Hi Guys,
Today, a quick look at the unique compositional and playing style of guitar maestro Earl Klugh.
EXAMPLE 1:
In the first example we will take a basic I IV V I [C to F to G to C] chord sequence and employ “Inversions”.
The employment of simple chord inversions are the key to getting creative in this beautiful, skeletal and spacious guitar style, along with the compositional process.
First we will create a short piece of music to then elaborate on:
Let’s begin with a simple C root position chord that then moves up into its 1st inversion with a melody note of B natural, which, will resolve down to the note A for chord IV [F Major].
From here we will employ a root position chord of G Major.
Now, we need to create a cadence.
In this case we could make this V7d or G/F or employ a simple F Major chord that resolves back to C/E or C 1st inversion.
Here, is the whole little structure that we can embellish in the next part.
PART 2: EMBELLISHMENTS:
Now, that we have a base, a little melody and a structure to work from, we can start to fill it out and colour it in.
First, we will add some simple melodic slides: These, are outlining – C Dm and C/E – and create percussive/melodic movement.
Next, we will exploit chord iii and make it Major and a Dominant 7th: From here, we will use this to modulate to chord Vi [A minor] the relative minor of C Major.
This gives a new emotional colour and pull as it moves away from the Major key.
Finally, we need to cadence. We will employ a ii V chord sequence to get us back to chord I [C Major].
To create a climax to the cadence, we will add colour with 6ths as melodic and rhythmic embellishments that push us to resolve to the tonic chord of C Major.
FULL EXAMPLE:
IN CONCLUSION:
This was just a brief look at this amazing style that is employed by the likes of Earl Klugh and Pat Metheny.
The use of chord inversions and basic harmony creates a very melodic and rhythmic world where composition presents itself naturally, within the movement of the chords themselves.
This is because, the melodies or melodic inflections result from the way that the chord inversion connect and resolve, thus, making the compositional process a natural and fluid one, resulting in spacious, rich melodic sounds that compliment the guitars resonance and fingerboard shapes.
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