Lessons from Jazz/World to 20 Century Classical Music Harmony Rhythm and Theory
Author: Modern Music Theory and Application
Clifford Martin is a trained classical musician and composer. His 1st study being piano and composition and a deep study in the application of modern music theory. He also studied jazz piano and jazz drums privately.
This website is a catalogue of ideas and musical concepts for improvisation and composition.
How to play “Happy Birthday” on the Guitar easily chord/melody
PLEASE WATCH VIDEO ABOVE FOR DETAILED LESSON
The most asked for and expected tune ever for a guitarist has to be “Happy Birthday”.
But how many can actually play it?
I have lost count of the many red faced guitarists I have witnessed fall fowl to the ole, “Play ‘appy birthday for us mate” only to have to nod the head and walk away in shame, to the reply of “I thought you said you could play the guitar”???
So, okay, here is a very simple and effective Tab/Notation guitar method that you can learn easily to play the old chestnut and hold your head high with pride, and keep your customers very very happy! And, when they pass your good reputation along you get to make a few quid!
POLYMODAL CHROMATICISM EXPLAINED:COMPOSITION/IMPROV CONCEPTs/MUSIC THEORY
PLEASE WATCH VIDEO ABOVE FOR DETAILED EXPLANATION AND EXAMPLES/CONCEPTS
What is PolyModal Chromaticism?
PolyModal Chromaticism is the concept of employing 2 modes at once.
In the example below we can see that C Phrygian and C Lydian create a chromatic scale when joined together.
POLYMODAL CHROMATICISM EXPLAINED:COMPOSITION/IMPROVISATION CONCEPTS/music theory
But, on a much more interesting note we can join together other modes and create something extra special.
For example, C Dorian with C Lydian creates a 10 note scale.
POLYMODAL CHROMATICISM EXPLAINED:COMPOSITION/IMPROVISATION CONCEPTS/Music Theory
What is striking is that we find chords that exist, but, do NOT belong to either mode.
POLYMODAL CHROMATICISM EXPLAINED:COMPOSITION/IMPROV CONCEPTS MUSIC THEORY
For instance, C Diminished, D Augmented, E flat Augmented, E Diminished, F# Augmented, G Augmented, B flat Augmented, B Diminished.
This makes it very useful to “Re harmonise” and create an original, fresh sounding music. We have chords belonging to neither modal centre and this opens up fresh thinking/hearing out of the box possibilities.
Remember: We can also superimpose these chords together.
POLY MODAL CHROMATICISM EXPLAINED: Upper Structures, Superimposition on combined modes Dorian and Lydian
Here are the major modes with C as the Parent Key [or Root]: Try playing any two at once and try out different rhythms and dynamics like legato, staccato, etc. You will find all sorts of weird and wonderful combinations. You will discover rich colourful vibrant harmony and fresh original ideas with the modes in this way. It really is a cliche buster. This musical concept is excellent for orchestration, film composing, improvisation and concert hall composition as we find in the great works of the 20c classical composers like Ravel and Bartok.
POLYMODAL CHROMATICISM Music Theory EXPLAINED:COMPOSITION/IMPROVISATION CONCEPTS part 1
These exercises employ the A Harmonic Minor Scale. I use alternate picking guitar technique starting on a downstroke.
Exercise 1: Simple descending and ascending 2 finger harmonic minor scale. “Even” alternate picking pattern
Guitar fingering for fluid scales for jazz and world music improvisation EVEN Alternate Picking
Exercise 2: Wide interval 3 finger to the simple 2 finger descending Harmonic Minor Scale
Guitar HARMONIC MINOR fingering for scales in jazz and world music improvisation
Exercise 3: Moving from a 3 finger piece of scale mid strings out to the first string with a simple 2 finger scale approach. Mixing 2 and 3 finger alternate picking.
Guitar fingering for fluid scales for jazz alternate picking and world music improvisation even patterns Harmonic Minor
Harmonic Minor Scale PART 2: JOHN MCLAUGHLIN GUITAR TECHNIQUE:
Exercise 4: John Mclaughlin scale guitar fingering technique. This method again employs strict alternate picking starting on a down stroke. John Mclaughlin’s guitar fingering is unique in that you can play at very fast tempo’s alternate picking due to the simple fingering and the way it repetitively crosses the guitar strings .
John Mclaughlin Harmonic Minor Alternate Picking Guitar Technique fingering lesson
Exercise 5: John Mclaughlin guitar fingering technique part 2:
John Mclaughlin Harmonic Minor Alternate Picking Guitar Technique fingering lesson
Excersie 6: 3 finger to simple 2 finger Harmonic Minor scale for alternate picking guitar technique starting on a down stroke.
Guitar fingering for fluid scales for jazz alternate picking and world music improvisation even patterns
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