Definition

1. Noun:
   • The technique of stopping two strings simultaneously on a bowed string instrument to produce two notes at the same time: This is a specific musical technique used by violinists, violists, cellists, and double bass players. It involves pressing down (stopping) two strings with the fingers of the left hand while drawing the bow across both strings to sound them together.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The violinist's performance featured an impressive section of double stopping.
  • Mastering double stopping is essential for advanced string players.
  • The piece requires rapid double stopping in the final movement.

Advanced Usage

• "To execute double stops": This is the common verbal phrase derived from the noun "double stopping." While "double stopping" is the noun form describing the technique, musicians more frequently say they are "playing double stops" or need "to execute a double stop."
  • The passage is difficult because the musician must execute double stops while moving quickly up the fingerboard.

Variants and Related Words

• Double stop (n): The more common term for the chord or interval produced by the technique of double stopping. It refers to the two-note chord itself.
  • The composer wrote a haunting double stop for the cello.
• Triple stopping (n): The technique of stopping three strings simultaneously to produce a three-note chord.
• Quadruple stopping (n): The technique of stopping four strings simultaneously to produce a four-note chord.

Synonyms

• Bichord: A less common technical term for a two-note chord, especially in string playing.
• Two-part chord: A descriptive term for the result of double stopping.

Related Phrases

• To play in double stops: This phrase describes the act of performing music using the double stopping technique.
  • The étude trains violinists to play in double stops.

Noun

1. stopping two strings and producing two notes at the same time