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?













15















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?










share|improve this question

















  • 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
















15















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?










share|improve this question

















  • 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














15












15








15


1






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?










share|improve this question














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






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










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













  • 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











8 Answers
8






active

oldest

votes


















9














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.






share|improve this answer










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


















22














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.)



Flausino Vale's variations on Lehár's *Paganini*, b.112ff



If you don't want to use that extraordinary technique, then, no.






share|improve this answer























  • 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


















11














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.






share|improve this answer






























    5














    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.






    share|improve this answer




















    • 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



















    2














    No. It is physically impossible unless you play it pizzicato.






    share|improve this answer






























      2














      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...)






      share|improve this answer








      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


















      2














      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.






      share|improve this answer
































        0














        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.






        share|improve this answer






















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          8 Answers
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          8 Answers
          8






          active

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          active

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          active

          oldest

          votes









          9














          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.






          share|improve this answer










          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















          9














          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.






          share|improve this answer










          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













          9












          9








          9







          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.






          share|improve this answer










          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.







          share|improve this answer










          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.









          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          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.
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          New contributor





          abl is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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          abl is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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          • 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





            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











          22














          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.)



          Flausino Vale's variations on Lehár's *Paganini*, b.112ff



          If you don't want to use that extraordinary technique, then, no.






          share|improve this answer























          • 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















          22














          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.)



          Flausino Vale's variations on Lehár's *Paganini*, b.112ff



          If you don't want to use that extraordinary technique, then, no.






          share|improve this answer























          • 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













          22












          22








          22







          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.)



          Flausino Vale's variations on Lehár's *Paganini*, b.112ff



          If you don't want to use that extraordinary technique, then, no.






          share|improve this answer













          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.)



          Flausino Vale's variations on Lehár's *Paganini*, b.112ff



          If you don't want to use that extraordinary technique, then, no.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          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

















          • 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











          11














          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.






          share|improve this answer



























            11














            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.






            share|improve this answer

























              11












              11








              11







              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.






              share|improve this answer













              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.







              share|improve this answer












              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer










              answered 2 days ago









              Scott WallaceScott Wallace

              4,3501017




              4,3501017





















                  5














                  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.






                  share|improve this answer




















                  • 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
















                  5














                  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.






                  share|improve this answer




















                  • 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














                  5












                  5








                  5







                  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.






                  share|improve this answer















                  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.







                  share|improve this answer














                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  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













                  • 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












                  2














                  No. It is physically impossible unless you play it pizzicato.






                  share|improve this answer



























                    2














                    No. It is physically impossible unless you play it pizzicato.






                    share|improve this answer

























                      2












                      2








                      2







                      No. It is physically impossible unless you play it pizzicato.






                      share|improve this answer













                      No. It is physically impossible unless you play it pizzicato.







                      share|improve this answer












                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer










                      answered 2 days ago









                      JomiddnzJomiddnz

                      2,293510




                      2,293510





















                          2














                          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...)






                          share|improve this answer








                          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















                          2














                          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...)






                          share|improve this answer








                          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













                          2












                          2








                          2







                          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...)






                          share|improve this answer








                          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...)







                          share|improve this answer








                          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.









                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer






                          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












                          • 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











                          2














                          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.






                          share|improve this answer





























                            2














                            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.






                            share|improve this answer



























                              2












                              2








                              2







                              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.






                              share|improve this answer















                              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.







                              share|improve this answer














                              share|improve this answer



                              share|improve this answer








                              edited 16 hours ago

























                              answered 16 hours ago









                              OutstandingBillOutstandingBill

                              26316




                              26316





















                                  0














                                  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.






                                  share|improve this answer



























                                    0














                                    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.






                                    share|improve this answer

























                                      0












                                      0








                                      0







                                      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.






                                      share|improve this answer













                                      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.







                                      share|improve this answer












                                      share|improve this answer



                                      share|improve this answer










                                      answered 9 hours ago









                                      Scott WallaceScott Wallace

                                      4,3501017




                                      4,3501017



























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