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A <u>Double{{Top-Stop</u> is the technique of plucking 2 strings simultaneously. The term came from classical stringed instruments, which were usually only played one note at a time with a bow. For guitar, we are often playing multiple notes as such; but we do not refer to strummed chords (or really any type of rhythm playing) as double-stops. The term applies more towards incorporating intervals into lead or melody playing.Level Crumbs|1}}{{Lesson Crumbs|4}}{{Technique Crumbs|12}}
<u>'''Chicken Pickin'</u> ''' is a technique where you use the plectrum to pick the lower note of a double or triple stop, while using the middle or ring finger of the picking hand to pick the higher note(s). This is helpful for many reasons:
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A <u>'''Double-Stop''' is the technique of plucking 2 strings simultaneously. The term came from classical stringed instruments, which were usually only played one note at a time with a bow. For guitar, we are often playing multiple notes as such; but we do not refer to strummed chords (or really any type of rhythm playing) as double-stops. The term applies more towards incorporating intervals into lead or melody playing. A '''Triple-Stop</u> ''' is the same thing but uses 3 simultaneous notes. One could go on to quadruple, pentuple, etc., but we rarely see anything beyond triple-stops.
== PreReqs ==
== Bends ==
Double-stops often have one note of the interval bent upwards. This sweeps through numerous intervals between the two strings, including micro-tonal ones. It demonstrates a strong tension-release, as the bend itself because quite chaotic until it hits the target note, which is usually a pretty harmonious interval.
Here's probably the most common example, which is often played in E Blues or E Minor Pentatonic.
B-15-(15)-
G-14-b16--
The double-stop starts on a P4 interval. As the low note is bent upwards, we pass through the M3 and land on the m3 interval.
Here's the same lick expanded as a triple-stop:
E-15-(15)-
B-15-(15)-
G-14-b16--
This moves from a suspended-sounding chord composed of stacked P4's to a 1st inversion G major chord.
Another common bent double-stop is called a '''Unison Bend'''. Here the low note of the double-stop is bent up to the same pitch as the upper note.
E-12-(12)-
B-15-b17--
B-12-(12)-
G-14-b16--
Even if the bend is done particularly fast, the unison bend has a different tone than playing the note alone, as well as sliding or bending into it without the double-stop. On the other hand, if done slowly, you hear all the dissonant beating between the notes as the low note gets closer and closer to the target note, until they finally meet in pitch and the tension is resolved.
== Bluesy Beating ==
Since double-stops are associated with leads and leads are typically distorted, intervals can create a beating between the notes caused by intermodulation distortion. This can be used to our advantage:
G------12--(x)---12--(x)---12---
D-/14-(14)-(14)-(14)-(14)-(14)-
So here we are sustaining the low E note while alternating between playing and muting the high G above. We hear the beating of the m3 interval when the high G is sounded, but then it goes away when we mute. It almost sounds like we are toggling on/off some kind of effect that makes the low E change how it is being expressed.
== Chicken Pickin ==
* If the strings are not adjacent, you don't have to worry about muting the strings in between. This delivers a cleaner sound, helpful for playing softer passages where plucking the muted string adds too much of a percussive sound.
* When doing runs of double-stops, it's easier and faster to pluck the correct strings.
* The tone of the pick and fingers are slightly different, allowing greater expression.
* The finger can be used to quickly mute and pluck the string, allowing easy bluesy double-stops.
E--------17---------14----------17---------14--
B-12/15-(15)-15\12-(12)--12/15-(15)-15\12-(12)-
E--------17---------14----------17---------14--
B----------------------------------------------
G-14/17-(17)-17\14-(14)--14/17-(17)-17\14-(14)-
== Homework ==
* [[Finger Picking]]
* [[Chicken Picking]]
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[[Category: Guitar]]
[[Category: Technique]]
[[Category: Double-Stops]]