Alternate Picking John Mclaughlin acoustic guitar exercise

This exercise is another simple John Mclaughlin [Shakti] right hand guitar exercise employing alternate picking with the plectrum moving “down” and “up” in a strict alternating manner.

This is a short simple exercise but is really good for getting ideas in how to extend alternate picking patterns for longer lines:This happens when you become aware of the rhythmic pulse of the exercise and the left hand fingering of the fretting hand.

Start with a “down” stroke but be aware of your “Up” stroke because this will propel the lick forward rhythmically.

John Mclaughlin alternate picking lick
“Shakti” alternate picking guitar line

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CYCLE OF 4THS ON THE GUITAR FINGERBOARD

https://youtu.be/JvfoVCY3d14

Below: Cycle of 4ths using triplets in one position on the guitar fingerboard.

Ascending: Cycle of 4ths

cycle of 4ths for guitar triplet lesson exercise

Descending: Cycle [as Cycle of 5ths]

cycle of 4ths triplet guitar descending lesson

To create strength and consistency to our playing it is best to employ “Tetrachords”

But, what is a Tetrachord?

A tetrachord is a 4 note grouping.

"TETRACHORD" 4 NOTE GROUPING FOR IMPROVISATION TECHNIQUE
“TETRACHORD” 4 NOTE GROUPING FOR IMPROVISATION TECHNIQUE

When you play through the exercise you will be aware of the employment of Pentatonic’s, Major/Minor arpeggios and plain arpeggios. This in turn gives us easy fingering and fluidity in the picking hand and the fretting hand.

cycle of 5ths pentatonic's guitar lesson

cycle of 5ths pentatonic's guitar lesson

cycle of 5ths pentatonic's guitar lesson

NOTICE THE REPEATED PATTERN AND GUITAR FINGERING.

cycle of 5ths arpeggios jazz improvisation guitar lesson

cycle of 5ths arpeggios jazz improvisation guitar lesson

 

DIAGRAM EXPLANATION BELOW:

 THE CYCLE OF 4THS [and 5ths]

cycle of 4tha and cycle of 5ths diagram

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Alternate Picking Guitar Acoustic Fusion

This little alternate picking guitar exercise is taken from John Mclaughlin’s acoustic jazz fusion C.D “Belo Herozonte”.

Although this is a simple and short exercise it displays the way to open up and extend long fluid alternate picking improvised jazz fusion guitar lines.

https://youtu.be/v8a0OSXA8_o

You can either employ orthodox fingering or the fingering that I use.

John Mclaughlin Alternate Picking “Belo Herozonte’ Guitar lick/Exercise:

alternate picking jazz fusion  john mclaughlin guitar lesson

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