Mastering Slash Chords: The B/C Explained

B/C GUITAR SLASH CHORDS GUITAR LESSON AND EXAMPLES

Hi guys,

Today, a quick look at the idea of employing slash chords.

To do this we will focus on one specific chord that of B/C.

In the notation/tablature below, notice the use of a B Major triad over a C bass:

John McLaughlin guitar Slash Chord B/C Example in TAB and music notation

Here, are a few more voicing’s:

1]

2]

3]

4]

This chord works well with the diminished scale. But, in order to come up with something unique we are going to take a different approach.

Because, we have the B Major chord we can exploit Pat Martino’s minor conversion technique.

In this case, we will employ the minor a Major 3rd up. This will be D#/Eb as the minor key:

Here, we will employ the simple Eb minor arpeggio:

This time, we will employ scale movement inside of the Eb minor arpeggio shape in a horizontal form.

diagram depicting guitarist John McLaughlin improvisation over Slash Chord B/C Example in music notation and guitar tablature

Let’s do the same, but, play with the notation and give it a diminished flavour:

Now, let’s take a B Major arpeggio and ascend it by making sure our C bass note is within it.

NOTE: There are also two open string notes of D natural [minor 3rd] and the open E. I used these as they make the arpeggio flow easily when alternate picking.

How to play a John McLaughlin guitar arpeggio example for altered slash chord of B/C

We can also add some chromaticism for smooth movement.

Finally, let’s see how composition can be exploited with our slash chord.

To do this, we will create a ii V7 I cadence:

diagram depicting guitarist John McLaughlin cadence and jazz composition

NOTICE: In the example above, we can see that the minor becomes diminished and the Dominant becomes 13b9 and the I chord becomes our slash chord that resolves yet hangs in the air.

Mastering John McLaughlin’s Guitar Motif Techniques Part 2:

Hi Guys,

Here, is the extended version for the 2nd finger John McLaughlin motif:

The motif is a 4 note [Tetrachord] in 16th notes- D C# D E

John McLaughlin shakti guitar lesson with music notation and guitar tab example

Notice that this starts with the 2nd finger on the first note:

Now, let’s extend this and add a “set up” by employing the Mixo-lydian mode to create a more Indian/Shakti flavour to the phrase:

John McLaughlin shakti guitar lesson with music notation and guitar tab example

This time, we will replicate/imitate the 4 note motif and use it as material to create/extend the phrase into a longer line.

John McLaughlin shakti guitar lesson with music notation and guitar tab example for guitar fingering

Below, is the full line/lick:

John McLaughlin shakti guitar motif and fingering lesson with music notation and guitar tab example

Let’s now, extend the motif and descend as far as we can down the fingerboard with the motif:

John McLaughlin shakti guitar lesson with music notation and guitar tab example

Finally, we will add our little set-up and create a full phrase:

John McLaughlin shakti guitar lesson with music notation and guitar tab example

We can also start on a downstroke. This works best and is most natural when picked/phrased in triplets/sextuplets like this:

John McLaughlin alternate picking guitar lesson with music notation and guitar tab example

Full Phrase starting on a downstroke:

John McLaughlin shakti alternate picking guitar lesson with music notation and guitar tab example

This little motif/concept is only a small detail, but, it is a good representation of how a lot of material can be created/repeated or imitated from such a small cell. It is like a little hinge that can swing a big door.

This way of building solid lines is really useful for the alternate picking guitar technique as it means that we can unfold material quite easily and if we ever do get lost we can slot back in with simple motif material and rebuild our phrases and keep our lines going.

John McLaughlin “Open” Chord Acoustic Guitar Voicing’s

Hi Guys,

Apologies for not creating video’s recently, but I have had a serious internet/creator burn out [hard to believe I know, but it’s been difficult to get motivated]. Also, the heat here in the UK has made even practicing difficult as it’s gone up to 37/38 degrees at times.

But, I will eventually add a video for these wonderful John McLaughlin “Open” chord voicing’s found in “Belo Herozonte” and the “Que Alegria” album.

So, without further ado, here they are.

John’s favourite chord shape [for acoustic]

Musical Chord Diagram displaying John McLaughlin's favourite Acoustic Guitar Chord

Same shape from 4th fret

Chord Diagram displaying John McLaughlin' Acoustic Guitar Chord in a lesson

Simple 2 finger shape

open chord Diagram displaying John McLaughlin's favourite Acoustic Guitar Chords that he uses in belo herozonte

Same/but move finger up a step [to/with 4th finger]

Chord box Diagram displaying John McLaughlin's favourite Acoustic Guitar open Chords in a lesson

Cross over to 1st finger

Chord guitar box Diagram displaying John McLaughlin's favourite Acoustic Guitar open Chords in a guitar lesson on open guitar chord voicing's

Same/but a step down [to/with 3rd finger]

Guitar chord box Diagram displaying John McLaughlin's favourite Acoustic Guitar open Chords in a lesson for open voicings

Resonant voicing

Chord box Diagram displaying John McLaughlin's Acoustic Guitar open Chords in a lesson and blogpost

Common chord/voicing

chord box Diagram displaying John McLaughlin's Acoustic Guitar open Chords lesson

First inversion [Major]

Guitar chord box Diagram displaying John McLaughlin's Acoustic Guitar open Chords in lesson blogpst

1st inversion [minor]

guitar chord box Diagram displaying John McLaughlin's Acoustic Guitar open Chords free lesson

Chord sequence 1:

Chord boxes displaying John McLaughlin's Acoustic Guitar open Chord voicing's

Chord sequence 2:

Guitar chord selction and box Diagram 'sdisplaying John McLaughlin's Acoustic Guitar open Chords lesson

Chord sequence 3:

Guitar chord box Diagram displaying John McLaughlin's Acoustic Guitar open Chords for a free guitar lesson and webpage post

Chord sequence 4:

Guitar chord box Diagram displaying John McLaughlin's Acoustic Guitar open Chord voicing's in a free webpage lesson

Chord sequence 5:

Guitar chord boxes Diagram displaying John McLaughlin's Acoustic Guitar open Chords for free webpage lesson