: Simon Fischer wrote a legendary monthly column for The Strad magazine for many years. Many of these specific technique articles and exercise sheets are archived and legally accessible via The Strad’s digital subscriptions or website.
Mastering Double Stops: A Guide to Simon Fischer’s Techniques
Before examining the solution, it's helpful to understand the problem. Double stops—playing two notes simultaneously on adjacent strings—are a cornerstone of violin technique, appearing throughout the virtuoso literature and the solo sonatas and partitas of J.S. Bach. However, they present a unique set of challenges that go far beyond single-note playing:
: The book focuses on building a mental and physical "recipe" for effortless playing rather than mindless repetition. Core Techniques for Mastery 🎻 simon fischer double stops pdf
Avoid squeezing with your thumb. Instead, let the natural weight of your arm drop into the strings.
Moreover, the book is a relatively recent publication (2016). Fischer and his publisher depend on sales to continue producing such high-quality pedagogical materials. Accessing a PDF through illegal channels ultimately undermines the very ecosystem that supports the creation of these valuable resources.
Before bowing the double stop, drop your left-hand fingers onto the strings silently. Ensure your hand feels light and free of tension. Once the fingers are securely in place, draw the bow. This separates the physical act of fingering from the act of tone production, preventing the sudden "clutching" reflex that causes poor intonation. Step 4: Overplaying and Underplaying : Simon Fischer wrote a legendary monthly column
Play the following double stops using 1st and 2nd fingers:
When shifting double stops, practice moving one finger at a time. Shift the lower finger to its new note. Follow immediately with the upper finger.
When shifting between double stops (e.g., from C-E to D-F in thirds), Fischer teaches the "finger pivot." One finger remains glued to the string while the other slides. This preserves your hand frame. Core Techniques for Mastery 🎻 Avoid squeezing with
Here's an example of a simple double stop exercise from the book:
: Require slight adjustments. For instance, major thirds must be played slightly narrow (lower upper note or higher lower note) to ring beautifully. 3. Bow Weight and the "Contact Point"
G - D (1st finger on G, 2nd finger on D) G - D (1st finger on G, 2nd finger on A) A - E (1st finger on A, 2nd finger on E) A - E (1st finger on A, 2nd finger on D)