In this web page we will look at applying the style of the Great French composer Pierre Boulez to the guitar. We can exploit “Cross Picking” and “Alternate Picking” with the guitar plectrum.
The first example is a flat 5 or diminished 5th added to the perfect 5th. The use of intervals also employs augmentation [with the#5] and the semitone as a non- resolving tone.
Example 1
In the next example we employ wide intervals. This example exploits semitones and other intervals by creating wide intervallic shapes which create a fresh intervallic sound.
In the next example we employ “Cross Picking”. This is very similar to that taught by guitarist Robert Fripp in his guitar craft. This concept can also be found in some of the King Crimson recordings.
The concept is a very simple one that can be applied to execute some very odd/complex musical ideas on the guitar. The picking pattern with the guitar plectrum is:
“Down Down Up”
Example: D D U Repeated loop pattern.
Basic D D U Cross Picking Pattern
The next two patterns employ Diminished and Augmented shapes in triplets with an open string.
Another example with the open string concept
This last open string cross picking pattern is a mixture:
To Finish, we will employ a basic triplet pattern without any open strings.
Thanks for viewing this website! If you enjoyed this lesson then please Subscribe to us on Youtube!