re: Double Stop on Octave mandolin/ Bouzouki
There is a bit more reading on Double stops on Han's site. If you click on some of the different chord shapes.
http://home.hccnet.nl/h.speek/bouzouki/
http://home.hccnet.nl/h.speek/bouzouki/gdad/index.html
There is also a few bits about droning strings which can sound wonderful when sparingly
KS
http://www.chinatogalway.com/
# Posted on April 29th 2004 by KS
Re: Double Stop on Octave mandolin/ Bouzouki
I often play double stops on my mandolin by picking downward with the flat pick and upward with my middle finger at the same time. It is a very useful technique for playing both harmony and melody.
# Posted on April 29th 2004 by rocking bow
Re: Double Stop on Octave mandolin/ Bouzouki
Listen to Evan Marshall, the "Lone Arranger." He blows me away. He plays solo mandolin with no over dubbing. He gets the most amazing sound out of an instrument.
# Posted on April 29th 2004 by rocking bow
Re: Double Stop on Octave mandolin/ Bouzouki
Mandolman, take a look at the following tune, The Humours of Drinagh:
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display.php/413
I've just added, in the comments box, an arrangement as I might play it on mandolin, making (somewhat excessive) use of open string drones and double stops.
# Posted on April 30th 2004 by CreadurMawnOrganig