Hi everyone

I have been working through some papers and have come across questions such as, "Which note in the extract of music has to be played with an open note." In this case the answer turned out to be Ab, but I do not understand why. Also please can someone explain how I recognised double-stopping in a piece of music, and really actually what it is.

Much appreciated.

Melody

Double stopping? Thats when you play two or more notes at once, so rather like in piano music you'll see one note written above the other on the same beat, like a chord.

Hope that helps - and good luck

I don't get the first part of your question....played with an open note?

Same here - wouldn't that have been a choice out of G D A and E?

I'd have thought so if it said open string.
I'd usually look for the G (unless there was an instruction to play on and open string) as I think that D A and E can all be played on other strings?

The question is usually has to be played on an open string. I suspect the answer was G, not Ab, and that open string was the question. Since this is the lowest note a violin can play it has to be played on an open string, the other open string notes can equally be played on the lower strings. Of course it could have been in a viola or cello part, in which case the answer would not be a G.

Essentially you're looking for a C two octaves below middle C on a cello, a C in the octave below middle C on viola, or the G below middle C on a violin. Or, of course, as Sbhoa says a note that corresponds to a string with 'sul A' (or whatever note it is) written next to it.

In the Big 6 book, question 5, number 1a(ii) Which instrument in the extract is the only instrument which has to use an open string

Edit: Too late!

Sorry. Thanks SarahSax. It is the big 6 book on page 68, which asked which note can only be played on an open string. The answer they give is actually the F. I read it wrongly.

The instrument was the viola. Thanks.

Are you sure?
If it's the viola it would be the C below middle C. There is no F string.

I'm not sure because I know the viola only has C, G, D, A strings (doing this from memory). The answer is C I think. I read the wrong bit again. Gosh I am going to have to be so careful in my exam. At least it will be at 10 in the morning and I will have to go to bed early. I "think" I get it now. Thanks, Sbhoa. How come you know so much about the violin. I thought you played the piano.