How to enhance your chord and solo guitar playing with double stops

Double stops aren't just for blues guitar– they're a highly effective and adaptable way to enhance your electric and acoustic solos and rhythm work. In the short video lesson above, Austin-based Americana musician, guitar teacher and Elixir® Strings artist Mandy Rowden gives you an insightful introduction that will help you get started with double stops today. 

A double stop in guitar is simply playing two notes simultaneously, and Mandy's step-by-step tutorial shows how you can use these two-note shapes in all 12 keys to move between chords and add interesting licks to your solos.

Mandy Rowden

(Image credit: Mark Maryanovich Photography)

In addition to recording three solo albums, Mandy founded the successful Girl Guitar rock school in 2007 after a decade as a guitar teacher. She plays 12-53 Elixir® Acoustic Phosphor Bronze strings with NANOWEB® Coating and 10-46 Electric Nickel Plated Steel strings with OPTIWEB® Coating.

Elixir® Strings

(Image credit: Elixir® Strings)

"Elixir Strings give me the polished sound I love and a level, smooth playability I don't get anywhere else," says Mandy. "Plus the long shelf life allows for an ease of maintenance that I've come to depend on."

For more information on the full electric and acoustic string range, visit Elixir® Strings