Al Di Meola Arpeggio Inversions on Guitar: Techniques and Variations

Al Di Meola Arpeggio inversions: Right hand guitar technique lesson

Hi Guys,

Today, a look at picking arpeggio inversions on the guitar. This is in the more recent style of Al Di Meola’s nylon string guitar playing/composing.

The main guitar picking pattern is “Down Down Up” and the variations of this naturally occur form the music itself.

al-di-meola-arpeggio-inversions-on-guitar-techniques-variations

This simple “Down Down Up” patten means that the final upstroke makes it easy to pluck the next downstroke on the lower strings.

To begin with lets play a simple F Major arpeggio in the root, 1st inversion and 2nd inversion:

al-di-meola-arpeggio-inversions-on-guitar-techniques-variations

As you can see and hear the “Down Down Up” works smoothly with the basic F major arpeggio inversions.

Now, let’s pick a chord sequence and vary the picking set up and pattern:

Basic Down Down Up: F root, E7 1st inversion, Am root:

al-di-meola-arpeggio-inversions-on-guitar-techniques-variations

Now, we will add an open E string for a syncopated rhythmic off beat set up,

al-di-meola-arpeggio-inversions-on-guitar-techniques-variations

You will also notice the two upstrokes on the high B and C notes. This makes it easy to descend with the pick/pattern whilst anticipating the next chord:

al-di-meola-arpeggio-inversions-on-guitar-techniques-variations

This time we will employ the 1st open E string and do the same thing:

al-di-meola-arpeggio-inversions-on-guitar-techniques-variations

We will now extend this chord sequence with more arpeggio inversions to outline the chord sequence.

al-di-meola-arpeggio-inversions-on-guitar-techniques-variations

Let’s extend this some more.

We now have

al-di-meola-arpeggio-inversions-on-guitar-techniques-variations

Here is the Full Sequence:

al-di-meola-arpeggio-inversions-on-guitar-techniques-variations

With Open Strings added:

al-di-meola-arpeggio-inversions-on-guitar-techniques-variations

This example makes use of triple upstroke picked to create beautiful melodic movement:

al-di-meola-arpeggio-inversions-on-guitar-techniques-variations

Finally, we will exploit A augmented 1st inversion going to D minor root: Also, notice the single note melodic rise of the high notes.

al-di-meola-arpeggio-inversions-on-guitar-techniques-variations

In conclusion, these are just a few examples of the beauty and fluidity of following arpeggio inversions for melodic composing and performing at the guitar.

This way of playing smoothly through the inversions works really well with the guitar pick, and as you can see in the examples the inversions can be manipulated rhythmically with anticipation/syncopation.

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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

As Requested: Youtube Shorts and Tab/Notation

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

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youtube-guitar-shorts-tab-example

Hi Guys,

As requested here are the 5 Youtube Shorts and their Notation/Tab.

Shakti/McLaughlin short lick

Tab/Notation a] Strict alternate picking starting on a down stroke:

youtube-guitar-shorts-tab-example

Tab/Notation b] Strict alternate picking starting on a down stroke:

youtube-guitar-shorts-tab-example

A Harmonic minor idea for E7

Tab/Notation a] A Harmonic minor scale over a Dominant E7 chord. Strict alternate picking starting on a down stroke:

harmonic-minor-scale-guitar-lick

Tab/Notation b] Extension

harmonic-minor-scale-guitar-lick

Tab/Notation c] Longer Extension/Connection

harmonic-minor-scale-guitar-lick

Repeated Scale fragments

Tab/Notation: Repeated Scale/Motif. Strict alternate picking starting on a down stroke:

repeated-guitar-scale-fragments

Alternate Picking guitar technique lick

Tab/Notation: Strict alternate picking starting on a down stroke:

mclaughlin-john-guitar-lick

Tab/Notation: Strict alternate picking starting on a down stroke:

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