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 ViolinDo I have to replace all violin strings when E string broke?violin 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?
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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 ViolinDo I have to replace all violin strings when E string broke?violin 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?
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
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
6
Why this was downvoted? It seems an entirely reasonable and practical question.
– replete
2 days ago
4
Probably by someone who thought he was clever enough to know that it was impossible. Wrong! And not good enough to explain.
– Tim
2 days ago
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
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
strings violin bowing double-stops
asked 2 days ago
XilpexXilpex
592218
592218
6
Why this was downvoted? It seems an entirely reasonable and practical question.
– replete
2 days ago
4
Probably by someone who thought he was clever enough to know that it was impossible. Wrong! And not good enough to explain.
– Tim
2 days ago
add a comment |
6
Why this was downvoted? It seems an entirely reasonable and practical question.
– replete
2 days ago
4
Probably by someone who thought he was clever enough to know that it was impossible. Wrong! And not good enough to explain.
– Tim
2 days ago
6
6
Why this was downvoted? It seems an entirely reasonable and practical question.
– replete
2 days ago
Why this was downvoted? It seems an entirely reasonable and practical question.
– replete
2 days ago
4
4
Probably by someone who thought he was clever enough to know that it was impossible. Wrong! And not good enough to explain.
– Tim
2 days ago
Probably by someone who thought he was clever enough to know that it was impossible. Wrong! And not good enough to explain.
– Tim
2 days ago
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.
New contributor
abl is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
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
yesterday
@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
10 hours ago
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
10 hours ago
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
2 days ago
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
2 days ago
4
Haha, Flausino Vale was definitely a show-off! :)
– Creynders
2 days ago
1
Yep, that is a very show-offy technique. I'm sure Paganini would have approved.
– Scott Wallace
9 hours ago
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
18 hours ago
@replete Good point - I need to make that clearer.
– Graham
18 hours ago
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
10 hours ago
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...)
New contributor
RedLitYogi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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2
It not only makes it easier to bow a single string, it's what makes it possible at all.
– leftaroundabout
yesterday
very true. "makes it easier" is an understatement.
– RedLitYogi
15 hours ago
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 |
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8 Answers
8
active
oldest
votes
8 Answers
8
active
oldest
votes
active
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active
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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.
New contributor
abl is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
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
yesterday
@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
10 hours ago
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
10 hours ago
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.
New contributor
abl is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
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
yesterday
@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
10 hours ago
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
10 hours ago
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.
New contributor
abl is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
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.
New contributor
abl is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 2 days ago
New contributor
abl is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 days ago
ablabl
2143
2143
New contributor
abl is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
abl is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
abl is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
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
yesterday
@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
10 hours ago
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
10 hours ago
add a comment |
3
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
yesterday
@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
10 hours ago
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
10 hours ago
3
3
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
yesterday
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
yesterday
@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
10 hours ago
@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
10 hours ago
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
10 hours ago
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
10 hours ago
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
2 days ago
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
2 days ago
4
Haha, Flausino Vale was definitely a show-off! :)
– Creynders
2 days ago
1
Yep, that is a very show-offy technique. I'm sure Paganini would have approved.
– Scott Wallace
9 hours ago
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
2 days ago
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
2 days ago
4
Haha, Flausino Vale was definitely a show-off! :)
– Creynders
2 days ago
1
Yep, that is a very show-offy technique. I'm sure Paganini would have approved.
– Scott Wallace
9 hours ago
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 2 days ago
Rosie FRosie F
1,441314
1,441314
Are there several bars of rest notated while the player changes bow positions..?
– Tim
2 days ago
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
2 days ago
4
Haha, Flausino Vale was definitely a show-off! :)
– Creynders
2 days ago
1
Yep, that is a very show-offy technique. I'm sure Paganini would have approved.
– Scott Wallace
9 hours ago
add a comment |
Are there several bars of rest notated while the player changes bow positions..?
– Tim
2 days ago
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
2 days ago
4
Haha, Flausino Vale was definitely a show-off! :)
– Creynders
2 days ago
1
Yep, that is a very show-offy technique. I'm sure Paganini would have approved.
– Scott Wallace
9 hours ago
Are there several bars of rest notated while the player changes bow positions..?
– Tim
2 days ago
Are there several bars of rest notated while the player changes bow positions..?
– Tim
2 days ago
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
2 days ago
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
2 days ago
4
4
Haha, Flausino Vale was definitely a show-off! :)
– Creynders
2 days ago
Haha, Flausino Vale was definitely a show-off! :)
– Creynders
2 days ago
1
1
Yep, that is a very show-offy technique. I'm sure Paganini would have approved.
– Scott Wallace
9 hours ago
Yep, that is a very show-offy technique. I'm sure Paganini would have approved.
– Scott Wallace
9 hours ago
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 2 days ago
Scott WallaceScott Wallace
4,3501017
4,3501017
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
18 hours ago
@replete Good point - I need to make that clearer.
– Graham
18 hours ago
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
10 hours ago
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
18 hours ago
@replete Good point - I need to make that clearer.
– Graham
18 hours ago
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
10 hours ago
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 18 hours ago
answered 18 hours ago
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
18 hours ago
@replete Good point - I need to make that clearer.
– Graham
18 hours ago
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
10 hours ago
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
18 hours ago
@replete Good point - I need to make that clearer.
– Graham
18 hours ago
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
10 hours ago
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
18 hours ago
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
18 hours ago
@replete Good point - I need to make that clearer.
– Graham
18 hours ago
@replete Good point - I need to make that clearer.
– Graham
18 hours ago
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
10 hours ago
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
10 hours ago
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 2 days ago
JomiddnzJomiddnz
2,293510
2,293510
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...)
New contributor
RedLitYogi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
2
It not only makes it easier to bow a single string, it's what makes it possible at all.
– leftaroundabout
yesterday
very true. "makes it easier" is an understatement.
– RedLitYogi
15 hours ago
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...)
New contributor
RedLitYogi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
2
It not only makes it easier to bow a single string, it's what makes it possible at all.
– leftaroundabout
yesterday
very true. "makes it easier" is an understatement.
– RedLitYogi
15 hours ago
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...)
New contributor
RedLitYogi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
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...)
New contributor
RedLitYogi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
RedLitYogi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered yesterday
RedLitYogiRedLitYogi
211
211
New contributor
RedLitYogi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
RedLitYogi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
RedLitYogi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
2
It not only makes it easier to bow a single string, it's what makes it possible at all.
– leftaroundabout
yesterday
very true. "makes it easier" is an understatement.
– RedLitYogi
15 hours ago
add a comment |
2
It not only makes it easier to bow a single string, it's what makes it possible at all.
– leftaroundabout
yesterday
very true. "makes it easier" is an understatement.
– RedLitYogi
15 hours ago
2
2
It not only makes it easier to bow a single string, it's what makes it possible at all.
– leftaroundabout
yesterday
It not only makes it easier to bow a single string, it's what makes it possible at all.
– leftaroundabout
yesterday
very true. "makes it easier" is an understatement.
– RedLitYogi
15 hours ago
very true. "makes it easier" is an understatement.
– RedLitYogi
15 hours ago
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 16 hours ago
answered 16 hours ago
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 9 hours ago
Scott WallaceScott Wallace
4,3501017
4,3501017
add a comment |
add a comment |
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6
Why this was downvoted? It seems an entirely reasonable and practical question.
– replete
2 days ago
4
Probably by someone who thought he was clever enough to know that it was impossible. Wrong! And not good enough to explain.
– Tim
2 days ago