Double Stops, Brad Barr, Moar Guitars
Guitar Practice
String-Skipping Double Stops
In the last issue, we looked at ways to use scale patterns to create double stops.
Today, let's take double stops & diads a step further.
Instead of playing notes on adjacent strings, we'll skip strings. The layout of a guitar fretboard can sometimes work against us, and box us into using certain patterns. With double stops, we can use those patterns to our advantage, and come up with sounds that are tough to replicate on a lot of other instruments.
Run through the below examples, and then try to apply this concept to other scales and in different keys.
Example 1
In this example, we take the popular Minor Pentatonic Scale (1, b3, 4, 5, b7), playing 2 notes at a time, while skipping strings.
Example 2
A Blues Scale is a minor pentatonic scale, but with an added b5 note (1–♭3–4–♭5–5–♭7).
Playing the blues scale this way results in some dissonance, which gives it a darker sound. This example combines 2 blues scale patterns between the 5th and 12th frets.
Example 3
This last example uses a Bb Major Scale, but also switches things up a bit, as we're not playing the notes in order from low to high as we did in the first 2 examples.
Guitarist Spotlight
Brad Barr
Who is Brad Barr?
Brad Barr is the kind of guitarist who makes you stop mid-conversation and say, “Whoa, who is this?” He’s the mastermind behind The Barr Brothers and The Slip, blending folk, blues, and indie rock into something totally unique.
Brad combines a hypnotic fingerpicking style with passionate singing & songwriting in a way that lures you in.
The Backstory
Born in Rhode Island, Brad started jamming with his drummer brother Andrew early on, and by the ‘90s, they had a band—The Slip. It was jazz, rock, improv, and whatever else they felt like throwing in. In addition to being known for their live shows, The Slip released a number of great albums, including the jam-heavy From the Gecko (1997), the jazz-jazz-focused Does (2000), and the indie-sounding Eisenhower (2006).
The Montreal Pivot
Then, Brad made a bold move—Montreal. He and Andrew teamed up with harpist Sarah Pagé (yes, a harpist), and The Barr Brothers were born. Suddenly, their music got even bigger—cinematic, emotional, and packed with raw storytelling. Songs like Beggar in the Morning and Even the Darkness Has Arms put them on the map in a big way.
Solo Vibes
Beyond the bands, Brad’s solo work (The Fall Apartment (2008), The Winter Mission (2022) is like stepping into his personal headspace—deep, atmospheric, and real. Whether he’s playing solo or with a group, there’s something about his music that just hits different.
Why You Should Care
Over the past 25+ years, Brad & his bands have built up a big catalog of music that has stood the test of time, and is a joy to listen to (note to Brad: we'd love to see more of the The Slip's older albums up on the streaming services. 😎)
No gimmicks, no trends—just pure, intentional, and ridiculously good guitar work and inspiring songwriting.
Influences
John McLaughlin, Wes Mongomery, Bill Frisell, Angus Young, The Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers
Key Gear
- Gibson SG Special with P90 pickups
- Ibanez Les Paul-style guitar
- 1954 Gibson ES-175 hollowbody
- 1960's Guild Starfire V
- 1951 Gibson J-45
Recommended Listening:
- The Barr Brothers: Self Titled
- Brad Barr: The Winter Mission
- The Slip: Eisenhower
Check out Brad Barr:
Barr Brothers Website | Instagram
Gear Showcase
Moar Guitars
What is Moar Guitars?
Copenhagen, Denmark-based Moar Guitars is the work of independent luthier Dan Presencer. Dan crafts high-quality, custom-built guitars that look, feel, and sound absolutely killer.
What Makes Them Special?
- Custom-built, premium quality – Moar Guitars is focused on unique and bold guitars that blend style with function..
- Looks that turn heads – In addition to guitars that sound great, Moar is making some guitar models that look insanely cool.
- Truly custom builds – Moar Guitars offers various woods, hardware, pickups, and body shapes, and works to build people's dream guitar.
Why You Should Care
With models including the T-style Morty, to offset models, and the ergonomic standout design of the Wayfair, Moar Guitars works closely with guitarists to craft a guitar tailored exactly to each player’s specifications.
Dan Presencer has built a reputation as one of the world's best luthiers, and has a legion of fans that confirm his guitars live up to the hype.
Check out Moar Guitars:
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Trending
- Pre-orders for a new Gretsch Electromatic Flame Okoume Broadkaster & Broadkaster Jr. started popping up at select retailers. It has a thin "U"-shaped mahogany neck with a 12" radius rosewood fingerboard, USA Full'Tron humbucking pickups, a Graph Tech NuBone nut, and a Bigsby B70 vibrato tailpiece. Offered in Roundup Orange finish for $1,299. Expected to ship in July or August.
- Boss released the Katana:GO Headphone Guitar Amplifier. It features 10 guitar amp types, 3 bass amp types, over 60 effects, and the ability to record tracks using your favorite music production software. MSRP: $129.99
- Gibson released a Brian May Signature SJ-200 12-String acoustic guitar.
- Seymour Duncan announced a new Joe Bonamassa “Greenburst” Stratocaster® Pickup Set.
- Gibson introduced the the Eric Clapton 1958 Les Paul Custom guitar.
- The Play Guitar Podcast posted a new episode about building confidence with improvised solos. Apple | Spotify
Currently Spinning in the Office:
Sly & The Family Stone: Sly Lives! (aka the Burden of Black Genius)
Soundtrack to the new documentary by the same name
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