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John Mclaughlin and AL DI MEOLA’S [the Guitar Trio] STYLE with the plectrum requires strict ALTERNATE PICKING. the solo lines are picked with extreme quickness. You need to be able to PICK straight into the rhythmic flow of the improvised line. The patterns below detail some of the best and most important alternate picking patterns for mastery of this style
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
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.
KEY POINT FOR GUITAR TRIO PERFORMANCE!
The most essential concept is to count time to the various “Rhythmic Groupings” e,g 4’s 6’s etc. Make sure that you “Tap your foot” as you count time. Counting time will make you play what you actually hear from the tight rhythms. It is essential to performing this type of guitar trio music. You will also need to be in time in order to be in Sync with the other guitarists on riffs/vamps etc.
PART 2: GUITAR TRIO: VARIATIONS ON SEXTUPLETS/TRIPLETS
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.
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