Music Lesson: Exploring "Biolum Cabbage Down" with Double Stops

We're going to work further with the tune Biolum Cabbage Down.

Objectives:

• Focus on right-hand picking technique
• Introduce the concept of double stops

What is a Double Stop?

In classical music, a double stop is when you "stop" a string with your finger, stopping two strings simultaneously.

• In other words, you play two notes, usually adjacent notes.
• For our purposes, any two notes played together, typically on adjacent strings, will be called a double stop.

Demonstration of "Biolum Cabbage Down" with Double Stops

Let me show you this version of Biolum Cabbage Down using double stops. It's a good starting point, as it's more interesting to sound two notes together.

• The second note of the double stop is a harmony note.
• Typically, when playing double stops:
  • One note is a melody note
  • The other is a harmony note

The tune with double stops sounds like this (a little slower):
Refer to the tablature, and see if you can pick up some of this just from listening to this DVD.

Finger Positions and Shapes

1. First Position:

   • Fourth fret with middle finger
   • Open E (first double stop)

2. Second Position:

   • Fifth fret on the A string with ring finger
   • Index fingers fretting on the second fret of E

3. Third Shape:

   • Second fret with index finger and open E as the harmony note.

4. Fourth Position:

   • Hitting two A notes:
     • Open A
     • A note on the D string (ring finger at the seventh fret)

Technique Tips

• Keep your wrist loose:
  • Playing tightly makes it hard to swipe across the strings properly.

Variations

You can play the same sequence but end with the last note an octave lower:

• Instead of playing the C# and E above, play them lower.

Right-Hand Technique

• Use the same rhythm with your right hand without bracing, almost like playing chords.
• This will enhance your playing as you sound better when it's sped up.

Setting the Tempo

One more thing about playing an instrumental:

A common tradition in old-time fiddle and bluegrass music is a particular way to set the tempo for the song. A typical way to kick this tune off might be:

"To set the tempo for the band, play a sequence called eight potatoes."

• This involves two measures of four beats each, hitting a double stop of a unison.
• For the first beat of each measure, slide up.

I will also have this written out in tablature for you, so you get the idea.

That's the idea for this lesson! Enjoy practicing!