Music Theory Modern Jazz Improvisation and 20th Century Classic lessons, Guitar Jazz Fusion John Mclaughlin Al di Meoala improvisation techniques explanations in notation, tablature and video
Alternate picking guitar technique for jazz, fusion and heavy metal. Aimed at modern jazz improvisation. Employing the alternate picking technique right hand techniques of John Mclaughlin and Al Di Meola.
This simple alternate picking exercise employs a C major scale starting with the note G on the sixth string of the guitar that ascends to the C note on the 1st string of the guitar. This scale then descends back to the G note on the 6th guitar string.
You can think of this scale as G mixolydian or C major starting on the note of G. But, in this lesson it is just a convenient way to cross all 6 strings of the guitar to gain fluency.
THE FOUR MAIN ALTERNATE PICKING GUITAR RHYTHMS FOR CREATIVE ACOUSTIC GUITAR JAZZ/FUSION IMPROVISED LINE SET-UPS
Basic Rhythms
THE FIRST ALTERNATE PICKING RHYTHMIC SET-UP EMPLOYS THE 8TH NOTE AND TWO 16TH NOTES. THIS IS A USEFUL RHYTHM AS IT GIVES YOUR PICKING RIGHT HAND A MOMENT TO SET UP THE “UP STROKE” AND FIRE THE PHRASE FORWARD LEADING TO A SMOOTH ALTERNATE PICKING LICK/LINE.
Alternate Picking Guitar Set-up
THE NEXT RHYTHMIC SET UP EMPLOYS A DOTTED 8TH NOTE AND A 16TH NOTE. AGAIN THIS SLIGHT DELAY BEFORE THE PHRASE TAKES OFF GIVES YOUR RIGHT HAND TIME TO FLICK UP AND FIRE OFF THE PHRASE WITH CONFIDENT ALTERNATE PICKING.
Alternate Picking Guitar Set-Up for Jazz/Fusion Improvisation
THE PHRASE BELOW IS THE “OFF-BEAT” PHRASE AND IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT CREATES ANTICIPATION AND SYNCOPATION IN YOUR ALTERNATE PICKING WHICH IS ESSENTIAL FOR JAZZ AND FUSION GUITAR PLAYING. [AS I SUGGEST IN THE VIDEO YOU WILL FIND THIS A LOT IN THE JOHN MCLAUGHLIN ALBUM/CD CALLED “BELO HEROZONTE]
Al di Meola John Mclaughlin Paco De lucia Guitar Trio
Sextuplets alternate picking guitar technique:
The point of this exercise is to understand that the last note plucked in each group of sextuplets is on an “Up” stroke, so it is “Up skip over pluck down” for the next group of 6 notes.
Exercise: For alternate picking sextuplets technique in one position.
Extended sextuplet alternate picking guitar technique exercise for “Coming up on the upstroke”
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The key to this Shakti guitar riff is to “Shift” the fretting hand positions whilst employing strict alternate picking with the plectrum in the right hand as can be found in the guitar style of John Mclaughlin.
This is a great exercise for right hand picking technique by alternating with the plectrum starting on a “downstroke” whilst synchronising the left hand with the position shifts on the guitar fingerboard.
Shakti alternate picking hand position shifting guitar lick in TAB/Notation
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FAST ALTERNATE PICKING PLECTRUM GUITAR LINES LESSON:
Performing in the style of the Guitar Trio with the plectrum requires strict ALTERNATE PICKING for the solo lines that are picked at a very high velocity. You need to be able to “Jump” straight into the rhythmic flow.
BELOW ARE SOME CONCEPTS/IDEAS TO BE WORKING ON:
Line 1-“16ths” Alternate Picking starting on a “Down” stroke
Line 2- Extended version of the previous line above, again starting on a “Down” stroke
More Alternate Picking guitar video lessons:
The key to all of this is to "Count Time/Groupings"and "Tap your foot" as you do so. If you count time you will play what you hear. It is the key to performing this guitar trio music.
TRIPLETS:
Line 3-Groups of “4” with strict Alternate Picking but this time starting with an “Upstroke” creating a “Rolling” effect as the plectrum glides across the strings.
Groups of 6 VARIATIONS:
Line 4-This is a “Variation” of our very first pattern but this time played in “Sextuplets” starting on a “Down” stroke.
Line 5-This line can be heard as Triplets or Sextuplets. This time though we are starting on an “Upstroke”. Again, because we are starting our alternate picking on an up stroke there is a fluid rolling effect as we cross the strings.
Line 6-This is a key signature line of Pace de Lucia and Al di Meola. It is an ascending G major scale in double timed triplets [or Sextuplets]. We are starting our picking on an “Upstroke”and ascending passionately up the scale, The better the rhythm of the alternate picking the more clean and powerful this little lick becomes.
Line 7-Here is another variation of the 16th note line. This time we start “Upstroke and roll the line along with tight rhythmical alternate picking. The key as always is to count good time when picking and tap your foot for precision.
Line 8-“Spanish” descending 2 string line. Really it is an ascending “Down” stroke alternate picking pattern followed by an ascending “Up” stroke rolling alternate picking pattern. If you treat it like that then it is easy to play and learn.
For a closer look there is a complete transcription of “Friday Night in San Franscisco” Book available AMAZON
