Dynamic Double Stops, Jack Waugh, Yamaha SA2200
Guitar Practice
Dynamic Double Stops
A double stop on guitar is two notes played at the same time. They are also known as diads. You can think of them as partial chords, as chords technically have to contain 3 notes.
Double stops are a great way to add some color to your playing - both when playing lead and comping, and were a bit part of the arsenal of guitarists like Jimi Hendrix and B.B. King.
This first example sounds like something jazz guitarist Julian Lage might work into a song or improvisation. This is based purely on notes from the C Major Scale, but playing it this way makes it sound quite different than just running through a major scale.
In the second example, we take the familiar A minor pentatonic scale, and harmonize it by playing 2 notes at a time.
This final example is straight out of the Allman Brothers playbook. Even being a 2-guitarist band didn't stop greats like Dickey Betts from using double stops to create an even fuller sound.
Guitarist Spotlight
Jack Waugh
Jack Waugh is a talented guitarist and composer based in Washington, D.C., known for his dynamic fusion of jazz, rock, Americana, and more.
Jack earned a B.F.A. in Jazz Performance from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City 2017, studying with acclaimed educators and musicians including Ari Hoenig, Barry Harris, Gilad Hekselman, Jonathan Kreisberg, and Ben Eunson.
Jack recently debuted his new Americana-jazz fusion trio project: "Jack Waugh's Americanaland". They released their first EP, Americanaland in 2024. The 4 instrumental songs showcase Jack's knack for creative melodies and dynamic guitar playing.
Jack believes the key to his sound is studying various genres, including modern jazz, rock, Americana, classical, bluegrass, blues, and pop.
“I play music because it’s able to transcend societal barriers and take listeners, as well as myself, to a place of unity and infinite consciousness.” - Jack Waugh
Beyond his performance career, Jack is dedicated to education as an adjunct professor of jazz guitar at Towson University, where he specializes in jazz, improvisation-centered music, and popular Western music styles.
Jack's list of 3 important qualities for guitarists to develop (c/o boldjourney.com):
1. Good ears – must have for musicians
2. Spiritual connection- knowing your purpose and being able bypass your ego both when you play and when you think about what you want to accomplish as a musician
3. Dedication- practicing consistently, tenaciously, but also with specific intention is important
Jack Waugh continues to push creative boundaries and inspire audiences, and if he wasn't on your radar - he should be.
Key Gear:
- Reverend Guitar (unclear of the exact model, but it appears to be from their RA series)
- Gibson ES Guitar
- Yamaha Revstar
Check out Jack's song Prairie Dog:
Check out Jack Waugh: Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook
Gear Showcase
Yamaha SA2200
Yamaha is the biggest musical instrument company in the world, but somehow often gets overlooked by many guitar players. Those who own their instruments know that Yamaha makes some of the highest quality-instruments you'll find anywhere, and their consistency and quality assurance is arguably second to none.
While Yamaha might be a bit better known for their acoustics than electrics, their semi-hollow body, ES-335-style SA2200 is an incredible guitar.
Made in Japan, the SA2200 features a 16" laminated sycamore body with a maple center block to reduce feedback, a mahogany neck, and smooth-playing ebony fingerboard.
The guitar has a pair of Yamaha alnico V humbucking pickups - both which are splittable with the tone knobs. These pickups are pretty high output (which they need to be to allow for coil splitting), but are easily tamed with the volume control. The SA2200 is also known for having a bit of a brighter tone than similar guitars such as the Gibson ES-335 and Ibanez AS2000, but the tone control offers plenty of flexibility.
The SA2200 features the impeccable craftsmanship Yamaha is known for, and is offered in Violin Sunburst and Brown Sunburst finishes.
Key Features:
- 16" body bout width
- 24 3/4” Scale Length
- 1 11/16” bone nut
- Ebony fretboard with abalone split-block inlays
- 2 Humbucker pickups with coil spitting
- Medium C mahogany neck, measuring roughly .860” at the 1st fret; .915” at the 12th fret
- Gloss finish
Check out the Yamaha SA2200, or view it on Reverb.
Trending
- Fender released a number of new web-exclusive guitar colors, especially for their Squier Affinity line.
- Fender is also having a 20% off sale on their American Performer line (only in the US) for Presidents Day.
- Gibson updated it's lineup of Studio acoustic guitars to include walnut and rosewood-body versions. The SJ-200 Studio, Hummingbird Studio, and J-45 Studio guitars have been updated with full-depth bodies for full-bodied tone and, and come finished in nitrocellulose lacquer.
- Louder posted a new short interview with Joe Satriani,
- Grace Bowers joined Cory Wong's Wong Notes podcast, discussing the ups, downs, and detours of her career. Apple | Spotify
- Rockabilly guitar icon Brian Setzer said he's unable to play guitar due to a newly diagnosed autoimmune disease.
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