School of Violin Technics, Opus 1, Volume IV: Violin Book

Volume IV isolates double stops in a way that makes this challenging technique approachable and systematic. Rather than scattering double-stop studies across a method, Ševcík devotes an entire volume to building confidence and accuracy, so students develop real mastery instead of surface-level comfort.

Methodical and focused. The exercises strip away melodic distraction to concentrate entirely on the mechanics of playing two strings simultaneously with clean starts, balanced tone, and precise intonation.

Intermediate and advanced violinists who have mastered single-string facility and are ready to tackle parallel and mixed interval double stops. This book serves students preparing for higher-level repertoire that demands secure double-stop technique.

• Establish the interval relationship before drawing the bow; mentally lock in the pitch of both strings so your ear guides your fingers as much as your eyes.
• Practice each exercise slowly enough to hear both notes with equal clarity and weight. Speed follows only after intonation locks in.
• Work through the exercises in the order presented; the progression deliberately layers new technical demands rather than mixing them randomly.

Assign this as a technical study alongside solo repertoire rather than as performance material. A student working through these exercises builds the technical foundation needed to execute double stops confidently in concertos and chamber music.

• Parallel and mixed-interval double stops across all string combinations
• Balanced tone production on two strings with equal clarity
• Left-hand finger independence and simultaneous stopping accuracy
• Intonation control when playing multiple pitches at once
• Bow control and pressure distribution across doubled strings