Double Stops Guitar Lesson
Double Stops
Double stops can bring new life to your rhythm and lead playing. David provides a short tutorial on what double stops are and how they can be used.
Taught by David MacKenzie in Basic Electric Guitar seriesLength: 7:12Difficulty: 1.5 of 5
Jimi Hendrix
Hendrix cultivated a very unique rhythm / lead technique that exploited the effect of double stops. Some popular songs that involve this technique are the "The Wind Cries Mary," "Castles Made of Sand," and "Little Wing" among countless others. In these songs, Hendrix outlines specific chord progressions with the notes contained in the double stops. Dave demonstrates how to play the opening sections of "The Wind Cries Mary."
Dave shows you how to play your first double stop. Begin by barring the 5th fret across the A and D strings. Play these two notes simultaneously. Then, hammer onto the 7th fret of the A string with the third finger. This results in the notes E and G. These two notes can either imply and Em or a C chord depending on the context in which they are played. Dave then strums the barred 5th fret of the D, G, and B strings. The corresponding notes are G, C, and E respectively. These notes spell a C chord.
Note: Open the "Supplemental Content" tab for tablature to all double stop examples presented in the lesson.
The Wind Cries Mary
This Hendrix tune begins with the double stop described above. Hendrix then continues to slide the double shape step up the fretboard choromatically in a series of half steps. Watch carefully at 3:10 for a demonstration.
Double Stop F Chord
Dave also demonstrates how to create an F chord while applying a similar hammer-on to a double stop. Begin by barring the 5th fret of the D, G, and B strings with the first finger. Then, hammer onto the7th fret of the D string and the 6th fret of the B string respectively. (Once again, watch Dave for a demonstration.) The resulting notes, A, C, and F, spell and F major triad.
Double Stops in E
Dave demonstrates a double stop example in the key of E. Begin with a barre across the 7th fret of the B and high E strings. Then, hammer onto the 9th fret of the B string with the third finger. The two resulting notes are G# and B. These two notes imply an E major triad.
Additional Double Stops
Double stops do not necessarily have to be played on two adjacent strings. Experiment with plucking one string with the pick and another with your second or third finger. Dave demonstrates this concept with the A and G strings.
The way in which you should play double stops depends entirely on the sound you wish to create. Listen to as many examples of double stops being used as possible. The music of Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Wes Montgomery are a few great places to start. Learn as many of these licks and chordal ideas as you can from these recordings. Then, begin to experiment and formulate your own ideas.
Supplemental Learning Material
Basic Electric Guitar
Found in our Beginner Lesson SetsIn his Phase 1 series, David MacKenzie will walk you through the basics of rock guitar.
Lesson 1
About the Guitar
David discusses the parts of the guitar. He also gives you some basic techniques to get you started.
Length: 31:00 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Power Chords
In this lesson, David introduces basic power chords. Great fun for beginners!
Length: 10:12 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Basic Chord Progressions
David introduces some basic chords and chord progressions.
Length: 14:15 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Notes, Chords and Arpeggios
David provides a brief explanation of what notes, chords, power chords, and arpeggios are.
Length: 8:12 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Speed and Coordination
This lesson is all about increasing your speed and coordination. David demonstrates basic picking exercises.
Length: 14:12 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Chord Exercises
David MacKenzie presents a mysterious sounding chord exercise. This exerices is designed to improve right hand technique.
Length: 9:12 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Practice and Discipline
In this short lesson David talks about practice, discipline, and how you should apply yourself when learning and mastering the guitar.
Length: 6:00 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Double Stops
Double stops can bring new life to your rhythm and lead playing. David provides a short tutorial on what double stops are and how they can be used.
Length: 7:12 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
The Major Chords
David covers the basic major chord shapes. Every guitarist must learn these basic chords.
Length: 18:29 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
The Minor Chords
David MacKenzie walks you through the basic minor chords. Expand your knowledge of chords with this fun-filled lesson.
Length: 8:15 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Major Scales
Major scales are an essential component of all styles of music. They can also be used as a great way to orient yourself with the fretboard.
Length: 32:12 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Major Scale Jam
David MacKenzie explains how to practice the major scales along with a fun backing track.
Length: 11:10 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
The Minor Scales
David MacKenzie proceeds to an in-depth discussion of the minor scales.
Length: 15:36 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Minor Scale Jam
David MacKenzie shows you how to play the natural minor scale over a rockin' JamTrack.
Length: 6:12 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
One String Exercise
David demonstrates an excellent one-string exercise in this lesson. This exercise will improve your dexterity and knowledge of the fretboard.
Length: 16:48 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs
Hammer-ons and pull-offs are techniques that enable you to play with a smooth, legato feel.
Length: 8:27 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Basic Bends
David MacKenzie gives a crash course on bending in this lesson. Bends can add a lot of soul to your playing.
Length: 16:12 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Cool Rock Licks
David MacKenzie teaches two rock licks inspired by Yngwie Malmsteen and Kirk Hammett of Metallica.
Length: 12:12 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Hammer-On Exercise
David returns to the world of hammer-ons with a fun new exercise. This lesson includes a JamTrack.
Length: 13:56 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Return to Pull-Offs
David returns to the world of pull-offs with a new exercise. This lesson includes a backing track.
Length: 12:50 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Practicing Bends
David MacKenzie returns to bending technique in this lesson. This lesson features a backing track that is designed for bending practice.
Length: 12:18 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Basic Vibrato
Integrating vibrato into your guitar playing is a great way to add emotion and soul. David MacKenzie explains the basics of vibrato in this lesson.
Length: 9:12 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Pentatonic Scale
David MacKenzie introduces the pentatonic scale.
Length: 5:48 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Minor Pentatonic Scale
David MacKenzie introduces the minor pentatonic scale in this lesson.
Length: 4:38 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Full Major Scale
David MacKenzie explains a two octave pattern of the major scale.
Length: 11:31 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Full Minor Scale
David MacKenzie introduces a two octave natural minor scale pattern.
Length: 12:20 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Full Major Pentatonic Scale
David teaches a two octave pattern of the major pentatonic scale.
Length: 6:30 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Full Minor Pentatonic Scale
David MacKenzie teaches a two octave version of the minor pentatonic scale.
Length: 9:20 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Cool Lick
David MacKenzie teaches several licks based on common arpeggio patterns. This lesson also includes a backing track to jam with.
Length: 20:40 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Rhythm Basics
David MacKenzie introduces some important rhythm basics in this lesson. This lesson also includes a backing track exercise.
Length: 14:55 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Power Chord Variations
David MacKenzie explains various power chord voicings. By simply moving a finger or two, new power chords can be formed.
Length: 18:43 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Cool Lick Exercise
David MacKenzie introduces some new amazing licks.
Length: 29:12 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Tapping Exercise
David MacKenzie introduces the tapping technique and teaches a fun exercise. This lesson includes a backing track.
Length: 22:44 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Tapping Exercise #2
David MacKenzie teaches another amazing tapping exercise.
Length: 13:07 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Tapping #3: Adding Open Strings
The third tapping lesson elaborates on the previous lesson by adding open strings.
Length: 12:59 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Tapping #4: Diminished Lick
The fourth lesson in Dave's tapping series deals with a monster diminished lick.
Length: 11:02 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Tapping #5
In lesson five of his tapping mini-series, DMac provides backing tracks that you can tap over.
Length: 8:04 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Tremolo Technique
In lesson 38, DMac demonstrates some tremolo techniques to add to your repertoire.
Length: 13:54 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Tapping #6
DMac returns to his tapping instruction with more advanced techniques.
Length: 19:54 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Chord Structures
In lesson 40, DMac teaches you how to play various D chords all the way up the neck.
Length: 9:20 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Octaves
In lesson 41, David discusses the octave and its uses while playing.
Length: 17:09 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
About David MacKenzie
View Full Biography
Dave MacKenzie has been playing guitar for 30 of his 45 years on this earth. Starting back when he was 14 years old, Dave picked up the guitar and started to learn from his oldest brother, who had played some guitar as well. Dave was hooked, and couldn't learn fast enough! Everything from the Beatles, Chicago, Ted Nugent, The Eagles, you name it, Dave was trying to play it.
Then as with a lot of players out there, Eddie Van Halen came along and changed the way guitar was played! Dave has been influenced by anyone he has heard play guitar, literally! Always keeping an open mind and a humbleness about him has helped him to keep learning new things on, and about the guitar.
Dave has mostly played in top 40 rock, country, and pop bands. He is most recently playing guitar and keyboards in a 80's metal band called Open Fire. They have opened for Warrant, Firehouse, Winger, and LA Guns
within the 3 and a half years they have been together, and are now jumping into original music.
Dave believes you should have internal motivation, and passion to play guitar, and most definitely, it should be fun!
As with his playing, Dave will find new ways to show you how to get the most out of your time learning guitar!
Acoustic Guitar Lessons
Our acoustic guitar lessons are taught by qualified instructors with various backgrounds with the instrument.
Danny Voris
Lesson 7 is all about arpeggios. Danny provides discussion and exercises designed to build your right hand skills.
Free LessonSeries Details
Jessica Baron
Jessica kindly introduces herself, her background, and her approach to this series.
Free LessonSeries Details
Randall Williams
In this lesson Randall introduces the partial capo (using a short-cut capo by Kyser) and talks about how it can make the...
Free LessonSeries Details
Nick Amodeo
Nick explains how to play some of the most commonly used chords in the bluegrass genre.
Free LessonSeries Details
Orville Johnson
Orville Johnson introduces turnarounds and provides great ideas and techniques.
Free LessonSeries Details
Hawkeye Herman
Hawkeye teaches several Robert Johnson licks in this lesson. These licks are played with a slide in open G tuning.
Free LessonSeries Details
Mitch Reed
Mitch teaches his interpretation of the classic "Cannonball Rag." This song provides beginning and intermediate guitarists...
Free LessonSeries Details
Kaki King
In lesson 6, Kaki discusses how the left and right hands can work together or independently of each other to create different...
Free LessonSeries Details
Erik Mongrain
Erik expounds on the many possibilities of open tunings and the new harmonics that you can use in them. He explains what...
Free LessonSeries DetailsElectric Guitar Lesson Samples
Our electric guitar lessons are taught by instructors with an incredible amount of teaching experience.
Brad Henecke
Free LessonSeries Details
Jane Miller
Jane Miller talks about chord solos in part one of this fascinating mini-series.
Free LessonSeries Details
David Wallimann
This is a crucial lesson that explains tablature, how to read it, and why it's important.
Free LessonSeries Details
Kenny Ray
Albert Collins brought a lot of style to the blues scene. In this lesson, Kenny breaks down Albert's style for you to learn.
Free LessonSeries Details
Nick Greathouse
Nick starts his series with Alternate Picking part 1. Improve your timing, speed, and execution with this important lesson.
Free LessonSeries Details
Lauren Passarelli
Lauren Passarelli offers up her wisdom on purchasing a guitar. She also includes information regarding proper setup and care....
Free LessonSeries Details
Tosin Abasi
Tosin explains some of the intricacies of the 8 string guitar such as his personal setup and approach to playing.
Free LessonSeries Details
James Malone
James explains how to tap arpeggios for extended musical reach.
Free LessonSeries Details
Kris Norris
Kris analyzes different pick sizes and their effect on his playing. Using a slow motion camera, he is able to point out the...
Free LessonSeries Details
Allen Van Wert
Allen shows you the 24 rudiments crucial to developing finger dexterity. This is a short lesson but the exercises here can...
Free LessonSeries DetailsAdditional Lesson Features Available to Members
While we have attempted to provide you with an accurate rendition of our video lesson experience, there are some features which
require a membership with us!
Custom Progress Reporting
At JamPlay, we give you the ability to monitor your own progress for any lesson! If you watch one of our lessons and feel as though you understand around half of it, mark your progress at 50%. This adds the lesson to your customized Progress Report, and gives you an incredible ability to document what you need to work on, and where you left off.
Progressive Bookmarking
With thousands of lessons at your fingertips, JamPlay can be a touch intimidating to a first-time user. With Progressive Bookmarking, we give you the ability to systematically bookmark sections of any lessons you are working on to quickly access later. After all, what is the point of all this content if it isn't easy to use?
Save Your Notes
JamPlay also gives you the ability to leave notes for yourself on any lesson. Just like in any educational system, taking your own notes while learning gives you the ability to highlight the instruction that is important to you. Leave your notes, and we store them in our database for you to reference each and everytime you come back to the lesson.
Join the Thousands of Members at JamPlay
Signup today to enjoy access to our entire database of video lessons, along with our exclusive set of learning tools and features.
Unlimited Lesson Viewing
A JamPlay membership gives you access to every lesson, from every teacher on our staff. Additionally, there is no restriction on how many times you watch a lesson. Watch as many times as you need.Live Lessons
Exclusive only to JamPlay, we currently broadcast 8-10 hours of steaming lesson services directly to you! Enjoy the benefits of in-person instructors and the conveniences of our community.Interactive Community
Create your own profile, manage your friends list, and contact users with your own JamPlay Mailbox. JamPlay also features live chat with teachers and members, and an active Forum.Chord Library
Each chord in our library contains a full chart, related tablature, and a photograph of how the chord is played. A comprehensive learning resource for any guitarist.Scale Library
Our software allows you to document your progress for any lesson, including notes and percent of the lesson completed. This gives you the ability to document what you need to work on, and where you left off.Custom Chord Sheets
At JamPlay, not only can you reference our Chord Library, but you can also select any variety of chords you need to work on, and generate your own printable chord sheet.Backing Tracks
Jam-along backing tracks give the guitarist a platform for improvising and soloing. Our backing tracks provide a wide variety of tracks from different genres of music, and serves as a great learning tool.Interactive Games
We have teachers covering beginner lessons, rock, classic rock, jazz, bluegrass, fingerstyle, slack key and more. Learn how to play the guitar from experienced players, in a casual environment.Beginners Welcome.. and Up
Unlike a lot of guitar websites and DVDs, we start our Beginner Lessons at the VERY start of the learning process, as if you just picked up a guitar for the first time.Our teaching is structured for all players.
Member Comments about this Lesson
Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.As an absolute beginner and following your lessons in order this one seems to have jumped ahead way too quickly for me sorry :( I will move on for now and maybe pop back to this one at some point. Ironic though that in the lesson prior to this you mention about not moving on too quickly to keep yourself interested. I enjoy your lessons and explanations normally it's just this one seems to be too advanced for me right now. Cheers :)
Awesome Lesson.. found it extremely helpful!
Honestly, i didn't like this lesson. It doesn't seem to have a structure, and it includes hammer ons (also on 2 strings) before an actual lesson on hammer ons an the proper technique. I have been enyoing your lessons and have found them helpful, but I honestly think this one needs a review or a make over. All in all, you are a great teacher.
Excellent succinct lesson. I learned a lot about double stop application in songs. Cheers David.
Grr I got the first part but the notation on the tab for the second part is a bit confusing with the fingering
So I got the intro to the Wind Cries Mary pretty well down. Where can I find tablature for the rest of the song? I found some stuff on the web but it doesn't sound right to me. Their intro is different and doesn't sound near as good.
Thanks Dave, I'm new JamPlay and wasn't sure if this would give me the help I need. Wow, in a short time you have given me some direction I feel good about. In the words of Pinhead,"to think I heisitated." I'm someone who hasn't played much for a long while and could do bits of a bunch of stuff. I'm looking to see where I fit in to get the most out of the lesson plan, and get to the next level. Got any advice? I'll back later, JB
hey welcome! anyway to get to your question...if you got the basics down like major/minor chords, major/minor scales, major/minor pentatonic scales down, and can also make your chord changes pretty easy while you play, everything else is icing on he cake! its okay to switch around and enjoy other instructors lessons, it actually helps sometimes. motivation, dicipline, and patience are your friends!!! keep at it!!!
Is that a double stop that Toni Iomi uses at the beginning of Black Sabbath's Paranoid?
yep, bottom two strings at the twelfth fret then hammer on to the fourteenth fret on the fifth string to make an E5 chord.
Ha! I caught the Doobie Bros lick from Long Train Runnin on the 6th fret. I had to listen to the song and make sure, but after I caught on, i couldn't help but play along (at least for those few seconds anyway). Thanks DMac!
so,what exactly is a double stop?im having a tough time gettn this.
Realistically it's just playing two notes at once at it's most basic definition.
P.S....I loved the Doobie Brothers lick... :-)
GREAT LESSON - very condensed, and contains some real good funky stuff.
Loved this lesson, but had to keep backing up and playing over because I was distracted by the string buzz... new guitar that hasn't been set up properly yet?
this ones a little confusing for me...i think ill move on for now and come back later on
Ít would be cool if some close-up of your left hand could be added to the session, that would somewhat help understanding what you are doing with your left hand :) Nice session anyways.
this is a little confusing, i'm sure what you're doing with the strings :(
I'm a little confused as well. I'm a beginnner and if i'm honest this is a big jump for myself from the previous lessons to this one. I think i'm gonna take jbooth's advice and move on...
i m a little confused cos it said double stops.. is this lesson about hamerons? because i was already doing them? i thought a double stop is different..
How did we get here??? I am a true beginner and I was just on your last lessons and now we are learning bar cords and hammer ons? Did I miss something?
great lesson Dave, what a great way for a beginner to make some pretty impressive sounds. My family hears me goofin' around and actually recognize the riffs. It really helps to keep me going when I make some small break thru's. By the way is that "slide it in"-Whitesnake and Bad Company's -feel like makin' love in there too? You are the perfect age teacher for me cause the music you play is sooo right on for me!! You Rock Dave!!
your probably right with the whitesnake, and bad company riffs. never seems to get old!! good stuff! thanks for the nice compliments!!! i aim to please!!!..........................dmac
Hey Dave was that a little bit of "Doobie Brothers" in there?
Yep! guilty as charged, playing out a little doobie bros riff! good catch on that one.
this class is hard to me, double stops with two fingers hammer at the same time... I have to take a rest for my left arm... it´s a great exercise!!!
Im kinda stuck on this lsson, the instruction doesnt seem very clear for me... Any help?
It's really a very basic lesson, if you don't understand this one feel free to move on. The lesson is really just to explain what double stops are, and really, they are just two notes played at once. A double stop does not have to be any specific notes (since it is not a chord) so long as they sound good. The things dave teaches in this lesson are just fun exercise, so if you are not able to play them right now it is not a big deal :)
Hi Dave, does a double stop simply mean playing two notes at the same time or does it always involve a hammer on ? Is an E5 powerchord for example not a double stop then ?
Hey dan,it looks like he's barring 2 or more strings but doing a hammer-on on only one.
David are you in Standard Tuning during this lesson? Thanks...
He pay be tuned down a whole or half step. Basically all that means is his strings are each tuned down that much, so all of the chord shapes and such are the same, it just has a different sound. Often he has his guitar tuned this way to accommodate the singer his band.
Thanks, booth...
Totally Awesome Dav You Rock
David, what happened to the "dark" gotee? Hmmmm, it's gotten alot lighter as I progress in your video's! lol Just picking. Great lesson as usual!
haha, preparing these lessons can sometimes turn you grey!! yeah, thats it!!! lol!!!
Haha, it's true! Dave is only actually 12 years old, it really does age you fast!
if you go to guitarpro.com Frisa you can try it out for free ... download The whole song... you'll get the point and it well help you with your music playing too. any question just ask dave again! I hope I don't get in trouble for giving out tips that I believe that well help. seeya spider
hi dave enjoying your lessons#8 is a tough one i would like to know the riffs much more in detail with chords were do you start playing notes with chords thanks
Hey Dave, thanks for this very interesting lesson, even if sometimes it is kind of hard for a beginner, especially the part of double stop using two fingers hammer at the same time... but that is part of the job! (lol) I was wondering if you could give an advice: when hammering with the two fingers at the same time, i somehow "choke" the sound of the chord, i mean unfortunately the sound of the chord is "stopped" by the hammering technique.. Am i hammering not hard enough on the strings or is there a technique in order to avoid this mistake? Thanks a lot for your help and have an excellent end of 2007 for you and all your family :-) Best regards.