2 Part Counterpoint Guitar Strumming

Modern Jazz Fusion Chords part 2. Steely Dan, Dan Chord and Slash Chords

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2 Part Counterpoint Guitar Strumming: songwriting guitar style lesson

Hi Guys,

Today, a quick look at contrapuntal 2 part guitar strumming. This involves employing contrary motion technique where 2 parts move in different directions

This is not traditional Bach counterpoint but using and exploiting what works naturally on the guitar’s traditional tuning EADGBE.

In the first exercise we will just pluck some simple 2 part voicing’s leading to a plagal cadence.

counterpoint-songwriting-guitar-lesson-example

In the next exercise we will brings out the inner voicing’s whilst strumming rhythms on all the guitar strings.

counterpoint-songwriting-guitar-lesson-example

Now, we will move up to the next three strings and strum some more patterns.

counterpoint-songwriting-guitar-lesson-example

In the following exercise you will see how easy it is to create contrary motion through the different registers with the plectrum as [simple dyads or] 2 note voicing’s.

counterpoint-songwriting-guitar-lesson-example

Now, we will move up to the first and second strings,

counterpoint-songwriting-guitar-lesson-example

Here is a chordal variation with an added pedal note:

counterpoint-songwriting-guitar-lesson-example

The next example is in G major and produces a really lovely sound that resonates on the first two strings.

counterpoint-songwriting-guitar-lesson-example

Let’s now add a G pedal: Notice the ascending [but falling] scale motifs:

counterpoint-songwriting-guitar-lesson-example

Finally, we can employ another useful technique by using a pedal note with a chord. This is not contrapuntal, but it is useful for creating a clear sense of harmony with rhythmic drive.

pedal-strumming-guitar-lesson

Here we will add a little a “Down Down Up” plucked triplet motif to break it up.

al-di-meola-triplets-arpeggio-lesson

Full Exercise:

pedal-strumming-guitar-lesson

Modern Jazz Fusion Chords part 2. Steely Dan, Dan Chord and Slash Chords

Alternate Picking “Upstroke” Guitar Exercise

Modern Jazz Fusion Chords part 2. Steely Dan, Dan Chord and Slash Chords

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Alternate Picking Guitar explained in detail-“The UP STROKE”

Hi Guys,

Today, just a short alternate picking guitar technique exercise starting on an “Upstroke”.

The first part of the exercise employs a scale fragment that starts on an upstroke .

alternate-picking-guitar-explained

Although, this creates an odd grouping of 5 notes, it works really well because when you cross over the strings you will be starting on a “Down stroke”

alternate-picking-guitar-explained

This, also works well because this is a simple two finger pentatonic movement.

alternate-picking-guitar-explained-how-to

In the second bar we imitate the first part of the first bar by starting on the “Upstroke” again, creating another 5 note grouping,

alternate-picking-guitar-explained

In the next part we start on the “Down stroke” again. Also, note the fingering as we cross the strings. This is a favourite of guitarist John McLaughlin. This is crossing with the 2nd finger.

alternate-picking-guitar-explained-lesson

Here is the 2nd bar in full,

alternate-picking-guitar-explained-lesson

FULL EXERCISE 1:

alternate-picking-guitar-exercise

Here, is a variation for the second part of the exercise.

alternate-picking-guitar-exercise-lesson

Note, the semitones and the crossing over with the second finger to easily cross the strings:

alternate-picking-guitar-exercise-technique

FREE DOWNLOAD OF EXERCISE:

Modern Jazz Fusion Chords part 2. Steely Dan, Dan Chord and Slash Chords

John Mclaughlin Jazz Acoustic Guitar Line:

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John Mclaughlin Jazz Acoustic Guitar Line

Hi Guys,

Just a quick iim7b5 V7+ IMaj7 guitar lick in the style of John McLaughlin.

This employs alternate picking starting on a downstroke:

The first bar moves between D dorian mode and F melodic minor scale.

John-Mclaughlin-Jazz-Guitar-Lesson-acoustic

The next bar employs tetrachords with Eb pentatonic, C minor pentatonic and Dorian b2/C melodic minor leaning for an altered sound. [This resolves the flattened third to a B natural in the last tetrachord].

John-Mclaughlin-Jazz-Guitar-Lesson-acoustic

PDF DOWNLOAD:

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John-Mclaughlin-Jazz-Guitar-Lesson-acoustic

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