Tag: Examples

Alternate Picking “Upstroke” Guitar Exercise

Posted on by Modern Music Theory
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”

Please watch video above for detailed information

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

VARIATION IN THE SECOND BAR:

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:

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

Polytonality:For Concerto/Orchestral Writing

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

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Polytonality: For Concerto/OrchestralWriting lesson

Please watch the video above for detailed analysis:

Hi Guys

Today, a quick look at composing with Polytonality for orchestral and concerto writing.

What is Polytonality?

Polytonality is the use of two or more keys at the same time:

Example 1:

Db Major/C Major [Basic root position]

poly-tonality-orchestral-composing-chords-example

In this first example we have 4 bars of Polytonality with Eminor/DbMajor and EbMajor/CMajor

poly-tonality-orchestral-composing-chords-example

This then resolves itself with a “Tonal” diatonic cadence of B7/D# to Em:

This method is really useful because we can use the polytonal approach sparingly with it’s thicker and richer harmonic texture whilst then then playing its opposite it with the thinner aspect of diatonicism.

This way the Polytonal nature of the music compliments the diatonic cadences and visa versa.

Example 2:

Polytonality-Orchestral Example

This example explores “Implication”. In this case it is implying the melodic minor but avoiding the cliche by employing the richness of Polytonality:

polytonality-orchestral-composing-chords-example

From here, we will again employ diatonic harmony for a cadence.

To complete this short orchestral example we will go back into Polytonality with another melodic minor implication by employing Dminor/DbMajor:

polytonality-orchestral-composing-chords-example

Here is the chart:

poly-tonality-orchestral-composing-example

Example 3:

Polytonality-Orchestral Example

In this final example we will just “Reverse” the chords. This time it is DbMajor/Cmajor which is then played the other way around with CMajor/DbMajor.

polytonality-orchestral-composing-chords-example

finally, we will employ a slash chord for an “Implied” cadence: This will also lighten the harmony:

Here is the Chart:

polytonality-orchestral-composing-example

FREE PDF DOWNLOAD:

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

2 short John McLaughlin Style Acoustic Jazz Guitar Licks/Cadences

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

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2 short John McLaughlin Acoustic Jazz Guitar Licks/Cadences

Please Watch Video Above for Detailed Info:

Hi Guys,

Today just a couple of John McLaughlin “Style” acoustic guitar licks/cadences on ii V7 I’s

LICK #1

The first one has a phrasing that really feels like two groups of sextuplets. This in turn creates a sort of juxtaposed phrasing as it is picked in 4 note tetrachord groupings starting with an up beat.

But, the alternate picking pattern starting on an Upstroke pushes this juxtaposition quite naturally.

john-mclaughlin-jazz-guitar-example

The second part of the first bar simplifies this by employing basic 2 notes per string phrasing:

john-mclaughlin-jazz-guitar-example

The next bar being played over the Dominant 7th chord employs the same type of mixed phrasing as the first bar:

john-mclaughlin-jazz-guitar-example

We conclude with 2 triads of Eminor and F Major:

john-mclaughlin-jazz-guitar-example

LICK #2

This lick starts with an upbeat and an upstroke on the open E string:

From here we start on a downstroke with 4 note groupings of Tetrachord connections:

john-mclaughlin-jazz-guitar-example

The final phrase employs the same juxtaposed notes/groupings as the first exercise which finally rest on the tonic chord of C Maj7:

john-mclaughlin-jazz-guitar-example

FREE PDF DOWNLOAD:

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