Making Music Theory and Jazz Improvisation work for you
Music Theory Modern Jazz Improvisation and 20th Century Classic lessons, explanations in notation, tablature and video
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Put out your hand as if to shake hands
Bring the fingers in as if to hold a cup
Bring down the thumb. It can remain “Flexible” but not wobbly and helpless.
Inside of plectrum grip. [Fingers Lightly Folded In]
Basic Grip with the THUMB as the “Powerhouse” [Never the arm/elbow]
Ready to Play! Although the thumb is gripping the plectrum firmly there is no tension in the hand or wrist.
Different players grip the pick in different fashions. I use the classic John Mclaughlin grip because I feel it is the best one when it comes to jazz/fusion improvisation and complex rhythms. Whichever grip you choose always remember that regardless of how you hold the plectrum the Principles remain the same. The Thumb being the powerhouse that takes any “Pressure” as we “Pluck/alternate with the wrist”.
From the "outside" of the strings it is Up skip over pluck down pluck up [DOWN SKIP OVER PLUCK UP-reverse From the “Inside” of the strings it is Down skip over pluck up. [UP SKIP OVER PLUCK DOWN-reverse
Exercise 1
2 strings crossing repetition alternate picking “EVEN” Groupings
Exercise 2
2 strings crossing and left hand shifting whilst alternate picking “EVEN”Groupings
FREVO “Rasgado” INTRO By John Mclaughlin/Paco De Lucia
Aligned with the 6th string Open E
Aligned with the 5th string Open A
Aligned with the 4th string Open D
Aligned with the 3rd string Open G
Aligned with the 2nd string Open B
Aligned with the 1st string Open E
If you do alternate picking properly and pluck each string and each note of a phrase with a loose wrist and and relaxed arm/hand then you will avoid injury. But if you just do a tremolo and hammer on then you will put yourself at risk. The principles outlined in this short book are very simple and easy to understand. They are not only here to help you progress but also to help you avoid injury.
It is best to use a “Hard” Plectrum for alternate picking. [Jim Dunlop do some very good hard plectrums].
Alternate Picking "Triplet" Style Al di Meola CLICK
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