double-stop

A violinist plays a double-stop on her instrument.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A technique in string instrument playing: "double-stop" refers to the act of playing two notes simultaneously on a string instrument, such as a violin, viola, cello, or double bass, by pressing down two strings with the fingers of the left hand and bowing them together.

2. Verb:

   • To perform a double-stop: To play two strings at the same time on a bowed string instrument.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The violinist executed a perfect double-stop in the final movement. (The musician played two notes together on the violin.)
  • Learning double-stops is essential for advanced string players. (Mastering the technique of playing two strings simultaneously is important.)

• Verb:

  • She double-stopped the passage with remarkable clarity. (She played two strings at once in that section of music.)
  • The cellist had to double-stop several chords in the piece. (The cellist played multiple double-stops as part of the composition.)

Advanced Usage

• "to play in double-stops": to perform a musical passage using the technique of double-stopping.

  • The étude requires the student to play in double-stops throughout. (The exercise demands continuous use of playing two strings together.)

• "double-stop fingering": the specific finger placement used to press two strings simultaneously.

  • The teacher corrected the student's double-stop fingering to improve intonation. (The teacher adjusted how the fingers pressed the strings to achieve better pitch accuracy.)

Variants and Related Words

• Double-stopping (n/gerund): the action or technique of playing double-stops.

  • Double-stopping is a common feature in Baroque violin music. (The technique of playing two strings together is frequent in that style.)

• Triple-stop (n): the technique of playing three strings simultaneously (less common, often achieved by rolling the bow).

  • A triple-stop is more challenging than a double-stop due to the bow angle. (Playing three strings at once requires greater bow control.)

Synonyms

• Two-note chord: a chord consisting of exactly two notes (a general term not specific to string instruments).
• Double string stop: an alternative term for the same technique.

Phrasal Verbs

• Double-stop through: to play a passage using double-stops from beginning to end.
  • The soloist double-stopped through the entire cadenza. (The performer used the technique continuously during the solo section.)

Related Idioms

• "Stop the string": a literal description of pressing a string against the fingerboard to change its pitch, as in "double-stop" (two strings stopped).
• "Bow two strings": a less common idiomatic expression meaning to play a double-stop.
  • The composer instructed the musician to bow two strings for a richer sound. (The composer wanted a double-stop for a fuller tone.)