arpeggios – The Jazz improviser and modern music theory application

Messiaen’s 3rd Mode Backing Track

Posted on March 17, 2023March 24, 2023 by Jazz fusion guitar Improvisation lessons and modern music theory

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Messiaen’s 3rd mode Backing Track

Hi Guys,

Today we will look at a backing track for Messiaen’s 3rd Mode of limited transposition.

Here is the 3rd mode in its most commonly used form in jazz/fusion: [This is a 9 note scale]

Here is the outline to the chords in the backing track: Remember, these are all formed from the same 3rd mode.

Here is the Chord Chart and Video/Track:

Messiaen’s 3rd mode Backing Track

CHORD CHART:

PDF DOWNLOAD:

messiaen-mode-3-chart Messiaen Mode 3 Download

Here is some more information/Examples on Messiaen’s 3rd Mode: [Video and Tab/Notation]

Messiaen Modes and Compositional/Improvisational Technique: Modern Music Theory Lesson

Mode 3 has 4 Transpositions and is very useful for jazz. The second transposition was Messiaen’s favourite of his modes.

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Messiaen mode 3 lesson — Messiaen Modes and Compositional/Improvisational Technique: Modern Music Theory Lesson

Below are some examples employing this scale for improvisation which in turn can be used to create interesting composition.

MESSIAEN MODE 3 [2ND TRANSPOSITION]: EXAMPLE 1

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INTERVALLIC IDEA: EXAMPLE 2

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Many composers like Tora Takemitsu and improvisers like Allan Holdsworth have manipulated this mode in one form or another. In the example below this mode sort of weaves in and out of itself. nother. As you can see in the example belomode sort of weaves in and out of itself.

Weaving in and out of F major 7th: EXAMPLE 3

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WEAVING IN AND OUT OF A ALTERED: EXAMPLE 4

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Below is a Short Compositional Study where I use Messaien’s Modes.

Messiaen Modes and Compositional/Improvisational Technique: Modern Music Theory Lesson

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Scale Application for Guitar Improvisation

Posted on February 3, 2023February 14, 2023 by Jazz fusion guitar Improvisation lessons and modern music theory

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Guitar scales made easy!

Please watch video above for detailed analysis

Hi Guys,

Many players ask, “How do I apply scales”?????

Many people get shred guitar mixed up with improvisational styles especially in regards to alternate picking.

Then, when improvisational chord changes appear the scalic structure, guitar fingering, rhythm and phrasing go out of the window. Because, the clumpy classical fingering impedes the rhythmic flow needed to weave in and out of rapid chord changes.

So what to do?

The key is to make simple fingerings with pentatonics, triad pairs, arpeggios, and chromatic passing notes and target tone set ups.

In the example for this blog/video we will go to the absolute basics and create a very simple scale. [please watch video above for more detail]

So, let’s look at the example of a simplified scale built from the basic major scale. [This could be seen as Phrygian but it is just exploiting a simple fingering]

This Ascends and Descends starting on a “Downstroke” with strict alternate picking.

For most players the most awkward part is descending on the last 2 strings the A and the E string.

Here is the same scale but with an even easier final 4 notes on the E and A strings:

Next we will apply this concept of breaking up scales and apply it to a bit of John Coltrane’s “Countdown”.

Notice the “Tetrachords” and 2 beat phrases through the rapid changes of harmony.

countdown-guitar-tab-improvisation-example

With the chords moving so quickly and the harmony changing in this manner you can easily hear, see and feel how important it is to be able to improvise with simple broken up scales that inevitably result in simple fluid fingering.

PDF: DOWNLOAD:

scale-fingering Download

“Countdown” Example: PDF DOWNLOAD:

countdown-scales Download

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3 alternate picking jazz fusion guitar licks

Posted on January 30, 2023February 3, 2023 by Jazz fusion guitar Improvisation lessons and modern music theory

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3 alternate picking jazz fusion guitar licks

Please watch video above for detailed analysis:

Hi Guys,

Today we have 3 mid tempo 130-150 Bpm alternate picking jazz fusion cadence guitar lines.

They all employ the same principles of barring, a bit of scale and arpeggio.

This first line starts on an “Upstroke” alternate picking on the up beat. This in turn will let us start on the beat with a down stroke on the first beat of the next bar alternate picking.