How to Play Double Stops
Fretting:
Use your index finger to bar two adjacent strings.
For non-adjacent strings, use separate fingers to press each note.
Picking:
Use a downstroke or upstroke to strum both strings at the same time.
Hybrid picking (using a pick and a finger) can also be effective.
Muting:
Use the palm of your picking hand or the remaining fingers of your fretting hand to mute unused strings, ensuring only the desired notes ring out.
Application in Blues
BB King Style:
BB King often uses double stops in his solos to add depth and emotion. He typically employs them in the higher register of the guitar neck, adding vibrato for expressiveness.
Example: Play the 8th fret on the B and high E strings together and add a bit of vibrato.
Blues Shuffle:
In a typical 12-bar blues shuffle, double stops can be used to emphasize the rhythm.
Example: In the key of A, play the 7th fret on the D string and the 6th fret on the G string, then move to the 9th fret on the D and the 7th fret on the G.
Licks and Solos:
Double stops can add variety to single-note blues licks.
Example: In the key of E, slide into the 12th fret on the G string while simultaneously playing the 12th fret on the high E string.
Practice Tips
Start Slow:
Begin with simple double stops, focusing on clean execution and proper muting.
Use a Metronome:
Practice with a metronome to ensure your double stops are rhythmically tight.
Integrate into Solos:
Incorporate double stops into your existing blues licks and solos, experimenting with different intervals and positions on the neck.
Example Lick
Here's a simple blues lick incorporating double stops:
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e|--12-------------|
B|--12-------------|
G|------14--12-----|
D|-------------14--|
A|-----------------|
E|-----------------|
This lick, in the key of E, uses double stops on the 12th fret of the B and high E strings, then moves to single notes on the G and D strings.
By mastering double stops, you'll add a powerful tool to your blues guitar playing, enriching your sound and adding emotional depth to your solos.
8 июл 2024