Classical Guitar Technique

HOW TO PLAY THE DOUBLE THUMB REST STROKE
AND THE
DOUBLE THUMB FREE STROKE

Copyright Douglas Niedt. All Rights Reserved.
This article may be reprinted, but please be considerate and give credit to Douglas Niedt.

The double thumb stroke is a double stop on adjacent strings played with the thumb alone, and it appears throughout the classical guitar repertoire — from Albéniz's Leyenda to Villa-Lobos's Préludes and Etudes, Cavatina, and Gymnopédie No. 1. Eight videos show how to contact the strings, execute the rest-stroke and free-stroke versions, and choose the one that brings out the melody on the higher or lower string.

Never Heard of It. What are You Talking About?

The "double thumb rest stroke" (and the double thumb free stroke) on the guitar is my shorthand for what bowed-string players (violinists, violists, cellists, and double bassists) would call a "double stop on adjacent strings". In other words, two adjacent strings are bowed or plucked simultaneously. The word "stop" implies that both strings are to be fingered (stopped), but in practice, either or both strings may be open. Technically, I should be calling the technique how to play a "double stop on adjacent strings with the thumb". But, "double thumb stoke" saves me some words, so that is what I am going to use in this article.

Watch me as I explain the basics of the double thumb rest stroke in Video #1:

Still Confused? Here are Examples.

You can watch me play each of these examples of the double thumb rest stroke in Video #2 following the musical examples below.

One of the most well-known examples of the double thumb rest stroke is found in Leyenda (Isaac Albéniz). (Example #1):

Numerous examples are found in the music of Heitor Villa-Lobos. (Examples #2, 3, 4):

Here are more examples by other composers. (Examples #5, 6, 7):

Watch me demonstrate the above musical examples in Video #2:

How to Execute the Double Thumb Rest Stroke

The best way to teach you to play the double thumb rest stroke correctly is to show you with these videos.

First, let's look at the basics of how to contact the strings with the thumb in Video #3. This is important!

Now, watch Video #4 to learn how to correctly execute the double thumb rest stroke:

The double thumb rest stroke is most commonly used on the wound bass strings. Occasionally, as shown below, it is used on the treble strings. (Example #8):

In Video #5 watch me demonstrate how to use the double thumb stroke on the treble strings:

Pros and Cons of Using the Thumb Double Stroke

On several of the pieces cited above (Préludes 1 and 5, Cavatina, Gymnopedie No. 1, and El Testament d'Amelia), rather than playing both strings with the double thumb rest stroke, one could play the double stops with the thumb and "i", "m", or "a". So why bother using a double thumb rest stroke?

Tone Quality

The tone quality can sound rather "scratchy" and/or thin when a finger (instead of the thumb) is used to play a melody note on a wound bass string. The thumb double stroke will often sound far better.

Plucking the Two Notes Simultaneously

However, try as we might, the thumb double stroke can never pluck both strings truly simultaneously. If absolute simultaneous sounding of the two notes is essential, then use the thumb and the "i", "m", or "a" finger to play the double stop.

In Video #6, watch me demonstrate and explain the Pros and Cons of using the double thumb rest stroke.

Rest Stroke or Free Stroke?

In all the previous examples of double stops on adjacent strings, the note that is higher in pitch is the melody and should be louder than the note below it. This is usually the case in most double stops played with the double thumb rest stroke. In these instances, the thumb double rest stroke should be executed with rest stroke (watch the video and you will learn why).

But occasionally, you will come across a double stop where the note that is lower in pitch should be emphasized. (Example #9):

Watch me demonstrate in Video #7 how to emphasize the melody with the double thumb free stroke when it is on the lower pitched string.

And sometimes, it could go either way.

In the fast arpeggio section of Villa-Lobos' Prélude No. 2, is the melody the upper note (5th string) of each interval? (Example #10):

Or, is the melody the lower note (6th string) of each interval? (Example #11):

If you hear the 5th string as the melody, double thumb REST strokes will help you to emphasize the 5th string. But, if you hear the 6th string as the melody, double thumb FREE strokes will help you to emphasize the 6th string.

In Video #8 listen to how you can manipulate the sound of a passage by how you use the double thumb stroke. I also give a brief summary at the end. Watch:

Summary

1. The double thumb stroke is a technique commonly used in the classical guitar repertoire.

2. It must be executed with precision to be effective.

3. It is usually used to bring out the melody on the higher pitched string of a double stop. But it can also be used to emphasize the melody in situations where the melody falls on the lower pitched string.

4. It is usually used on the bass strings but may also be used effectively on the treble strings.