(Fr.), (1) the old name for ' variation,' especially in harpsichord music. The doubles consisted of mere embellishments of the original melody, and were never accompanied by any change in the harmonies. Examples are numerous in the works of the older masters. Handel's variations on the so-called ' Harmonious Blacksmith ' are called ' doubles * in the old editions. In Couperin's ' Pieces de clavecin,' Book I. No. 2, may be seen a dance, ' Les Canaries,' followed by a variation entitled ' Double des Canaries,' and two instances will also be found in Bach's English Suites, the first of which contains a 4 Courante avec deux doubles ' and the sixth a sarabande with a double. The term is now entirely obsolete. (2) In combination the w ord4 double ' is used to indicate the octave below ; thus the 4 double-bass ' plays an octave below the ordinary bass, or violoncello; a 4 double ' stop on the organ is a stop of the pitch known as 16-foot pitch (see Orga n ), an octave below the 4 unison ' stops. (3) 4 The notes below Gam-ut are called double Notes, as Double F, fa, ut, Double E, la, mi, and as being Eights or Diapasons to those above Gam-ut ' (Playford's Introd. to the Skill of Musick, p. 3). IgEEEEE^Ez The notes in the bass octave from - are often spoken of by organ-builders as double G, double F, etc. (4) The word is applied to singers who understudy a part in a vocal work, so as to replace the regular performer in case of need ; and those who undertake two parts in the same play are said to 4 double ' one with the other. e . p .