To appreciate the book, one must understand the author. Simon Fischer is a contemporary violin pedagogue renowned for his ability to deconstruct complex violin mechanics into logical, manageable steps. His previous works, such as Basics and Practice, established him as a problem-solver for violinists worldwide. Unlike older method books that often rely on vague instructions like "practice slowly until smooth," Fischer provides specific gymnastic exercises for the left hand that target the exact muscles and motions required for coordination.
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Simon Fischer’s Double Stops is not merely a collection of exercises—it is a systematic retraining of the left hand’s relationship to the fingerboard. A high-quality copy, whether print or legitimate PDF, preserves the pedagogical nuance that makes Fischer’s method effective. For the serious violinist, investing in a clean, authorized digital edition is a small price for the immense gain in intonation, hand health, and musical freedom that Fischer’s approach unlocks. Rather than hunting for compromised free scans, consider purchasing directly from a reputable digital sheet music retailer—your practice will thank you for the clarity.
Simon Fischer's Double Stops is a specialized scale-study book that breaks down complex intervals into manageable technical components rather than just listing fingerings. While full copyrighted PDFs are typically not available for free, Fischer provides several high-quality official excerpts and related exercises directly through his website to help players master double-stop techniques. Official High-Quality Resources Double Stops (Basics No. 202)
: This PDF focuses on maintaining a "soft and free" hand. It includes mobility exercises like moving the hand while keeping fingers in tune to discover physical "give" in the joints. Download 202_double_stops.pdf
Double-Stop Practice Sequence: Adapted from piano exercises, this PDF provides a sequence for warming up with thirds, tenths, and sixths by shifting semitones up through an octave. Download 273_march_2014_sequences.pdf Scale Studies in Double Stops
: This guide explains how to treat scale practice as a final stage, emphasizing preparatory "scale-studies" to engrain good habits. Download 269_november_2013_double_stops.pdf
The Third Tone: A technical look at how "resultant tones" can be used to tune major thirds and sixths perfectly. Download 080ignoring_the_third_tone.pdf Key Technical Concepts from the Series
Isolating Factors: Fischer advocates for dealing with one technical element at a time—intonation, rhythm, or shifting—before combining them back into the complete scale.
The "ABC Method": A practice philosophy where you break passages into small sections and only join them once each is mastered.
Tension Management: Exercises often emphasize pulling knuckles away from the neck or pushing the hand forward to test for freedom in the fingers.
For the complete 160-page Double Stops scale-study book, physical or digital copies are officially distributed through Edition Peters. Interview with Simon Fischer: Double Stops - Violinist.com
Achieving Technical Mastery: A Guide to Simon Fischer's Double Stops
In the world of violin pedagogy, few names command as much respect for technical clarity as Simon Fischer. His approach to "Double Stops," most notably in his comprehensive book Double Stops: Scales and Scale Exercises for the Violin, has revolutionized how students and professionals alike tackle one of the instrument's most daunting challenges. The Philosophy of "Scale-Study" vs. "Scale Books"
Unlike traditional manuals like Flesch or Galamian, which often present scales as finished products to be memorized, Fischer's work is a "scale-study" book. It treats the completed double-stop scale as the final destination rather than the starting point. The method breaks each scale into its smallest technical components, allowing players to master individual facets—such as shifting, finger independence, and intonation—one at a time before reassembling them. Key Pedagogical Features
Fischer's exercises are designed to solve common technical hurdles through highly specific, mechanical drills:
Deconstruction of Thirds: For scales in thirds, Fischer may provide up to 20 preparatory exercises. Only the final exercise involves playing the scale in its traditional form.
Tension Release: A core pillar of his teaching is maintaining a "soft and free" hand. Exercises include moving the hand in circles or shifting its position while keeping fingers in tune to ensure mobility and release tension.
Shifting Techniques: Fischer emphasizes "releasing" between notes, particularly in octaves. He describes this as "taking the brakes off," where fingers fractionally release string pressure during moves to prevent the hand from locking up.
"Ghosting" Notes: To improve shifting accuracy and lightness, students are often instructed to play only one line of a double stop while "ghosting" or silently stopping the other. Content Highlights
The 346-page masterwork from Fitzroy Music Press covers a vast array of technical territory:
Intervals: Detailed studies for thirds, sixths, octaves, fingered octaves, and tenths. Keys: Comprehensive coverage of all major and minor scales.
Visual Guidance: Like his other acclaimed works like Basics, the text is noted for its explicit directions and explanatory photographs. How to Use Fischer’s Materials
Fischer recommends treating the actual performance of scales as the "last stage" of a practice session. By spending the majority of time on preparatory scale-studies, the final scale becomes an effortless byproduct of the building work.
For those seeking high-quality PDF resources or physical copies, Fischer’s official website, Simon Fischer Online, offers detailed insights and occasional sample exercises that highlight his unique methodology. Interview with Simon Fischer: Double Stops - Violinist.com
The primary feature of Simon Fischer’s " Double Stops that sets it apart from standard scale books is its status as a "scale-study book" rather than just a collection of fingerings
. Instead of simply presenting the final scales, Fischer breaks them down into their simplest components through hundreds of logical, step-by-step exercises. Violinist.com Key Features of the High-Quality PDF and Print Versions
While the full 346-page masterwork is primarily available as a physical book published by Fitzroy Music Press
, Simon Fischer provides several high-quality, free PDF extracts on his official site that demonstrate these "helpful features": Southwest Strings Double Stops - Simon Fischer
Edition Peters often uploads preview versions of Fischer’s books to Issuu.
Fischer emphasizes the mechanical action of the fingers. He creates exercises where fingers are trained to fall onto the string with velocity while the hand remains balanced. The high-resolution charts and musical staves in the PDF allow the student to clearly see the specific rhythms and bowing patterns intended to train this reflex.