Modern Music Theory and Application

Indian-esque “Style” Octave Raga Strumming

Posted on November 23, 2023January 27, 2024 by Modern Music Theory and Application

Please watch video above for detailed information:

Hi Guys,

Today, a quick blog on using octaves and open strings on the guitar to create Raga style compositions.

This is not “Classical” Indian” music but a means of adding an implication and fusing western guitar strumming with the Indian scale sound.

Below, we can see the scale we will employ. This is the Lydian mode. Here we have D lydian in a Hexatonic format.

indian-guitar-strumming-octaves-raga-example

Now, instead of using single notes we will double them creating octaves.

Adding to this we will employ the open strings of the guitar as we strum to create interesting rhythms. [See video above].

We can also use quick slurs and slides to create a dynamic Indian-esque effect

Now, let’s move over to the 4th and 2nd strings and do the same thing with the lydian octaves and open guitar strings. [see video above]

Finally, we will move over to the 3rd and 1st guitar strings and do the same thing. This time creating the C lydian mode.

indian-guitar-strumming-octaves-raga-example-c-lydian

Due to the guitars tuning you will notice that we are moving up in 4ths or down in 5ths.

This works well for composing becasue it creates a strong pull in terms of movement and power that can then be manipulated by percussive rhythmic strumming on the guitar.

PDF DOWNOAD:

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Alternate Picking Guitar Tetrachords Part 2

Posted on November 5, 2023November 23, 2023 by Modern Music Theory and Application

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alternate-picking-jazz-guitar-tetrachords-example

Please watch video above for detailed info:

Hi Guys,

This is a response video to the previous video/blog. This is to explain and demonstrate the application of “Tetrachords” a bit further.

Here, I will add the video examples in Tab/Notation:

RECAP= What are Tetrachords:

“Tetrachords” are 4 note groupings to connect harmony/lines together for improvisation [and composition]

alternate-picking-jazz-guitar-tetrachords-example

When mastered they can be broken up into musical phrasing/punctuation:

Broken up/Shifted: Thus creating an upbeat

Notes chopped off in the bar: Creating space and rhythmic interest.

Breaking up the tetrachords like this helps to create smooth syncopations, anticipations or go the other way and play on the beat:

Now, let’s follow this through to a short extension of the phrase

Counting Time

As always it’s essential to count the time when doing this so that you know where you are in the phrase.

Alternate Picking Guitar Technique:

In this video and for these examples I am employing strict alternate picking starting on a “Down Stroke”. Down Up Down Up etc.

TETRACHORD EXERCISES EXAMPLES

Practicing ii V7 I’s and iii Vi ii V7 I’s in various guises will really help you connect and nail the changes with your alternate picking: Below is an example with II V7 I:

Connecting the “HARMONY”

Now, let’s connect the harmony/chords together via tetrachords: This first example is in the style of John McLaughlin.

alternate-picking-jazz-guitar-tetrachords-improvisation-example

Notice, how smoothly the pentatonic 4 note groupings connect together

This time we will take a more basic approach with very simple fretting/fingering:

In Conclusion:

So, even through these basic examples it’s easy to see how to exploit these 4 note groupings to nail the changes and then break them up into musical phrasing/punctuation: As a further resource I would recommend John McLaughlin excellent DVD called “This is the way I do it”

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Alternate Picking Guitar Exercises/Runs 140 bpm ii v7 i

Posted on November 1, 2023November 5, 2023 by Modern Music Theory and Application

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alternate-picking-mechanics-guitar-exercise-fusion-fluidity-lines

Video above demonstrates the exercises below:

Hi Guys,

Today, a couple of alternate picking guitar exercises.

The difference with these is that they are LONG “Fusion” fluidity exercises/lines. The Goal is in “Connecting” the 4 note tetrachords together to produce long liquid lines for jazz/fusion improvisation.

mclaughlin-liquid-lines-fluidity-alternate-picking-exercise

These lines are through a ii V7 I chord sequence/cadence at 140 bpm, so they are not super fast but are at the tipping point of the fusion tempo.

I am starting on a down stroke with the pick and following through with strict alternate picking in double time with 16th notes.

EXERCISE 1:

This first exercise employs some chromaticism ascending with pentatonic movement. The last 2 notes have a big stretch so there’s also a quick moment of detailed finger precision in the fretting hand.

alternate-picking-mechanics-guitar-exercise

As always with these types of exercises it’s important to count time and feel the pulse.

This will create the “Fluidity” in movement and help connect it all together.

EXERCISE 2 VARIATION:

Next, we have a variation of the exercise above. This time starting with an upbeat and an extension all the way to the top D note.

alternate-picking-mechanics-guitar-exercise-fluidity-lines

EXERCISE 3:

Lastly, we have another tetrachord exercise and variation going the other way,

alternate-picking-mechanics-guitar-exercise-liquid-lines

CONCLUSION:

As you can see from these short exercises, the only way to get the alternate picking effective with jazz/fusion is through the “Connections”, because the harmony/chord changes have to be dealt with whilst picking.

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