Pat Martino Intervallic Studies: Un-Published Book Lesson

Pat Martino Intervallic Studies: Un-Published Book Lesson

Hi Guys!

Guitarist Mark Koch one of Pat’s students kindly sent me a copy of Pat’s un-published book on “Intervallic studies“.

pat-martino-intervallic-studies-umpinlished-book

It’s a fascinating look at the imaginative thought process and creative concepts that Pat was investigating for the development of the improvising guitarist.

pat-martino-intervallic-studies-unpublished-book

In this first example we will look at the “Whole Tone Scale” Study:

pat-martino-intervallic-studies-unpublished-book

From a music theory perspective if we take away the intervallic approach and place the notes in order we will get a whole tone scale ascending followed by a whole tone scale descending:

pat-martino-intervallic-studies-unpublished-book

Now, we will put them back into the “Disguised” form with the clever approach of the intervallic design:

pat-martino-intervallic-guitar-studies

The key to playing these studies on the guitar is to decide on a methodical fingering and stick to it. [Below=Pat’s Fingering]

pat-martino's-unpublished-book-intervallic-guitar-studies

pat-martino-intervallic-studies-unpublished-book

I am employing strict alternate picking for this study starting on an upstroke:

pat-martino-intervallic-studies-unpublished-book

pat-martino-intervallic-studies-unpublished-book

Same Study: From Pat’s book with fingering examples:

pat-martino-intervallic-studies-unpublished-book-whole-tone-scale

Now we will look at how Pat breathes life into the pentatonic scale:

pat-martino-intervallic-studies-unpublished-book

As before we will take this from a music theory perspective and remove the intervallic approach:

pat-martino-pentatonic-scale-guitar-lesson

Now, let’s disguise this with the use of intervallic exploitation and alternate picking starting on a “Downstroke”:

pat-martino-intervallic-studies-unpublished-book

Same Study from Pat’s unpublished book:

pat-martino-intervallic-studies-unpublished-book

Finally, we will employ these intervallic concepts through a iim7b5 V7 i cadence.

Once again, we see the intervallic set up:

pat-martino-intervallic-improvisation-example

Now, let’s employ our music theory and place the intervallic notes in order. Here we find that we have the exploitation of the chromatic scale.

pat-martinochromatic-scale-guitar-lesson

This clever approach is really effective because in the second bar beats 2 and 3 we have a literal chromatic scale that then anticipates the coming minor tonic chord of Em with an Em arpeggio.

pat-martino-intervallic-improvisation-example

Full Example:

pat-martino-intervallic-improvisation-example

This was just a quick look at the creative thought process and unique approach of Pat Martino, resulting in the application of this material into a minor iim7b5 V7 i improvised line to hear how they work and sound.

This approach to scales and improvising [and composing] with them is highly original and extremely useful when there is a need to bust out of cliches and seek colour and creativity in our playing.

How to use the “CHROMATIC SCALE” in Jazz Improvisation

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How to use the “CHROMATIC SCALE” in Jazz Improvisation

Please watch video above for in depth analysis:

Hi Guys,

Today we will look at applying the simple half step chromatic scale to jazz improvisation. This in turn will be reflected in the alternate picking guitar technique:

So, we will look at two parts,

1] Harmonic Aspect-Set-UP-Theory

2] Technical Execution-Set-Up-Instrument

The analysis will be detailed through this 2 5 1

Hot-to-use-the-chromatic-scale-jazz
How to use the “CHROMATIC SCALE” in Jazz Improvisation

MUSIC THEORY: Chromatic Scale:

how-to-use-the-chromatic-scale
How to use the “CHROMATIC SCALE” in Jazz Improvisation

If we look at the first bar we will see 4 note groupings “Tetrachords”. These groupings are made of semitones [chromatic scale].

outlining-chords-with-chromatic-scale
Outlining chord with the chromatic scale for jazz improvisation

What you will notice is that they “Outline” the Chord DmMaj7. This makes the ear follow the direction of the line in relation to the harmony so that it is not just aimless semitones strung together, but a connected line with a definite direction that resolves into an arpeggio.

how-to-use-the-chromatic-scale
Outlining chords with the chromatic scale

These chromatic semitones in groups of 4 are “Even” Patterns and hence easy to alternate pick as the are all the same “Down Up Down Up”.

how-to-use-the-chromatic-scale-alternate-picking
4 note chromatic grouping for alternate picking guitar technique

In the next bar we see the same technique: The chord is outlined again with 4 note chromatic scale groupings.

how-to-use-the-chromatic-scale
Outlining chords with the chromatic scale

Finally we come to the last bar. This time we employ outlining by moving the chromatic scale up in minor 3rds [Diminished 7th].

outlining-chords-with-chromatic-scale
Outlining chords in minor 3rds [Diminished 7th] with the chromatic scale

In order to execute this type of playing it is essential to accent the 1st and the 3rd notes of each 4 note grouping. This will create a fluid rhythmic sound and hold the tempo tight.

alternate-picking-accents-jazz-guitar
Alternate Picking jazz guitar technique

If you watch the video at the top of the page you will see how the fretting hand works:

Here is the fretting technique that I employ in the video that sync’s the left hand with the right hand alternate picking:

I use GRIP, PLAY

alternate-picking-fretting-hand-technique
Alternate Picking Guitar Technique Fretting Explained

RELEASE, MOVE HAND

alternate-picking-fretting-hand-technique
Alternate Picking Guitar Technique Fretting Explained

GRIP, PLAY

alternate-picking-fretting-hand-technique
Alternate Picking Guitar Technique Fretting Explained

RELEASE, MOVE HAND etc.

alternate-picking-fretting-hand-technique
Alternate Picking Guitar Technique Fretting Explained

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