For violinists researching this specific title in a digital format, quality is non-negotiable. Here is why a high-quality PDF of Fischer’s "Double Stops" is superior to standard scans:
Finding a high-quality PDF of Simon Fischer's Double Stops can be tricky since it is a premium pedagogical work published by Fitzroy Music Press. While the full 346-page book is primarily available as a physical copy, you can access legitimate high-quality excerpts and related digital resources directly from the author. Official & Legitimate Resources
Direct Purchase: You can buy the full 346-page book (ISBN: 978-0993523816) through the official Simon Fischer Store or major retailers like Amazon.
Free High-Quality Excerpts: Simon Fischer provides several legitimate PDF supplements and exercise sheets on his website. These are excellent for immediate practice:
Double Stops Practice Sequence PDF – A sequence of exercises adapted from piano studies for violin.
Intonation & Finger Shapes PDF – Fundamental concepts for double-stop accuracy.
General Double Stop Exercises – Covers "lightness" and fourths.
Digital Archives: Some of Fischer's original monthly "Basics" articles (which form the foundation of his books) are being uploaded for free download at the Basics Series Archive. Why This Book is Essential simon fischer double stops pdf high quality
Unlike standard scale books that just list fingerings, Double Stops is a study book that breaks down every technical facet of thirds, sixths, octaves, and tenths.
Structure: It provides 14 pages for every key, focusing on building the scale from its individual technical elements.
Focus: It emphasizes keeping the hand "soft and free" to avoid the common tension associated with multi-note playing.
Simon Fischer's Double Stops (published by Edition Peters) is widely considered a revolutionary scale-study book for violinists. Unlike standard manuals that only provide lists of fingerings, this book functions as a pedagogical bridge, breaking down complex double-stop scales into their most basic technical components. Core Philosophy and Structure
The book's central premise is that playing double stops should feel as "soft and free" as playing single notes.
Scale-Study Format: It provides approximately 14 pages per key, meticulously covering major and minor scales.
Comprehensive Coverage: Includes in-depth exercises for thirds, sixths, octaves, fingered octaves, and tenths. For violinists researching this specific title in a
Step-by-Step Deconstruction: Fischer breaks each scale into roughly 20 sequential exercises. The actual performance of the full scale is the final step, only attempted once the building blocks of intonation and mobility are mastered. Key Technical Focus Areas
Mobility and Release: Exercises like "ghosting" into notes (using minimal bow and finger pressure) help players feel the "upward rise" of the string as they release, preventing the common "brakes-on" tension during shifts.
Shifting with Intermediate Notes: Fischer uses specific sequences to clarify the physical distance between double stops, such as establishing a shift's distance before placing the remaining fingers.
Perfect Fourths: While often omitted from scale books, Fischer includes them as a critical tool for "shaping the intonation of the entire hand".
Hand Freedom: Mobility drills encourage moving the hand in circles or pulling knuckles away from the neck while maintaining tuning, training the joints to "give" even during complex chords. Why It’s Unique
Most advanced players find that standard books show the goal but not the path. Reviews from educators on Violinist.com and Goodreads highlight that Fischer's method essentially "writes out" the process of good practice, making progress almost inevitable through logical progression.
For those looking for official previews or to purchase the high-quality physical or digital versions, details can be found at Simon Fischer Online or Edition Peters. Interview with Simon Fischer: Double Stops - Violinist.com Finding a high-quality PDF of Simon Fischer's Double
I’m unable to provide a PDF file or a direct download link for “Simon Fischer Double Stops” due to copyright restrictions. However, I can offer a detailed essay-style overview of the topic, the content of Fischer’s work, and how to obtain a legitimate high-quality copy.
If you are determined to find a digital copy (legally), use these criteria to verify quality before paying or trading files.
| Feature | Low Quality (Unusable) | High Quality (Professional) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | File Size | Under 3 MB | 15 MB – 50 MB | | Text Clarity | Pixelated "Simon Fischer" on cover | Sharp, vector-like text | | Staff Lines | Wavy or broken | Straight, continuous black lines | | Fingering Numbers | Blurred circles | Crisp, distinct numerals | | Metadata | None (Unknown author) | Publisher info & ISBN (0571543012) |
Pro Tip: Search for the ISBN number (9780571543014 for the latest edition). A PDF that includes this ISBN in the metadata is almost certainly a direct publisher rip.
While Amazon’s "Kindle for PDF" can be clunky, the Google Play Books version of Simon Fischer’s technique books is often overlooked.
If budget is an issue, Fischer’s book Basics contains a condensed 10-page chapter on double stops that is often legally available via library apps like IMSLP (though it is still under copyright, check your local laws). Basics is easier to find in high-quality scans because it is more popular.