Vision Music

[Bob Parsons]

Alan Holdsworth stated in the latest Guitar Player that it takes him about 2 years to integrate a phrase into his stage language. I sure can identify with that. Single note passages seem to take a lot of time to develop as "hip pocket" material. Yet, I just studied Body Talk by GB for the umpteenth time and decided to concentrate on double stops. Those dbl stops showed up at the gig almost the next night. Does anyone have a clue as to why? And have you found that on the gig dbl stops are always "there" for you?

[Mark]

[Dave Illig]

I LOVE double stops. They have punch and can really get a listeners attention. I think dblstps are so easy to integrate because they are like little chords and don't require a lot of conscious thought. They are also great vehicles for repetitive, rhythmic grooves, a la George Benson and a host of others.

Another great thing about double stops is there ability to cut through the band. I almost feel like I can compete with the sax when I use them.
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The hippest note you can play is a rest.

[Larry_DC]

Being an amateur player, I can't relate to the gig thing, but I'm heartened to hear that even the pros need time to integrate certain ideas into their playing. I also notice that double stops become part of my playing DNA a LOT faster than single lines. I think it's because I played mostly rock, blues and funk in my formative years, so anything "new" is really a variation of a cliche.

[Bob Parsons]

Mark's comment on the percussive nature of the dbl stp(DS) hit home. Really a DS is more of a right hand phenom than left -- unless you're talking a prolonged Freddie King "Stumble" or "Hideway" passage. So maybe that's why it integrates more naturally? Gig or bandstand adrenalin can be disapated via the right hand more easily for me and it helps establish my coordination between hands.

[Dean]

I don't want to sound like a complete idiot, but could you define double stop.I think I know what your talking about,but not completely sure.Thanks
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What don't kill you makes you stronger

[Bob Parsons]

Hey Dean,

I b'leve that double stop simply means playing two notes at the same time.

[Dean]

Ok,that's what I was thinking.I use it quite a bit.I think the reason it works so well,is because,it has a larger voice as apposed to a single note.IMO when playing single notes they have to tie together to make a statement,and a double stop is a sentance all on its own.When playing single notes there is so much to consider,length,timing,many or a few,etc.I fight with myself all the time ,to many notes not enough,and so many other things just to solo over a piece.
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What don't kill you makes you stronger

[Mark]

[Dave Illig]

Okay, to hear an example of two of my favorite double-stops used over the first few bars of Miles' All Blues (track courtesy of the JCS page),
click
here
_________________
The hippest note you can play is a rest.

[Dean]

Dave ,man you got some sweet tone....and I even caught the double stops.Thanks for the example.
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What don't kill you makes you stronger

[Dave Illig]

Thanks Dean, those two double stops are very easy but pack a lot of punch. In addition to those 3rd and 5th types I also like 6ths a lot. I have blues lick with 6ths that I stole from Joe Pass that works in almost any situation, from country to jazz to blues. Double stops add a lot the guitarists arsenal.

Dave
_________________
The hippest note you can play is a rest.

[Bob Parsons]

Dave. Great Examples. I forget where I first heard of you but became a fan immediately. Gentlemen. This is the video age...

Here's my favorite set of DS's

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vYU9NsW1T0

[Mark]

[Bob Parsons]

those are beautiful mark. they tickle...