This exercise will help you master even the most daunting of double-stop passages. It is rigorous, and you may find you don't need every step, but doing them all ensures the best chance of success! Play each step slowly with even rhythm.

1. Choose your practice unit. You should already have fingerings and bowings.
2. This step is to get the "feeling" of the double stops into your fingers without worrying about the intonation yet. Play both notes simultaneously with harmonic fingers 2x. The notes won't necessarily be clear or even recognizable.
3. Play the lower notes of the double stops 2x with the correct fingers.
4. Play the upper notes of the double stops 2x with the correct fingers.
5. Play the unit 2x with broken double stops, playing the low note first, then adding the upper note. Don't add the upper note until you're happy with the lower note. Then you only need to tune the lower note.
6. Finger both notes simultaneously 2x, but only play the lower note.
7. Finger both notes simultaneously 2x, but only play the upper note.
8. Play both notes together 5x. Always aim for more bow weight on the lower pitch, especially with octaves.You should be ready to attempt a Speed it Up exercise!

EXAMPLE

William Walton: Concerto for Viola and Orchestra, 1929
First Movement: Andante comodo